17 Best African Restaurants in NYC for 2025
Are you looking for the best African restaurants in NYC? The Big Apple food scene is famous for its impressive collection of authentic cuisines and African cuisine is no exception. Countless spots serve incredible African food across all five boroughs, so foodies who want to explore the vast flavors of African cuisine will find what they’re looking for in NYC.
But with all the exceptional African restaurants in NYC, finding the perfect spot can feel intimidating. Luckily, this list provides the guidance you need to find the best spot for African food in NYC, no matter the cuisine or price range that you’re looking for. If you’re ready to jump into New York City’s African food scene, read on and get ready to expand your culinary world.
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Find the Best African Food in NYC
If you want to experience the best bites that New York City has to offer, food tours in NYC are a can’t-miss experience. These engaging tours are led by local experts who know all of the best spots, from landmark staples to hidden gems. As you explore and taste your way through the city streets, you’ll immerse yourself in the full splendor of NYC’s storied food scene. Although African fare may not seem like a typical NYC food, the Big Apple is full of spots ready to be discovered.
17 Top African Restaurants in NYC
1. Sylla
Sylla is an East Harlem eatery that’s one of the best African restaurants in NYC. If you’re looking for the perfect idea for a date night in NYC, this is a quintessential spot serving up authentic West African fare in a casual, welcoming environment.
The Vibe
This casual African restaurant in NYC is easygoing and friendly. The owner will be happy to recommend some dishes if you need some guidance.
What to Order
Don’t miss out on the whole grilled fish or the spicy stew with some sweet plantains.
Sylla | 1666 Park Ave., New York, NY 10035 | $$
2. Buka
For some of the best Nigerian food in the city, head over to Buka in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. This swanky African restaurant in NYC treats hungry customers to an authentic offering of Nigerian street food, served with some unique Brooklyn flair.
The Vibe
Buka is a stylish, candle-lit space with a DJ booth that draws energetic crowds.
What to Order
Don’t skip the fufu, a pounded dish made from yam flour similar to bread. It’s perfect to get every drop of Buka’s delicious stews and soups, like the popular goat and fish pepper soup.
Buka | 1111 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11238 | $$
3. Papaye
Papaye is an African restaurant in NYC that specializes in Ghanaian cuisine. Its large menu focuses on authentic African flair, serving flavor-packed dishes at two Bronx locations. If you find yourself hungry in the Bronx, Papaye won’t disappoint.
The Vibe
This spot is an unassuming, casual eatery with a comforting mom and pop feel.
What to Order
This African restaurant in NYC is famous for its jollof rice, as well as its goat stew.
Papaye | Multiple Locations | $$
4. Awash
Perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, Awash is an African restaurant in NYC whose authentic take on Ethiopian cuisine has established the spot as one of the most popular in the city. From hearty vegetable stews to mouthwatering meat dishes, Awash has something for everyone.
The Vibe
The place is cozy and quiet; perfect for a date night or just a small group dinner. This African restaurant in NYC can get crowded during peak hours, so it’s best to make a reservation.
What to Order
Go with the meat platter or the veggie combo, which comes with everything you need to enjoy your Ethiopian fare.
Awash | Multiple Locations | $$
5. Le Grin
Le Grin is a small, rustic African restaurant in NYC that focuses on flavors of the Ivory Coast. It balances authentic flavors with an approachable friendly atmosphere, where the staff is happy to help you navigate the menu and they may even hint at some off-menu delicacies.
The Vibe
Grin is a small and easygoing eatery that’s super popular with locals.
What to Order
You won’t want to miss out on the daily stew offerings. If you want a popular order, try the fried fish.
Le Grin | 454 E. 168th St., Unit 44, Bronx, NY 10456 | $
6. Africa Kine
If you’re looking for some of the best Senegalese food in the city, Africa Kine in Harlem is exactly what you’re looking for. Since 1994, Africa Kine has been spoiling locals with its delicious African fare and relaxed ambiance. This is definitely an African restaurant in NYC that you won’t want to miss.
The Vibe
This casual restaurant is perfect for a low-key birthday dinner in NYC if you don’t want to deal with long lines and fussy menus.
What to Order
Get the mafe, which is made with either lamb or chicken smothered in a delicious peanut sauce.
Africa Kine | 2267 7th Ave., New York, NY 10027 | $$
7. Nneji
Nneji is an Astoria eatery that serves homestyle West African cuisine to locals and travelers looking for the best African restaurants in NYC. It offers small-batch soup and grain pairings that are wonderfully tasty and packed with nutrients. This modest spot should be on your list of healthy restaurants in NYC, their attention to detail makes it an essential African restaurant in NYC.
The Vibe
Nneji has a small, friendly atmosphere where the owner will happily toss over some samples.
What to Order
It’s hard to go wrong here, but the egusi soup, which can be made vegan or with meat, served with your choice of grain is a popular order.
Nneji | 32-20 34th Ave., Queens, NY 11106 | $
8. Queen of Sheba
Located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan, Queen of Sheba serves some of the tastiest Ethiopian food in the neighborhood. This African restaurant in NYC is authentic both in food and in the atmosphere, providing a delicious haven for customers who want to experience Ethiopian cuisine in its finest form.
The Vibe
Cozy spot in Midtown perfect for a last-minute dinner date, just get ready to eat with your hands!
What to Order
Doro wot, a spicy chicken stew, is a favorite dish at this African restaurant in NYC. You also can’t go wrong with the meat or vegetarian sample platters.
Queen of Sheba | 650 10th Ave., New York, NY 10036 | $$
9. Bunna Café
Bunna Café is a plant-based Ethiopian spot that delights vegans and non-vegans alike with its flavorful African dishes and warm ambiance. Bunna replaces the meat ingredients typically used in Ethiopian cooking with flavorful, perfectly cooked vegetables, creating plant-based dishes that are perfectly authentic and suitable for every palate.
The Vibe
This is an intimate and casual Brooklyn restaurant, with a cocktail menu and live music.
What to Order
Get the feast option at this African restaurant in NYC, serving scoops of all of the delicious stews and dips alongside injera, an Ethiopian sourdough flatbread.
Bunna Café | 1084 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11237 | $$
10. Pikine
Pikine is an African restaurant in NYC that serves up heaping portions of Senegalese food to their Harlem clientele, offering also the flavors of Gambia, North Africa and France. This popular eatery is a staple of Harlem’s “Little Senegal” and it’s a must-try for NYC foodies.
The Vibe
Wonderfully intimate and as authentic as it gets. The space has an energetic ambiance with dim lighting and limited seating, depending on when you go.
What to Order
Make sure to get the fish stew at this African restaurant in NYC. They sometimes have different menus for lunch and dinner, so don’t feel afraid to try something new!
Pikine | 243 W. 116th St., New York, NY 10026 | $$
11. Lagos TSQ
Part nightclub, part delicious eatery, Lagos TSQ is an African restaurant in NYC located right next to Times Square. With a West African fusion menu and lively music and dance performances, dining at Lagos TSQ offers an immersive experience ideal for visitors to the city seeking authentic cuisine coupled with a vibrant night out.
The Vibe
Lagos TSQ offers a dynamic nightclub atmosphere, perfect for those seeking an exciting dining experience. While it may not fit the bill for romantic restaurants in NYC traditionally, its energetic vibe, lively music and fusion cuisine promise an unforgettable evening filled with fun and flavor.
What to Order
The lamb chops and the jollof rice are popular orders at this African restaurant in NYC.
Lagos TSQ | 727 7th Ave., New York, NY 10019 | $$$
12. Tara Kitchen
If you love Moroccan food, head over to Tara Kitchen in Tribeca. This African restaurant in NYC offers unrivaled takes on classic Moroccan dishes, each developed flawlessly by Chef Aneesa Waheed, a master at highlighting the flavors and ambiance of Morocco.
The Vibe
Tara Kitchen is a colorful and energetic restaurant that’s popular during peak hours, so you’re best bet is to make a reservation.
What to Order
This African restaurant in NYC is known for its tagines, so order that with your meat of choice or keep it vegetarian. You also won’t want to miss the Shakshuka.
Tara Kitchen | 253 Church St., New York, NY | 10013 | $$
13. Tatiana
A recent venture from celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi, Tatiana is quickly climbing the ranks of not only the best fancy restaurants in NYC but also the best restaurants in the country. Located next to Lincoln Square, Tatiana is a perfect spot to grab dinner before seeing a show if you can manage to land a reservation. The menu is a blend of West African flavors with Onwuachi’s NYC upbringing, forming an inventive offering of delectable dishes that celebrate NYC in the best way possible.
The Vibe
Tatiana has an upscale vibe, with a fun hip-hop influence. This African restaurant in NYC is one of the most popular spots in the city, so you’ll need to make a reservation well in advance.
What to Order
Don’t leave without tasting the short rib pastrami suya and make sure to start with the curried goat patties.
Tatiana | 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 | $$$
14. La Savane
La Savane is the perfect spot for enjoying the family-style flavors of West Africa in Harlem. This African restaurant in NYC primarily serves food from the Ivory Coast, but its menu is inspired by all of the West African cuisines. There is no shortage of delicious African spots in Harlem, but La Savane should be at the top of the list, thanks to their no-frills approach to authentic African delights.
The Vibe
This African restaurant in NYC is an energetic space with dim lighting.
What to Order
The fried fish is a popular order, as is the lamb shank.
La Savane | 239 W. 116th St., New York, NY 10026 | $$
15. Ras Plant Based
If you want to enjoy plant-based Ethiopian food in a colorful, artsy space, head on over to Ras Plant Based in Brooklyn. The perfect blend of vibes and flavor, this African restaurant in NYC takes vegan cuisine to the next level, offering flavorful Ethiopian dishes that vegans and carnivores alike can enjoy.
The Vibe
Ras Plant Based is an easygoing artsy space with murals lining the walls.
What to Order
Order the Mercato platter, which comes with a delicious array of vibrant veggies and hearty dips.
Ras Plant Based | 739 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238 | $$
16. Hav & Mar
A lively seafood bar in Chelsea, Hav & Mar was recently opened by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, whose African heritage shines brightly throughout the restaurant’s menu. This African restaurant in NYC specializes in serving up creative dishes alongside inventive cocktails in an energetic, attractive environment, creating a dining experience that can’t be missed.
The Vibe
Have & Mar is an upscale and trendy spot, with plenty of showstopping art lining the walls.
What to Order
Start with the tuna tartare, then go for the snapper & coconut for your main.
Hav & Mar | 245 11th Ave., New York, NY 10001 | $$$
17. Safari Harlem
Safari is one of the few authentic Somali restaurants in the city, so you should check it out if you find yourself craving it in Harlem. This African restaurant in NYC serves delicious Somali dishes, which are deep and flavorful but not particularly spicy. It’s places like Safari that make the NYC restaurant scene so special.
The Vibe
Safari Harlem is a small space with limited seating and the overall ambiance is easygoing and casual.
What to Order
The roasted goat is the specialty of the house, so you should definitely order it.
Safari Harlem | 219 W. 116th St., New York, NY 10026 | $$
New York City is home to countless delicious cuisines, making it one of the most beloved food scenes in the country. African cuisine is well represented and the city is chock full of delicious eateries that capture the diverse and vibrant culinary essence of Africa.
If you’re interested in diving into the delicious world of authentic African cuisine, hopefully, this list serves as a helpful beacon in shaping your culinary journey, guiding you towards the very best African restaurants in NYC. For even more ways to explore NYC and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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