For large exhibition-style black-and-white prints, the most practical modern solution is usually a high-quality large-format inkjet printer or a lab that specializes in monochrome inkjet output.

From the answers here, standard pro inkjet systems such as Epson K3 can already produce excellent B&W prints, and some photographers prefer them over traditional darkroom prints. If you want the very best “gallery quality,” specialized monochrome or carbon-based ink workflows can improve results further.

Paper choice matters a lot. Perceived black depth (Dmax) and tonal richness depend heavily on the paper surface: glossier papers usually give deeper blacks, while matte fine-art papers can produce a distinctive look that traditional darkroom papers may not match.

If your previous inkjet prints looked weak, it may be a paper/profile/lab issue rather than inkjet as a medium. Ask a lab for test prints on different papers and verify they are using proper B&W-capable workflows and profiles.

By contrast, digital prints made on color photographic paper are generally less ideal for serious B&W if your goal is rich blacks and nuanced monochrome tonality.