AFRIKA Taste and Lounge
Why we love it: Owner Martins Nwangwu never thought he’d be opening a restaurant, but in 2021, he did — with his own touch. “I thought of incorporating something new, which is the Afrobeat music,” he says. During the day, AFRIKA is a booming African dining hot spot, “until the 10 p.m. transition to lounge club,” Nwangwu says. The flavors of Africa come to life through traditional dishes from Nigeria and West Africa, and the upscale emerald green space complements the cozy black booths and gold-framed black and white portraits in the dining room. At night, the lounge takes on club vibes complete with African specialty cocktails and dancing along to Afrobeat, hip-hop, reggae and soca, via DJs and live weekday music. Try this: Nwangwu recommends the egusi soup ($26). The delicious dish is made of pureed melon seeds, simmered with spinach. "Assorted meats really give it the flavor, and then you add some spice to it,” Nwangwu says. It’s served with your choice of fufu or pounded yam. 4483 Mayfield Road, South Euclid, 216-331-3054, afrikatasteandlounge.com
(Photo courtesy Bite Creole Kitchen)
Bite Creole Kitchen
Why we love it: A guide to Cleveland's African-influenced food scene should include some Louisiana Creole spots, since the cuisine fuses together African, French, Native American and other influences into its mix. Bite Creole Kitchen gives its own Northern twist to the cooking tradition, at two locations — one inside Willowick's Create-A-Space co-work hub and one in South Euclid on Monticello Boulevard. “Everything is cooked from scratch, the sauces; everything is made to order,” says owner Aisha Childers. Try this: Childers recommends her take on Creole favorites like the wet creole wings, deep fried with wet creole sauce ($19.45). 4262 Monticello Blvd., South Euclid, 216-505-5344; 30480 Lakeshore Blvd., Willowick, 440-569-1075, bitecreolekitchen.com
(Photo courtesy Choukouya Restaurant and Bar)
Choukouya Restaurant and Bar
Why we love it: Widely known as one of the most authentic West African restaurants in Northeast Ohio, Choukouya has earned fans for its menu of meat and seafood entrees, many of which can be made vegetarian. Featuring double-seared meats, the restaurant is named after an Ivory Coast word meaning “grilled/braised meat” or “steakhouse.” Traditional dishes are served with fufu (a starchy vegetable dough) in a peaceful dining room filled with inviting woods and colorful African table runners. Choose from hearty sauces like the egusi ($15), with your choice of spice level, on chicken or beef ($18), goat ($21), fish ($22) or lamb ($23). Try this: Under the “gourmand” section, try the weekend-only thieboudienn ($22), a popular dish in Senegal, Africa's westernmost country, with a choice of protein, like lamb (add $10), cooked in a well-seasoned red tomato sauce with plenty of vegetables including cassava, carrots, eggplants and more, served in rice. 4620 Richmond Road, Suite 292, Warrensville Heights, 216-245-6660, choukouyarestobar.com
Habesha Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant
Why we love it: This West Park gem owned by Jamas Munsa, an Eritrean refugee, showcases shareable plates meant to be eaten by hand. After enjoying a full menu of Ethiopian delicacies, finish things off with the coffee ceremony ($15), which roasts beans in front of the customer for a truly fresh cup of coffee. Try this: Share a massive platter like the doro wat ($20) and take bites of the stewed greens, lentils and spicy, slow-roasted chicken by tearing into a piece of injera, a spongy crepe-like fermented bread used to scoop the meal. 16860 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-400-6539, facebook.com/habeshacle
(Photo courtesy Cassa Kitchen)
Cassa Kitchen & Catering
Why we love it: This laid-back Moroccan and Mediterranean eatery in Downtown Cleveland excels at its wide range of fast, fresh and healthy options, which has earned it a large fan base. Try this: Build your own bowl, pita, wrap or salad by choosing from staples like Casablanca chicken, tagine beef or meatball kafta, mixed with pickled baldi, zaalouk (Moroccan eggplant), maticha salad and other toppings, and add your sauce of choice, like the unique marrakesh Thai sauce. 1900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-795-5933, togo.dylish.com/restaurant/cassa-kitchen
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House of Creole
Why we love it: This Downtown hot spot capitalizes on Louisiana Creole dining, bringing the best of the diasporic cuisine style to the menu. Choose from specialties like the loaded gumbo ($15), seafood etouffee ($26) and a large range of other flavorful options. Try this: The perfectly spiced jambalaya ($26) dish features gulf shrimp, chicken, smoked andouille sausage, onions and peppers in a seafood tomato Creole sauce over choice of rice or fettuccine. Don’t sleep on unique cocktails like the Lady Voodoo ($17) crafted with Casamigos blanco, fresh blood orange, house-made sour mix and dry ice effects. 668 Euclid Ave., Unit 2, Cleveland, 216-938-7392, houseofcreolecle.com
(Photo courtesy Irie Jamaican Kitchen)
Irie Jamaican Kitchen
Why we love it: When exploring the many foods of the African diaspora in Cleveland, we land on Irie Jamaican Kitchen: a fast-growing, build-your-own spot that serves up authentic Caribbean, West African and fusion flavors all over Northeast Ohio. At each of its five locations, the restaurant whips up delicious land and sea dishes, including jerked, curried and stewed meats (and mouthwatering mac and cheese) in colorful, beachy settings. Try this: We recommending building a delicious bowl of Irie's best-selling jerk chicken, sauced and spiced with authentic flavors, served with Jamaican rice, cabbage and plantains ($8.99). Various locations, iriejakitchen.com
King Tut
Why we love it: The food truck and casual restaurant showcases an array of dishes you'd usually find in North Africa, not Northeast Ohio. “We sell a lot of Egyptian street food that’s really unique,” says owner Nader Soliman, whose food is served the same way as it is in Cairo. Each dish here brings authentic tastes and spices of Egypt to the modern, chic, plant and string-light embellished brick-and-mortar eatery. Try this: Egyptian specialties range from fresh breakfasts, like the buttery fried boiled mezaglel eggs ($5), to dinner options, like the sphinx wrap beef sausage ($15) with tomatoes, onions and green peppers wrapped in a pita. 8801 Brecksville Road #3, Brecksville, kingtutstreetfood.com
MoMo’s Kebab
Why we love it: Traditional Moroccan dishes and a family-friendly atmosphere make this small, family-owned eatery stand out. The tastes of traditional Moroccan food eaten in a warm, rust-hued dining room have brought in customers for more than 10 years, for favorites like couscous (steamed semolina, served with six types of vegetables) ($15) and varieties of kebabs from the grill. “Our menu is very simple and fresh,” owner Mohamed Abdessamad says. “We do not use canned food; we don’t use a microwave; we don’t use frozen food.” Try this: Customers love ordering the tagine, an authentic Moroccan stew, made with meat cooked with potato, carrots, onion and green olives, with mixed spices, and cooked on clay, not aluminum, says Abdessamad. Try the dish with lamb ($21), beef ($19) or the vegan ($15) variety. He recommends finishing the meal with crisp fresh Moroccan mint tea ($5). 2199 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-932-3512, momoskebab.com
(Photo courtesy Yum Village)
Yum Village
Why we love it:The Detroit-based West African restaurant now has a Cleveland location, familiarizing the area with coconut rice and Jamaican jerked meats. Carasai Ihentuge and his wife, Amira, brought his brother Godwin’s business to the Cleveland State University’s Langston Building two years ago, with a Chipotle style menu for African fast-casual eats. The modern chic interior gives off fun vibes with colorful murals and a neon sign. Try this: The traditional halal jerk oxtail with rice and truffle oil greens ($21.75) is simmered in vegetable root gravy for six hours and served with jollof rice. 2215 Chester Ave., Cleveland, 216-415-5068, yumvillage.com
Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant
Why we love it: If you have a hankering for a filling platter of Ethiopian bites, Zoma is the place to visit. The authentic shop was unveiled in 2016 and features a comforting menu showcasing dishes that range from spiced meats to vegan dishes. “We serve food with bread and the food is eaten with the hands, versus silverware," says owner Zeleke Belete. “The other main difference from other restaurants is every dish is shareable, and you eat from the same plate.” Don’t sleep on the wine collection that includes special Ethiopian honey wine. Try this: For first-timers, Belete suggests the Zoma special combo ($36.99) featuring nine different shareable items on a 24-inch platter including beef tibs, spicy beef stew, house-made cottage cheese and six vegetarian dishes. Save room for some sweet baklava ($5). 2240 Lee Road, Cleveland, 216-465-3239, zomacleveland.com
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