James AllenI’ve always been fascinated with African cuisine. In fact, I’ve learned that each region in Africa has its own distinctive dishes and preparation techniques, so there’s a lot to discover when it comes to their cuisine!
I’ve been on a hunt for great African restaurants in Toronto, and with the help of my friends who were born and raised in Africa, I’ve managed to narrow down my list of favorites. Here are the ones I’ve loved so far and why you should try them as well!
- PlanB Handmade Burgers, Boerewors, and Braai
- Afrobeat Kitchen
- Sahan Restaurant
- African Village
- African Palace
- African Delight Cafe and Restaurant
- Simba Grill Restaurant
- Stevag Restaurant
- Istar Restaurant and Banquet
- Afro Continental Restaurant
- The Suya Spot
- Calabar Grill and Bar Toronto
- Rendez-Vous Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant
- Wanaag Restaurant Somali Grill and Cafe
- Mushkaki Restaurants Inc
PlanB Handmade Burgers, Boerewors, and Braai
Address: West At Grenview Blvd South East Side, 2943A Bloor St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—12 to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 to 10 pm
- Sunday—12 to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14162314444
If you’re craving South African cuisine specifically, then you should check out PlanB on Bloor Street!
This family-owned-and-operated restaurant is widely known for boerewors (a type of sausage with 90% meat and fat and 10% spices and other ingredients) and braai (South African-style barbeque). But there are also other dishes like burgers and salads.
I recommend getting the Ultimate Braai Plate because that gives you a sampler of all the bestselling dishes (braai chicken, boerewors, and a side salad). This order is quite hefty, so bring another person to share this with.
There are some dishes here that fuse Canadian and South African cuisines together. An example is the boerewors poutine, which I really like. The charred, smoky flavor of the sausage pairs well with the savory flavors from the cheese curds and gravy.
| Pro Tip: If you’re interested in hosting a party at this restaurant or booking them as a caterer, send a message via their contact form, and the team will get back to you within 48 hours. |
Afrobeat Kitchen
Address: 1510 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday—5 to 11 pm
- Friday—5 pm to12 am
- Saturday—4 pm to 12 am
- Sunday—4 to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14168802994
Afrobeat Kitchen actually began as a pop-up stall selling Nigerian cuisine, but soon enough, it garnered a lot of attention to the point that the people behind the pop-up opened a restaurant on Queen Street West.
My favorite thing to order here is the party jollof, which is a rice meal cooked paella-style. It smells so good (thanks to all the spices), and it’s also delicious. The boneless chicken is peppery, and the fried plantains add a bit of sweetness to the dish.
For my drink, I always go for the Malta. It’s a fizzy drink with a caramel-like flavor. So refreshing and sweet, I love it.
| Pro Tip: The restaurant is pretty small, so it can get crowded really fast. If you want to avoid the crowd, come here later in the night. That’s usually when the spot is quiet. |
Sahan Restaurant
Address: 2010 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—10 am to 10 pm
- Friday to Sunday—10 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14167597242
Enjoy the very best of Somali cuisine by visiting Sahan Restaurant in Scarborough! And the best part is that this restaurant is committed to giving back to the local Somali community, so you’re also supporting a good cause by dining here.
The menu isn’t extensive, but it has some highlights. The T-bone steak is tender and succulent, and the salsa adds a bit of zing to every bite. The rice is fragrant and perfectly fluffy, and every spoonful of it is such a delight.
I also like to order a glass mango shake. It’s such a refreshing drink, and it’s so indulgently sweet that I treat it as a dessert as well.
| Pro Tip: You can book a party at this restaurant. Check this page to see what kind of rooms are available to rent. |
African Village
Address: 1150 Albion Rd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday, Thursday—2 to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—2 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +16475635528
If you’re looking for a restaurant that sells affordable Nigerian food, then look no further than African Village.
I like to get the grilled chicken with jollof rice because it’s such a filling meal. Plus, the chicken is savory and juicy, while the rice is fluffy with a bit of heat. Every spoonful is a flavor explosion, and that’s why I love it so much.
For side dishes, I usually order fried plantains or fried yams. They’re perfect as light snacks while waiting for the main course to be delivered.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning a party, you can book the restaurant’s catering services. |
African Palace
Address: 977 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—4 to 11 pm
- Sunday—2 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165390259
What first drew me to African Palace was its homey and vibrant vibe, but ultimately, it’s the delicious food that made me stay. This restaurant specializes in Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisines—two cuisines I didn’t know before but now I’m such a big fan of.
Ye-Beg Alicha is my favorite thing to order here because of how tender the lamb meat is and the earthy-savory flavor that comes with the turmeric sauce. The beef tibs is also noteworthy because of its peppery and zesty taste.
They also serve organic Ethiopian coffee here, and I recommend you try it, especially if you like your coffee strong. It’s served with the burning of incense, so your whole table will smell fragrant.
| Pro Tip: If you have a friend who also enjoys Eritrean and/or Ethiopian cuisines, you can give them a gift card from this restaurant. |
African Delight Cafe and Restaurant
Address: 1180 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14165374063
Another great spot that specializes in Ethiopian cuisine is the African Delight Cafe and Restaurant.
I really like getting the African Delight Platter Special because it’s jam-packed with beef, chicken, vegetables, and dullet (a combination of offal such as chopped liver, kidney, heart, and tripe). As a result, I always feel full after eating this dish.
If I’m coming during breakfast, I order the shakshuka (eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, and other spices). It’s such a comforting meal, and I always love using the bread to break the yolk and scoop the tomatoes.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant is sandwiched between two shops, so it has no dedicated parking spot. If you’re planning to drive, you can park in the nearby parking lots, such as the one on 1022 Bloor Street West. |
Simba Grill Restaurant
Address: 375 Donlands Ave
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday—3 to 9 pm
- Friday—2 to 10 pm
- Saturday—12 to 11 pm
- Sunday—1 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14164296057
What I like about Simba Grill Restaurant is that it’s no-frills. The interior is very cozy and relaxing, basically tricking my mind into thinking that I’m right at home.
The food is also really great here. I like to get the BBQ wings because they’re so savory and fun to eat and the BBQ beef ribs because they’re so tender. I always make a mess when eating the ribs (the sauce sticks to my face), but every time, I don’t notice it.
While waiting for the main courses, I tend to order a few side dishes. My favorites have to be the samosas (I like the ones with chicken and vegetable fillings).
| Pro Tip: If you want to book their catering services for a special event, contact them via phone. |
Stevag Restaurant
Address: 46 Eddystone Ave, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167429967
Whenever I’m in the North York neighborhood, I always find the time to visit Stevag Restaurant. It’s such a casual and cozy dining spot, and the menu is filled with delicious dishes from Western African cuisine.
The jollof rice is my go-to order here. The rice is fluffy and packed with flavors (savory and peppery), and the turkey meat is tender and packs quite some heat. If you don’t like turkey meat, don’t worry because you can swap it for goat, fish, or snails instead.
Sometimes, I also like to order a soup with fresh fish, especially when it’s raining outside. Sipping the slightly spicy soup always hits the right spot!
| Pro Tip: Since this restaurant is tucked away in a residential neighborhood, it’s better that you drive here instead of using public transportation. |
Istar Restaurant and Banquet
Address: 235 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14162475624
Opened by a food lover from Somalia, Istar Restaurant and Banquet started as a coffee shop, but eventually, it became popular enough to become a full-fledged restaurant. As for the food, it’s a fusion of cuisines—Somalian, Italian, North American, and Indian!
I enjoy coming here for breakfast, and my favorite thing to order is the sabayat ukun. It’s a breakfast wrap filled with scrambled eggs, onion, peppers, and some type of meat (I usually go for chicken). It’s a simple dish but very filling!
If I’m dining during lunch or supper, I like to get the hilib suqaar (beef stew). It’s another comforting meal, with tender beef and vegetables that soak up the savory broth.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning a special event soon, you can book the event space here. |
Afro Continental Restaurant
Address: 849 Albion Rd, Etobicoke
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—11 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—12 to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14165196740
Get a taste of Ghanaian cuisine at Afro Continental Restaurant!
I recommend trying any of the traditional dishes. My favorite is banku, which is a smooth white corn dough served with okra stew, banga mary fish, peanuts, and light soup. The dough is soft, elastic, and kind of sour, and it soaks up all the flavors of the stew.
I also like the jollof rice and salad. It’s just an explosion of flavors throughout; the rice has a bit of tang, thanks to the tomatoes, and the baked chicken is savory and juicy!
| Pro Tip: This restaurant is pretty small and cozy, so during rush hour, it might get crowded. The late afternoon is the best time to come here because there are not a lot of people during this time. |
The Suya Spot
Address: 12 Bradstock Rd #10, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—2 to 10 pm
- Thursday—2 pm to 12 am
- Friday—2 pm to 2 am
- Saturday and Sunday—3 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +18664487892
In Nigeria, “suya” refers to smoked spiced meat skewers, so The Suya Spot is essentially a celebration of African-style barbeque.
You can order from a wide variety of meat options; beef is the usual choice, and there’s also chicken and goat. There’s even assorted suya, which has kidneys, liver, tripe, chicken, and gizzard!
To complete your meal, get jollof rice with your suya. If you want something sweet to balance everything out, I recommend ordering the fried plantains as a side dish.
| Pro Tip: Sometimes, this restaurant gets fully booked quickly. To ensure your spot, book a reservation beforehand. |
Calabar Grill and Bar Toronto
Address: 1178 Weston Rd, York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—3 to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—3 pm to 2 am
- Sunday—4:30 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14162499100
What I like about Calabar Grill and Bar Toronto is that it has an inviting atmosphere. This restaurant has a white marble bar, stylish couches, and an open-concept space.
As for the food, this place specializes in Nigerian-style grill as well. I recommend getting different types of suya (your options include beef, fish, chicken, goat, and catfish) and then pairing your meat skewer with a cup of rich and aromatic jollof rice.
If it’s cold outside, order a bowl of soup to warm yourself. I’m a big fan of the egusi soup because it’s rich in protein (egusi refers to protein-rich seeds of squash, melon, and gourd). It’s also pretty flavorful (rich, nutty, and umami at the same time).
| Pro Tip: I recommend coming here earlier in the day or evening because it can get crowded and noisy later in the night. |
Rendez-Vous Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant
Address: 1408 Danforth Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday—11 am to 1 am
- Tuesday and Wednesday—11 am to 2 am
- Thursday to Sunday—11 am to 3 am
Contact Number: +14164692513
According to my Ethiopian friend, Rendez-Vous Restaurant effortlessly captures the essence of Ethiopian restaurants. Inside, there’s a mishmash of colorful furniture pieces and decorations, and the vibe is always lively and inviting.
I like to get the Rendez-Vous Special Tibes. It’s beef chunks sautéed with onion, garlic, ginger, green pepper, and jalapeño, so each chunk is an explosion of savory and spicy. The dish is served with potato and spinach, making it an even more filling meal.
If you don’t eat meat, don’t worry because there are vegetarian options. I recommend trying the shero wot, which is roasted chickpeas cooked with Berbere sauce. Scooping it up using injera (Ethiopian-style pancake-like flatbread) is so satisfying.
| Pro Tip: It does take some time for your order to be delivered to your table, so I recommend coming here earlier. |
Wanaag Restaurant Somali Grill and Cafe
Address: 224 Parliament St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—9 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—9 am to 12 am
- Sunday—9 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14167771511
Wanaag Restaurant serves delicious Somalian dishes that are also halal. So, if you’re a Muslim foodie, this spot should be on your itinerary!
The chicken stew is my favorite because it’s so hearty and savory. You also get to choose if it’s served with either rice or pasta. I usually choose rice, but I tried the pasta option once, and I actually ended up liking it as well.
As for my drink, I tend to choose the mango shake because it’s so sweet and refreshing. I also recommend shaah or Somali tea, which is spiced tea with milk. It’s creamy with a hint of heat, and I like to drink it during cold weather.
| Pro Tip: The portion sizes here are pretty generous, so it’s better if you’re with a companion so that you can share the food. |
Mushkaki Restaurants Inc
Address: 145 Rexdale Blvd #1, Etobicoke
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167476874
Mushkaki is a hub of East African fusion cuisine. This restaurant is best known for its barbeque dishes, but they also have burgers, sandwiches, and rice meals.
When I’m really hungry, I tend to order the double beef burger because it’s jam-packed with everything (two patties and a variety of toppings), so I feel full instantly. I also like to get the lamp chops because they have that addicting smoky flavor that I love.
If you have a sweet tooth, there’s a good variety of sweet shakes here. My go-to flavors are caramel, chocolate, and Oreo, but there are also fruit-based options if you prefer.
| Pro Tip: If you’re coming for lunch (between 11:30 am and 2 pm), take advantage of the lunch specials. These specials are combo dishes, so you’re getting a lot of value for your money. |
