The best restaurants in downtown Toronto will serve you amazing meals and great dining experiences every visit! Downtown Toronto is...
Read MoreThe Best 6 African Restaurants in Toronto [2022]
Toronto features some of the top African restaurants where you can enjoy colourful meals loaded with exotic veggies and meats that will strike you with a burst of flavour from various African nations!
We will introduce you to restaurants that use some of the greatest spices and herbs found in Africa such as sesame seeds, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, bay leaves, chilli peppers, thyme, curry powder, and more. These are unique savoury delicacies brought to us from the four cardinal directions of Africa (North, South, East and West)!
Not to mention, the different types of vegetables they incorporate to their dishes such as plantain, cassava, peanuts, peppers, eggplant and sweet potato. You’ll be spoiled for choice with so many delectable selections!
We’ve compiled a list of some of the city’s greatest African eateries for you to try to spice up your day!
Summary
How We Chose the Best African Restaurant in Toronto
We picked the best African joints based on their popularity and the diversity of alternatives they provide, as well as what makes them stand out. These are the criteria we followed to choose the finest ones in Toronto.
- Variety: We made sure that African restaurants include a wide range of selections for you to choose from such different meat choices, vegetarian/vegan foods, side dishes and drinks.
- Quality: We ensured that these African restaurants’ foods are cooked from scratch with nothing artificial, organic vegetables and meats that are locally sourced.
- Price: We included the price range for its affordability and how some meals might be priced a bit higher than the others due to portion size and the variety of ingredients.
- Customer Reviews: We included customer reviews to check that the staff is helpful and welcoming, that the food was cooked properly and tasted well, that the portion size is enough, and that they would highly recommend the restaurant.
The Best African Restaurants in Toronto
1. Sk Cookks (Nigerian)
Sk Cookks is a Nigerian restaurant where they have a large menu with jollof rice, freshly baked pastries, Ayamase, soups, jerk chicken, and many other dishes prepared with a traditional spicy sauce that adds to the flavour.
They have a delicious menu of mains which includes peppered beef, peppered turkey, kak’s chicken, Efo Riro, Egusi and many more! The prices range from $19.99 to $28.99.
The peppered beef, which is hot stewed beef mixed with Sk’s special sweet bell pepper sauce and delivered with free coleslaw is a crowd favourite. The peppered beef is served over jollof rice, which is rice cooked in a stew with a sweet tomato puree and onion flavour, as well as a hot kick from the chilli and garlic. So, if you haven’t yet experienced Nigerian cuisine, now is the time to do so!
Business Information:
Address: 133 Jefferson Ave, Toronto, ON M6K 3E4
Phone: (416)-531-1065
Website: skcookks.square.site
Customer Review Highlights:
“Best jerk chicken I have ever had. Super flavourful. For people who have low salt and spice tolerance, you might want to ask if there's a milder version. Food is in big portions, even my guy friend can't finish the whole dish. We packed the rest and had a great night.”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery | Order might take long to prepare |
| Huge portion size of food! |
2. Rendez-Vous Restaurant (Ethiopian and Eritrean)
Rendez-vous is a very cozy and Ethiopian-themed restaurant that serves traditional Ethiopian dishes that come with veggie, vegan and dairy meals rich with their spices and herbs and unique Ethiopian butter to cook them with. The prices range from $2 to $20.
Most Ethiopian dishes are served with injera, a flat, spongy, thin crepe-like, not bread, used to wrap the other stews and foods that are served on top of it. You may order fried fish, spicy chicken stew, sauteed lamb cubes, lentil stews, salads, and a variety of other ingredients prepared in a special way.
The favourite is the Rendez-Vous solo plate with four veggie dishes. These include tikil gomen (cabbage, and carrots), gomen (greens stew), keyser (beats), dinish and carrot (potato and carrot), salad, and one meat dish you can choose (we recommend the spicy lamb!).
Business Information:
Address: 1408 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1M9
Phone: (416)-531-1065
Website: rendezvousethiopianrestaurant.com
Customer Review Highlights:
“This was my first time at an Ethiopian Restaurant, and I can say that the Food was awesome! I would definitely rank this restaurant as a place for Authentic East African food! The staff were friendly too.”
“Really great food. The curries were spicy and tasty. They give you refills on the bread if you need more. The ambience of the place was very relaxed and it was easy to hold a conversation with others at our table over the background noise of music and other diners.”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery | Service might take long |
| Gluten free Ethiopian Injera (made with teff which is a tiny whole grain flatbread) | |
| Kids menu available | |
| Vegetarian options available |
3. Sahan (Somalian)
Sahan is an East African delight restaurant. They have a large menu of halal meats cooked in various ways, including goat ribs, chicken stew, beef t-bone, and a variety of other flavorful dishes served with rice, soup, and salads for an unbeatable price.
Their menu includes mains, dessert, shakes and drinks all priced between $2 to $21. The mains include goat ribs and lamb, beef stew, chicken chapati wrap, chicken legs, king fish and salmon. The dessert includes cheese cake, along with mixed fruit shake for drinks and many more!
The favourite is the juicy and tender t-bone steak which is served with basmati rice and completed with fresh salad topped with tasty dressing. While you’re there, don’t forget to try their fresh mango juice.
If you want to enjoy true Somalian food with generous serving sizes and a variety of flavours, go to Sahan!
Business Information:
Address: 2010 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z1
Phone: (416)-759-7242
Website: sahanrestaurant.ca
Customer Review Highlights:
“The best Somali food you can have in Toronto. In fact, the best comfort food you can enjoy. This is African soul food and it has a great home cooked taste to it as well. Service is always great and friendly and it’s a good spot to go with family as well. Thanks for always putting a smile on our face :)”
“The best Mexican food I’ve had in Toronto so far. Amazing taste, super fast service, big portions at great value. Their 7 different salsas are so unique and a must try. I would definitely go back again and again.”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Amazing portion size! | Service might be a bit slow |
| They serve free juice and unlimited Somali tea! |
4. Plan B (South African)
Plan B is a cozy South African restaurant that is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of work. Their authentic South African menu comes with an unbeatable price for their homemade well-seasoned, juicy, and dish. Additionally, if you’re wondering, Boerewors is a type of sausage from South Africa and Braai means grill or toast.
Their menu includes a huge halal menu of spiced, tender, moist, and very nicely cooked Braai platters, lamb chops, sausages, boerewors, sausages, hamburgers, steak served with a side of garden salad, pap with tomato chutney, and chips/onion rings. The price ranges from $4 to $125 (family platter).
The favourite is the platter that includes two sausages, chicken, lamb plus bean salad along with white cornmeal (grits) added with a side of chutney (fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs with vinegar, spices and sugar). If you’ve never had a South African BBQ before, this is your sign.
Business Information:
Address: 2943A Bloor St West At Grenview Blvd South East Side, Toronto, ON M8X 1B8
Phone: (416)-231-4444
Website: planbhandmadeburgersboereworsandbraai.com
Customer Review Highlights:
“The hamburger was yummy. You should know these dishes are full of spice that some may not like. But I’d say, that’s rare. Very fresh and the quality of the meat is also good. The fries… very crispy and fresh. Recommend!”
“Loved this place just EXCELLENT FOOD! Very nice service. Tried a platter for 3 with friends that included 2 kinds of sausages, lamb and chicken plus bean salad and a white cornmeal(grits) with a side of tomato chutney. Go There. Eat There. Love It There!!!”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Dine-in · Takeout · No-contact delivery | Warning it can get pretty messy! |
| Kids menu available! |
5. African Village
African Village offers a wide range of African cuisines, including Cameroonian dishes, combined to create a delicious meal.
They have a huge menu with delicious African barbecue, chicken and goat suya, grilled fish and chicken, rice Jollof cooked with traditional spices, and more. The prices range from $5 to $25.
The favourites are the charcoal grilled fish suya with traditional spices, chicken and rice as well as the fried plantains. Enjoy their amazing African music while you’re there. If you’re new to African cuisine and aren’t sure what to order, this restaurant is an excellent place to start.
Business Information:
Address: 2849 Weston Rd, North York, ON M9M 2S1
Phone: (416)-247-9819
Website: africanvillage.ca
Customer Review Highlights:
“Very delicious food. Portions are good but prices are a bit high... the staff is friendly but they only have debit or cash which is not very pleasant. The restaurant itself feels unique and authentic... it's highly recommended for West African food... we will certainly try it again soon.”
“Very polite staff, reasonable prices, extremely delicious food, I highly recommend it. The jollof rice and beef suya is so yummy, I’m definitely coming back for more soon.”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Amazing variety of options! | The portion size for some of the meat might be small. |
6. Pili Pili
Pili is an East African café that provides homestyle East African dishes such as chicken mishkaki, mogo, and samosas. They also offer snacks, condiments, a take-out menu, sandwiches, rolls, marinated meats, beverages, and family combinations which are all on their menu. The prices vary from $2 and $50.
The short ribs and chicken are popular, marinated with onions, tomatoes, and their distinctive Pili Pili sauce and cooked to perfection.
Pili Pili is the place to go if you want to have soft and tender marinated meats with a spicy sauce. We highly recommend you to come in and have a look at the menu. It is definitely worth your time!
Business Information:
Address: 1960 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z1
Phone: (647)-748-7454
Website: pili-pili.ca
Customer Review Highlights:
“The food here is amazing! Short ribs and chicken are very flavourful and tasty. Excellent customer service. The wait time is not bad either. Looking forward to trying more items. Overall, great food, quality and service. I highly recommend this place!”
“Absolutely the BEST East African charcoal grilled meats. Chicken servings are more generous than others. The plantains are worth the trip alone. Service is friendly and as efficient as can be considering COVID restrictions. It is becoming my weekly go-to for take-out food.”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Variety of delicious food options available! | Fried bread can be dry and doughy |
FAQs About African Restaurants
Yes definitely! Vegan and vegetarian alternatives are available in many African eateries! Many Ethiopian foods, in fact, are vegan! Also, make sure to verify their website or give them a call.
Jollof rice, Piri Piri chicken, plantain, yam, maize (corn), Egusi soup and many more!
African food is made up of a variety of foods such as cereal grains, vegetables, meat products, and seasonal fruits. In various regions of the continent, the traditional preparation includes mostly milk, curd, and dairy ingredients.
The African diet is low in fat since it is high in carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Because the animals were permitted to graze freely, the meat consumed was limited and organic. The meat was leaner, and traditional African cooking methods avoided frying.
Conclusion
Toronto has a diverse choice of African eateries that introduced us to their culture, customs, and cuisine. In fact, Africa is a continent with 54 nations, each with its own cultural groups and cuisines, and you can find many of the flavours here in Toronto.
There are Nigerian, Somalian, Ethiopian, Tanzanian, and many other delicacies to taste at the African restaurants featured! If you haven’t experienced African food and enjoy spice and rich flavours, you must go to these establishments!
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