4 Black-Owned Restaurants To Visit In Italy

Black-owned restaurants in Europe are continuing to make their mark across the continent. In Italy, Black restauranteurs and entrepreneurs are still growing. However, their impact is substantial. Every day, these restaurant owners open their doors to showcase the brilliance of the respective cuisines of their cultures. From African cuisines and coffee to smoked meats, authentic pizza, and seafood, Black-owned restaurants in Italy are slowly growing in number. Although there aren’t too many Black-owned restaurants in Italy, here are a few to check out when you’re touring the Amalfi Coast.

IBRIS

You might not expect to find a Black-owned pizzeria in the Italian town of Trento. However, that’s exactly what travelers have stumbled upon hidden in its winding streets. IBRIS opened in 2019 and has been stealing the hearts of locals and travelers ever since. The restaurant specializes in creating authentic Italian-style pizza and new variations like “crunch pizza,” which has become popular in the country over the years. In 2021, IBRIS was recognized as one of the top 50 creators of pizza in the world.

• Location: Trento
• Type of Cuisine: Pizzaria
• Menu Spotlight: Tricolore Pizza
• Before You Go: Believe it or not, when IBRIS owner Ibrahim Songne first tasted pizza after moving to Italy at 12, he hated the dish.

Keffa Koffee

For Mediterranean and Ethiopian cuisine and coffee, travelers should check out Keffa Koffee. Located in Bergamo, the coffee bar and restaurant serves a variety of hot and cold beverages and food options for hungry guests. Online reviews rave about the immense hospitality from the staff. They say the restaurant feels like home, and welcoming vibes hit you as soon as you walk through the door. Visiting Keffa Koffee is a real treat and a must-try when in Bergamo.

• Location: Bergamo
• Type of Cuisine: Coffee Bar & Restaurant
• Menu Spotlight: Cous Cous Con Verdure
• Before You Go: If you’re traveling with a furry, four-legged friend, Keffa Koffee is dog-friendly, so bring them along too.

Dahlak Restaurant

A small, family-owned restaurant, Dahlak Restaurant is a great place to grab authentic Eritrean food. Like the other Black-owned restaurants on the list, travelers love the feeling of home they experience at this establishment. Traditional Eritrean and Ethiopian decor adorns the walls, along with family photos documenting the owner’s journey to restaurant ownership in Italy. In true Eritrean fashion, guests are expected to eat with their hands. However, utensils are available for travelers who need them. The Eritrean specialties at Dahlak Restaurant are incredible and a unique experience for diners.

• Location: Bergamo
• Type of Cuisine: Eritrean
• Before You Go: This restaurant is named after an archipelago in Eritrea called the ​​Dahlak Islands.

Baobab

Baobab in Milan delivers a West African fine dining experience like never before. The restaurant’s extensive menu showcases the diversity of African cuisine when it merges with Italian classics. The restaurant is small, but that’s not an indication of its massive food selection, African hospitality, and warm vibes. Every dish is an eruption of flavor and familiarity. The food at Baobab teleports guests from their table to the Motherland in one bite.

• Location: Milan
• Type of Cuisine: West African
• Menu Spotlight: Kedjenou Of Food
• Before You Go: Baobab is open every day of the week for lunch and dinner.

Experiencing authentic Italian food is a must when visiting a European country. However, while you’re there, be sure to stop into a Black-owned restaurant in Italy to check out the fare of the culture. With most of its restaurants owned by the country’s African community, Italy has a handful of options to choose from when you’re hungry for African food.