Undoubtedly some of the most unique dining experiences are to be had throughout African nations. This is a quick rundown of some of the best-rated African restaurants on hand to make your dining experiences throughout the continent even more memorable.
Courtesy of The Test Kitchen/thetestkitchen.co.za
Won the ‘One to Watch’ award last year and ranked 28th out of the 50 Best-list. Run by British born Chef Luke Dale-Roberts this African restaurant is described as an international/fusion cuisine with attentive waiters and a menu that is “not over the top.” It also showcases some of the best wine in South African alongside an original cocktail menu. The interior is elegant and tasting menus and a la carte options are available.
Courtesy of The Greenhouse/greenhouserestaurant.co.za
African Restaurant: The Greenhouse, Constantia
Located just outside Cape Town in Constantia, located in the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel. A member of ‘The Collection by Liz McGrath’; One of five Relais and Chateaux under direction of executive chef Peter Templehoff. Chef Gerald van der Walt runs the show here though, delivering food described as progressive South African cuisine that travellers describe as a “once in a lifetime experience”. With features on the tasting menu such as Springbok and Ostrich, alongside seafood staples such as game fish and oysters, it’s not hard to see where such praise is coming from. This African restaurant is located on a stately Cape Dutch homestead in beautiful landscaped gardens. The wine list is short but excellent.
Courtesy of Terroir/kleinezalze.co.za
African Restaurant: Terroir, Stellenbosch
Chef Michael Broghton’s Terroir won the 2014 Diners Club World’s Best Resturants Academy’s ‘Global Selection’. The food style here is described as having a distinctly French influence but uses seasonal produce and locally sourced ingredients, from strawberries from a local farm to fresh fish from Gordon’s Bay.
Courtesy of DW-Eleven-13/dw11-13.co.za
African Restaurant: DW-Eleven-13, Johannesburg
Chef Marthinus Ferreira’s restaurant is known for its original menu: South African cuisine with his favourite seasonal ingredients. This makes for ever changing tasting menus, and the wine list showcases some of the best wines in the country.
Courtesy of Le Chateau de Bel Ombre/heritageresorts.mu
Located on the South-West of Mauritius, in an old romantic mansion dating back to the 1800s and fully restored. Pheasant terrine with tamarind confit is a highlight of the menu. It has a pleasant wine list and silver service. Every Saturday and Sunday is ‘Mauritius Night’ where the kitchen delivers an authentic island feast.
Courtesy of Maria P/Tripadvisor
African Restaurant: Café des Arts, Praslin, Seychelles
The Seychelles has never had a very good reputation for its cuisine but this restaurant on Praslin Island is blowing that perception away. Described as a ‘festive’ ambiance set on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The food is described as a mix of French, Italian, and even Creole with dishes such as Octopus gratin alongside tuna and lobster. The wine list is described as excellent and patrons often call it the most romantic restaurant in Seychelles.
Courtesy of The Blue Heron/blueheron.co.tz
African Restaurant: The Blue Heron, Arusha, Tanzania
Opened in 2002, it has since been one of the most popular African restaurants in Arusha for a morning expresso. Lunch or evening dinner. The menu mainly consists of soups, pizzas, pasta, a salad bar, and even Shawarmas. Live music on the veranda on Fridays!
Courtesy of alfassia.com
A local favourite, Al Fassia is famous for its roast leg of lamb. You can choose from an a la carte menu located in a beautiful garden out of the city centre. The service at this African restaurant is polite and the wine list also decent. The setting is also quite romantic so if you are looking for a romantic night out this place is ideal.
Courtesy of domaineanna.mu
A mainly Chinese but extensive menu, best at night with beautiful torches lining a long driveway into this African restaurant. Chef Hang owns the estate and the ingredients from his menu come from it. The portions are said to be very generous.
Courtesy of tamarind.co.ke
The atmosphere here is relaxed and peaceful, set in the beautiful gardens of Blixen’s original farmhouse (near the Karen Blixen museum). The menu is very mixed, everything from Kenyan oysters, to chicken wings, pork ribs, and salads. Ideal to stop off after visiting the Blixen museum.
Courtesy of Crocafellas/afktravel.com
African Restaurant: Crocafellas, Kruger National Park
A unique dining experience to say the least, because here you are suspended above a body of water with several crocodiles beneath you as you dine. This African restaurant is located in the centre of one of Africa’s biggest safari locations and the menu consists of traditional African bistro dishes. Just make sure you don’t become one of them for the crocodiles!
Courtesy of phattchef.wixsite.com
African Restaurant: The Phatt Chef, Thabo Mofutsanyana
A specialty restaurant with steaks that are aged for a minimum of 28 days. But Phatt Chef also serves a variety of other meats. Highly recommended for meat lovers!
Courtesy of tamarind.co.ke
African Restaurant: Tamarind, Mombasa
Described as one of the finest restaurants and bars on offer in Kenya, Tamarind is located near a harbour, and thus is the perfect place to sample freshly caught fish, prepared expertly by the chefs.
Courtesy of abouelsid.com
So many resturants in cities in Africa seem obsessed with trying to replicate and churn out Asian dishes to patrons, but happily this is not one of those places! Abou El Sid has some real, authentic Egyptian classics, such as walnut chicken and pigeon dishes. The surroundings are beautiful and a welcome relief from the hectic hustle and bustle of Cairo, which is why Abou El Sid tends to be a little more expensive than its competitors.
Courtesy of The Grazing Room/zomato.com
African Restaurant: The Grazing Room, Johannesburg
This African restaurant is pretty unique in that it serves dishes in a Spanish Tapas style, offering dishes both small and large. So it could be said that the restaurant takes inspiration from the way the great beast of Africa feed. The signature dish is widely acclaimed to be the Yorkshire Pudding topped with bone marrow and oxtail.
Courtesy of thetestkitchen.co.za