African restaurants provide a home-away-from-home experience. They are also an avenue for Africans and non-Africans to taste the wonderful cuisine that the continent has to offer. These five African restaurants across London all have varied and exciting menus for you to choose from!
Disclaimer: In line with current government regulations, these restaurants are not presently open to dine in however some provide delivery and collection options which will be indicated.
1. Deluxe Manna
Deluxe Manna serves food from their home country which is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and they are based in Tottenham. A dish that comes highly recommended is Ntaba which is grilled meat. It can be eaten alone as an appetizer or as an accompaniment with other food items. They also have a good range of fish dishes for pescatarians with Malangwa (grilled Pangasius) being their signature fish dish. Vegans are catered for too as vegetarian dishes such as Madesu (white kidney bean stew) are both vegan and vegetarian. With such a broad menu, there is truly something for everyone.
Takeaway - Y
Delivery- Y
2. Adulis Restaurant
For a taste of Eritrea, check out Adulis Restaurant who have a 2020 Traveller’s Choice Badge from TripAdvisor for consistently getting great reviews. Located near the Oval, you should be prepared to roll up your sleeves and tuck into the popular dish Injera. It is best eaten with your hands and you can eat it together with Tsebhi (stew) or it can be dipped into the Tsebhi. The restaurant has an extensive vegetarian menu which shows just how versatile Eritrean cuisine is. One example is Shiro which is a powdered spicy chickpea-based stew. They also have a good range of fish dishes too with one being the Assa Tibsi - a pepper marinated fish that is fried in olive oil.
Collection- Y
Delivery - Y
3. Khamsa Restaurant
This Algerian restaurant based in Brixton has been open for over 25 years and won the North African Restaurant of the Year gong at the 2019/2020 Corporate Livewire London Prestige Awards. Tajine, a slow cooked stew, is a must try dish as there is a tajine for everyone with fish, vegetarian and meat options, and it’s usually served with couscous. They also serve Rechta Bel Djajdj which is traditional homemade Algerian noodles with chicken. If you have a sweet tooth, Khamsa has a broad dessert menu to satiate your taste buds. Mhalbi - an Algerian rice pudding - is just one of the desserts on offer.
Collection - Y
Delivery - N
4. Enish Restaurant
Enish is a Nigerian restaurant that has branches in Lewisham, Ilford, Brixton, Croydon, Finchley Road and even Dubai. Jollof rice is a popular dish however there is so much more that Nigerian cuisine has to offer. Egusi soup is mixed with grounded melon seed, bitter leaves, African spices and cooked in palm oil. The jury is still out on whether it is best eaten with your hands or with a spoon but either way you are sure to enjoy this delicious dish. They also provide good vegetarian choices like plain Okra stew. Fish options such as grilled croaker or tilapia can be served with either plantain or fried yam as shown in the menu.
Collection – Y
Delivery- Y
5. Jungle Braai Steakhouse
This South African restaurant is based in East London. Braai, the Africans word for barbeque, is a well-known South African dish where meat is prepared using woodfire. This is their inspiration for their menu which has a number of different burgers including fish and vegetarian options. As the name suggests, steak is on offer too. Hot dogs are also on the menu including the Zulu Boerewors Sausage which is a South African sausage. For a taste of South Africa, this restaurant is the place to go.
Collection - Y
Delivery- Y
As you can see, African cuisine has so much to offer. There is a lot of variety across the continent, and you are sure to find the right dish for you whether you are a meat-eater, pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan. The restaurants are all well located; whether you live in South, East, North or West London, there is a restaurant for you. So next time you want to satisfy your tastebuds, you’ll know where to go for a dinner out or a cosy takeaway!