Food & Drink
Find African restaurants, cafes, bars and markets around the UK, or do-it-yourself with African recipes.
Cafes
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Adam's Cafe
London
By day it's just another greasy spoon, but by night, this Shepherd's Bush favourite transforms into a lively, friendly, family-run Tunisian cafe complete with candlelight and Arabic music. The cooking is a mix of Tunisian and Moroccan and while portions are big, bills are small. Open 7am - 11pm.
- 77 Askew Road
- London
- W12 9AH
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Keys Cafe & SA Shop
Gloucestershire
Open Mon-Wed 12noon-2pm & 4.30-6pm; Fri-Sun 12noon-6pm. Closed Thurs. This dual enterprise offers imported food products from South Africa including biltong, boerewors, rusks, Fanta Grape, Robertsons spices, Steers sauces, Romany Creams and more.
- 67 Barnwood Road, Barnwood
- Gloucester
- GL2 0SF
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Saha Cafe
Bristol
Saha Cafe is part of a unit which includes a gallery, deli and interiors shop. The cafe has a strong vegetarian element, but there is a North African flavour to many of the choices, which feature vegan cous cous salad with pine nuts, rocket, sultanas and cumin and aubergine, chilli and mint salad. Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm.
- 12-15 Waterloo Street
- Bristol
- BS8 4BJ
Cooking
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Cassava Cooking
Cardiff
BBC S.East Wales serve up delightful instructions on cooking cassava and other African treats in an interview with Antoinette Nkulu. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, she is now Cardiff-based and works for Mewn Cymru, an organisation which supports ethnic minority women.
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Bulawayo: African Recipes
An online rendezvous for Southern Africans that's equally useful to everyone. Bulawayo's African recipe portal offers such mouthwatering delicacies as Biltong (Beef Jerky), Dorowat (Ethiopian spicy braised chicken) and Dovi (peanut butter stew). Instructions are so clear that an absence of photos doesn't pose problems.
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BBC Recipe Finder: African Food
BBC's online Recipe Finder is a great source for African cooking. Simply type in the following keywords (one at a time): african; tunisian or moroccan. The result is a range of tasty ideas from Chilli Jam to Ostrich and Vegetable Sosaties, thanks to celebrity chefs like Ainsley Harriott.
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The African Cookbook
Menus and recipes from Africa. Choose from several countries and gen up on skills like cooking and presenting an Ethiopian dinner, where even the 'Injera' or tablecloth (made from buckwheat) is eaten!
Markets
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Brixton Market
London
Brixton market has Europe's biggest selection of Caribbean and African food. Tropical fruit, vegetables, spices and specialist meats and fish are available, as well as bakeries and specialist hair and accessories stores. Open 8am-6pm Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri; 8am-3pm Wed; 8am-5.30pm Sat.
- Electric Avenue, Pope's Road, Brixton Station Road, Atlantic Road
- London
- SW9
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East Street Market
London
More a general market than a specialist one, it does have a few stalls selling African and Caribbean fruit and vegetables while surrounding shops sell other African products. The Mixed Blessings African Bakery Ltd (0207 703 9433) is a favourite. Open 8am-5pm Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat; 9am-5pm Thurs & Sun.
- East Street Walworth
- London
- SE17
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Petticoat Lane
London
The market has stood its East London ground for 400 years and although it's best known for selling bargain leather jackets, fake watches and jewellery, there are enough African residents to dictate the wares of the row of shops along Middlesex Street. Open 10am-2.30pm Mon-Fri; 9am-2pm Sun.
- Middlesex Street, Goulston Street, New Goulston Street, Toynbee Street, Wentworth Street,, Bell Lane, Cobb Street, Leydon Street, Strype Street, Old Castle Street, Cutler Street
- London
- E1
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Ridley Road Market
London
Famous for its 24-hour bagel shop, Ridley Road Market also has stalls selling African and Caribbean Music, textiles, and food ranging from cow’s feet, pig’s trotters, goat meat, yams, mangos and spices. Open 7am-5pm Mon-Sat.
- Ridley Road
- London
- E8
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Shepherd's Bush Market
London
Everything from fake designer wear to kitchen utensils is sold in Shepherd's Bush Market. There's an African element in the yams, cassavas, sugar cane and fresh snapper, coley and tilapia fish that's sold. Also check out the African textiles found at the Uxbridge Road entrance. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Sat.
- Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road
- London
- W12
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Choumert Road Market
London
Smaller market, great for African and Caribbean food and hair products. Open 9am-3pm Mon-Sat.
- Choumert Road, Peckham
- London
- SE15
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Deptford Market
London
Smaller market, great for African and Caribbean food and hair products. Open 8.30am-5pm Wed, Thurs, Sat.
- Douglas Way & Deptford High Street
- London
- SE8
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Lewisham Market
London
Smaller market, great for African and Caribbean food and hair products. Open 9am-4pm Mon-Sat.
- Lewisham High Street
- London
- SE14
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Hildreth Street Market
London
Smaller market, great for African and Caribbean food and hair products. Open 7am-6.15pm Mon-Sat.
- Hildreth Street
- London
- SW12
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Tooting Market
London
Smaller market, great for African and Caribbean food and hair products. Open 9am-5.30pm Mon, Tue, Thurs-Sat; 9am-1pm Wed.
- Upper Tooting Road
- London
- SW17
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Best African Front Foods
Birmingham
African produce from around the continent includes yams, spices, fresh, frozen and dried tilapia fish, prawns and other seafood.
- 219 New John St West
- Birmingham
- B19 3UA
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Masseys of Whittlesford
Cambridgeshire
Masseys stock a range of South African food including biltong, boerewors, droÎwors, and the website offers easy to make South Africa meals and snacks. Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 9am-12noon.
- 1a The High Street, Whittlesford
- Cambridgeshire
- CB2 4LT
Restaurants/Bars
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African Kitchen Gallery
London
There's a fine fusion of Caribbean and West African dishes at this compact restaurant/cafe. Floor to ceiling tribal art is cleverly displayed and for sale. Prices are reasonable for meals like ackee and saltfish, rice and peas, egusi and some tropical fruit-based desserts. Open noon-9.30pm daily.
- 102 Drummond Street
- London
- NW1
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Cottons
London
Cottons has always held its ground as a party location. Packed at the weekends, the front bar area leads to a split-level restaurant with island-themed rooms (Barbados, St Lucia and Jamaica). Its menu is well thought-out, with meat, fish or vegetarian platters and an impressive selection of cocktails. Open 5pm-midnight Mon-Thurs; 11am-midnight Fri-Sun
- 55 Chalk Farm Road
- London
- NW1
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The Gap
London
African beers are served from the bar at this subterranean treasure. The wood-panelled eating area is where Nigerian staples like jollof rice, moi moi, and meat stews are on the menu. Weekdays are mellow, but weekends see a loyal following who come for the live bands, jazz and highlife. Open 5.30pm-midnight daily.
- 58 Stoke Newington Road
- London
- N16
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Lalibela
London
A taste of Ethiopia in NW5, Lalibela also boasts a gallery of East African art. Diners eat from soft cushioned pews or carved wooden stools. There's a long menu of dishes, which the waiters will always take time to explain and recommend. Open 6pm-midnight Mon-Thurs, Sun; 6pm-12.30am Fri & Sat.
- 137 Fortress Road
- London
- NW5
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Mango Room
London
A menu of Caribbean and European influence. Seared salmon with mango sauce, jerk chicken or ackee and avocado salad are some of the beautifully presented options. The atmosphere is consistently laid back with reggae classics wafting out of the speakers. Open noon-3pm Tue-Sat; 6pm-midnight Mon-Sat.
- 10 Kentish Town Road
- London
- NW1
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Manjaro Bar and Kitchen
London
A stylish Ghanaian enterprise, Manjaro is a contemporary restaurant and club offering West and Central Africa cuisine in a venue decked out with African artefacts. Upbeat nights of Afrobeat, Highlife, Rumba, Salsa and Soukous are regularly organised. Open 5am-midnight Tue-Sat; noon-midnight Sun.
- 148 Holloway Road
- London
- N7
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Merkato Cafe and Restaurant
London
Much more a cafe than a restaurant, Merkato is a bright but homely venue. Staff offer excellent service with coffees, teas, all day English breakfasts and then an authentic East African menu of wots (stewed dishes with lamb, beef or fish), enjera, and spiced vegetable dishes. Open 7am-midnight daily.
- 196 Caledonian Road
- London
- N16
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Momo
London
Cous cous dishes and Moroccan tajines are served at this stylish venue that has a subterranean member's bar and an upstairs restaurant decked out with North African artifacts, lamps, rugs and low wooden seating. Fish, chicken, Mediterranean vegetables and fruit or sweet pastries share the menu. Open noon-2pm daily. 7-11pm Mon-Sat; 6-10.30pm Sun.
- 25-27 Heddon Street
- London
- W1
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Numidie
London
Offering a fusion of North African and French food, with a central display of ageing news cuttings most notably of French-Algerian footballing hero Zinedine Zidane. Lamb cous cous, merguez (spiced) sausage and nutty falafel are all worth trying. Open noon-4pm Sat, Sun. 6.30pm-late Tue-Sun.
- 48 Westow Hill
- London
- SE19
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Obalende Suya
London
What started off as a mobile trailer in Elephant & Castle is now a spacious East London-based Nigerian restaurant, with a smaller takeaway in Peckham. Stewed and spiced meats, pounded yam, jollof rice, plantain and fish top the bill. Open noon-midnight Mon-Thurs; noon-1am Fri & Sat; 3pm-midnight Sun.
- 523 Kingsland Road
- London
- E8
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Obalende Suya Takeaway
London
Often labelled the 'African MacDonald's, this award-winning, trailer version of its restaurant counterpart offers tasty African treats on the run. Don't miss the barbecued fish with Palm wine. Open noon-1am Mon-Thurs, Sun. noon-2am Fri, Sat.
- 43 Peckham High Street
- London
- SE15
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Moroccan Tagine
London
Cheap, cool and casual, Tagine does a roaring trade in several variations of its namesake dish including the house special, kofta tagine. No booze, but a gleaming pot of mint tea is perfect after a well-seasoned harira soup, a spicy carrot salad and the mighty couscous royale.
- 95 Golborne Road
- London
- W10 5NL
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Jowata
Manchester
One of the few African restaurants in Manchester. Food is good, authentic and plentiful, with hot spicy dishes the order of the day. Licenced. No credit cards, disabled access. Open Tues-Sat 6.00pm-12midnight.
- 322 Deansgate
- Manchester
- M3 4F
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Al Farid
Devon
Moroccan restaurant with cushions on the floor to sit on, Moroccan music and an authentic decor. Choose from the buffet selection or A La Carte menu and enjoy the delicious traditional cuisine.
- 3 Cathedral Yard
- Exeter
- EX1
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UK Mama African Restaurant
South Yorkshire
A hot spot of African cuisine in Yorkshire. Named by its proprietor after the traditional African mother figure, he aims to bring the local 'motherly' cooking straight to the hearts... and stomachs of the British public. Recognisable North African dishes like cous cous are found alongside far rarer items from all corners of Africa and the Caribbean, such as Nigeria's moi moi (deliciously flavoured ground black beans). The waiters dress in Kenyan outfits, African music plays on the decks, and there are live drumming performances on Saturday night and drumming classes on Wednesdays. Open Mon-Sun 5pm until late.
- 257 Fulwood Road
- Sheffield
- S10 3BD
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Al Fassia
Berkshire
Windsor might not be the last word in gastronomic exotica, but Al Fassia is deservedly popular for its minced beef briouts, chicken and prune tagines and beef kofta brochettes. Host Mustapha thoughtfully supplies orange-blossom water for freshening the fingers after eating with your hands. Open Mon-Sun 11am-2.15pm and 6.30pm-midnight.
- 27 St Leonards Road
- Windso
- SL4 3BP
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Jollof
London
Ghanaian catering company, soon-to-be restaurant who trade in East London's Broadway Farmers' Market. Providing a range of dishes including spicy homemade aromatic rice, stews, yam, plantain, and succulent chichinga kebabs.
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Blue Man North African Bistro
East Sussex
Traditional Algerian, Tunisian and Moroccan food is served tapas or banquet style at this restaurant, which is decked out with North African crafts, lanterns and furniture. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-10.30pm.
- 142 Edward St, Brighton
- East Sussex
- BN2 0JG
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Cape Fish
Hertfordshire
A South African menu with a European twist is the theme at this restaurant where Mozambiquan prawns, fresh cape and yellow fish share the menu with ostrich, kudu and springbok. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm; Sun 12.30-3pm.
- 163 -165 High Street
- Berkhamsted
- HP4 3HB
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Jabula
Cheshire
Right by the Manchester Ship Canal, this South African restaurant serves traditional game including springbok, crocodile and kudu as well as home and camp fire coking served from black cast iron pots. It also opens as a coffee shop all day and sells crafts brought over from its Africa 2 U gift shop across the road. Open Mon-Sun 12noon-2.30pm and 5.15-10pm. Coffee shop opens from 10am daily.
- 1 South Pier Road, Telford Quay
- Ellesmere Port
- CH65 4FW
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Jowata
Manchester
Jowata has been going since 1993 and serves traditional West African meals and snacks including a range of vegetarian options. African wines and beers are also available. Open Tues-Sat 6pm-12.30am.
- 322 Deansgate
- Manchester City Centre
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Kalabash (West African) Restaurant
Bristol
West African food with a Nigerian slant at this Bristol-based restaurant with a menu that includes fish and goat pepper soup, suya, jollof rice and egusi soup. Beers include Star from Nigeria, Tusker from Kenya and Hansa from South Africa. Open Mon-Sun 5pm until late.
- 120 Cheltenham Road
- Bristol
- BS6 5NU
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Krimo's Restaurant
Teeside
A fusion of Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes is served at Krimo restaurant. Open Tues-Sat 12noon-1.30pm and 6-9.30pm.
- The Marina
- Hartlepool
- TS24 0YB
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Kwela's
Cumbria
Kwela's locally sourced food is given a modern South African twist and served in a relaxed atmosphere with comfy sofas and a private party room. Organic vegetarian, vegan and Moroccan wines are available as well as Namibian and Kenyan lagers. African art is also on sale. Open Tues-Sun 6.30-10pm.
- 4 High Street, Windermere
- Cumbria
- LA23 1AF
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Marrakech Lounge
Leeds
Close to Leeds University, Marrakech Lounge is one of the few places in the city to enjoy traditional North African cuisine and offers cous cous tagines and Moroccan grills as well as pizzas, fresh sandwiches and coffees. Open Mon-Fri 8am until late; Sat & Sun 11.30am until late.
- 211 Clarendon Road
- Leeds City Centre
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Mamounia (Moroccan)
South East Wales
Said to be Cardiff's only traditional Moroccan restaurant and takeaway, this venue's North African-designed interior is a fine place to enjoy the aromas and spices of lamb and chicken dishes or freshly baked breads. Open Mon-Sun 5.30pm-12.30am.
- 167 Albany Road
- Cardiff
- CF24 3NT
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Mascara North African Cuisine
East Sussex
Algerian and Moroccan food is on the menu at this restaurant where traditional tajines of spiced lamb, swordfish or vegetables and cous cous with marinated chicken are available as well as after-dinner belly dancing. Open Tues-Sat 12noon-2.30pm and 6pm to midnight.
- 101 Western Road
- Brighton
- BN1 2AA
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Taste of Morocco
Bristol
Traditional North African food in an atmosphere that includes Moroccan belly dancing nights. Open Mon-Sun 6-11pm.
- 180 Gloucester Road, Bishopston
- Bristol
- BB7 8NU
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Touareg
Bristol
Furnished throughout with North African furniture, which includes a tented room and a Bedouin mezzanine area, with a fountain, brass lanterns and carpets. The menu fuses Moroccan and European cooking, which includes a range of vegetarian choices. Open Mon-Sun 12noon-2pm & 6-11pm.
- 77 Whiteladies Road, Clifton
- Bristol
- BS8 2NT
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Zanzibar Restaurant
Highlands and Islands
The menu changes regularly at his restaurant, but the South African theme constantly runs through, with crocodile, alligator, zebra, bison and ostrich on offer alongside fresh local seafood. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 5.30-8pm.
- 38 Eastgate
- Inverness
- IV2 3NA
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Quynny's Quisine
Merseyside
West African and Caribbean food is available at Quynnyís, where jollof rice or rice and peas, egusi, spicy meat stews and also English meals are served. Open Mon-Sun 9.30am-9pm.
- 45a Bold Street
- Liverpool
- L01 4EU