Food has always been the heartbeat of African culture, and for those living far from home, it’s often the bridge that keeps identity alive. Across Europe and North America, African restaurants abroad are not just places to eat, they’re sanctuaries of memory, music, and community. From London to Toronto, Amsterdam to Zurich, these kitchens recreate the warmth of home one plate at a time.
For the African diaspora, each bite of jollof rice, thieboudienne, injera, or egusi soup carries nostalgia and pride. It’s more than comfort food, it’s cultural preservation served with spice and soul. In this feature, we explore ten remarkable African restaurants abroad that are winning hearts, uniting communities, and redefining global dining through the power of flavor and heritage.
1. African Kitchen – Amsterdam, Netherlands
In the heart of Amsterdam’s multicultural Bijlmer district lies African Kitchen, a restaurant that has become a home away from home for West Africans across the Netherlands. Located at Bijlmerdreef 1288, it’s known for its lively atmosphere, Afrobeat tunes, and comforting aromas of spice-filled stews that instantly transport you to Lagos or Accra. The menu is unapologetically authentic, think jollof rice cooked to perfection, tilapia grilled with pepper sauce, fried plantain, and egusi soup that tastes like Sunday at home.
What makes African Kitchen truly special for Africans abroad is how it doubles as both a restaurant and a cultural hub. You’ll meet Nigerians, Ghanaians, Sierra Leoneans, and even locals who’ve developed a taste for African cuisine. The restaurant accepts modern European payment systems like iDEAL but keeps service warm and personal.
If you’re dining in with friends, ordering takeaway after work, or introducing a European friend to West African flavors, African Kitchen is where nostalgia meets good food. It embodies the diaspora’s balance, adapting to life in Europe while holding tight to the tastes that define home.
2. The Qave – Stockholm, Sweden
In the calm and modern streets of Sundbyberg, The Qave brings the bold spirit of African cuisine to Sweden’s cosmopolitan food scene. Run by a small team of passionate West Africans, this restaurant blends cultural authenticity with Scandinavian efficiency.
The menu features rich egusi soup with pounded yam, jollof rice served with grilled chicken or fish, and spicy suya that has quickly become a favorite among Africans in Stockholm. The inviting décor mixes contemporary design with subtle African accents, creating a welcoming space for both diaspora families and curious locals.
What makes The Qave a standout is its understanding of diaspora life in Northern Europe. Many customers are Africans studying or working in Sweden who crave a taste of home in a country known for its minimalist cuisine.
The restaurant offers both dine-in and delivery options, and its owners often host small community gatherings that celebrate African holidays and music. For Africans abroad, The Qave is not just a place to eat, it’s where you rediscover identity, community, and the comfort that only a plate of home-cooked jollof can give you in a snowy Scandinavian evening.
3. Queen Idia African Restaurant & Bar – Zürich, Switzerland
Nestled in Zürich’s vibrant District 4, Queen Idia African Restaurant & Bar stands out as one of Switzerland’s best spots for authentic West African dining. Named after the legendary Benin queen, the restaurant channels royalty in both its menu and atmosphere.
Its menu includes Nigerian staples such as egusi soup, jollof rice, peppered goat meat, and pounded yam, paired with imported African beers and palm wine. Every dish bursts with the familiar aromas of crayfish, chili, and fresh herbs, instantly grounding you in the flavors of home.
Beyond food, Queen Idia has become a gathering point for Africans across Zürich. It’s where students, professionals, and families meet for laughter, conversation, and the warmth of a shared heritage. The space is cozy yet festive, often filled with Afrobeats and friendly staff who treat guests like family.
Swiss locals also visit frequently, curious about African cuisine and culture, making it a bridge between communities. For diaspora Africans who’ve traded the tropics for the Alps, Queen Idia provides more than just a meal, it offers belonging, identity, and the comforting realization that home can travel with you wherever you go.
4. Kara Lounge – Istanbul, Turkey
In the bustling heart of Istanbul, Kara Lounge stands as a cultural oasis for Africans in Turkey, a place where the scent of home-cooked food meets the rhythm of the diaspora. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Taksim, Kara Lounge was founded by West African entrepreneurs who saw the need for a space that brings together food, music, and identity.
On any given evening, you’ll find a mix of Senegalese, Gambian, Nigerian, and Congolese patrons enjoying spicy jollof rice, grilled fish, thieboudienne, and plantains, while Afrobeats hum softly in the background.
The restaurant’s atmosphere is both lively and comforting, reflecting the diversity of the African diaspora in Turkey. Beyond serving meals, Kara Lounge acts as a community center, hosting live performances, game nights, and cultural events that connect Africans living in Istanbul.
For many students, traders, and expats far from home, it’s the one place where you can speak your mother tongue, meet familiar faces, and eat dishes that taste like family gatherings back in Africa. The owners have turned Kara Lounge into more than a restaurant, it’s a cultural bridge between Africa and Eurasia, proving that wherever Africans go, community and cuisine always find a way to thrive.
5. Ebe Ano – Berlin, Germany
In the dynamic Kreuzberg district of Berlin, Ebe Ano has become a home base for Africans seeking the flavors and warmth of West Africa in Europe’s creative capital. The name “Ebe Ano,” meaning “it is well” in Igbo, perfectly captures the spirit of this restaurant, a place where food brings peace and belonging to the diaspora.
The menu celebrates authentic Nigerian and Ghanaian cuisine: aromatic jollof rice, spicy goat pepper soup, fried plantains, and rich egusi served with pounded yam. Every dish tastes like it was prepared in a family kitchen, with recipes passed down through generations.
Ebe Ano isn’t just about food, it’s about community. Students, professionals, and families from across Africa gather here on weekends to share stories, watch football, and unwind to Afrobeats. The owners have created a space where Berlin’s multicultural energy meets African hospitality. The décor mixes contemporary German minimalism with African prints and colors, offering both comfort and style.
It’s the kind of place where homesickness fades as laughter fills the room and plates are cleared with satisfaction. For Africans abroad in Germany, Ebe Ano is more than a restaurant, it’s a slice of home served with pride, spice, and soul.
SEE ALSO: Top Ethiopian Restaurants in London
6. Chishuru – London, United Kingdom
In the heart of London’s Fitzrovia, Chishuru has redefined what African fine dining can be. Founded by Nigerian-born chef Adejoké Bakare, the restaurant began as a small pop-up and has since earned one of the most prestigious honors in the culinary world, a Michelin star.
But what makes Chishuru special isn’t just the award; it’s how the restaurant captures the essence of West African home cooking and presents it with elegance, precision, and deep respect for tradition. Each dish tells a story of heritage, migration, and creativity, from smoked jollof rice with plantain to guinea fowl in spicy peanut sauce and indulgent yam croquettes.
For Africans in the diaspora, Chishuru represents pride and progress. It’s proof that African flavors can stand proudly on the global stage without losing authenticity. The restaurant’s minimalist décor lets the food speak for itself, while the staff’s warmth creates a sense of belonging that transcends class or formality.
You’ll often find Africans abroad bringing their European friends here to experience the sophistication of African cuisine firsthand. Chishuru isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a cultural milestone, a reminder that the diaspora can honor its roots while reshaping how the world experiences African food.
7. Eko Kitchen – San Francisco, USA
In the bustling city of San Francisco, Eko Kitchen has become a culinary landmark for Nigerians and Africans across America’s West Coast. Founded by Simileoluwa Adebanjo, a Nigerian chef and entrepreneur, Eko Kitchen began as a weekend pop-up before evolving into the city’s first full-scale Nigerian restaurant.
Its mission is simple yet powerful, to serve the diaspora a taste of home while introducing authentic Nigerian flavors to a global audience. The menu features perfectly spiced jollof rice, asun (grilled goat meat), efo riro, and puff-puff that melts in your mouth. Every dish bursts with the familiar warmth and soul of Lagos street food.
For Africans in the diaspora, Eko Kitchen offers more than a meal; it’s a space of cultural expression and belonging. The restaurant frequently hosts themed nights with Afrobeats music and collaborations with local African creatives, turning dinner into a celebration of identity.
Even after facing challenges, including a fire that forced a brief closure, Eko Kitchen’s resilience mirrors that of the diaspora itself: adaptable, proud, and unstoppable. From Nigerian tech workers in Silicon Valley to locals discovering African cuisine for the first time, everyone feels it the moment they walk in. The warmth, the spice, and the energy fill the air. Eko Kitchen doesn’t just serve food; it brings the vibrant heart of Lagos to life right in the middle of San Francisco.
8. Africalicious – Brussels, Belgium
Located at Rue d’Arlon 39, 1000 Brussels, Africalicious delivers a vibrant and contemporary twist on African cuisine right in the heart of the European Quarter.
The concept revolves around three things: authenticity, generosity, and conviviality. From Congo to Senegal, the menu celebrates dishes reimagined for a modern dining scene but still rich with African soul. Walk in after a long day or drop by on a visit to Brussels, and the warmth hits you right away. African prints blend beautifully with clean European décor, the music hums softly, and the aroma of stews and grilled meats fills the air.
Plates come out hearty, chicken DG, sweet-potato fries, plantains, and thick, flavorful sauces that remind you of home. Sitting in the heart of the EU capital, Africalicious naturally draws a mix of diplomats, students, and Africans abroad craving a familiar taste, along with curious locals eager to experience Africa’s flavors in their truest form.
It also supports fast-good delivery via UberEats or Deliveroo which means even when you’re stuck working late you can still enjoy home-flavours. For Africans abroad, Africalicious offers more than dinner, it’s connection, nostalgia, and community wrapped in bold flavour and modern flair.
9. Nganda Lounge – Toronto, Canada
At 254 Adelaide St W, Downtown Toronto, Nganda Lounge brings West and Central African street-food culture full of flavour to Canada’s multicultural capital.
The menu is richly diverse: char-grilled chicken with attiéké (cassava couscous), suya-spiced beef with jollof rice, vegan pondu (Congolese pounded cassava leaves) and plantain-heavy sides for flavour and comfort. The vibe is casual yet charged, with Afrobeat tracks, community gatherings and a kitchen rooted in diaspora heritage.
For Africans in the diaspora, this place is like discovering home in a new land, a space where you can speak your mother tongue, share stories and eat dishes that transport you back. Toronto’s large African population means evening seats fill up fast, and the menu’s halal and vegan-conscious options reflect the needs of a diverse diaspora community. If you’re in Canada, craving a taste of home or introducing friends to African cuisine, Nganda Lounge does the job with authenticity, energy and heart.
10. Diasporâs – Paris, France
Nested in Paris, Diasporâs is a refined yet welcoming restaurant that blends African and Afro-descendant culture into a full dining experience.Its décor pairs elegance with warmth, and the kitchen focuses on fresh, homemade traditional dishes from across the continent.
For Africans abroad in France, Diasporâs acts as both comfort zone and cultural hub, simply visiting it reminds you of gathering around family meals back home. You’ll find rich stews, bold spices, plantain sides and a selection of beverages evocative of African occasions. The staff is bilingual and the environment fits both formal dinners and casual meet-ups.
Locals and African expatriates alike frequent the restaurant, making it a space where cultures meet and food becomes a bridge. If you’re in Paris and looking for a place that honors your heritage while offering fine dining standards, Diasporâs checks every box: identity, connection and excellent taste.
