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There are 54 fully recognized sovereign states in Africa and according to Robin Bates, founder and CEO of Café de la Soul and founder and executive director of Maison Noire Américaine, almost every country is represented among African restaurants in Paris.
This is a telltale sign of the delectable influence Africans have in the City of Lights.
Serving as your culinary guides, Bates and vegan chef and restaurant owner, Patrick Ossié have you covered when it comes to discovering and experiencing African restaurants in Paris.
African influence in Paris
“France, unfortunately, has a history with Africa in the form of colonization,” says Bates, as witnessed by the significant migration of Sub-Saharan Africans to Paris beginning in the 1970s, many originating from former French colonies.
With that came the influence of African immigrants moving to France to pursue opportunities and raise families. Naturally, the co-mingling of communities created opportunities to share traditions like family recipes passed down from generation to generation.
As meat-centric as African recipes can be, there is also a growing demographic of vegans looking to carry on traditional dishes with a twist of plant-based ingenuity.
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“I’m proud to see the emergence of other young, dynamic Afro-descendants who are brilliantly defending and promoting the still little-known and often-caricatured culture of veganism,” says Ossié, who believes Afro-vegan cuisine is often seen by outsiders as a watered-down springboard for discovery.
The same can be said for West African cuisine with dishes like jollof, yassa, and maafe coming to light on the world food stage in recent years.
Now, let’s use our culinary passports to explore African restaurants in Paris. Whether you’re vegan or not, these spots will offer you a taste of the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Motherland.
Your Guide to African Restaurants in Paris
Paris’ 18th arrondissement is aptly called “La Goutte d’Or, which translates to “the drop of gold.” The cosmopolitan neighborhood is home to hundreds of shops and restaurants highlighting African culture, style, and of course, cuisine. It’s no wonder locals refer to the area as “Little Africa.”
With delectable African restaurants in Paris of varying ambiance and price points, Bates recommends the following spots to put on your radar:
At Mama Kossa, the staff ensures your experience embodies their “food, culture, love” mantra. This includes dining on succulent fare, like Ndolé Gambas, an aromatic Cameroonian spinach and shrimp stew. Cultures synergize from the kitchen to the crowd-pleasing R&B brunch, making it easy to see how they’ve built a loyal following. Bates recommends ordering the red rice.
But Little Africa isn’t the only place to find outstanding African restaurants in Paris. Bates also suggests visiting Villa Masai, a West African-focused restaurant in the 2nd arrondissement that has served music industry greats like Burna Boy and DJ Khalid. She gushes over the flavorful Poulet DG, a spicy poultry dish served with a medley of vegetables.
The draw of the locale doesn’t stop with the celebrity appeal. It’s also well known for its sultry ambiance, stunning Afro-centric decor, consistent food, lovely cocktails, social media photo worthiness and weeknights filled with live music. The menu is influenced by countries across the African Diaspora, including Benin, Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal.
Babylone Bis, also located in the 2nd arrondissement, is an Afro-Caribbean fusion restaurant with a deceptively simple menu and laid-back atmosphere. Bates guarantees you’ll find one of “the best grilled chicken and plantain combos in Paris.”
You’ll also find notable clientele like Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Stevie Wonder, Gabriel Union and Dwayne Wade, whose presence is archived by photos displayed on the walls.
MoSuke, headed by Chef Mory Sacko, who won France’s first-ever Michelin Star for Central and West African cuisine in 2021. The accolade is a well-deserved distinction to showcase the extraordinary range of African restaurants in Paris.
The African, French and Japanese fusion restaurant in the 14th arrondissement is one of the most sought-after reservations in Paris, with tables booked months in advance.
BMK Paris Bamako, is in the 10th arrondissement. The lively atmosphere complements the colorful and flavorful food influenced by various African countries. You can also purchase spreads made from pineapple, ginger, and passionfruit. Bates’ recommendation: you must try the Maafe (Mafé), a creamy and aromatic peanut stew or sauce often served with root vegetables and beef.
The final recommendation from Bates is Waly-Fay, a Senegalese restaurant that pays homage to pan-African culture and artists from varying mediums. Located in the 11th arrondissement, the spicy and flavorful cuisine is a stark contrast to the quaint and earthy decor.
A unique feature of the locale is the artisan bread shop serving pillowy and crusty loaves of bread. Tables get booked out quickly here, so recommendations are strongly recommended.
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Where to Eat Vegan African Food in Paris
Vegans can rejoice as there are several African restaurants in Paris dedicated to plant-based palates, but there is one that stands above the clouds about innovative vegan cuisine with an African flare.
L’embuscade, born 12 years ago, was originally a Cape Verdean-owned night bar highlighting African culture where you’d be lulled by the sweet sounds of Cesaria Evora or Bonga.
Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular vegan African restaurants in Paris owned by culinary visionary Chef Ossié.
“As a vegan myself, I’m setting up an African vegan kitchen to complete our universe with the same desire to shatter preconceived ideas by highlighting the diversity of African culinary art and its ancestral awareness and respect for nature.”
He works with Phoebe Dunn, a British chef with Nigerian roots whose talent delves deeply into the cuisines of central Africa, sourcing ingredients from Europe’s renowned market, Marché Château Rouge.
Ossié invites all gastronomy lovers to “relinquish prejudices by discovering the rich and varied flavors of the spices and plants vegan dishes are often based on.”
African restaurants in Paris cater to an array of palates. Show your support and love for the diaspora by visiting all these culturally inspiring restaurants the next time you’re in one of the most revered food cities in the world.
