What to Know About The Richmond Black Restaurant Experience

By Yaba Ahounou

RICHMOND, Va. – The week of March 5 was spring break at Virginia Commonwealth

University. It was also the annual Richmond Black Restaurant Experience (RBRE365). The weeklong event celebrates the local Black culinary industry and tourism scene while

honoring the significant historic contributions Black people made to Virginia's capital city.

Forty-four restaurants participated, serving American, Southern, Caribbean and African cuisine to the public. RBRE includes Black chefs, cooks, caterers and food truck operators on the scene.

“The Richmond food scene started with us,” Amy Wentz, cofounder of RBRE, said to Axios. “We’re simply saying, as Richmond becomes a foodie town, we want to put our mark on it.”

Photo taken by Yaba Ahounou

According to their website, the 2021 Richmond Black Restaurant Experience made over

$804,000 in sales, which was $200,000 more than in 2018 and in 2019 respectively. This year’s Black Restaurant Experience started with Mobile Soul Sunday, an admission-free

party in Monroe for attendees to enjoy vendors, live music and activities.

Poster of Soul Sunday, the starting event of Richmond Black Restaurant Experience. Source: RBRE website

My Experience

While walking to Monroe Park, music was blasting from the speakers loud enough to feel the bass two blocks from my dorm.

Upon arrival, twenty-seven food trucks were stationed along the sidewalks of Monroe Park. Walking closer, a strip of tents cut through the park, with Black-owned vendors selling various items including clothes, candles and Black African Soap.

Unfortunately, I tried food from only one of the food trucks, but on the bright side, I got a small booklet filled with Black-owned establishments in Richmond that participated in the week’s festivities.

Brochure of black-owned restaurants and establishments. Photo taken by Yaba Ahounou

It might take me a week, a couple of months from now or in 2024 to visit all of them. But RBRE is a sure way to support Black businesses and introduce yourself to Richmond’s rich culinary culture.