West African restaurants are some of the hottest in London right now. This previously niche cuisine has exploded in recent years with a burst of flavour, innovation and multiple awards. Spanning Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast and more, the food is incredibly delicious and the restaurants have some of the most exciting chefs working today at the helm.

From Michelin-starred tasting menus to community staples, here are the best West African restaurants in London.

Akoko

For a tasting menu you won’t forget anytime soon, head to the sleek restaurant Akoko in Fitzrovia to experience the sumptuous flavours of Nigeria and West Africa. The menu is influenced by recipes passed down through generations, as well as forward-thinking fine-dining dishes. The most affordable option is the shorter lunch tasting menu for £55, however the full tasting menu at £120 is our favoured way to take a journey through West African cuisine.

Where: 21 Berners St, W1T 3LP
Website: www.akoko.co.uk

Chishuru

Chishuru stands among the very best restaurants in London full stop. Originally a supper club, Chishuru first became a permanent fixture in Brixton, and then moved to Fitzrovia in 2023, boasting a modern menu that blends age-old recipes with modern flavour. 

It received its first Michelin Star earlier this year, with chef Adejoké Bakare making history in 2024 when she became the UK’s first Black woman to receive the accolade.

Chishuru stands among the very best restaurants in London full stop

where: 3 Great Titchfield St, W1W 8AX
website: chishuru.com

Sikatio

Exploring the undervalued cuisine of the Ivory Coast, Sikatio in Brockley is one of London’s most underrated gems. Serving up bold flavours, big portions and a warming atmosphere, it makes a rendezvous to the London suburb – previously unimaginable – a must for foodies, named as the best restaurant of 2023 by popular food newsletter Vittles.

Feat on deep-fried tilapia or grouper, peanut soup with lamb, pepper soup, fiery wings with chill and lime, and traditional sides like jollof rice and abollo – it’s a menu whose variety and affordability will keep you coming back.

where: 5 Brockley Cross, SE4 2AB

Chuku’s

Head to Tottenham Hale for Nigerian tapas at Chuku’s, ideal for a rousing group lunch or dinner full of sharing courses and big flavours. Think shredded chicken in tangy, fiery scotch bonnet sauce, king prawns in suya and honey, and Lagos street food delicacies like yóyó, crispy fried whitebait tossed in cassava flour with fresh lime and homemade scotch bonnet jam.

They are also famous for their brunch, which is not quite bottomless, but not far off at 3 courses and 3 drinks for £40 each. 

where: 274 High Rd, N15 4AJ
website: www.chukuslondon.com

Akara

From the team behind Fitzrovia’s Akoko, Akara brings a more casual interpretation of West African cuisine to Borough Yards. Named after the black-eye bean fritter with roots in West Africa, it brings a blend of the crispy, fluffy attributes of Nigerian Akara Osu with the flavour-packed delights of Brazilian Acaraje.

Other hero dishes include Lagos Chicken (BBQ poussin) with citrus hot sauce, short rib suya with charred onion and sweet pepper sauce, and grilled pork with yam sauce and fermented chilli.

Where: Stoney St, SE1 9AD 
Website: www.akaralondon.co.uk

805 Restaurants

One of the original West African establishments, 805 has been going since 2001, and has grown to three locations across London in Hyde Park, Old Kent Road and Hendon.

The menu evokes fond memories and tells the story of Nigerian food, from the well-known Jollof rice to regional soups and much-loved signature Monika Fish.

where: Hyde Park, Old Kent Road & Hendon
website: www.805restaurants.com

Stork

Stork Restaurant brings together a pan-African mix of flavour and techniques in stylish Mayfair. The menu features dishes like the classic Ghanaian red snapper stew, served with plantain, black-eyed peas and avocado, and traditional fish pepper stew hailing from Nigerian. The jollof rice is an absolute standout, as is the suya sharing platter, a nod to Nigerian street food, featuring succulent lamb, ribeye beef suya and charred chicken poussain grilled to perfection and served with house salad, plantain and cassava chips

where: 13-14 Cork Street, London
website: www.storkrestaurant.com

Little Baobab

This beloved Senegalese-inspired Peckham spot recently opened up a new restaurant in the Africa Centre, a reflection of just how popular it has become.

They offer a set menu for dinner for £45 for five courses, making it one of the best value in London, and a more casual a la carte menu for lunch. Choose from plantain tart, Thiebou Dienne – sea bass filled with jollof rice – and lamb mafe, tender lamb chops served with creamy mafe sauce.

They offer a set menu for dinner for £45 for five courses, making it one of the best value in London

where: 66 Great Suffolk St, SE1 0BL
website: www.thelittlebaobab.com


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