Restaurants
The best food and drink in Accra, reviewed anonymously by experts
The best restaurants for local dishes
While Accra offers a wide range of international cuisine, there's nothing quite like sampling traditional dishes in some of the capital's best-loved spots. These are Time Out readers favourite restaurants as voted for in the Time Out Accra Rate Your City campaign
Michelin and MOF Chef JL L'Hourre visits Accra
It’s not often that a Michelin Star chef visits Ghana, let alone one awarded a Michelin Star three times. And, if that weren’t enough to satisfy the epicurean elitists, Jean-Luc L’Hourre has also received the highly prestigious title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (MOF). So, when he recently came to Accra as part of the third annual “Goût de France” or Good France event, TimeOut Accra was honoured to receive an invitation from the French Ambassador Mr Francois Pujolas and his spouse Mrs Revati Pujolas to interview Chef L’Hourre at their residence. The Chef working with his team, carefully serving the beautifully decorated plates at the prestigious dinner at the Residence of France in Accra. Having had a keen interest in gastronomy and cooking since his teenage years, Chef L’Hourre has worked in some of Paris’ most prestigious restaurants, such as Taillevent, Lasserre and La Tour d’Argent. He has also shared his know-how with students at the prestigious Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon. Currently the resident head chef at the five-star Marinca Hotel and Spa on the island of Corsica, he concentrates on bringing fresh ingredients, particularly seafood, to the fore. (From Left to right) François Pujolas Ambassador of France to Ghana, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, theFirst Lady, Chef Jean-Luc L’Hourre, the President of Republic, Nana Adoo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mrs Revati Pujolas, spouse of the French Ambassador. Taking time away from his preparation of a six-course dinner for 80 V
Accra’s nomadic chefs
Welcome to Bishop‘s kitchen. Few things can compare to the feeling that takes over your body when food made with every ounce of tender love and care touches your palate. You are transfixed by the aroma and faced with the indecisiveness of the pace at which to devour this meal because you want to savour it for as long as you can. If you share this appreciation for good food, you should be on the lookout for ‘biishville’; pop-up dining sessions hosted twice a month by up and coming Ghanaian chef, Kwame Annom Amfo-Akonnor, popularly known as ‘Bishop’. After a couple of stints with acting and modelling, which Bishop describes as hobbies, the ‘kitchen slayer’ has found his way back to his first true love; cooking. Though some mothers in Ghana would have found the amount of time he spent in the kitchen odd, Bishop’s mother was and remains to this day his biggest motivator and number one fan. He was twelve when he first discovered his love for cooking. After attempting and not quite pulling off a shepherd’s pie, he has worked his way up the culinary food chain creating some really impressive delights. Unfazed by Accra’s pricey property market, which deflated his plans of getting his own place, Bishop is winning hearts all over the capital with his pop-up dining sessions. A combination of local and continental home-made dishes, expect a menu that caters to a food lover’s every need. The interactive three-hour sessions feature simple and healthy three-course meals born from Bi
New review: The Counter
Have you gone through sleepless nights wondering whether the crab cake would ever make it into a burger, you can finally lean back and relax. A new kid is in town: The Counter: Custom Built Burger, a US franchise has opened an outlet in Accra Mall. Guests create their own culinary burger experience by checking off from an impressive list of fresh ingredients on a clipboard menu. There is a five-step process where you can choose from beef, chicken or veggie burger (or the crab cake), a selection of eight kinds of cheese, four toppings and sauce. Toppings range from grilled pineapple to roasted corn and black bean salsa, while sauces include a horseradish aioli, mango chutney and – for a couple of extra cedis - premium guacamole. The decision-making doesn't stop there; for the everlasting traditional burger side dish, select either shoestring or sweet potato fries – or why not mix both. Those counting carbs and calories can opt for a bun-less burger of mixed baby greens instead. With thousands of combinations, The Counter has made sure to cater to every diet imaginable: paleo, vegan, gluten-free – you name it. Burger lovers could, feasibly, dine here every week for the rest of their lives, and still not try everything on the menu. Dominating a corner of Accra Mall, this modern industrial design restaurant features concrete floor, wooden desk, Formica furniture and modern lighting. If the culinary skyscrapers aren’t enough, the menu also has dessert including apple crum
Latest restaurant reviews
The Counter
Have you gone through sleepless nights wondering whether the crab cake would ever make it into a burger, you can finally lean back and relax. A new kid is in town: The Counter: Custom Built Burger, a US franchise has opened an outlet in Accra Mall. Guests create their own culinary burger experience by checking off from an impressive list of fresh ingredients on a clipboard menu. There is a five-step process where you can choose from beef, chicken or veggie burger (or the crab cake), a selection of eight kinds of cheese, four toppings and sauce. Toppings range from grilled pineapple to roasted corn and black bean salsa, while sauces include a horseradish aioli, mango chutney and – for a couple of extra cedis - premium guacamole. The decision-making doesn't stop there; for the everlasting traditional burger side dish, select either shoestring or sweet potato fries – or why not mix both. Those counting carbs and calories can opt for a bun-less burger of mixed baby greens instead. With thousands of combinations, The Counter has made sure to cater to every diet imaginable: paleo, vegan, gluten-free – you name it. Burger lovers could, feasibly, dine here every week for the rest of their lives, and still not try everything on the menu. Dominating a corner of Accra Mall, this modern industrial design restaurant features concrete floor, wooden desk, Formica furniture and modern lighting. If the culinary skyscrapers aren’t enough, the menu also has dessert including apple crum
Cafe Kwae
Café Kwae is an all day café/restaurant founded by Yvette Nana Ama Ansah and inspired by her love of good, simple food and her passion for travel. The aim is to create a casual space where you can grab a cup of freshly ground coffee or cold-pressed juice before work, sample a menu of fresh, simply made lunch fare, or meet up with friends and family over a long, drawn out evening meal (with loads of wine!). Oh! Be sure to indulge in the selection of tasty home-made desserts when you come in.
The Neem Grill
The Neem Grill is an intimate outdoor restaurant & bar specializing in a variety of grilled meats, fish, seafood, and vegetables. The focus is on good quality produce, free-range meats, and fresh seafood. The outdoor space is a green oasis to be discovered! Trees, well-nourished lawns, modern woodwork, and an all-round welcoming and Zen atmosphere is equally a strong focus.
The best restaurants in Accra
Best for local cuisine
Where to sample traditional Ghanaian fare While Accra offers a wide range of international cuisine, there's nothing quite like sampling traditional dishes in some of the capital's best-loved spots. From jollof rice to waakye, freshly-caught fish to spicy stews, you're bound to find something on the menu to tickle your tastebuds. Dining Ghanaian-style is an experience for the novice - you'll often find yourself navigating a dish without a knife and fork, for starters. It's all part of the fun. Here's our pick of the best places in Accra for some local flavour. Buka Conveniently situated close to the centre of Osu, Buka is, without question, one of the best lunch spots in the city. More often than not it has the full tables to show for it. Set on the first floor, so there’s a sense of escape from the throng, with lively music and wraparound wooden trellises adding to the ambience. The food itself hinges largely on Ghanaian and Nigerian specialties – dishes include okra stew and eba (a dough ball eaten with stews). Service can slow down during busy lunches. Country Kitchen You would have thought, judging by the government officials, the occasional tribal leader and the Reverend Jesse Jackson (whose picture in the restaurant hangs in pride of place) that Country Kitchen is an upmarket joint. However, the main appeal here is hearty home cooking that remains true to Ghanaian classics. The atmosphere is as relaxed as the staff, but the food is freshly cooked. Fufu, banku and jollof
Best for international cuisine
Time Out recommends the best places to eat without borders - the top tier in Accra's cosmopolitan dining scene Over the centuries foreign influences have seeped into Ghanaian culture - from its days as a West African hub for trade with Europe in the 1400s right through to the colonial era and beyond. This cosmopolitan outlook is reflected in its capital city's restaurant scene, where international cuisine is flourishing. Here are Time Out's recommendations on the best restaurants to find the best non-local delicacies...
Best for a quick snack
Our top three recommended places for your fast-food fix - where to go for burgers, fries and fried chicken with an African twist Barcelo’s Chicken This branch of Accra’s favourite chicken chain also has a bakery and an ice cream parlour. Think Nando’s and you are pretty much there, and the food is of similar quality. The chicken is very juicy, the jollof rice has a bite, and there’s a selection of pepper and peri-peri sauces from mild to steam-coming-out-of-your-ears cartoon style. Salad, coleslaw and other embellishments are available for side dishes. There’s also a selection of chicken burgers. With prices from around GH¢12 for chicken and chips, it’s a reliable and quick option – with a good ice cream for dessert. Chicken Republic Is there room for another fried chicken joint in Accra? Judging by the constant stream of people in here, and at the other two recent additions, it seems so. Rotisserie and fried chicken pieces are on offer as well as burgers, jollof rice and salads. Other locations Spintex (0302 817 094); Ring Road (0302 233 869). KFC Yes, this is a KFC. But as KFCs go, it is one of the more eye-catching – largely owing to a gigantic bargain bucket on a pole out front that glows well into the night. Its arrival on Oxford Street caused a great deal of commotion back in 2011, and this shiny three-floor chicken emporium has been serving streams of enamoured locals cartons of its golden-crumbed fast food ever since. A second branch has opened in the Melcom Plus bui
Accra's cheap eats
Accra has a number of high-quality fine dining establishments - with equally high price tags. Thankfully, places to eat on a more modest budget also abound in the capital. Some of the best are often the simplest, doing a handful of dishes or a speciality dish really well - juicy chicken and traditional favourites like jollof rice often make great, affordable meals. And don't be put off by its humble appearance - often the roadside shack serves up some of Accra's most authentic, flavourful and wallet-friendly bites.
Al fresco dining in Accra
Places to dine al fresco are plentiful in the Ghanaian capital. Whether you're after beachside dining or looking for a breezy terrace, Accra will have something to offer. Time Out's pick of open air restaurants - or restaurants with outdoor space - serve up a range of dishes, from traditional West African to less traditional - but equally delicious - pizza, fresh from a proper wood-burning oven. Here's where to go for great food in the great outdoors.
More popular restaurants in Accra
Buka
Conveniently situated close to the centre of Osu, Buka is, without question, one of the best lunch spots in the city – and more often than not has full tables to show for it. Set on the first floor, it gives a sense of escape from the throng, with lively music and wraparound wooden trellises adding to the ambience. The food itself hinges largely on Ghanaian and Nigerian specialties – dishes include okra stew and eba (a dough ball eaten with stews). Try and avoid peak lunch hours.
Mamma Mia
Set around an agreeably rustic courtyard some five minutes’ walk from Oxford Street, Mamma Mia, now well into its second decade, combines quality thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas with an attractive setting, easily making it easily one of Accra’s best options for Italian food. But it’s not just pizzas – we’d also highly recommend the large and reasonably priced seafood platter. The outside area has a trattoria-like feel, with rough-hewn paving, terracotta tilework and warm, simple decor. Air-conditioned dining is also available inside.
Il Cavaliere Pazzo
Set in one of the most prestigious spots in the city, overlooking the Polo Club’s field, Il Cavaliere Pazzo rises to the occasion. It’s one of the most impressive buildings in Accra, making effective use of wood both on the interior and exterior. It’s also refreshingly understated. Its recently revised menu is unswervingly Italian, with genuine (and genuinely good) risottos, gnocchi and ravioli with spinach and ricotta. The steaks and the grilled fish are also excellent. New items include Gnocchi al Pesto and Scaloppine alla Sorrentina (thinly sliced beef fillet with tomato sauce and mozzarella. The service is attentive too, among the best in Accra. It’s also worth saying that the proximity to the airport makes it a good stop on the way out.
La Chaumiere
La Chaumiere’s sophisticated French dishes have been catering to Accra’s discerning diners for more than a decade. It offers a smattering of North African flavours for good measure – dishes such as grouper with harissa and mint yoghurt – but the mainstay is classic and honest French cuisine, from a crispy Nicoise salad to a wonderfully thick and sticky onion soup au gratin. It’s popular with visiting dignitaries and Ghanaian politicians.
Country Kitchen
You would have thought, judging by its clientele of government officials, the occasional tribal leader and even the Reverend Jesse Jackson (whose picture in the restaurant hangs in pride of place) that Country Kitchen is an upmarket joint. The main appeal, however, is hearty home cooking that remains true to Ghanaian classics. The atmosphere is as relaxed as the staff are, but the food is freshly cooked – fufu, banku and jollof rice all come with a choice of chicken, beef, mutton or fish, (usually ‘red fish’). The larger grilled tilapia comes with banku.
The best Ghanaian restaurants in Accra
Buka
Conveniently situated close to the centre of Osu, Buka is, without question, one of the best lunch spots in the city. More often than not it has the full tables to show for it. Set on the first floor, so there’s a sense of escape from the throng, with lively music and wraparound wooden trellises adding to the ambience. The food itself hinges largely on Ghanaian and Nigerian specialties – dishes include okra stew and eba (a dough ball eaten with stews). Service can slow down during busy lunches.
The Chop Bar
Enjoy authentic Ghanaian cuisine in a modern atmosphere at The Chop Bar. With all the mouthwatering Ghanaina dishes on the menu, you won't be disappointed. Reasonably priced and with great service, the Chop Bar is a great lunch spot. Be sure to visit. Its Chop Time! You're Invited!
Maquis Tante Marie
There are two branches of Maquis Tante Marie. The newer is in Accra Mall, but the original Labone branch is the most atmospheric. All the seating is open-sided and the tasteful bamboo furniture and bright yellow tablecloths add to the exotic vibe of the place. The menu is definitively African with authentic dishes predominantly from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, such as tilapia and banku, nyama choma (grilled, spiced meat, usually mutton) and fish yassa (grilled in a tangy lemon marinade). It’s a great place for some traditional West African food. Other location Accra Mall (0224 322 5181).
Chez Afrique
This popular restaurant often has live bands, including highlife musicians. The food’s good, but the music’s better. Many sets start off with a mixture of reggae, and other (random) hits before returning with a highlife set that gets everyone up and dancing. The musicianship is usually excellent.
Katawodieso
More of a street stall, Katawodieso is almost legendary in Accra. Run by the matriarch Ruby Duff-Tay and her sisters, it serves traditional Ghanaian food. Within a courtyard are bubbling pots of banku, fufu and jollof rice. The speciality here, however, is waakye – a dish of refried beans, rice, spicy sauce, some well-cooked meat and a bit of fish, usually eel. Walk in, take a seat if there is room, or order in the kiosk from one of the smartly dressed waitresses and see what arrives. The restaurant has been at this location for a quarter of a century and is known by everyone in Accra.
Country Kitchen
You would have thought, judging by the government officials, the occasional tribal leader and the Reverend Jesse Jackson (whose picture in the restaurant hangs in pride of place) that Country Kitchen is an upmarket joint. However, the main appeal here is hearty home cooking that remains true to Ghanaian classics. The atmosphere is as relaxed as the staff, but the food is freshly cooked. Fufu, banku and jollof rice each come with a choice of chicken, beef, mutton or fish, usually ‘red fish’. The larger grilled tilapia comes with banku, a bowl of water, washing up liquid and a lack of cutlery. It offers a take-away and delivery service.