Our team has received multiple requests for our favorite African restaurants in the city, and you know what? We’re all about sharing the best of Calgary, as our name suggests, so here we are now!
Today’s roundup will guide you into a world full of flavors your taste buds may not have experienced before, so it’s a great way to spice up your dinners this week. And that spicing up is virtually guaranteed: Nigeria and Ethiopia are among the top 5 countries that consume the most spice, after all!
Anyway, let’s get started. Prepare for a firsthand adventure with our curated picks for authentic African flavors in the city!
Table of Contents
1. Safari Grill
Website: https://safarigrillcalgary.com
Address: 255 28 St SE #100, Calgary, AB T2A 5K4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-235-6655
Operating hours:
- Monday & Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday – 12 PM to 8 PM
- Thursday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Offering delectable dishes from Tanzania, Safari Grill offers popular meals from the East African country including ugali (their national dish), chipsi, and mishkaki.
They truly offer an authentic Tanzanian experience, granting their customers a delicious ticket to try it without even leaving Calgary.
Among the plethora of dishes we got the chance to try, the kondoo chops were the real game changer. Oh, and the lamb chops were a definite treat for our taste buds!
2. Yenny Delights
Website: https://yennydelights.com
Address: 3131 27 St NE #81, Calgary, AB T1Y 0B3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-880-5731
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 6 PM
Yenny Delights is an Afro-Carribean establishment known for their delectable jollof rice. We suggest ordering that with jerk chicken or fried whiting fish on the side for an elevated experience.
The best part about eating here? Not only is the food addictive but it’s also served in large portions, so you get the best bang for your buck!
3. Ahinke’s Restaurant
Website: https://www.ahinkeskitchen.com
Address: SE, 2650 36 St SE Unit 6, Calgary, AB T2B 0Y3, Canada
Contact details: +1 825-210-9614
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Serving mouthwatering Nigerian and other Caribbean and African favorites, Ahinke’s Restaurant is the ideal destination for discovering the richness of African flavors.
Their suya (seasoned spicy grilled beef) is definitely the talk of the town. However, their Banga Soup and poundo yam stands are strong contenders too for seafood lovers.
4. Flavours Restaurant
Website: https://flavourcuisineandcatering.com
Address: 4129 4 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 1A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-719-2770
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11 AM to 8 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Ever since Flavours Restaurant opened in 2013, it quickly became the go-to establishment of hungry foodies in the city looking for authentic Nigerian dishes – and rightly so.
If you haven’t tried any African dishes before, we suggest trying one of their African signature meals. Otherwise, you might prefer the steamed tilapia fish or the isi ewu (goat head delicacy).
Don’t forget to grab a plate of their jollof rice!
5. Abyssinia Restaurant
Website: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xZmBGVb9x1c9rh5e9
Address: 910 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1K7, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-452-3498
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Abyssinia Restaurant is one of the few establishments in the city that serves Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine. It’s a definite must-try for those with adventurous taste buds.
There are plenty of food items that we can recommend from this gem, including the special gored gored (warmed raw beef cubes) and the beg cha cha tibs (roast-fry lamb ribs).
That said, the experience you definitely shouldn’t miss is the coffee ceremony, where they serve you fresh Ethiopian coffee rivaling even our favorite cafes in the city. It’s served with popcorn on the side, accompanied by the relaxing aroma of incense – which makes it one of the cooler restaurants in the list.
6. Habesha Restaurant
Website: https://habeshacuisine.ca
Address: 1039 17 Ave SW Suite 103, Calgary, AB T2T 0A9, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-243-0307
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Wrapping up our list is the Ethiopian gem called Habesha Restaurant situated in Downtown Calgary. The atmosphere is bright and airy, creating an ideal setting for intimate gatherings.
Their meat plates are definitely delightful, with the kitfo dulet coveting the top spot. It’s a dish made of minced lean beef with lovely additions of mitmita, butter, onion, Jalapeños, and tasty spices.
