Phoebus bakery with 18 to 20 gourmet cupcake flavors daily and custom cakes

Scratch Bakery is a Black-owned bakery with shops in Hampton's Phoebus district and Newport News. It bakes 18 to 20 gourmet cupcake flavors each day along with cookies, dessert bars… more

Phoebus juice bar and market for cold-pressed juice, smoothies and vegan grab-and-go

Native Soul Bar & Market is a Black woman-owned family business in Hampton's Phoebus district. It makes cold-pressed juices and seasonal smoothies from organic ingredients with no added sugar, sells… more

Brookland Park bar and grill with soul food, cocktails, live music and karaoke

Harlym Blue'Z is a bar and grill on Brookland Park Boulevard run by Mecca and Teshia LeSane, who blend New York and Southern influences in the kitchen. Expect soul food… more

Jackson Ward bakery for cupcakes, custom cakes and rotating monthly desserts

Yella's Yummies is a Black woman-owned bakery on North 2nd Street in Jackson Ward. Founder Danielle, nicknamed Yella by her father, started baking from her home kitchen in 2019 and… more

Father and son comfort food restaurant, food truck and caterer

Ben's Boyz is a Greensboro comfort food business run by father and son Joe and William Wyatt, who grew a 2020 food truck into a sit-down restaurant. The menu features… more

Scratch-made soul food and signature cocktails on North Elm

Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails serves scratch-made Southern soul food alongside a cocktail bar in downtown Greensboro. The restaurant has patio seating and private rooms, offers vegan and gluten-free options, and… more

Downtown Greensboro dessert bar known for its Crunch Cheesecake

Savor the Moment is a family-owned dessert bar on North Davie Street in downtown Greensboro. It specializes in handcrafted cheesecakes, including its trademarked Crunch Cheesecake, along with pound cake, banana… more

Seafood, Southern plates and live music on historic Farish Street

Johnny T's Bistro & Blues, owned by John Tierre, sits in the former Crystal Palace building on Jackson's historic Farish Street. The downstairs bistro serves seafood and Southern soul dishes… more

Scratch-made layer cakes, pound cakes and cupcakes in South Durham

Favor Desserts is Keijuane Hester's Durham bakery known for its red velvet cake and old-fashioned homemade cakes. The shop bakes layer cakes, ice cream cakes, pound cakes, and cupcakes, and… more

Southern brunch, lunch and dinner with a rooftop bar in Lakewood

Lula & Sadie's is a family-run Southern restaurant and bar that opened in 2023 inside the old Davis Baking Co. building in Durham's Lakewood neighborhood. Chef Harry Monds leads a… more

Scratch-made cakes, cupcakes, and cookies in Five Points

Self-taught baker and longtime teacher Nayo opened Sweet GG's in 2021 and named it for her two grandmothers, Gertrude and Geneva. Everything is baked from scratch, with cupcakes, cookies, and… more

Veteran-run community coffee shop in Columbia's Canalside

VIBEZ.Coffee is a Black-owned, veteran-operated, faith-based cafe that opened at Sola Station in 2025 under owner Eric Archer. It pours specialty coffee from single origins and regionally roasted blends, serves… more

Live jazz, wine, and small plates in West Columbia

Founder Chaye Alexander created Chayz Lounge as a relaxed spot for good music and thoughtful food. Weekend evenings bring live jazz, handcrafted cocktails, wine experiences, and tapas-style plates, with curated… more

Delivery-only bakery for infused cupcakes, pound cakes and custom cakes

Chef Schonberg's Sweets is a delivery-only bakery serving Baton Rouge and nearby areas. The menu features gourmet and alcohol-infused cupcakes, artisan pound and bundt cakes, and custom birthday cakes. Orders… more

Scratch-made cupcakes, cookies and celebration cakes in Baton Rouge

Cupcake Junkie is a Baton Rouge bakery making cupcakes, cookies and custom celebration cakes from scratch. Birthday cupcake boxes can be customized, and the team handles dessert tables for weddings,… more

Small-batch pralines and praline beignets in the French Market

Loretta's makes handcrafted pralines, cookies and sweets in small batches from family recipes. Find them at a French Market stall and at their North Rampart Street cafe, which also serves… more

Glamorous cocktail lounge with small plates in the CBD

Baroness on Baronne is a music-forward cocktail lounge in the Central Business District. The bar mixes drinks with house-made syrups and serves pizzas, sliders and seafood small plates. A private… more

Brunch, chargrilled oysters and daiquiris on Earhart Boulevard

Nice Guys NOLA is a restaurant and lounge founded by Glenn and Allison Charles. The menu mixes New Orleans favorites like chargrilled oysters and shrimp and grits with burgers, wings… more