Best African Restaurants in Memphis
Bala's Bistro
📞 (901) 509‑3024
đź“Ť 4571 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116
đź”— Website
📝 A vibrant West African soul‑food destination. Try egusi soup, maafe (peanut stew), jollof rice and lamb dibī, plus vegan/vegetarian fufu and plantain dishes. Friendly staff and generous servings make it a neighborhood staple.
Mande Bibi
📞 (901) 672‑8995
📍 6825 Winchester Rd, Suite D, Memphis, TN 38115
đź”— Website
📝 A bold fusion of West African street‑BBQ and Memphis smokehouse tradition. Chef Bala Tounkara infuses suya‑style spice blends, fiery mustard and pili pili sauces into grilled lamb, chicken, beef brisket, turkey tail, and tilapia. Expect hearty plates like Thiep Yapp, Egusi soup, fried plantains, and vibrant vegan sides in a warm, art‑infused strip‑mall setting.
Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant
📞 (901) 321‑0082
đź“Ť 2600 Poplar Ave, Suite 115, Memphis, TN 38112
đź”— abyssiniamemphis.com
📝 A Midtown favorite for traditional Ethiopian fare served family‑style. Signature offerings include the vegetarian combo platter — injera topped with red and yellow lentils, seasoned cabbage, spiced potatoes, greens, beets, and shiro (chickpea stew). Meat lovers can opt for dishes like Yebeg Tibes (stir‑fried lamb) or Gored Gored (cubed beef). Generous portions and warm hospitality make it beloved by regulars — especially vegans and stews lovers alike
Horn of Africa Ethiopian Cuisine
📞 (901) 440‑8589
📍 693 Avon Rd, Memphis, TN 38122 🔗 hornofafricantogo.com
📝 A down‑to‑earth Midtown Ethiopian spot known for generous portions and communal dining. Featured menu items include sambusas, classic combinations and standout lamb shank—slow-cooked, seasoned with a special house sauce and served with rice. Reviewers say the lamb dish is hearty enough to share among 2–3 people.
Global Café (Crosstown Concourse)
📞 (901) 512‑6890
📍 1350 Concourse Ave Ste 157, Memphis, TN 38104
đź”— globalcafememphis.com
📝 A lively international food hall run by refugee and immigrant chefs serving dishes from across the globe—Sudanese peanut soup, Venezuelan arepas, Syrian fare, Nepali momos, and more. Located within the art-infused Crosstown Concourse building, the café offers an open, social dining concept where people from many cultures gather to eat and connect.
Queen of Sheba
📞 (901) 207‑4174
📍 4792 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122
đź”— queenofshebamemphis.com
📝 A beloved Yemeni‑Middle Eastern restaurant in Memphis, famous for lamb haneeth—slow-roasted lamb marinated in aromatic Yemeni spices and served over fragrant rice. Generous portions, warm hospitality, freshly baked flatbread, and traditional Yemeni tea make every visit memorable.