Guide to the best African restaurants in London

For plant-based diners who want a taste of Africa, don’t miss family-run restaurant Beza. This is a 100% vegan Ethiopian restaurant, serving classic dishes from the country. There’s a well-curated menu of vegetables and pulses, piled onto spongy injera bread. A small range of beer and wine is available too.

High Timber gives diners sophisticated cuisine with a South African twist. The bright restaurant is decorated with art by South African artists and you can try dishes like biltong, rooibos smoked salmon, and steak. The wine list is international but concentrates on South African bottles. Two private dining spaces are available too.

In Kingsland Road you’ll find Andu Ethiopian Vegan Café, a modest eatery serving vegan Ethiopian cuisine. The menu is simple – six classic dishes made from vegetables and pulses, served with either injera or rice. Try some of everything in a sampler platter for a real taste of Ethiopian cooking.

Nigerian tapas restaurant Chuku's is all about building friendship and community. There's a relaxed atmosphere, art on the walls, and a menu of sharing plates centred around socialising. Recipes follow tradition but also share the kitchen's own innovations. Chuku's also hosts a weekend brunch and intimate supper club events.

Mesi's Kitchen in Holloway is a friendly local restaurant that serves traditional Ethiopian dishes. Food is served in the traditional manner, piled onto spongy injera bread. Expect generous portions of flavoursome dishes like simmered split peas or marinated cubed chicken. This is comforting food in a warm and welcoming environment.

Discover modern Egyptian street food at Koshari Street. Diners come here for fast food based on Egypt's national dish, a healthy mix of pasta, rice, and lentils with tomato sauce. Simple vegan options or toppings like chicken or jackfruit are all available. It's a satisfying version of a classic African recipe.

Since 1993, Lalibela has been serving classic Ethiopian food in North London. Visit the richly-decorated restaurant to try out elegant traditional dishes like beyaynetu, a combination platter of various dishes on top of injera bread. There's a varied list of beer and wine on offer, plus traditionally-brewed Ethiopian coffee.

Tribe African Restaurant specialises in traditional Nigerian cooking, served in a friendly and welcoming environment. The typical dishes on the menu include soups, stews, and veggie-friendly options. Special meals for kids are available here too. This is a place to return to your favourite recipes or discover a brand new cuisine.

Brixton’s Khamsa is an Algerian café and restaurant that’s rich and vibrant. The colourful interior is laden with cushions and curtains, taking you on a journey to North Africa. Try traditional homemade dishes including salads and tagines prepared with authentic ingredients. Algerian cakes and pastries are also available and you can BYOB.

Discover sophisticated South African flavours at Kudu, a warm and earthy restaurant in Peckham. This is a family-run local spot that blends European and African influences. The seasonal menus include options like peri peri duck hearts, seafood, and the classic spiced biltong. You can choose from a South African wine list too. The spin-off restaurant Little Kudu does South African-inspired small plates.

Asmara has been on the scene in Brixton for decades but still attracts diners with its down-to-earth Eritrean cooking. At this understated restaurant you can dive into comforting platters of traditional dishes with injera bread. These plates are perfect for sharing. Traditional coffee served with popcorn is also available here.

The Barbary Next Door is an in-demand escape in Neal’s Yard, inspired by Morocco and Andalusia. This is a relaxed restaurant and bar for all-day dining, with dishes full of North African flavours and spices. Expect Moroccan, French, and Spanish options on the wine list, as well as classic North African soft drinks.

Head to one of Enish's branches for Nigerian cuisine in a lively setting. Diverse, authentic dishes are on the menu, including classics like gizzard and plantain, pepper soup, fried fish, and vegetarian choices. Events take place regularly, and there's a party menu for private group bookings. The Enish Africa branch serves a slightly different menu of pan-African faves, whilst Enish 24 is there to satisfy your food cravings 24/7.

At Azou you can experience vibrant cuisine from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, packed with warming flavours. The dining room transports you with aromatic fragrances, crafts, and both traditional low seating and conventional seats. Choose between tagines, grilled dishes, and couscous meals, and you can take your pick from an international wine list.

Lekki in Dalston has been serving Nigerian cuisine to Londoners since 2010. You'll find classic dishes on the menu like jollof rice, pounded yam, and pepper soup, as well as innovative new dishes. There's lots for plant-based diners too. The bar offers a wide range of drinks, including Nigerian beers.

At Wolkite you can discover the flavours of traditional Ethiopian food at a modest and friendly family-run restaurant. You can enjoy a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes served on top of injera bread to be eaten with your hands. The drinks menu includes Ethiopian beers as well as traditional honey wine.

Tagine has built a reputation for serving some of the best Moroccan and North African food in South London. In the rich Mediterranean dining room you can explore dishes like tagines, mezze, grilled meat, and vegetarian-friendly stuffed aubergine. Events catering is available here, with a special party menu on offer.

Since 2009, Le Chamarel has been sharing authentic family recipes from Mauritius with London diners. These are classic dishes prepared with local ingredients and unique spice mixes. Start with soup or a snack like a samosa before trying curries or rice and noodle dishes. Traditional Mauritian desserts are on the menu too.

Adulis opened in 1996 and brings traditional Eritrean cuisine to South London. The rustic restaurant interior is full of wood and stone and you can enjoy classic dishes here like kitfo and shiro. Choose a platter for an introduction to the cuisine and don't miss out on mies, traditional honey wine.

At Agelgil Ethiopian Restaurant you're encouraged to eat in the traditional way, sharing platters of dishes on top of injera you eat with your hands. Dishes include kitfo and cottage cheese with spinach. Meat, fish, and plant-based options are all on the menu, and takeaways and catering services are available too.

Uncover the rich flavours of West African cooking at Chishuru in Fitzrovia. Originally opened in Brixton in 2020, the relocated restaurant serves a modern take on traditional recipes. Fixed lunch and dinner menus are available, with options including sea bass, fried rice, and scallops. Vegetarian choices are offered as well.

At The Queen of Sheba you can sample Ethiopian dishes made with ingredients sourced from the country for authenticity you can't beat. A wide range of dishes is served to cater to every taste, eaten with injera bread. You can request gluten-free bread. The bar has traditional honey wine and Ethiopian beers.

The menu at Pitanga is designed to cater to every taste and make Nigerian cuisine accessible. Whatever your preferences are, there's something to tempt you here. Expect nostalgic family recipes like chin chin, jollof rice or spaghetti, and vegan yam pottage. Signature cocktails and Nigerian beers are served here too.

For Congolese and African food in a lively atmosphere, visit The Bash. This is a energetic place full of chandeliers and atmosphere, making it a popular venue for a special celebration. There's a simple menu of all-day dining dishes - think jollof with stewed chicken and fried fish. Cocktails are served too.

Plant-based diners love Keren View for its authentic vegan Eritrean food. This is a modest local place in Holloway Road with generous hospitality and heaped portions of flavoursome homemade dishes. Vegan desserts are on the menu too. A small range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available from the bar.

At the two branches of Vivat Bacchus you can embrace South African food and wine. The main menu includes steaks and cured meats and there's a walk-in cheese room with choices to go with your pick of wine. The wine list is international but has a special focus on South African bottles.

Local restaurant Le Rif is a popular place for Moroccan food in North London. At this low-key restaurant you can try small dishes like wraps or hummus or sample a traditional tagine, with meat, fish, and vegetarian versions all available. Stews, couscous, and sandwiches are all on the menu too.

Zeret Kitchen is a popular destination, whether you've had Ethiopian food before or you're trying it for the first time. The curated menu includes beef, lamb, chicken, and vegan options - go for a combination platter with injera bread that you eat by hand to immerse yourself in this cuisine.

Bisha in Holloway is one of London's leading Eritrean restaurants, offering diners vibrant dishes and attentive service. Try options like spiced lentils or chicken drumsticks or go for one of the platters. You can sample a wide range of dishes here to really get the feel for Eritrean food.

At Akoko you can experience elevated West African cooking, showcasing flavours and techniques from Ghana, Senegal, and Nigeria. Both traditional and innovative dishes are prepared using seasonal local ingredients like egusi or jollof rice. Set menus are offered for lunch and dinner and there’s an international wine list to accompany a meal.

At Stork in Mayfair you can sample elegant pan-African cooking in a stylish and modern space. This place celebrates the migration of African cooking traditions throughout the rest of the world – it’s bold, immersive, and decadent. Expect creative fine dining that takes you on a journey in a rich and evocative interior.

Numidie Bar & Bistro is located in Crystal Palace and is an award-winning destination for French and North African cooking. In the comfortable restaurant you can enjoy classic dishes like tagines, couscous, and falafel. There's the main dining room as well as a basement bar with cocktails and live music.

Authentic food is guaranteed at 805 Restaurants. As well as having sites in the UK, this award-winning restaurant group also has locations in Abuja and Accra. The space is style-conscious and comfortable, with private dining facilities available too. The menu is full of hearty family recipes like snails, pepper soup, and grilled meats.

To experience fragrant Afro-fusion cuisine, visit Cally Munchy on Great Suffolk Street. Since it was established in 2015, this vibrant restaurant has evolved into a main character in the UK's street food scene. The owner's vision was to create a space that celebrates and disseminates his West African heritage through tasty dishes. Enjoy a range of aromatic dishes paired with drinks from the African cocktail bar, Abura. Also, their renowned spicy Shi-Tuan sauce has been bottled so that you can enjoy it back home.

An offshoot of established West African restaurant Akoko, Akara serves an à la carte menu packed with similar flavours. Food is social here, with the menu including street eats, sharing plates, and inventive cocktails to pair with this distinctive cuisine. The restaurant is housed in a trendy railway arch.

Marathon in Caledonian Road is a popular choice for Ethiopian cuisine. This vibrant and evocative venue serves a menu packed with typical East African flavours. Classic dishes are served, including veggie options, and Ethiopian beer is available to complement the food. There's live music at weekends as well.

Located in King's Cross, Addis is a bustling restaurant and a popular place for exploring Ethiopian cooking. It's great for first-timers because it aims to make this cuisine accessible, blending East African tradition with Western conventions. You'll see classic dishes as well as less typical choices. The large dining room is full of earthy colours and materials.