30+ Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Toronto & GTA

Julie Anne
· · · ·

One of the best ways to connect with our city’s culture is by supporting local entrepreneurs. Black-owned businesses are a vital part of what makes Toronto and the GTA so dynamic, contributing everywhere from our food scene to our creative industries. Whether you’re looking for a new restaurant, a unique shop, or a community hub, this guide is a starting point for discovering and supporting these businesses all year round.

Celebrate Black History Month with These Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto & GTA

Restaurants & Food

Afrobeat Kitchen

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @afrobeatkitchen / Instagram 

Head to this spot on Queen West for dishes like Goat Pepper Soup and Party Jollof. The menu is full of traditional West African spices and flavours. They also serve craft beer and Nigerian palm wine to go with your meal.

Rasta Pasta

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @eatrastapasta and msyycfoodie / Instagram 

Found in Kensington Market, this spot is known for its blend of Jamaican and Italian food. Popular dishes include jerk chicken and various pasta creations that combine both cuisines.

Scotthill Caribbean Cuisine

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @scotthillcuisine / Instagram 

This family-run restaurant on Avenue Road serves classic Jamaican food. Their Jerk Chicken and Ackee & Saltfish are staples for anyone craving traditional Caribbean flavours.

SugarKane Restaurant

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @sugarkanerestaurant / Instagram 

A mix of Cajun and Caribbean food on the Danforth. Inspired by Grenadian and Trinidadian roots, SugarKane offers home-cooked meals, rum cocktails, and often has live music.

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Beryl’s Pepper Pot

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @berylspepperpot / Instagram 

Out in Pickering, Chef Beryl Ralston serves Jamaican classics like Curried Goat, Stewed Oxtails, and Jerk Chicken.

Beach Hill Smokehouse

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @beachhillbbq / Instagram 

If you’re looking for Texas-style BBQ, Beach Hill has multiple locations across Toronto. They are known for slow-cooked smoked meats and Southern comfort food sides.

Bars & Cafés

Rhapsody

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @rhapsody_to / Instagram 

A cocktail bar on the Ossington strip with a laid-back atmosphere. They serve well-made drinks and small bites, with a soundtrack of hip-hop and rock.

Classic Juice Co.

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @classicjuicecompany / Instagram 

Need a reset? Classic Juice Co. serves cold-pressed juices and wellness shots packed with real ingredients. This Black-owned spot focuses on fresh, nourishing drinks that taste great and support local farms.

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Bakeries & Sweets

Mary’s Brigadeiro

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @marybrigadeiro / Instagram 

Chocolate lovers? Mary’s Brigadeiro makes rich, Brazilian-inspired truffles in flavours like cayenne pepper and coconut. Each bite is handcrafted and ideal for a sweet treat or a gift.

Charm Berries

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @_charmberries / Instagram

Want next-level treats? Charm Berries lets you customise your chocolate-dipped treats, even infusing them with Bacardi, Baileys, or Appleton. Want premium liquor options? Go for Cîroc or Hennessy at extra costs.

Bookstores & Cultural Hubs

A Different Booklist

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @adfrntbooklist / Instagram 

Looking for books you won’t find in big-box stores? A Different Booklist in Toronto offers powerful stories by Black authors worldwide. It’s also a cultural hub and safe space for Black students and writers.

Art & Creative Spaces

BAND Gallery

Black-Owned Businesses in Toronto
Photo via @blackartndialog and Allison Gorczyk / Instagram 

Love art with a story? BAND Gallery showcases work from Black artists through pop-ups, exhibitions, and meet-and-greets. It’s a space where emerging talent gets the recognition it deserves.

  • Address:  (Temporarily closed for renovation. Please visit www.bandgallery.com  for offsite location)

Fresh Paint Studio + Café

Photo via @freshpaintto and @cassiedayyy / Instagram 

Need a creative break? Fresh Paint Studio is a Black-owned art café where you can sip coffee while painting. They offer classes for all levels, plus locally made art for sale.

Fitness & Wellness

Nice Day Pilates

Photo via @nicedaypilates / Instagram 

Looking to stretch, strengthen, and feel good? Nice Day Pilates offers in-person and online reformer classes in a welcoming, inclusive space. These sessions help improve flexibility, posture, and strength.

Cup of Té 

Photo via @cupofteshop and @daviddorsa / Instagram 

A tea lover? Cup of Té offers organic loose-leaf teas, tea sets, and teaware. It’s a go-to for tea lovers who want quality in every sip. 

Hotels & Lodging

Ode Toronto

Photo via @ode_toronto, @emxbeatrice, @easytigergoods, and @everythingisease / Instagram 

Need a place to stay with personality? Ode Toronto is a small, family-run hotel in Little Portugal with eight artist-designed rooms. Some even have comfy patios.

Beauty & Skincare

Curl Bar

Photo via @curlbar / Instagram 

Curly hair deserves expert care, and Curl Bar gets it. Specialising in curls, waves, and coils, this Toronto salon offers precision cuts, colour, and treatments designed for different curly hair types.

CurlShoppe

Photo via @curlshoppe / Instagram 

Long hair isn’t the goal—healthy hair is. CurlShoppe celebrates natural textures with products that help men, women, and kids embrace their curls with confidence.

Paba Cosmetics

Photo via @pabacosmetics / Instagram 

Need to update your cosmetics shelf? Paba Cosmetics offers a 100% cruelty-free makeup line made for women of all skin tones. Their oil-free and hypoallergenic formulas are great for acne, hyperpigmentation, and sensitive skin.

Bellurelle

Photo via @bellurelle / Instagram 

Toronto-based Bellurelle offers natural, organic, and cruelty-free skincare. From face care to hair treatments, you’ll get a range of clean beauty essentials.

Kemsi Skincare Essentials

Photo via @kemsiskin / Instagram 

Kemsi Skincare Essentials is a Black-owned, Canadian-made skincare brand that focuses on all-natural ingredients sourced locally. They work with skincare pros, farmers, and vendors across the GTA to keep their products fresh, ethical, and effective.

Tribal Eye

Photo via @tribaleyetoronto / Instagram 

For over 30 years, Tribal Eye has been a Kensington Market favourite. Known for handmade skincare and a reggae-filled shopping experience, this shop keeps the neighbourhood feeling alive.

Blair & Jack

Photo via @blairandjack / Instagram 

Shaving irritation? Blair & Jack fixed it. Founded by a plastic surgeon and her husband, their Anti-Bump Treatment is a game-changer for smooth skin.

Jewellery & Accessories

Omi Woods

Photo via @omiwoods / Instagram 

Jewellery with meaning? Omi Woods creates ethical, fair-trade gold pieces inspired by African heritage. These wear-every-day pieces are meant to be cherished for generations.

Clothing & Lifestyle

Cherry Gardens

Photo via @_cherrygardens / Instagram 

Named after a Kingston, Jamaica neighbourhood, Cherry Gardens blends style and comfort effortlessly. Their Canadian-made basics mix a minimal look with an athleisure feel, designed for everyday wear.

dr. Liza Shoes

Photo via @drlizashoes / Instagram 

Dr. Liza made history as the first Black Canadian woman to design and own a shoe brand. dr. Liza shoes highlights comfort and function, with heels, sneakers, sandals, and flats that last all day.

Adrift

Photo via @adriftshop / Instagram 

Toronto skaters and streetwear lovers know Adrift is the ideal spot. With over 10 years in the game, this downtown shop stocks a constantly updated mix of urban lifestyle brands from around the world.

Kids Swag

Photo via @kidsswagco / Instagram 

Kim West built Kids Swag to ensure kids see themselves in the products they love. From superhero plates to bonnets and band-aids in a range of skin tones, this online Canadian brand celebrates diversity.

TAKEUPSPACE 

Photo via @shoptakeupspace / Instagram 

More than just a store, TAKEUPSPACE is a Toronto-based Black-owned brand that supports women’s voices and ethical shopping. Every purchase fuels a movement for change. 

Home & Sustainability

Blooming Flower Bar

Photo via @bloomingflowerbar / Instagram 

Fresh flowers make everything better. Blooming Flower Bar lets you build your own bouquet at their DIY flower bar, or you can let the experts arrange something striking.

The Green Jar

Photo via @thegreenjarshop / Instagram 

Want to shop sustainably? The Green Jar makes it possible with refillable home and care products, from bamboo utensils to stainless steel straws.

Jean-Marie Candle Co

Photo via @jeanmariecandle.co / Instagram 

What you’ll get from Jean-Marie Candle Co? Soy candles, wellness products, and eco-conscious packaging. Their non-toxic, slow-burning candles are ideal for setting the mood or winding down after a long day.

This is just a starting point. Who are some of your favourite Black-owned businesses in the GTA? Share them in the comments!

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Julie Anne Loquinario

Hey, it’s Julie! Powered by coffee and cuddles from my five feline overlords, I’m always hunting down the best cafés and restos in Toronto and the GTA. When I’m not indulging in my latest food obsession, you’ll find me binge-watching shows or dreaming up my next adventure.

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