Top 10 Extraordinary Restaurants In Africa

We've written on and on again about so many African cuisines here on the African Food Network, it's just about time we talk about the top restaurants in Africa where you find all the delicious African and international cuisines you're probably dying to taste.

There are 54 countries in Africa and in each country, you'll find many extraordinary restaurants that serve both local and international dishes. What makes a restaurant so great isn't just its culinary merits, it's the location, the architecture, the interior, it's the quality and designs of the crockery, nature of services, the atmosphere, and so much more.

When visiting a foreign country, it is imperative to have a great experience and that would mean visiting the right places and eating at the right spots. Food is one of the most important aspects that make up the culture of a people, so you cannot fully experience a place, the people's way of life, the environment without experiencing their food.

In fact, when picking out the locations you'd like to visit when traveling, restaurants should be on the list. Where would you like to eat? Why do you want to eat there? What food are you most excited to have? What have you heard about the place?

Here are the key factors that should determine your choice of restaurant:

• Word of mouth What others have to say about a restaurant is very important in decision-making. Read as many reviews as you can find. People usually have a lot to say and most of which you should hold true especially when almost everyone has similar things to say.

• Location Location is also so important. Obviously, you should want to select one that's easily accessible. Usually, it is best to find one at a location you could easily walk to, easily book a ride, or Uber.

• Ambiance No matter how great the food may be, the ambiance of the restaurant is just as important. What's the interior like? What kind of decor and art pieces are placed around corners and on walls? Is it exciting? Is it reverberating? How does it make you feel? Does it make you want to pop out your camera to take a selfie, or take a snapshot for the gram? What kind of entertainment are you given, is it a live band, or classical? How good is the hygiene?

•  

  Value for money Since you are going to be spending money, you should be getting value in return. Does everything about the place, the food, the ambiance, the services worth the bill?

•  

  Service One crucial thing that makes a restaurant great is its customer service. A restaurant with good customer service will make you feel welcome, serve you excellently, carefully pay attention to your needs, and ensure you are getting everything you want.

• Chef and Cuisine: Although restaurants found in the same area would offer similar dishes, they could also differ in ways. A good restaurant sets a high standard for its food quality and ensures that guests receive the same quality with every meal. 

How to find restaurants with such good qualities listed above:

• Consider booking a culinary walking tour.
• Read local publications and posts from local food bloggers.
• Get recommendations from real people.
•  Make it a priority to search out restaurants that serve local cuisine.
• Get help from mobile apps like Yelp, Travelzoo App, and TripAdvisor.

Now we are all acquainted with the basics of restaurant hunting, let's get down to the business of the day:

What Restaurants are in Africa? - Top 10 Extraordinary Restaurants In Africa You Wouldn't Want To Miss

There are a lot of restaurants in Africa known for the different cuisines they are niched on. We have french restaurants in Africa, Chinese, Italian, as well as Mexican restaurants in Africa.

L'Orange Bleue, Thaba Pitsi Nature Reserve, Limpopo

The L'Orange Bleue restaurant is one of the top restaurants in Africa located at Thaba Pitsi Nature Reserve at Limpopo in South Africa. It is surrounded by wild terrain, African skies, and wildlife. It is run by a real Belgian chef and housed in a rescued farmhouse, the restaurant, and menu combine the simplicity of the surroundings, with the richness of Belgian-influenced cuisine, paired with French accents and cuisine.

With vivid hot hues of orange and blues swaddled around modern furniture that extends out on an open plan kitchen, diners can immerse the senses into bushveld serenity laden with fine cuisine, quality wines, liqueurs, and imported cigars.

L' Orange Bleue is the best restaurant in Limpopo and given four stars in the 2003 edition of the Top 100 South African Restaurants, conjures up beautiful fantasies nestled beneath an African sky. So when making the list of restaurants you would visit when in Africa, South Africa precisely, this should definitely be at the top of that list.

Santoku Restaurant and bar Accra, Ghana.

This African restaurant is located in Accra, Ghana, which is home to exceptional restaurants. Irrespective of the competition, Santoku Restaurant and Bar remains the top restaurant in Ghana. It is noted for its world-class experience, blend of incredible cuisine, excellent customer service, its exquisite interior, and exterior decor.

The restaurant was founded by an executive chef from Nobu London, and it maintains the same high standards of expertise and excellence.

It is actually a luxurious contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar, the first of its kind in West Africa. The design is influenced by eastern philosophy and combines ancient culinary customs with contemporary cuisine and service. Opened on 14 June 2012, the restaurant, bar and lounge, private dining room, and terrace offer a menu crafted by the team behind London’s Nobu in surroundings designed by an interior architect Hubert de Givenchy, Paris.

Some of the menus you can find in this exquisite African restaurant are Santoku's Chicken Karanga, a Japanese version of traditional fried chicken, flavored with soy ginger, and garlic, Santoku's slow chicken beef fillet carefully enhanced with spicy 'den miso and panzu' for an explosion of complex flavors.

This African restaurant is commonly visited by the wealthy people of Nigeria and West Africa in general to have a taste of the amazing cuisine offered by this Santoku Restaurant and Bar.

The Tasting Room Cape Town, South Africa.

This African restaurant has won ‘Top 50 Restaurant’ awards for the past seven years running, underlining its dominance not just in Africa, but in the world as one of Restaurant Magazine's top 100 restaurants in the world.

The Tasting Room is housed within Le Quartier Francais, a well-known luxury hotel. The environment is almost as compelling as the food, tucked away in the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. The rich nine-course surprise meal, which includes items such as spekboom leaves, Kalahari salted kabeljou, and Chakalaka lollipop, is run by award-winning Dutch chef Margot Janse.

The Tasting Room is part of Le Quartier Francais, a boutique collection of hotel rooms and several restaurants overseen by its wonderfully eclectic proprietor Susan Huxter. Susan has been developing the hotel for over 25 years.

The Tasting Room has set a lofty goal of using cuisine to communicate the story of Africa. This African restaurant is filled with multi-cultured staff, which all have been fully empowered by Susan, trained to have a lovely personality with just the right amount of enthusiasm and discretion.

Chef Margot Janse is an institution in South Africa, and every evening she turns out an extraordinary surprise feast. You get to choose between the five- and the eight-course tasting menu. Chef Margot Janse introduced tasting menus to South Africa when she created the Tasting Room within the restaurant.

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Café Chrysalis, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Café Chrysalis, tucked away in a cul-de-sac in Bodija, Ibadan, is as appealing to the sight as it is to the tongue. They serve a range of seafood, as well as really great continental dishes and delicious smoothies, on an imaginative menu that puts a spin on African cuisine. Because they take personalized orders, this African restaurant is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

This African restaurant has 3 branches in Ibadan, non outside the state. All branches of the restaurants have a jazz theme to them. It's quite comfortable and very appealing to the eye.

CAFÉ CHRYSALIS has a modern-cultural atmosphere that makes you feel so at home. Set in a regular residential neighborhood. The menu offers a delectable selection of cuisines. Their presentation is stunning, from their meals to their confectioneries. Their customer service is excellent.

Chez Georges

Kasbah Square is a must-see before enjoying one of the restaurant's delectable dishes. Here you may learn about African cuisine. This establishment is said to have a professional staff. Chez Georges' quick service demonstrates a high level of excellence. The ambiance here, as people perceive it, is pleasant. However, a number of Google users did not give this location a good rating.

The Phatt Chef, Thabo Mofutsanyana, South Africa

The

Phatt

Chef

Restaurant

is

the

ideal

place

to

unwind

and

enjoy

excellent

cuisine

accompanied

by

friendly

service. This African restaurant is an ideal stop-over for travelers between Cape Town & Kwa Zulu Natal, Gauteng & Durban, Free State & the Natal Midlands. We also do package deals for groups and clubs, especially cycle teams, mountain bikers, and motorbike enthusiasts.

Simon

Kerr's

30

years

of

skill

and

passion

for

superb

cuisine

are

evident.

All

of

the

meats

are

matured

for

28

to

35

days

because

this

is

primarily

a

steakhouse.

Choose

from

a

variety

of

sauces

to

accompany

your

rump,

sirloin,

or

fillet

steaks,

such

as

roast

garlic

and

parmesan,

avocado

and

Dijon,

or

gratinéed

brie

with

red

onion

marmalade.

Attractions in the area include Sterkfontein Dam, Retief Klip, Kaalvoetvrow Monument, Tugela Falls & Gorge Walk (2nd highest waterfall in the world), Royal Natal National Park Drakensberg World Heritage Site, Tugela Vaal Pumped Storage Scheme, San (Bushman) Rock Art, World-Class Yellowfish Angling.

If it’s the steak you’re after then the Phatt chef is your one-stop-shop for a whole range of meats, aged for a minimum of 28 days.

Angsana Riad Bab Firdaus, Marrakesh, Morocco

One

of

the

most

known

cafes

in

the

region

is

located

in

Morocco's

grand

Bain

Firdaus

hotel,

which

boasts

luxury

surroundings

and

offers

dinners

in

the

ambiance

of

a

pool

and

water

feature.

Although

Moroccan

cuisine

is

popular

right

now,

the

Baib

Firdaus

specializes

in

Thai

cuisine.

Crocafellas Restaurant, Kruger National Park, South Africa

On the crocodile-infested waters of the Crocodile River near Malelane, this African restaurant  is located at the entrance to the Pestana Kruger Lodge.

The

boma-style

restaurant

has

a

thatched

roof

and

overlooks

a

small

enclosure

with

seven

crocs,

which

may

be

seen

from

the

deck.

500

g

T-bones,

as

well

as

peri-peri

Mozambique

chicken

and

seafood,

are

popular

here.

After

a

day

in

the

Kruger

National

Park,

which

is

right

across

the

river,

it's

a

lovely

location

to

rest.

This African restaurant

features

classic

African

bistro

fare. It is open from 9h30 to 18h30, from Tuesday to Sunday, and offers an African Bistro Style Menu. Dinner is operated on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Evenings. This venue may be booked for private functions.

Room service operates from 07:00–22:00, with light cold sandwiches and salads.

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La Tante DC10 Restaurant, Accra Ghana

La

Tante

DC10

Restaurant,

often

known

as

The

Green

Plane

in

Accra,

is

a

public-private

collaboration

restaurant.

This

is

based

on

the

decommissioned

Ghana

Airways

McDonnell

Douglas

DC-10,

which

served

as

a

passenger

airplane

from

1983

to

2005.

The plane has a story to it.

It

used

to

be

part

of

the

Ghana

Airways

fleet,

however

after

the

airline

went

bankrupt

in

2005,

the

jet

was

held

for

a

while

at

Heathrow

Airport

in

London

due

to

outstanding

debts

owed

by

the

national

carrier.

It's

now

parked

at

the

Marina

Mall

in

Accra's

Airport

City,

where

tourists

and

residents

who

have

never

seen

the

inside

of

a

jet

flock.

Originally

designed

to

carry

380

passengers,

it

has

been

converted

into

a

118-seat

restaurant,

with

many

of

the

seats

removed

to

make

room

for

patrons

and

the

installation

of

eating

tables.

The

kitchen

was

housed

in

an

extension

built

to

the

right

side

of

the

fuselage.

The airplane itself has been moved to Airport City Accra, a suburb of Accra near Kotoka International Airport and opposite Marina Mall Accra, with people entering and exiting the plane/restaurant via a covered staircase from ground level. They enter through the former first-class seating area, which has been converted into a waiting area. Separate bathrooms have been installed for male and female diners and the restaurant is air-conditioned throughout.

Ghanaian

food

is

served

in

the

restaurant.

Staples

like

seasoned

tilapia

served

with

banku,

a

maize-based

porridge,

are

among

them.

Jollof

rice

with

chicken

and

"red-red

"

black-eyed

pea

stew

with

fish

are

two

other

meals.

While

the

pricing

of

La

Tante

DC10

Restaurant

is

greater

than

those

in

the

neighborhood,

the

restaurant

is

still

less

expensive

than

posh

eateries

in

Accra.

Such creativity!

Cargo Hold, Durban, South Africa

The

'Cargo

Hold'

restaurant

is

a

beautifully

incorporated

reproduction

of

South

Africa's

fabled

ghost

ship

'The

Phantom'

inside

the

famous

uShaka

aquarium,

where

floating

marine

predators

-

sharks

-

can

be

seen.

Because

the

stern

of

the

ship

is

dark

and

chilly,

the

best

marine

life,

including

the

legendary

sharks,

will

pass

by

the

windows

as

you

dine.

Its cuisine is comprised of high-end international and South African dishes. Diners

can

choose

to

sit

by

the

oceanfront

windows

or

next

to

the

wall-sized

aquarium,

where

they

can

watch

sharks go by as they eat.

Tamarind restaurant, Mombasa Kenya

Kenya

is

one

of

Africa's

most

popular

tourist

destinations,

therefore

there

are

plenty

of

restaurants

and

pubs

to

choose

from.

One

of

the

best

is

Tamarind,

which

is

located

near

a

harbor

and

is

ideal

for

sampling

fresh

seafood,

which

the

restaurant's

chefs

specialize

in

cooking.

It is an iconic seafood restaurant located in the leafy suburbs of Karen. One unique thing about the dishes served at this African restaurant is that only fresh ingredients are used to prepare the dishes.

The

exquisite,

sparkling

white

edifice, built-in

Arab

style

with

high

arches

and

a

crenelated

roof,

offers

the

perfect

setting -

a

starlit

terrace

located

on

a

cliff

overlooking

Mombasa's

gorgeous

Old

Harbour.

The

menu

is

a

mash-up

of

French,

Asian,

and

African cuisines.

Only

the

freshest

ingredients

are

used

at

the

Tamarind,

which

specializes

in

seafood.

The

Tamarind

restaurant's

Piri

Piri

Prawns,

Chilli

Crab,

and

Lobster

have

gained

worldwide

acclaim

and

excellent

reviews

from

publications

such

as

Gourmet,

the

London

Times,

and

the

Herald

Tribune.

Alright, there you have it, the Top 10 restaurants in Africa. Now you have the list compiled, which would you be visiting first? Also, do not forget to check the exquisite cuisines that are known to the countries that these restaurants are located in, you can do that here on the African Food Network, click this link to get you there.