• London’s best African restaurants and bars

  • By Time Out editors

  • There's a huge variety of African food available in London, and it's growing all the time. It can be overwhelming, so here are our recommendations for the best that's on offer

    London’s best African restaurants and bars

    Jollof Pot (© Elisabeth Blanchet)

  • 805 Bar Restaurant
    Nigerian
    Popular for its well-priced, generously sized portions.
    805 Old Kent Rd, SE15 (020 7639 0808/www.805restaurant.com) Elephant & Castle tube/rail.
    Read review of 805


    Abyssinia
    Ethiopian
    Ethiopian and other African dishes in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
    9 Cricklewood Broadway, NW2 (020 8208 0110) Kilburn tube.
    Read review of Abyssinia


    ACE Fusion
    West African, Caribbean and English
    Choose from Jamaican classics such as jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish or good British comfort food staples.
    Read review of ACE Fusion
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    Addis
    Ethiopian
    This cosy restaurant offers traditional East African food and service.
    40-42 Caledonian Rd, N1 (020 7278 0697/www.addisrestaurant.com) King’s Cross tube/rail.
    Read review of Addis


    African Kitchen Gallery
    West African
    Nigerian and Ghanaian cooking meet Caribbean and Spanish influences.
    102 Drummond St, NW1 (020 7383 0918) Euston Square tube/Euston tube/rail.

    Asmara

    Eritrean
    A lovely enclave that mixes the aromas of frankincense and freshly roasted coffee with the spices of the stew dishes that it serves.
    386 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 (020 7737 4144) Brixton tube/rail.
    Read review od Asmara


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    Heart food at Biazo (© Ed Marshall)

    Biazo
    Nigerian and Ghanaian
    An impressive fusion of cuisine in a smart venue. Biazo aims to introduce broader African dishes to its menu.
    307 Hale Lane, HA8 (020 8958 8826/www.biazo.co.uk) Edgware tube.
    Read revie of Biazo


    Exceline Exotic Dishes
    Ugandan
    Ugandan staples such as haraambee nyamachoma, a mixed-meat charcoal grill, are on the menu here. Exceline also has an outside catering service.
    175 Mare St, E8 (020 8525 9222/www.excelinecatering.co.uk) Hackney Central rail.

    The Gold Coast

    Ghanaian
    This pub-turned-restaurant offers Ghanaian staples such as kelewele (diced and fried plantain), and elements of Nigerian, French and north African cuisine. African beers include Star, Stones and Club.
    224 Portland Rd, SE25 (020 8676 1919/www.thegoldcoastbar.com) Norwood Junction rail.

    Jollof Pot
    Ghanaian
    This popular catering company – with stalls in Exmouth, Broadway and Portobello markets – serves up stews, kebabs and rice dishes from Akan, Ghana.
    Exmouth Market, EC1, Farringdon tube/rail. Broadway Market (London Fields end), E8, Hackney Central rail. Portobello Market, W10, Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park tube (020 8254 5333/www.jollofcuisine.co.uk).

    Lalibela
    Ethiopian
    This restaurant has an art gallery downstairs and the long menu comes with helpful explanations from the staff.
    137 Fortess Rd, NW5 (020 7284 0600) Tufnell Park tube, Kentish Town tube/rail.
    Read review of Lalibela


    Mama Calabar
    Nigerian
    This well-known restaurant serves up fish soups, meats and vegetable dishes such as edikang ikong (beef, fish and pumpkin leaf stew).
    3rd Floor, Dexion House, 2-4 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 (020 8902 2277) Wembley Central/Wembley Park tube.

    Merkato
    Ethiopian
    Authentic Ethiopian food and good service. The lamb or chicken wot (stew) comes with generous amounts of injera (sourdough bread).
    196 Caledonian Rd, N1 (020 7713 8952) King’s Cross tube/rail.
    Read review of Mercato


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    Momo's stylish interior

    Momo
    North African
    Contemporary Moroccan cuisine makes up the menu at this club, bar and restaurant.
    25 Heddon St, W1 (020 7434 4040/www.momoresto.com) Piccadilly Circus tube.
    Read review of Momo


    Obalende Suya

    Nigerian
    So loved by Nigerian ex-pats was the Obalende Suya mobile trailer that it established itself as a bona fide restaurant in the late 1990s. It also runs a smaller takeaway in Peckham.
    523 Kingsland Rd, E8 (020 7275 0171/www.suyaexpress.com) Dalston Kingsland rail; 43 Peckham High St, SE15 (020 7703 7033) Peckham Rye rail.
    Read review of Obalende Suya


    Oodua
    Nigerian
    A friendly, Tottenham-based diner serving Nigerian dishes like jollof rice, with well-priced lunchtime deals.
    77 West Green Rd, N15 (020 8809 7273) Seven Sisters tube.

    Ovation Restaurant & Bar

    Nigerian
    Hot snails, gizzard, jollof rice, moi-moi and other west African staples are on the menu at this spicy food emporium.
    166b Tower Bridge Rd, SE1 (020 7378 7989/www.ovationrestaurants.com) London Bridge tube/rail.

    Wazobia
    Nigerian/African
    Wazobia serves pan-African favourites and specialises in Nigerian dishes like suya, jollof rice and yam. It’s open for lunch and dinner and there are patties and other takeaways.
    25-27 Watford Way, NW4 (020 8202 1363) Hendon Central tube.

    See the best East African restaurants in London for vegetarian food

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