London is so culturally diverse, so whether you are looking for an authentic Thai curry or a South African braai, there is a London restaurant that’ll tickle your tastebuds. When planning a trip to London, trying one of its many African restaurants should be on your list of “Things to Do in London”.
In this article, you will find a range of African restaurants with flavours from all four corners of the continent. Whether you want to taste the meditarranean flavours of North Africa or you want to experience traditional eating with your hands in a West African restaurant, you will find something on this list that is perfect for you.
Photo Credit: I Go Chop
1. I Go Chop
If you’re looking for quick, tasty food, take a trip to I Go Chop. The Nigerian street food restaurant offers some of Nigeria’s most popular dishes. You can build your meal from three bases, white rice, yam porridge or jollof rice. You then top it with stew and add a side or two. Jollof rice is always my base of choice, but you can ask the I Go Chop team which base compliments which topping best.
If you choose one of their ‘swallows’ from the menu, be prepared to eat the traditional way – with your hands. Swallows can be found across many countries in Africa. They are often made from cassava, coco-yam, wheat or even maize-meal. They are either grated to a powder and then added to water to become a thick and dense paste or boiled then pounded. The name Swallows, mainly used in Nigeria, describes the method of eating, break some off, dip into stew and swallow (minimal chewing is required).
Whether it’s poundo or eba, you’ll enjoy dipping it into a flavour packed tomato based stew.
Poundo or Pounded Yam is yam that has been boiled and then pounded, it’s all in the name.
Eba is made from grated and dried cassava, in Nigeria it’s called Eba whereas in Ghana they call it Garri.
Only found at I Go Chop is the Oga Burrito. With Jollof rice with beans, wrapped in a warm tortilla, it’s perfect to grab and go. If you’re wanting a little bit more, you can add plantain or suya into your wrap.
£ | Camberwell | I Go Chop Website
Photo Credit: Flavourz Africana
2. Flavourz Africana
Flavourz Africana is a family-run Nigerian restaurant located in North West London. The restaurant serves the best of Nigerian cuisine made fresh at a great price. The portion sizes are great for sharing, so if you want to try something new but are not sure what to order, I would go halves with whoever you visit the restaurant with.
Having family from Nigeria, jollof rice and fried rice were meals I had regularly. Flavourz Africana’s food tastes just like a home-cooked meal. Jollof rice is a flavoursome rice eaten in many African households. What gives it its immense flavour is that tomatoes, peppers, onions are blended together, fried and seasoned, then the rice is then cooked in the stew.
My regular order from Flavourz Africana is the Efo Egusi stew with pounded yam. The pounded yam is dipped into the Egusi, a stew made from ground melon seeds, spinach and spices. Their okra stew is also a must-try on the menu. The food is great at Flavourz Africana, whether you are dining-in or ordering to take home. The food being cooked fresh means that there is some waiting time, however the company of the manager’s little boy makes time fly by.
£ | Willesden Green | Flavourz Africana Website
Photo Credit: Afrik ‘N’ Fusion
3. Afrik ‘N’ Fusion
It is all said in the name, Afrik ‘N’ Fusion. The Fulham-located restaurant serves a fusion of flavours and dishes from different countries in Africa. As well as serving great food, Afrik ‘N’ Fusion creates an amazing atmosphere.
The smell that drifts out of the kitchen, coupled with the Afrobeats being played aloud, topped with great tasting food is why people regularly head back to Afrik ‘N’ Fusion. If you enjoy spicy food, order the Suya. Suya, a popular spicy meat in Western Africa, usually beef. The meat is sliced thinly, marinated in the Suya spice then grilled. Afrik ‘N’ Fusion’s Suya is a must-try, whether you go for beef, chicken or lamb.
££ – £££ | Fulham | Afrik ‘N’ Fusion Website
Photo Credit: Zayane
4. Zayane
Zayane is located in the heart of West London, a short walk away from Portobello Market. The Moroccan restaurant offers a range of traditional Moroccan dishes with a modern twist.
Zayane’s variety of tagines are prepared and served in the tagine pot. I would recommend ending your meal with their traditional Moroccan mint tea. If you’re looking for a nice breakfast spot, Zayane does a great Moroccan breakfast too.
Growing up my best friend was Moroccan and dinners at her house always felt like an event. The vibe at Zayane is just the same. The waiters are great at attending to you quickly and recommending dishes for you to try if you want a little guidance. When your order arrives, the aroma and beautifully plated dishes give you that taste of traditional Moroccan dining.
££ – £££ | Notting Hill | Zayane Website
Photo Credit: Hammer & Tongs
5. Hammer & Tongs
Hammer & Tongs allows you to experience an authentic South African braai while in London. A braai is a South African barbecue which cooks meat on firewood, giving it a great smokey and aromatic taste.
Head to Hammer & Tongs on an empty stomach and you should definitely leave content. It’s a restaurant great for those who are meat lovers. If you do find yourself stuffed and not being able to finish your meal, just ask for a takeaway box – it’s so good you do not want to leave any behind.
I would recommend ordering one of the braais to share. They offer you a range of different meats, my favourite being the boerewors (South African sausage).
££ – £££ | Farringdon | Hammer & Tongs Website
Photo Credit: Little Baobab
6. Little Baobab
Little Baobab is a Senegalese pop-up restaurant committed to giving visitors an authentic dining experience with live music in the evenings.
Their monthly pop-ups encompass great tasting food with a friendly and lively atmosphere. When seated, you’ll find yourself on a large table with others, giving you the opportunity to meet someone new. Like many West African countries, Senegal has their own style of jollof rice, and this one might actually be my favourite…
Their mixed starter gives you a chance to taste a range of different Senegalese delicacies. Little Baobab is a great place to dine that is also family-friendly, so feel free to bring the kids with you.
£ | Hackney | Little Baobab Website
Photo Credit: Koshari Street
7. Koshari Street
Koshari is Egypt’s national dish and a popular street food. The dish’s base is chickpeas and pasta, topped with meats, vegetables and sauces. Koshari Street brings all the flavours of Cairo to Covent Garden.
Koshari Street allows you to build your own Koshari, choosing from different meats or plant alternatives, sauces, dressing and topping. If you’re unsure what to choose from the menu, ask one of the members of staff who will recommend some of their favourites based on what flavours you tell them you like.
If a ready constructed Koshari bowl is your preference, they have a menu for you to choose from. Majority of the menu is vegan-friendly, if you do have any allergies, speak to the staff before ordering as they do have nuts as part of the dish.
£ | Covent Garden | Koshari Street Website
Photo Credit: Sweet Handz
8. Sweet Handz
If you find yourself hungry after wandering the streets of North London, Sweet Handz in Holloway is the perfect stop to taste the yummy flavours of Ghana. They serve up a range of traditional dishes, from rice and stews to sweet plantain and okra.
If you’re a spice lover, try the Shito. It’s a black chilli sauce that’s popular in Ghana and can be added to your meal for extra flavour and spice.
I would recommend trying the Bosua as a starter, which is a beef and lamb sausage, infused with herbs and spices, served with their own homemade sauce.
£ | Holloway | Sweet Handz Website
Photo Credit: Mosob
9. Mosob
A family run authentic Eritrean restaurant, Mosob brings the flavours and culture of Eritrea to London.
For those ready to immerse themselves in the Eritrean culture, there are a range of sharing dishes on the menu. This isn’t your traditional London style sharing platters though, the food is placed in the centre of the table, reachable to everyone as you eat the food with your hands.
They have a great menu that caters to those who are vegetarian. If you choose to go, your visit to Mosob will end with the traditional coffee ceremony.
££ | West Kilburn | Mosob Website
Photo Credit: Addis
10. Addis
Located in Kings Cross, this family run restaurant cooks everything on site with fresh ingredients. Ethiopian meals are all about community and togetherness and that’s the vibe you get at Addis.
If you want to try an authentic Ethiopian staple meal, I would try the Ingera. The fermented flatbread is served with a range of stews which are placed on top of the bread. Ingera is eaten with your hands by tearing a piece of the bread and dipping it into one of the stews.
Whether you’re dining solo or in a group, Addis gives you quality food with a welcoming atmosphere.
£ | King’s Cross | Addis Website
You’ll never run out of food options in London, with many African restaurants now found on food delivery apps such as Deliveroo and UberEats, you can even get a taste of Africa delivered right to the door of your Airbnb or hotel. When travelling to London, I would definitely recommend you trying at least one African restaurant in London.
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