Looking for the best African restaurants in Chicago? We’ve got you covered. You may be amazed that Chicago is the second home to Africans, particularly African Americans. Besides making Chicago their new homeland, many people around Africa visit Chicago every year, finding that the restaurant chains here are full of flavors from African cuisines.
In addition, you can estimate the dietary demands by knowing that about 30.1% of the population in Chicago comprises Africans and African Americans. So, if you have been craving some good African food, you must go through the list of best African restaurants in Chicago.
Top-Rated African Restaurants in Chicago
After thorough research and analysis, we have decided to introduce some of the best African restaurants in Chicago in the list below. So, if you are looking to explore the delicious African food in Chicago, you’ll find this list helpful.
1. Mogadishu Restaurant
Mogadishu Restaurant entrance. Photo credit – Hueatsblog
Somali meals in Africa create a mouth-watering aroma around the restaurants. Most people living in Chicago always crave having some well-cooked Somali meals to get the typical African flavors. We are beginning this list with a restaurant called Mogadishu Restaurant.
Chefs here focus mainly on creating the best flavor by maintaining a suitable ratio of nutrients. Other than this, they follow the typical cooking methods in many other African restaurants.
People who are thinking of getting the exact Somalian generosity will find this restaurant the best place to dig into their favorite dishes. They are maintaining a simple infrastructure while keeping the taste simple yet typical. Due to the aroma and environment it offers its customers, Mogadishu Restaurant is considered one of the best African restaurants in Chicago. Their menu includes:
- Breakfast has Hilib Ari Fired, Crispy Anjera, and Kay With Beef
- Lunch has Veggie Bariis, Digaag Chicken with Briis, and the most popular Chicken Suqaar With Briis
- Dinner has Lamb Shank, Beef Suqaar With Bariis and Hilib Ari Fired
Location: 931 N Orleans St Chicago, IL 60610 United States
Also Read: Top 10 African Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Try
2. Badou Senegalese Cuisine
Yassa chicken at Badou Senegalese Cuisine. Photo credit – @badou_cuisine
Have you been trying to taste the delicious food out of the scope of Ethiopian and South African cuisine? If yes, Badou Senegalese Cuisine is the best place to satisfy your cravings! It is one of those African restaurants in Chicago that maintain the comfort zone of their customers over anything.
Plus, it is no wonder to know that the staff at this restaurant is polite to serving the people coming here regularly. That is why a significant portion of their business success depends on repetitive customers and referrals.
Ranging from appetizers to delicious dinner, everything is available at this restaurant. As a result, many customers consider it the best place to have African food in Chicago at reasonable prices. Their infrastructure is based on the typical African restaurants. The food here includes:
- Appetizers have Chicken Coconut Soup, Boulette, Fataya, Mama Fatou Veggie Soup, Pastel, Veggie soup, Veggie pastel.
- Entrees have Attieke, Badou Soul Food Delight, Cebbu Guinnar, Badou Jambalaya, Couscous, Diby Guinar, Diby Yaap, and Foufou
- Grilled items have Braised Salmon, Curry shrimps, BBR lamb, Braised Tialpia.
- Desserts have Chef Signature Chocolate Cake.
Location: 2049 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60645
3. Nando’s Peri-Peri
Are you a big fan of South African recipes? If yes, our next option will be one of the best African restaurants in Chicago. In addition to this, you will love the grilled chicken at this place. The primary reason behind this is the chefs here put the typical African flavors in their dishes.
As indicated by the name, Nando’s Peri-Peri is known for offering the highest quality of well-cooked Peri-Peri chicken to the Africans in Chicago. A wide range of starters, main courses, and desserts are available here.
However, the infrastructure at this restaurant isn’t similar to other African restaurants. They have added an outdoor sitting too. Thus, you can enjoy the delicious food and people watching at the roadside. Some of the best food items on their menu include:
- Nando’s specialties include ½ Chicken and chips, a Full Chicken Platter, PERI-PERI Chicken Tender Bowl, and Avocado & Roasted Pepper Bowl.
- Sandwiches and Wraps include The Thigh and Mighty sandwich, Chicken Ceasar Pita, Veggie burger, Sweet potato Halloumi Pita, and Sweet Potato Halloumi Wrap.
- Platters include the Jumbo Chicken platter, Wing & Chip platter, and Full Chicken platter.
Location: 953 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 9=60607, United States
4. Yassa
If you belong to Wolof Tribe, Yassa will meet all your demands related to African cuisine. It is one of those African restaurants in Chicago owned by the natives of Wolof tribes.
Besides maintaining the African food heritage, this restaurant never fails in serving food for everyone in Chicago. Thus, no matter whether you are a tourist looking for the best African food or an African American wondering about the best food, Yassa will be your top pick.
One of the best features of this restaurant is that it provides the most hygienic yet reasonable African food in Chicago. They also maintain a whole vibe of Senegalese traditions around their customers. The menu at Yassa includes:
- Appetizers have Fataya and Nem
- Lunch has Djolof Rice, Atieke, Aloco
- Entrees have White Rice, Atieke, Talapia Fillet
- Stews have Thiou Curry with Chicken
- Beverages have Bissap, Baobab, Ginger
- Desserts have Thiakry and Caramel Cake
Location: 3511 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
5. Denden Restaurant
No need to worry if you are looking for flavorful Eritrean cuisine. Denden is one of the most famous African restaurants in Chicago. They serve their customers from early morning to late at night.
From Eritrean salads to the main course, you will find everything here. Besides maintaining the African vibe, the owners prefer to keep Chicago’s African food heritage alive.
The staff here is friendly to serve the customers. Moreover, they try their best to satisfy the cravings of people coming to Denden. So, some of the most famous dishes on their menu include:
- Sheh’an full
- Signature dishes like Zighni Begi’e and Zighni Derho
- Red Hot Pepper Sauce
Location: 6635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60626, United States
6. Ethiopian Diamond
It stands among the most demanded restaurants among those looking to try out the exotic and flavor-rich African cuisine in Chicago. You will love the Ethiopian infrastructure in this restaurant.
Furthermore, the dining style is well-cleaned and maintained like the typical African cuisines. Thus, customers love it more than other options due to its African-styled cooking.
You will find a wide variety of typical Ethiopian dishes on the menu. Besides the food, the staff here is so friendly to talk to. Moreover, they make sure to comfort their regular customers by all means. They are also offering meals for lunch and dinner. Food includes:
- Appetizers have Spinach, Potato, Carrot, And Sambusa
- Vegetarian dishes have Shimbara Asa, Kik Alicha, Ymisir Wat
- Desserts have Destaye
Location: Edgewater Neighborhood, 6120 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL
7. Shokran Restaurant
The majority of the Africans in Chicago aren’t only looking for food, but they also wonder about the African-styled restaurants where they can feel at ease. We have added Shokran restaurant to the list of best African restaurants in Chicago.
The team here has maintained a cozy atmosphere for the customers. Besides the African meals, it can also be the best option for Moroccan meal options.
You will love to explore this place as it is full of peace and tranquility. Hygiene in food production is prioritized on top. Besides, they offer a long list of options. Some of their delicious dishes are:
- Appetizers have Chicken Bastilla, Merguez appetizer, Shrimps, Kefta, Veggie Sampler, Taktouka, and carrot salad.
- Salads have Harira and Shokran Salad.
- Grilled items have Mixed Grill, Chicken kebab, Kefta kebab, and Lamb kebab
Location: 4027 W Irving Park, Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
8. Bisi African Restaurant
Very few of the African restaurants in Chicago serve the best Nigerian food, and Bisi is on top of that list. This restaurant maintains a high-class sitting environment with delicious Nigerian food.
In this way, you don’t have to worry about the food quality and presentation. You can enjoy the perfectly cooked steamed rice with suitable spices at this restaurant.
One of the best qualities of this restaurant is that it offers a menu for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Africans in Chicago. A long list of delicious dishes with a perfect serving is available here. Food includes:
- Moi-Moi for vegetarians, Steamed honey beans, steamed rice, and herbs
- Ayameshe for non-vegetarians, Steamed rice with meat and fish
Location: 853 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193
Also Read: Latest and Most Beautiful African Dresses of 2021
9. Ras Dashen
Finding the best Ethiopian meals in Chicago isn’t a big deal when you have Ras Dashen on your list. It is known for serving the highest quality of traditional Ethiopian dishes to the Africans coming to Chicago.
Not only the food, but they also serve mouth-watering coffee brewed items on their menu. Although their infrastructure is modern, you are sure to get pure African vibes there.
If you are looking to have a complete African feast and beers, Ras Dashen is one of the best picks. In addition, their staff maintains the food quality over anything. Their food items include:
- Appetizers have Mereq soup, Sambusa, Qatenga
- Vegetarian Entrees have Misserana Bowmia, Komodoro, Fetfet
- Chicken Entrees have Doro Wat and Doro Alicha
- Lamb Entrees have Yebeg Tibs, Yebeg Alicha, and Yebeg Wat
- House specials have Grilled ribs, Awaze Tibs and Yebeg Tibs
Location: 5846 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL.
10. Vee-Vee’s African Restaurant
Have you been looking to witness the African food truck scene in Chicago? If yes, we end this list with Vee-Vee’s African restaurant. You will love the African food there, whether you are a taxi driver or a regular worker.
Although they do not have a large space to host many people, they make sure every food is of high quality.
Regardless of the food truck, the staff ensures hygienic food production for the customers. They also offer many mouth-watering dishes at reasonable rates. Food includes:
- Appetizers have Moi-Moi and Pepper soup
- Classic dishes include Ofe Agbono, Edikangikong, Ofe Egusi
- Entrees have Jollof rice and Fried rice
- Plantains have Yam Meals Special
Location: 6232 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60660
Conclusion
Exploring the highly-rated African restaurants in Chicago isn’t a big deal since there are many options to choose from. But, choosing one suitable option to trigger your taste buds with African taste is daunting. So, make sure to explore the list of Africans in the section above. We are sure that you will pick one option to satisfy your cravings.
