Explore the Best African Restaurants in Toronto

Who doesn’t love food? And when it comes to Toronto’s diverse and vibrant culinary scene, it is as eclectic as its population. If you love African food or want to try it out for the first time, you will find Toronto brimming with a wide range of African restaurants offering mouth-watering dishes from various African countries. In this blog, we will take you through the best African restaurants in Toronto. So, let’s dive in!

Best African Restaurants in Toronto

Since Africa is a vast continent with great diversity, its food is inspired by many cultures, including Indian, Italian, Omani, Yemeni, and European. African cuisine offers a delightful mix of powerful aromas, vibrant colours, and delectable tastes. From stews, porridges, and rice to barbecues and grilled dishes, there is something for everyone. Take a look at some of the best African restaurants in Toronto. 

1. Nando’s PERi PERi

Restaurant Hours: 11 AM to 10 PM
Location: 832 Bay St Toronto, ON M5S1Z6
Customer Review: “The food was splendid (some may find it spicy so be warned). I have been to many locations, and the service is always efficient and friendly. My favourite restaurant hands down.”

Everything Nando’s does is rooted in PERi PERi, also called the African Bird’s Eye Chilli. What originated in a small town in South Africa in 1987 has grown to include several locations worlwide. Conveniently located near the City Hall and the University of Toronto St George Campus, Nando’s is a perfect place for students to hang out and try out the diverse food options they offer. At Nando’s, you can have the flame-grilled PERi PERi chicken, PERi Ranch Crunch Salad, PERi Mac, PERi PERi whole wings, and Avocado & Roasted Pepper Bowl. They also offer a range of beers and wine. Nando’s PERi PERi is definitely one of the best African restaurants in Toronto that you must try!

2. Afrobeat Kitchen

Restaurant Hours: 5 PM to 10 PM
Location: 1510 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON M6R 1A4, Canada
Customer Review: “Such a lovely gem of a restaurant. Everything is spiced so well, things are delicious, and the restaurant has such a chill, homey vibe.”

For the best African food Toronto, Afrobeat Kitchen is the place for you! Afrobeat Kitchen started as a regular pop-up restaurant and has grown into its own entity. As the restaurant gained popularity, it quickly expanded its business beyond just offering catering and delivery through food apps. You can enjoy a wide variety of food it offers, including Kelewele Tostones, Goat Pepper Soup, fried chicken, Miso Mafe with Ginger Coconut Rice, Jollof Rice, and assorted vegan egusi. Food is not complete without a good drink. The Afrobeat Kitchen also has a fully stocked bar offering a range of drinks, including Japanese whiskey, craft beers, cocktails, and imported palm drinks.

3. Plan B - Handmade Burgers Boerewors, and Braai

Restaurant Hours: 12 PM to 9 PM (Tuesday-Thursday) | 12 PM to 10 PM (Friday-Saturday) | 12 PM to 8 PM (Sunday)
Location: West At Grenview Blvd South East Side, 2943A Bloor St, Toronto, ON M8X 1B8, Canada
Customer Review: “Authentic, nostalgic, bold flavours served on a platter! Exciting food with high quality presentation, service, and inventiveness. A highlight of Plan B is truly about connecting people through food and conversations.”

Plan B is Toronto’s only South African Barbecue joint serving delicious food, making it one of the best African restaurants in Toronto. Want to taste the best Braai in town? Then this is the place for you. This African restaurant was founded by Haroun Hassen and Shamiema Kara, a married duo who have infused their menu with flavours from Johannesburg, paying tribute to their former neighbourhoods by naming burgers after them. Here, you can try Boerewors Poutine, Caesar salad, wings made in homemade smokey BBQ braai sauce, burgers, rolls, and South African desserts. Definitely a must-try African restaurant in Toronto!

4. African Village

Restaurant Hours: 2 PM to 10 PM
Location: 1150 Albion Rd, Toronto, ON M9V 1A8, Canada
Customer Review: “This is the best place to have African food. It’s always my go-to-place because the atmosphere and the food are out of this world. The staff are extremely friendly and nice. They go all out to get you what you need.”

African Village, one of the best African Restaurants in Toronto, offers an exceptional customer experience by serving fresh, delicious, and made-to-order African food that will delight your taste buds. The restaurant offers both dining and online delivery options. If you need catering services, African Village provides that, too! Their off-premise catering services range from a small drop-off to set up to full-service events such as birthday parties, office luncheons, or family gatherings. You can try Grilled Seabas, Whole Grilled Chicken, Nigerian Jellof Rice, Rice & Stew, and Pounded Yam and Egusi soup at African Village.

5. Hamdi Restaurant

Restaurant Hours: 11:30 AM to 9 PM (Monday-Thursday) | 11:30 AM to 10 PM (Friday-Sunday)
Location: 18 Rexdale Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 5Z3, Canada
Customer Reviews: “I had an amazing experience visiting this restaurant today. I was drawn by the reviews and I must say I am not disappointed. I ordered a chicken stew and it was amazing. Will definitely be returning here again and bringing more people to share the experience.”

Established in 1996, Hamdi Restaurant stands as one of the best African restaurants in Toronto. Specialising in East African and Somali cuisine, this African restaurant has become a popular landmark in Toronto’s dining scene. Hamdi offers a variety of dishes with fillings inspired by the north, south, east, and West, covering the entire Mediterranean region and East Africa. Some popular cuisines you can try at Hamdi include Roasted Goat, Chicken Steak, Atlantic Salmon, Beef Stew, and Wasalad (Goat Shoulder). 

6. Skcookks

Restaurant Hours: 12 PM to 11 PM
Location: 133 Jefferson Ave, Toronto, ON M6K 3E4, Canada
Customer Review: “Wow, I had the smoked, spicy rice and loved it! It’s one of the most interesting foods in Toronto, so full of personality. Will come back.”

Enjoy delicious home-style Nigerian cuisine at Skcookks, one of the best African restaurants in Toronto! Established in 2017, this African restaurant offers delicious Nigerian dishes with a keen focus on quality, service, and quick delivery. There are a number of dishes you can try here, which include Eforiro, Ayamase Meal, Kak’s Chicken, Grilled Fish, Peppered Turkey, Egusi with eba, and Jollof Rice.

7. Istar

Restaurant Hours: 24 Hours
Location: 235 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9P 2M5, Canada
Customer Review: “I can’t recommend this place enough. Best value ever; food is great. We shared goat, pork, and chicken options. Everything for the best price we’ve found in Toronto.”

One of the best African Restaurants in Toronto, Istar, has been serving high-quality, delicious food in Toronto since 1999. The restaurant offers a nice ambience, ensuring an exceptional dining experience for customers. Istar’s food is inspired by Indian, Italian, North American, and Somalian cuisine. When you visit Istar, you can try Digaag Suqaar, Sabayat Ukun (Egg Flatbread), Hilib Suqaar (Beef Stew), BBQ Chicken, Salmon Wrap, and Tiramisu.

8. Sahan

Restaurant Hours: 11 AM to 10 PM
Location: 2010 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z1, Canada
Customer Review: “This is a hidden gem with a simple, yet spacious ambience, catering generous and delicious food. It's known as a Somali grill and cafe. First time trying Somalian food and it's beyond expectations.”

If you want to try out good Somalian food, visit Sahan, one of the best African Restaurants in Toronto. Somalian food has natural flavours and subtle spices that will satiate your taste buds. They offer a variety of dishes, drinks, desserts, and shakes. You can try Chicken Steak, Goat Ribs, T-Bone Strak, and King Fish. 

9. African Palace

Restaurant Hours: 4 PM to 11 PM
Location: 977 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1L8, Canada
Customer Review: “Amazing food, amazing service, and fantastic atmosphere. It was our first time at this little gem of a restaurant and we were delighted. The platters were so tasty and the coffee service superb. Well done!”

At African Palace, one of the best African Restaurants in Toronto, you will experience traditional Ethiopian, African, and Eritrean cuisines. The restaurant uses creative combinations of spices, sauces, and home grown to prepare the dishes. African Palace is your perfect destination for a lovely night out. Here, you can try dishes like Keebe, Mimita, Tahini, Tibs, Shiro, and Wat. The restaurant also offers many vegan and gluten-free options, including 100% Teff Injera.

10. African Chop Bar

Restaurant Hours: 11 AM to 11 PM
Location: 2503 Finch Ave W, North York, ON M9M 2G1, Canada
Customer Review: “We really enjoyed the food, the service, and the atmosphere. Great little gem with authentic West African food!”

African Chop Bar is one of the best African Restaurants in Toronto, offering a range of African and Ghanaian dishes. At African Chop Bar, you can try a variety of cuisines, including Ghana Bread, Goat Suya, Jollof Rice and Chicken, Banku and Fire Grilled Tilapia, Yam and Chofi, and Corn Porridge.

Indeed, Toronto features some of the best African Restaurants that add to its vibrant culinary scene. From rich and diverse flavours of Ethiopian injera to the spicy delights of West African Jollof Rice, these African restaurants bring a taste of the African continent to the heart of Canada. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast of African food or new to it, you will surely be transported to a world of captivating African flavours. So what are you waiting for? Get on with exploring these best African Restaurants in Toronto! While you go through the African restaurants, also do check out the best places to live in Canada.