The cuisines of Africa are so diverse and tell a rich story of culture using distinctive spices from the continent’s various regions. Locally-grown fruits, grains, and vegetables are often used to make up their hearty dishes.
The African diet also features an abundance of meaty dishes but there are also lots of vegetarian-friendly options as well. Each region (Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa) has a unique flavor and various preparation techniques.
For example, West African foods have a lot of spice while Southern African food focuses on grilling meats with minimal spice.
If you’ve yet to take a trip to the Motherland, or just craving African food, here are 50 African restaurants you can try across America.
Alabama
Ghion Hall Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine – Birmingham, Alabama
Ghion is the first Ethiopian restaurant in Alabama. They offer a wide array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The owner, Amanshwa makes sure diners get a true Ethiopian dining experience.
Alaska
Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restuarant – Anchorage, Alaska
This Ethiopian restaurant serves a taste of East Africa with family-style menu options. Their injera is perfectly made to scoop up meaty stews. There are also lots of vegetarian/vegan options.
Arizona
Jollof King – Tempe, Arizona
This Ghanaian restaurant incorporates a few touches from Nigeria. Try stews, soups and jollof rice to get the flavor of West Africa.
Arkansas
Kontiki African Restaurant – Little Rock, Arkansas
The owners of Kontiki are from Sierra Leone and one of the first to introduce African cuisine to Arkansas. Be sure to try their rice Akara, fried plantains, and meat dishes.
California
Aduke African Cuisine – Los Angeles, California
Aduke serves up Nigerian dishes to the foodies of LA. The red yam and snail stew is a must.
Colorado
African Grill and Bar – Lakewood, Colorado
Although the owners are Ghanaian, they offer dishes from all over the African continent. They even have sample plates for diners who are new to African food. The plantain fufu is a great comfort food option.
Connecticut
Sidibe Restaurant – Hartford, Connecticut
Sidibe offers authentic dishes from Ghana. The portions are generous and their ginger drink is refreshing. If you want a quick bite, try the meat pie.
Delaware
African Fusion Restaurant – Dover, Delaware
This Nigerian spot is ideal for both eating in or taking out. BEt sure to try their Egusi stew with meat or goat soup.
Florida
Sheri Restaurant – Miami Gardens, Florida
Try Southern Nigerian foods with gluten-free and dairy-free options. Everything is made from scratch and there are no artificial ingredients used in their dishes.
Georgia
10 Degrees South – Atlanta, Georgia
Opened in 1998, 10 Degrees is the first South African Restaurant in the U.S. The restaurant features the decor, lifestyle, and food of South Africa. Be sure to try their Peri-Peri chicken for a true taste of South Africa.
Hawaii
Ethiopian Love Restaurant – Honolulu, Hawaii
Voted Honolulu’s Best Ethiopian Restaurant, Ethiopian Love prides itself on serving the most authentic experience. Try their coffee ceremony and immerse yourself in Ethiopian culture while in Hawaii.
Idaho
Kibrom’s Restuarant – Boise, Idaho
Kibrom’s serves cuisine from Ethiopia and Eritrea. They even offer gluten-free injera (Ethiopian and Eritrean bread) and vegan options.
Illinois
Yassa African Restaurant – Chicago, Illinois
This Senegalese restaurant has been open since 2004 and is the first Senegalese restaurant in Chicago. Their Yassa chicken is a great choice if you’ve never had food from Senegal.
Indiana
Madina Restaurant – Indianapolis, Indiana
Madina is a Guinean restaurant giving Indiana a new taste of West African food. For a true taste of Guinean cuisine, try the cassava leaves stew.
Iowa
Taste of Africa – Des Moine, Iowa
Taste of Africa features dishes from Somalia and East Africa. The portions are huge and they serve dishes such as chicken curry, tandoori meats, and sambusas/samosas.
Kansas
Taste of Africa – Overland Park, Kansas
This restaurant serves East African food in Overland Park, Kansas. Dishes to try, include their beef stir fly, chicken stew and goat pilau.
Kentucky
Funmi’s Cafe – Louisville, Kentucky
Funmi’s Cafe is a modern take on Nigerian cuisine. Try their beef and chicken suya and there are plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians!
Louisiana
Benna’chin Restaurant – New Orleans, Louisiana
Benna’chin serves dishes from the Gambia and Cameroon and has been in business since 1992. Try their specialties, Nyeaturing (fish pie) and Kone ni Makendo (black beans, plantains, and rice).
Maine
Asmara Restaurant – Portland, Maine
Asmara serves Ethiopian food in a communal style on injera bread. Choose from keyi (spicy) foods or alit’cha (milder foods).
Maryland
Swahili Village Bar & Grill – Beltsville, Maryland
Get a taste of Kenya at Swahili Village. Start off with samosas then try the nyama choma (char-grilled beef with authentic Swahili spices).
Massachusetts
Suya Joint – Roxbury, Massachusetts
Get the best Nigerian food in town at Suya Joint. Try their beef suya or jollof rice.
Michigan
Maty’s African Cuisine – Detroit, Michigan
Maty’s is the only Senegalese restaurant in Detroit. They specialize in grilled meats. Their lamb shank and fish are a must.
Minnesota
Bolé Ethiopian Restaurant – St. Paul, Minnesota
This Minnesota restaurant was named after a neighborhood in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where the owners were born and raised. They pride themselves on serving only the most authentic dishes from Ethiopia.
Mississippi
Sankofa Kitchen of Jackson – Jackson, Mississippi
Sankofa serves Caribbean, African and bakery food in Jackson, Mississipi. For a taste of Africa, try their Yassa chicken.
Missouri
Int’l Vibe – Northmoor, Missouri
Int’l Vibe serves African dishes such as dry rice with red snapper, fufu, and pepper soup, and kebab plates.
Montana
Saibeen’s Kitchen – Great Falls, Montana
Saibeen’s serves authentic East African cuisine. They offer combo plates and vegetarian/vegan options.
Nebraska
Chaima’s African Cuisine – Omaha, Nebraska
This West African restaurant serves home-style cooking and is 100% halal. The rice and pumpkin seeds and spinach stew with chicken is a great choice when dining here.
Nevada
Chiamaka Food – Las Vegas, Nevada
Chiamaka is an authentic Nigerian restaurant serving the people of Las Vegas. Try their pounded yam with stewed meat.
New Hampshire
Fharah – Hudson, New Hampshire
Located in Hudson, New Hampshire, Fharah is inspired by the flavors of Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Benin, Zambia, Togo, and Senegal. They serve a variety of meat and vegetable dishes.
New Jersey
Abuja International Restaurant – Union, NJ
The cuisine here reflect traditions from North, East, and West Africa. Their assorted meat stew is sure to hit the spot.
New Mexico
Jambo Cafe – Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jambo Cafe has been named Best International Cuisine by the Santa Fe Reporter for ten years straight. This restaurant serves up authentic Kenyan food such as Lamu coconut Pili Pili shrimp.
New York
Kaia Wine Bar – New York, NY
Kaia is a South African wine bar and restaurant with an impeccable brunch. Try the biltong hash and rooibos tea.
North Carolina
Swahili Grill – Raleigh, North Carolina
Swahili Grill is located in the heart of Raleigh, serving up East African cuisine. Try the chicken choma or Mombasa style tilapia.
North Dakota
Rugsan East African Cuisine – Fargo, North Dakota
Rugsan is a favorite for East African food in North Dakota. Try their goat meat with rice and spinach for a hearty and tasty meal.
Ohio
Drelyse African Restaurant – Colombus, Ohio
Drelyse specializes in authentic African dishes with a concentration in Ghanaian dishes. Their grilled tilapia is a must and is served smoking-hot.
Oklahoma
CousCous Cafe – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Head to CousCous Cafe for a taste of Morrocan food. Try tagine, a traditional slow-cooked stew braised at low temperatures.
Oregon
Akadi – Portland, Oregon
Akadi serves authentic West African cuisine in Portland. The Jollof combination plate and tofu pepper pot are amongst the delicious choices of Akadi.
Pennsylvania
African Small Pot – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The master chef at African Small Pot has over 40 years of experience in food preparation and serves up West African dishes to hungry diners. If you’re craving something meaty, try the dibi (grilled lamb).
Rhode Island
Kebbeh African Restaurant – Providence, Rhode Island
Kebbeh serves Liberian and Nigerian food and is located in Providence, Rhode Island. Popular dishes include plantains, cassava leaf, and palm butter curries.
South Carolina
Asanka Kitchen – Colombia, South Carolina
This restaurant serves up a variety of dishes from the African continent. You can do custom orders and there are vegan options as well.
South Dakota
Banadir Kitchen – Aberdeen, South Dakota
Banadir is an East African restaurant in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Be sure to try their hilib ari (goat meat) or digaag (chicken).
Tennessee
Gojo Ethiopian Cafe – Nashville, Tennessee
Enjoy delicious Ethiopian food at Gojo. Try the vegetarian combo or meat and veggie combo.
Texas
African Village Restaurant – Irving, Texas
Opening in 2002, the African Village restaurant provides options from all four regions in Africa.
Utah
African Restaurant – Salt Lake City, Utah
All of the dishes here are served on East African flatbread called budenaa. They serve family-style dishes and you’re expected to eat with your hands.
Vermont
Little Morocco Cafe – Burlington, Vermont
This restaurant brings traditional and authentic Moroccan taste to Vermont using locally sourced organic ingredients.
Virginia
Rahama Restaurant – Alexandria, Virginia
This family-owned restaurant serves up Ghanaian dishes. Try their boiled yam with sauce or tilapia and fufu.
Washington
Safari Njema Restaurant – Seattle, Washington
This East African restaurant serves up Kenyan cuisine. The fried tilapia with curry is a must.
West Virginia
Africana Cherith Restaurant – Morgantown, West Virginia
For just $10, you can enjoy a lunch buffet at Africana Cherith Restaurant featuring foods such as lamb curry, fried rice, and puff puff.
Wisconsin
African Hut Restaurant – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
African Hut serves dishes from West Africa in a homely environment. The stewed Okra-Liberian style is an amazing choice when dining here.
Wyoming
Unfortunately, there aren’t any African restaurants in Wyoming. If you live there, the closest place for African cuisine would be Nyala Ethiopian Cuisine in Collins, Colorado.
Washington, D.C.
Keren Restaurant – North West D.C.
D.C. has so many African restaurants to choose from. Our absolute favorite is Keren Restuarant on Florida Avenue in North West D.C. Their Ethiopian dishes are amazing.