NYC’s culinary scene spans all continents, and for this list we’re going to take you through the best African cuisine this city has to offer. From the aromatic spices of North African cuisine to the fiery flavors of West Africa, these restaurants will take you to places that only your tastebuds can imagine! Here are our favorite African restaurants in NYC that you should try right now.
1. Voilà Afrique, Midtown East
Voilà Afrique quite literally means “here is Africa” in French. Using their spices, roots, tubers and grains, they whip up some of the best African street food you can find in NYC. The catering company has both Ghanian and Nigeria, so it’s no wonder why menu items like the Jollof Rice, Egusi, and Kenkey taste so authentic. It’s also cheaper if you buy meals in bulk! See full menu here.
Where: 844 2nd Ave
2. Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, Lincoln Square
Celebrity chef (Top Chef) Kwame Onwuachi is behind this stunning Lincoln Center Plaza restaurant, which serves flavors, aromas and textures inspired by his childhood in The Bronx. The Afro-Caribbean influence on the menu is evident, and even overflows into other cultures too like Nigerian, Chinese, and more. We’re talking all sort of fun concoctions…from the Egusi Dumplings to the Shawarma Roasted Chicken to even the Hamachi Escovitch. Check out the full menu here.
Where: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
3. Buka, Bed-Stuy & East Village
Buka specializes in Nigerian cuisine…or what they call “good old-fashioned Naija cooking.” Their food is as traditional and flavorful as you like, starting with the Suya (thinly sliced grilled lamb in Nigerian spices) as an appetizer before moving into one of their mains like the Edikaikong (Goat and tripe cooked in spinach with crayfish, dried shrimp and periwinkle, served with fufu) or Goat Pepper Soup (Spicy goat and tripe thin broth soup, made with fresh herbs and Nigerian spices). They even serve African beers and bitters too! Check it all out here.
Where:
Bed-Stuy – 1111 Fulton St, Brooklyn
East Village – 137 1st Ave
4. Massawa, Morningside Heights
Massawa was one of the very first Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurants in the US, and has been an NYC staple since 1988. Their menu is quite well-ranging, spanning from Vegetable or Beef Sambuusa (two pastry shells stuffed w/ a choice of spicy minced chicken, or savory green lentils cooked in an onion and scallion puree) all the way to Tebsi and Zegini. Complete with their delicious Infera Bread with each meal, you can’t go wrong…especially if you add glass of honey wine or an Eritrean beer. See full menu here.
Where: 1239 Amsterdam Avenue
5. Lagos TSQ, Midtown
As you can probably guess, Lagos specializes in Nigerian dishes that are influenced by the African city. It’s a high tempo restaurant/nightclub combo that serves a menu curated under the watchful eye of chef Ayodeji Adeosun. Their atmosphere is always filled with “food, music, and culture with a Nigerian pulse” and that reflects in their West-African fused menu.
Highlights include the Jollof Rice, Roasted Shawarma Chicken Sandwich, Suya Wings, and a whole lot more. Check it all out here.
Where: 727 7th Ave
6. Ponty Bistro, Harlem
Ponty Bistro has been serving their French and African-inspired cuisine since 2008! Want something on the French side? Devour the Escargot Snails (with herbs garlic butter & cognac). On the African side, have your tastebuds travel to Senegal with the Poulet Yassa (a traditional chicken dish served with white rice). When we say everything on the menu is delicious, we truly mean it. Check out all of their options here.
Where: 2375 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd
7. Teranga, Harlem & Midtown
At Teranga, every meal is inspired by traditional African home cooking. Their menu highlights like the Yassa, Yassa Super Bowl (Grilled Chicken topped with Yassa Sauce over African Red Rice, ‘Kelewele’ Spicy Plantains, ‘Ndambe’ Black Eyed Pea Stew) focus on ancient, nutrient-dense crops that have been cultivated in Africa for centuries. Their two cafes in Harlem and Midtown are a great place to go and customize a rice bowl with your choosing of meat, veggies, rice, and more. Check out the menu here.
Where:
Harlem – 1280 5th Ave
Midtown – 601 Lexington Ave
8. DÙNDÚ, Midtown
Right in the heart of Midtown is DÙNDÚ, a Nigerian restaurant and takeout spot that serves delicious and authentic West African food. Their small counter-only style spot is where you can assemble your own lunch bowls with Jollofrice, Peppered Grilled Chicken, Moinmoin, and a whole lot more! If you’re looking for a deliciously compact meal you got to give this place a try! It’s just steps from Grand Central Station.
Where: 140 E 41st St