Best Sub-Saharan African restaurants in Amsterdam

SAAM

SAAM, which means “together” in Afrikaans (but also “South Africa” and “Amstel”), brings together chefs and sommeliers previously from prestigious Dutch and South African establishments such as Mos*, Aan de Poel**, Inter Scaldes*** and The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français, a solid performer in The World’s 50 Best Restaurant listings. Situated just outside Amsterdam in the charming village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, South Africa is channelled through the colourful art, fabrics and riempie chairs and in many of the ingredients used (South African flora such as Cape gooseberries, peppadew peppers and buchu tea). Combined with local heroes such as Zeeuwse creuse oysters, North Sea crab and Ilperhoen chicken, it’s a marriage made in heaven. Expect plenty of surprising combinations, but above all, delicious and carefully considered food and wine pairings (€90 for five courses).

SAAM | Amstelzijde 59, Amstelveen

Fresh Leaves

​Located in the Reigersbos shopping centre, this local favourite is beloved for its authentic West African cuisine, sandwiches, salads and smoothies. The kitchen is run by Melissa Ndoma, who draws inspiration from her Congolese grandmother's recipes. Bold, hearty flavours shine in traditional dishes like BBQ chicken with plantains and deeply flavourful tomato-tinged jollof rice, aromatic goat’s meat soup with fufu (a dough-like staple made from pounded sun-dried yams), Caribbean pearl fish with vegetables and fried rice, and their bestselling BBQ chicken salad.

Fresh Leaves | Snellerwaardgracht 11, Zuidoost

Hooyo’s Kitchen

At this small Somali joint with a few inside seats and a terrace with picnic tables, you’ll find various hearty rice dishes with chicken, lamb or fish as well as spiced brown beans with Arabic bread. There are also meal-sized meaty soups served with home-baked muufo (yeasted polenta flatbread), lime, and a banana, for a tenner. Order the Somali tea, a richly spiced milky chai you won’t find anywhere else in Amsterdam for this price (€1.50!). Looking for an East African restaurant in Noord with a little more legroom? Nearby Restaurant Semai (Papaverhoek 35), situated in a former warehouse, has received rave reviews for its authentic Eritrean-Ethiopian food.

Hooyo’s Kitchen | Johan van Hasseltweg 48, Noord

Gold Coast

This art-filled West African restaurant in Zuidoost is one of the best places to get Ghana’s beloved jollof rice in Amsterdam. A generous portion is served with a helping of beef stew, spiced-dusted fried plantains and smoky shito (a fiery black pepper sauce), salad and coleslaw. Other menu staples include waakye (rice and beans) and spare ribs with sweet potato fries. Conveniently located behind the Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA metro station, a stone’s throw from the famous football stadium and concert venue, it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area. Looking for something a little more central? The buzzy recently opened Restaurant Kenneh (Nassaukade 53G) calls itself “Amsterdam’s first West African fine dining restaurant”. It’s the brainchild of chef-owner Samuka Kenneh, who has previously worked at Michelin-starred establishments like 212** and Aan de Poel**.

Gold Coast | De Corridor 2, Zuidoost

Cape Town Social Club

If you can’t get away to the fairest Cape, allow Alexander Heim and Sebastian Erasmus to bring a bit of the Mother City to you at their sleek centrally located establishment. The dynamic duo, who have previously worked at esteemed South African restaurants such as The Pot Luck Club, La Colombe and The Test Kitchen know how to put on a show – with enthusiastic South African service to match. Choose from a 4-course or 6-course chef’s menu (from €60) of fusion plates, like cachapa (thin corn pancakes) of barbecued chicken with pico de gallo salsa and crispy chicken skin, jus and baby corn. There are also typical Saffa bites, including biltong (dried cured meat) and skewered braaied beef tongue, and a wine list studded with South African stars.

Cape Town Social Club | Raamstraat 27, Centrum

Kilimanjaro Take Me Away

This second location of the popular Restaurant Kilimanjaro (Rapenburgerplein 6) tends to not be as rammed as the original. Located just off Beukenplein, it’s a great place to experience vibrant East African flavours in a casual, low-key setting with warm service. Hearty wot (stews) and freshly made injera (fermented flatbreads) are served family-style here. Though there’s plenty for meat lovers, the menu is especially vegan-friendly. “We have over 20 plant-based dishes, mostly because various Ethiopian-Eritrean fasting periods prohibit the consumption of animal products for more than 250 days a year, explains Carles Roersch, chef-owner at Kilimanjaro Take Me Away. The dessert display includes interesting (and delicious!) raw vegan cakes such as avocado lime cheesecake and creamy cacao-date cake with nutmeg. Seeking an East African restaurant in West instead? Restaurant Lalibela (Eerste Helmersstraat 249) is the Netherlands’s oldest Ethiopian eatery and a trusted purveyor of traditional specialities.

Kilimanjaro Take Me Away | Beukenweg 22A, Oost

Malva

Lunchroom by day, restaurant by night, this newcomer to Rivierenbuurt was inspired by the flavours of sunny South Africa, a vibrant mix of indigenous African traditions and Portuguese, Dutch, British, French, Malaysian and Indian influences. The fully halal menu includes dishes like vegetarian Cape Malay curry, BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, grass-fed lamb chops, grilled chicken with peri peri (a Portuguese chilli sauce) and the namesake Malva special, a traditional South African baked pudding with caramelised apricot that is quite similar in concept to British sticky toffee puddings. There’s also a coffee corner and a kid’s play area. Tip: the “Rice-A-Licious”, a creamy rice dish with chicken and Malva’s “secret spice blend”, is pure comfort food.

Malva | Rooseveltlaan 67, Zuid

Obelade Suya

Situated below a run-down garage near the Bullewijk metro station, this Nigerian eatery offers an authentic slice of West Africa with a raw, no-frills charm. Specializing in suya, a flavourful Nigerian street food of skewered, spice-marinated grilled meat with ginger, ground peanut and onions, it’s a go-to spot for neighbourhood locals who mostly pop in for takeout or a quick, casual meal. The hearty goat pepper soup is a highlight: perfectly spiced and bursting with meaty flavour. Wash it down with malt drinks, Nigerian beers or bright orange African Fanta. Despite the setting, or perhaps because of it, Obelade Suya delivers an experience as genuine as its vibrant African heritage.

Obelade Suya | Bullewijkpad 29, Zuidoost