Flavorful grilled meats, jollof rice, and savory plantains.
























"Few fast-casual restaurants have a good-time guarantee like Suya Suya inNorthern Liberties. There are always Afrobeats playing, the scent of buttery cornbread hits you as soon as you walk in, and groups of friends are often laughing over their Suya salads and hot drumsticks. You’d never guess it's a crime scene, but this is where lips have been brutally murdered. The chicken bowl features tender, grilled meat with a Nigerian yaji coating on every inch. You get it all with a dusting of spice: notes of ginger, lots of garlic, and the cayenne pepper that bullies your senses. The fragrant bowl comes with fluffy rice and your choice of sweet plantains or cornbread. And they help, like how a water gun could help put out a bonfire. But they taste good either way." - Candis R. McLean
"As soon as you walk through the door of this Northern Liberties West African spot, you’re met with the scent of steaming jollof rice, plantains fresh out of the pot, buttery cornbread muffins, and the sound of chicken sizzling on the grill. It’s a sensation that we can’t put a price on, but they have, and it’s notably affordable (the bowls are $13 or under and each comes with a side). The comfortable counter-service restaurant is great for grabbing a quick meal in between reaching the next level on God of War or streaming a show you’ve been saving for a day off." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"As soon as you walk through the door of this West African spot, you’re met with the scent of steaming jollof rice, plantains fresh out of the pot, buttery cornbread muffins, and the sound of chicken sizzling on the grill. It’s a sensation that we can’t put a price on, but they have, and it’s notably affordable (the bowls are $13 or under and each comes with a side). Suya Suya is a comfortable counter-service place to grab a quick meal in between a night out at the bars nearby or before catching a train from the Spring Garden station." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"As soon as you walk into this counter-service West African spot in Northern Liberties, you’ll get thumped with the scent of steaming jollof rice, plantains fresh out of the pot, buttery cornbread muffins, and chicken sizzling on the grill. It’s a sensation that we can’t put a price on—but they have, and it’s notably affordable (bowls cost around $13, and each one comes with a side). Come to Suya Suya for a quick meal before catching a train from the Spring Garden station, or if you want to pick up something for a Spades-filled game night." - candis mclean
"The Meal: Steak Bowl, $13.89 This Nigerian cafe might be the best thing Northern Liberties has to offer outside of the free parking garage next to the Acme. The West African grill offers incredible grilled meats, crispy akara fritters, and meat pies. After you’ve gone a little Antarctica with the A/C on a sweltering day and the bill has an extra zero, head here. The beef in the steak bowl is dry-rubbed and coated with Nigerian yaji, so when you add it to your bowl, everything from the cabbage to the jollof rice gets a hint of the smoky, peanutty flavor. Order the buttery cornbread even if it tips you over the $15. You’re not paying for parking, so you can afford it. " - candis mclean