Rich, Red, and Rooted in History: A Restaurant Guide to Juneteenth 2025

Commemorating the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the South learned of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a powerful symbol of delayed justice, enduring resilience, and collective triumph. And few traditions capture that story more richly than the food that brings people together.

From curated dishes to cultural events, celebrating Juneteenth through food gives restaurants the chance to do more than feed bellies—it’s an opportunity to nourish souls and honor history, one plate at a time.

Dishes That Tell a Story

Declared a national holiday in the United States on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, Juneteenth presents an opportunity for restaurants to honor the hard-fought path to freedom.

Though Juneteenth menus are about history, heritage, and perseverance, Juneteenth menus don't need to be traditional to be meaningful. 

Whether you’re crafting a dedicated lunch menu, adding vibrant appetizer specials, or spotlighting local Black-owned suppliers,  the key is to respect the roots of the holiday while using food as a medium to tell a story.

Vibrant Symbolism

Red has long represented the bloodshed and resilience of enslaved ancestors. It's also linked to African cultural traditions, where red-colored foods and drinks are used in celebratory and spiritual rituals. One of the most iconic ways to pay tribute to the holiday is to incorporate red food and drinks into your menu. From ruby-hued hibiscus teas to spicy-red barbecue sauce, these menu items carry vibrant symbolism.

Food is more than sustenance — it’s a powerful symbol of culture, history, and identity. On Juneteenth, the color red takes center stage on the table, representing the resilience and sacrifice of Black Americans throughout history. From red velvet cake to red beans and rice, these vibrant dishes not only delight the palate but also tell a story of strength and celebration. For restaurants, incorporating red-themed dishes or drinks can be a meaningful way to honor Juneteenth and bring its history to life on the menu.

On Juneteenth, bringing red to the table is a brilliant way to pay homage to the past while feeding the present.

Here are some dishes that bring both soul and significance to your Juneteenth spread:

• Red Drinks – Hibiscus tea (known as sorrel in the Caribbean), strawberry soda, and red fruit punch are staples of the Juneteenth table.

• Barbecue Ribs or Chicken – Slathered in a rich, red sauce, these backyard favorites are deeply tied to Southern Black culinary traditions.

• Red Velvet Cake or Cupcakes – A sweet way to end the meal with meaning, this dessert blends comfort with cultural symbolism.

• Watermelon Salad – Juicy, refreshing, and deeply rooted in African American foodways.

• Beet or Red Cabbage Slaw – A fresh side that keeps the red theme going while adding crunch and color to the plate.

How to Shine a Spotlight on Juneteenth, 2025

1. Numerical Orders  

As a numerical nod to the holiday’s date, one simple way restaurants can celebrate Juneteenth is to offer special pricing. Temporarily price menu items at $6.19, $16.19 or $18.65. Not only is this a great way to generate a conversation about the significance of Juneteenth, it’s also a great way to generate additional revenue and reach a larger customer base.

2. Honor Black Chefs

Black-owned restaurants can mark the occasion by emulating the specialties of famousBlack American chefs, from celebrity chef Carla Hall to Dolly Johnson, who served as White House chef in the 1890s.

3. Wave the Flag

Highlight the colors of the Pan-African flag, red, black and green, representing the blood, people and land of Africa, by baking up a special Juneteenth dessert such as a chocolate cake  with layers of black-out chocolate cake, red velvet cake, and green vanilla cake, with green cream cheese frosting.  

4. Participate in Local Celebrations

Juneteenth festivities that shine a spotlight on the culinary contributions of Black-owned restaurants are popping up all over. From community block parties and parades to city-wide food festivals and Black Restaurant Week celebrations. These events help introduce these black-owned restaurants to a wider audience, providing an opportunity to win over new customers.  

5. Give Back

Consider celebrating by giving back to a charitable organization that’s dedicated to positively impacting the Black community. Some noteworthy organizations include:

• Color of Change

• NAACP

• Black Visions Collective

• Black Women’s Health Imperative

• Marsha P. Johnson Institute

Take it one step further by researching local charities to support and encouraging your clientele to donate.

6. Toast to Success 

Use Juneteenth to highlight beverages produced by Black-owned breweries, distilleries, and wineries. If you don’t currently offer any, this is the perfect opportunity to try one as a limited-time offer (LTO). Be sure to include the beverage’s back story on your menu or in promotional social media posts. Your LTO just might prove popular and become a regular menu item. 

7. Promote Black-Owned Suppliers

The holiday has become a moment to spotlight Black food artisans, from hot sauce creators to breweries. Restaurants can partner with or feature Black-owned food brands in their menus, to-go kits, or promotions. Make sure to give them a shoutout in your menu, online, and on your social media pages.

Depending on the space you have available and how you design your restaurant, you can also feature handmade goods and artwork in your restaurant. This is the perfect option for restaurateurs who have a bakery, coffee shop, or café since they’re usually gathering spots.

8. Create a Special Menu

Whether you offer it throughout the week leading up to Juneteenth or just on the weekend, creating a special menu to celebrate Juneteenth is a great way to feature traditional dishes in a unique way. 

• Soul Food—Include staples like chicken, fried okra, black-eyed peas, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, fried catfish, oxtail, okra, peach cobbler, and banana pudding

• Cajun Cuisine—Add some Creole charm to your menu with offerings like gumbo, crawfish boil, and étouffée.

• African Eats—Mix in the delicious flavors and rich traditions of African delicacies like yassa, jollof rice, fufu, and piri piri chicken.

• Caribbean Cooking—Incorporate a few delicious menu items that invoke an island vibe like jerk chicken, pepperpot, and pineapple chow.

• Barbecue--Pit-style or open-fire BBQ is a staple of Juneteenth celebrations, symbolizing communal gathering and self-determination. Restaurants can promote BBQ platters, smoked meats, and family meal boxes for delivery to align with the holiday.

• Freedom Foods---Symbolizing luck and prosperity, menu items like black-eyed peas and collard greens represent luck, wealth, prosperity, and abundance.

• Delivery-Friendly Ideas for Restaurants:

  • “Freedom Feast” meal boxes for groups

  • Juneteenth red soda + soul food pairings

  • Spotlight a red dessert (strawberry cobbler, red velvet) on social media

  • Collaborate with Black-owned beverage or sauce companies

  • Add storytelling: menus with notes about the history of each dish

Take Away

As Juneteenth grows in recognition and cultural significance in 2025, restaurants have a unique opportunity to join the celebration. Whether through curated menu specials, thoughtful promotions, or meaningful community involvement, honoring Juneteenth can be both a celebration of freedom and a powerful expression of hospitality.

Next week in the Secret Sauce, we'll be featuring a list of the top black-owned restaurants in the nation's top 6 cities.

By Eileen Strauss