The Best African Restaurants in Atlanta

Africa is the Mother Continent – of every piece of land on earth, humans have lived on it the longest. The African diaspora has played an enormous role in the history of Atlanta, and it continues to this day in a number of ways. We’re focusing on food, as always, and the continent’s culinary diversity by looking at Atlanta restaurants that celebrate all parts of the continent. Whether it’s Morocco, Senegal or South Africa, you can find favorite dishes from each country throughout Atlanta. Here’s a few of our favorites.

1. Cafe Songhai

3380 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
(470) 359-2969

The closer you get to Gwinnett and Northeast Atlanta these days, the more you realize there’s delicious food from around the world everywhere you look. That’s the case for Cafe Songhai in Peachtree Corners, which brings together a variety of dishes from the diaspora. Try dishes like Jollof Rice with goat meat or a whole fried snapper garnished with Ivorian salsa. For African food first timers, the beef suya fries are a great way to start – suya pepper seasoned fries are topped with grilled beef brisket, a spicy mayo drizzle and onions.

2. Desta Ethiopian Cuisine

Multiple Locations – see website for details

Desta Ethiopian knows how to make delicious Tibs, Njera and Kifto, but what makes a visit even more special is that they’re there to help you enjoy the full experience. Rip off a piece of your Njera bread and dig in to delicious beef tibs, cauliflower kifto, and bozena shiro, or go by for breakfast and try the chechebsa and kinche. If you’re a first timer, don’t be intimidated – the menu is more accessible than you’d think, and they’re happy to show you the best way to enjoy the full Ethiopian experience!

3. Lamp Cuisine

4855 Old National Hwy Suite D, College Park, GA 30337

Lamp Cuisine is a College Park restaurant serving up Senegalese and other African cuisine. Here, you can enjoy yassa chicken, dibi lamb, dakhine, yassa fish, couscous, and C’est Bon. There’s something for everyone, though, if you visit with an unadventurous eater–they’ve got wings, pizza, philly cheesesteaks, and hot dogs too! 

4. Little Lagos

3979 Buford Hwy, NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
(404) 835-2465

When we’re talking Nigerian noms, Little Lagos is beloved around ATL. They have an incredible jollof rice served with plantain and your choice of proteins, or for those colder months, one of the best okra and egussi soup recipes in the city (don’t sleep on the catfish soup – aka BANGA SOUP on the menu. They’ve got a good cocktail menu and a hearty selection of hookahs, so it’s easy to park for a couple of hours with friends and relax in Little Lagos

5. Nema Kitchen

2905 Campbellton Rd, SW, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30311
(470) 575-5505
Another West African wonder, Nema Kitchen has a modest menu, but each dish packs a delicious punch. Start with the fish or meat pies and chawarma, then dig into some delicious fried fish or one of their specials like Okra stew, lamb chebb and more. The space is a little modest, so you may want to get it to go, but don’t let that discourage you from a trip to Nema.

6. Yebo Beach Haus

56 East Andrews Dr, NW, Unit 7, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 228-8024

South African restauranteur Justin Anthony has created a number of South African inspired dining experineces around Atlanta, including Biltong Bar and 10 Degrees South, but it’s Yebo in Buckhead that continues in operation. Maybe it’s because the location is so much fun both in summer and winter, when it turns into a ski chalet themed restaurant, or maybe it’s that Anthony has put some of the best things from all of his restaurant experiences – including Biltong Bar’s delicious jerky and impeccably crafted cocktails – into Yebo.