Diaspora Eats: 11 of the Best African Restaurants in Paris

DIASPORA—It’s “No Borders” month here at OkayAfrica, which means we’ll be highlighting travel and intercontinental relations between people on the continent and in the diaspora.

Food is a major part of the traveling experience, and if you’re like us, then you’re looking for tasty delectables in any city that you might find yourself in. Good food only amplifies the travelling experience and thankfully, the diaspora is brimming with a variety of restaurants that offer savory dishes that’ll make your trip even more memorable. They might even remind you of mom’s cooking.

Whether you’re looking for options to fit your dietary restrictions or you’re simply looking to stuff your face with quality eats, there’s a spot in the city that will cater to your palette. Below are 7 African restaurants to check out while you’re in Houston.

Check out some of the best African food in Houston, London, DC, and New York. 

Afrik’n’Fusion

This fast-food chain shatters both the stereotypes associated with fast food and those associated with African restaurants. Owned by three Senegalese friends, their locations (in the 18th and 20th arr.) offer copious amounts of Traditional French West African dishes such as maffé, thieb, aloko, yassa with a special attention to presentation. They also deliver all around the city within 30 mins, and did we mention their affordable?!

A post shared by Afrik N'Fusion (@afrik_n_fusion) on Aug 31, 2016 at 6:06am PDT

Ménélik

Often referred to as the Best Ethiopian Restaurant in Paris, this restaurant in the 17th arr. serves a variety of Ethiopian classics such as kitfo, zelzel tebse, and door wot. After dinner, indulge in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

A post shared by max_ad (@max_ad) on Oct 4, 2016 at 12:54pm PDT

Osè

This eatery in the 10th arr. could be dubbed as an African Chipotle. For those who don’t get the reference you start with a base white rice, brown rice, or attieke (fermented cassava pulp); add a sauce maffé (peanut butter), yassa (olives and lemon-mustard), coco, rasta or ndizi; choose your protein, an extra, and lastly how spicy you want your dish to be. No matter what combination you choose,  we guarantee it’s going to be yummy!

A post shared by Osè - African Cuisine (@oseafricancuisine) on Dec 9, 2015 at 11:35am PST

Waly Fay

This Senegalese restaurant in the 11th arr. sprinkles a little Caribbean flavor to the best Senegalese cuisine has to offer. The food is delicious, the decor is sleek, the staff friendly.

A post shared by Waly Fay (@waly_fay) on Apr 25, 2017 at 1:10am PDT

L’Équateur

This restaurant in the 11th arr. fuses Cameroonian and Senegalese Cuisine. Feast on some ndolé and poulet braisé. And don’t worry if you feel like staying at home because they deliver.

A post shared by Kin_zzy (@kin_zzy) on Aug 16, 2015 at 1:13pm PDT

Ohinéné

This restaurant in the 20th arr. offers Ivorian favorites such as attieké, kedjenou, and sauce graine with some French and Italian influences.The ingredients used are guaranteed fresh from the local market. Be on the lookout for an explosion of flavors.

A post shared by Maimouna B Bloom (@mayouchettte) on Mar 17, 2016 at 10:39am PDT

Le 404

As soon as you step foot in this North African Restaurant in the 3rd arr. you forget you're in Paris, you could easily be in Marrakesh Ryad and you’ll definitely eat as if you’re in Morocco. Le 404 serves hearty North African cuisine. Feast on some couscous and tagine. If you’re in the mood for brunch, theirs run every Saturday, Sunday, and bank holidays from 12pm-4pm.

A post shared by Le 404 (@restaurant404) on Feb 15, 2017 at 8:32am PST

Le Petit Dakar

This Senegalese restaurant in the 3rd arr. offers classic Senegalese dishes such as yassa, maffé and Tiep Bou Dien. Save some space for desert because their chocolate and sweet potato fondant is AMAZING!

A post shared by Le Petit Dakar (@lepetitdakar) on Jan 20, 2017 at 7:01am PST

Restaurant Aux Portes de L’Orient

This restaurant in the 5th arr. is part of La Grande Mosquée de Paris. Dine in a classic Maghreb atmosphere: plush couches and filtered light.Be sure to have their mint tea which is both yummy and great for digestion! And if you’re feeling decadent try some of their classic oriental pastries.

A post shared by NaT (@nathalie_antoun) on Sep 20, 2016 at 2:01pm PDT

Cap 99

This Afro-Caribbean restaurant in the 5th arr. combines French West African food, French-Caribbean food, and Central African beers. The mix is tasty, the beers are sure to quench your thirst and the atmosphere is inviting.

Le Comptoir Général

Restaurant, Bar-nightclub, Barbershop, Thrift Shop. No list on African Paris would be complete without this eclectic spot in the 10th arr. Le Comptoir is the place to go if you want to have a good time, dance your ass, be surrounded by good-looking people, and vibe. The staff is friendly and the cocktails are amazing. And where else will you see a life-size ship indoors? Be sure to make a reservation for their Sunday brunch, they tend to get packed.

A post shared by Le Comptoir Général (@lecomptoirgeneral) on Apr 16, 2017 at 12:00am PDT