Looking for an authentic African restaurant? Memphis, TN, has you covered. Our soulful city is known for delectable bites and one-of-a-kind restaurants, perfect for trying new foods or enjoying old favorites. There’s no shortage of African cuisine in town, and many of these local businesses are family-owned, so you’re supporting Memphians when you’re patronizing these African restaurants.
Bala’s Bistro
Located on Elvis Presley Boulevard, this restaurant offers traditional African and American cuisine. Indulge in authentic African soul food, like lamb saka saka, jollof rice, egusi soup, and so much more. This restaurant also offers vegan and vegetarian options, full of delicious flavor, while you stick to your plant-based diet. We recommend trying their jerked chicken with the house hibiscus juice to cool your palate off.
M and M Kitchen
M and M Kitchen brings you a fusion of African and Caribbean flavors right here in the 901. With classics like pepper soup, the oxtail dish, okoro, and puff puffs, you can enjoy international tastes without ever leaving the city. They also offer chicken and turkey wings in honey gold, jerk style, buffalo, or Naija pepper style that you can try with fried green tomatoes for an African twist on Southern favorites.
Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant
Here’s a Memphis restaurant that specializes in Ethiopian cuisine, with menu items made fresh daily in authentic recipes. Choose between a mix of classic dishes or vegan options, including chicken tibs, FirFir, gomen with lamb, and even Abyssinian spaghetti. Be sure to top off your meal with some Ethiopian coffee or guava nectar for an unforgettable taste you’ll be hardpressed to find elsewhere in the Bluff City.
Luula Halal Somali Restaurant
For Somali-style food, visit Luula Halal Restaurant and Grocery on Summer Avenue. This relaxed eatery features authentic halal meals and ingredients to make your own at home (or you can save yourself the work and dine-in). This family-run business serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner of goat curry, sambusa, Somalian halwah, chapati, and more.
Mande Dibi
Described as West African meets Memphis barbecue, this unique restaurant gives you fire-grilled favorites and traditional flavors. Where else can you get a cheeseburger and jollof rice in one meal? You can also find other dishes like beef suya wraps, vegan spinach patties, braised lamb dibi, potato fufu, and specialty homemade sauces you can take home. Don’t miss out on their housemade drinks, too, including Coconut BaoBa Juice, tamarind juice, and much more.
