Bennachin
African restaurant · French Quarter ·
Vegetarian-friendly West African fare served in art-filled surrounds
Vegetarian-friendly West African fare served in art-filled surrounds
"A longtime African restaurant dating to 1992, it sits next door to Mona Lisa with shared restrooms in a building recently sold to a New York investor, and there’s no word yet on what that means for the restaurant." - Beth D’Addono
"Afrobeats music videos on the television, purple and green tie-dyed tablecloths, and African art adorning every wall—welcome to Bennachin. Come for lunch with a few friends and split a bunch of stuff—prioritize the egusi soup, our favorite throat-not-lip-warming spicy spinach soup with thick cuts of beef, and the Jazz Fest combo with chicken skewers, sweet fried plantains, and sautéed spinach. (It’s also consistently the best actual Jazz Fest food choice.) Top things off with a ginger drink that’s the zippier-yet-sweeter cousin of ginger ale." - Megan Braden-Perry
"At the festival this vendor serves Jama jama (sauteed spinach), plantains, and poulet fricassee (chicken on a stick), highlighting West African flavors and a portable, stick-friendly preparation of chicken." - Clair Lorell
"If you’re exploring the French Quarter, Bennachin is a welcoming, casual option for comforting Gambian and Cameroonian specialties, many vegetarian-friendly, served in a cozy, funky space with eclectic furniture and colorful art covering the walls. It’s BYOB, but Sidney’s Wine Cellar is a few blocks away." - Clair Lorell
"Trace gumbo to its West African roots at chef Fanta Tambajang’s Royal Street restaurant Bennachin. The nsouki lappa — a beef sausage and turkey gumbo — boasts smoky notes in its rich roux. Save room for a dessert of shakari (couscous in a yogurt sauce with shredded coconut, raisins, and tart pineapple)." - Beth D’Addono