Take your pick from our curated list of African restaurants in London – we’ve included a good mix of fine dining/high-end and casual eateries here. Props to friends of pan-African who submitted recommendations!
West African
Akoko
Mood: upmarket/high-end/fine dining
What to expect from the menu: suya, smokey Jollof rice, pounded yam with egusi, grilled plantain with cashew cream and peanuts, peanut soup topped with lobster and moringa oil, goat milk ice cream
Address: 2, Berners Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 3LP
Website: www.akoko.co.uk
Ikoyi
Mood: upmarket/high-end dining
What to expect from the menu: Jollof rice, buttermilk plantain with smoked scotch bonnet, ‘chicken, benne and okra, papaya marinated in zobo
Address: 1 St James’s Market, Piccadilly, London, SW1Y 4AH
Website: www.ikoyilondon.com
Chuku’s
Mood: chilled
What to expect from the menu: Nigerian tapas. Moi moi, suya meatballs, fried plantain tossed in cinnamon sugar and coconut, yam brownie, chin chin cheesecake and plantain waffles
Address: 274 High Road, Tottenham, London, N15 4RR
Website: www.chukuslondon.co.uk
805 Restaurant
Mood: relaxed, traditional feel
What to expect from the menu: assorted suya, fish pepper soup, snails, nkwobi, santana
Address: 60 Vivian Ave, Hendon, London, NW4 3XH
Website: https://www.805restaurants.com/our-restaurants/hendon-central
South African
Kudu
Mood: welcoming, sleek
What to expect from the menu: kudu bread, onion and beer tarte tartin with goat curd, mussel potjie pot, braai lamb
Address: 119 Queens Road, London, SE15 2EZ
Website: https://www.kuducollective.com/
High Timber
Mood: elegant
What to expect from the menu: biltong croquettes, ‘jo’burger’, rib eye, steak and chips
Address: 8 High Timber Street, London, EC4V 3PA
Website: https://www.hightimber.com/
Bbar
Mood: smart, upmarket
What to expect from the menu: eclectic, but definitely steak
Address: 43 Buckingham Palace Rd, London, SW1W 0PP
Website: https://www.bbarlondon.com/
North African Restaurants
The Barbary
Mood: cosy, lively, private
What to expect from the menu: aubergine moutabal; labneh za’atar; black salmon dukkah; ‘barbarian kisses’
Address: 16 Neal’s Yard, London, WC2H 9DP
Website: https://thebarbary.co.uk/
Azou
Mood: welcoming, traditional
What to expect from the menu: brik, bourek, assorted tagines, Chakchouka
Address: 375 King St, Hammersmith, London, W6 9NJ
Website: https://www.azou.co.uk/
Khamsa
Mood: exotic, cosy, inviting
What to expect from the menu: Algerian food such as zalouka, chlada qamh & adess, tajines and couscous
Address: 140 Acre Ln, Brixton, London, SW2 5UT
Website: https://www.khamsa.co.uk/
Momo
Mood: modern, charming, good for a dinner date
What to expect from the menu: harirra and a variety of mezze, assorted tajines and couscous
Address: 25 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BH
Website: https://momo.london/
East African Restaurants
Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant
Mood: welcoming, traditional
What to expect from the menu: ye shiro fitfit, quategna beh aiyeb, quategna beh aubergine, samosas, salads
Address: 137 Fortess Rd, Tufnell Park, London, NW5 2HR
Website: https://lalibelarestaurant.co.uk
The Queen of Sheba
Mood: welcoming, family atmosphere
What to expect from the menu: ketegna, sheba salad, assa goulash, azifa, various ti’bs, coffee ceremony
Address: 12 Fortess Rd, London, NW5 2EU
Website: http://thequeenofsheba.co.uk/
Mosob
Mood: home-from-home
What to expect from the menu: meat and vegetarian sambosas, quategna, timtimo, shiro, hamli mis ajibo, Mosob ‘special’
Address: 339 Harrow Rd, London, W9 3RB
Website: http://mosob.co.uk/
Adulis
Mood: established
What to expect from the menu: sambusa, kategna, beb’aynetu sigha, tibsi
Address: 44-46 Brixton Rd, London, SW9 6BT
Website: http://www.adulis.co.uk/
Which is your favourite African restaurant in London? Let us know!
