30 Black-Owned Businesses in Alexandria, VA to Support Right Now

Abyssinia Market & Coffee House

Abyssinia Market & Coffee House is a Black woman-owned and operated café in South Old Town. Owner Lily Damtew and her team specialize in locally-roasted Ethiopian yergacheffe coffee, a large selection of craft beer and wine from all over the world and more.

Must-Try Order: Espresso drinks and pastries

Café du Soleil

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Café du Soleil is French-inspired café with an excellent assortment of coffee drinks, pastries and classic French-style dishes that customers can enjoy in a friendly, cozy, inviting and casual atmosphere on S. Union Street.

Must-Try Dishes: Outside of the coffee, Café du Soleil’s crêpes are the crowd favorites. The top crêpes include the ham, egg and cheese, smoked salmon and quiche Lorraine varieties.

Cameron Café

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A post shared by Cameron Cafe (@cameroncafe) on Dec 17, 2019 at 8:34am PST

Tucked inside Cameron Station, Cameron Café is a local coffee shop and café that brings together residents of the West End to celebrate life’s moments while they caffeinate. Their ample outdoor seating is the perfect setting to sip, savor and socialize after an amble through nearby Ben Brenman Park.

Must-Try Drinks: Double Macchiato and Latte Frappe

Common Plate Hospitality

Image Credits, left to right: Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden; Mason Social; Urbano 116

Wondering who’s behind Old Town favorites like Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden, Mason Social and Urbano 116? Common Plate Hospitality, co-owned by Larry Walston and Chad Sparrow, blends both innovative architectural design, creative culinary offerings and craft bar programs to create a full experience for their guests. Sample mussels while sipping one of 70 brews at Augie’s, dig into a sweet or savory brunch at Mason Social and enjoy a sangria with ceviche at Urbano 116.

Augie’s Must-Try Dishes: 10 mouth-watering mussel flavors, or Augie’s cheesesteak paired with a seasonal beer

Mason Social’s Must-Try Dishes: Mason Fried Chicken with a Parker Grey Cocktail

Urbano 116’s Must-Try Dishes: Grilled steak & chicken fajitas with a top shelf margarita—home of the only 56oz. Margarita!

Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats

Old Town’s latest sweet spot is Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats, a 1950s-inspired soda fountain serving legendary Wisconsin-style frozen custard and nostalgic treats from Commerce Street’s historic Ice House. Owner Brandon Byrd (pictured above) debuted the brick-and-mortar space in late spring 2021, and he and his team serve up decadent desserts from 12 to 6 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays.

Must-Try Dishes: Apple Cider Donutwich and Turtle Pecan Sundae

Haute Dogs & Fries

Image Credit: Helen & Vince ( @foodsinmyheart

Founded in 2009 by co-owners Lionel Holmes and Pamela Swanson, Haute Dogs & Fries offers a fresh take on the American classic—hot dogs! Their signature hot dogs are 100% beef, grilled and tucked inside toasty New England split-top buns. Haute Dogs consciously sources their ingredients locally and uses local vendors to give back to the community.

Must-Try Dishes: The Bombshell (topped with mango-pineapple relish, sautéed onions and fresh jalapeños) or the Banh Mi Dog, inspired by the Vietnamese sandwich.

Thompson Hospitality

Hen Quarter

Image Credit: Misha Enriquez for Visit Alexandria

Located in the heart of Old Town on King Street, Hen Quarter is owned and operated by Thompson Hospitality, which is the nation’s largest minority-owned food and facilities management company. Hen Quarter is driven by the power of the table and the belief that time is best spent enjoying crave-able food and delicious drinks with friends and family. Hen Quarter specializes in Southern fare, fried chicken and their favorite…brunch!

Must-Try Dish: Hen Quarter’s new family-style bottomless brunch menu for $25.95 per person. Select as many menu items as you’d like for an endlessly delicious weekend.

The Rub

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Also a part of Thompson Hospitality (and located on the ground floor of Hen Quarter), The Rub is inspired by a true love for fried chicken and beer, paired with the ethos that eating out or in, or on-the-go, should feel like a fun backyard party with delicious food, ice-cold drinks and good friends.

Must-Try Dish: The Krispy Chicken Collab, piled high with fried chicken, “Carolina Reaper” hot honey, mustard coleslaw and pickle chips atop a custom doughnut bun made in collaboration with GoodCo. Dough. Pair the “sando” with a refreshing “Margarita in a ’Mingo” (pictured above).