Taste Of West Africa

We had the Egusi soup (with chicken) and fufu, and what I'm calling the "stew for two" (stew mikata platter): goat and oxtails. The food was PHENOMENAL and the portions are quite large. If you like light meals, get the egusi soup/fufu. It's definitely dinner-sized (perfect size for my date, and still had leftovers). For the stew, we were given the option of a serving of each rice, or a double portion of one. We opted for both, and both were great, but the jollof rice was the stand-out. Our server (the Italian gentleman) was great. He gave us a lot of history on the building, the business, and all of the events they have there which I had no idea of. All of them sell out within a week or two of being posted. This place punches well above its weight and we'll be back. It is not cheap, but I wouldn't call it expensive due to the high quality and portion size. If you're debating driving to raleigh for some quality African food, you can save yourself from a long drive. 100% worth a visit.

I ordered fufu. The whole point of eating fufu is for you to be able to dip it and eat it. There’s nothing in the soup to scoop out. The meat chunks are so huge there’s so room to scoop, then the fufu is so sticky and slimy that it instantly fell apart when I tried to pick it up to dip it. It’s also stuck to my fingers. The goat wasn’t cooked at the way, I was chewing it for 3 minutes straight it was so raw. Tried to put it in another bowl to see if I could scoop it better, but nope. The soup itself is extremely slimy, then the fudu alone is slimy too. Very hard to eat man. Even though everything else is 5 stars (the service and atmosphere) my overall rating will be 1 simply because this is a restaurant so I’m reviewing the food. Wayy too slimy, too sticky, cooked too fast (the wait time said 20-30 minutes, it was ready in 8 minutes), and overall would not eat again at all. It’s pretty nasty, I’m only gonna scuff it down because I spent $70 on this crap.

The wait staff was great. The owners/cooks came out, greeted me and thankwd me coming in. The oxtails were so flavorful and tender. The vegetables were not overcooked and had a slight crunch to them just like I like. Plantains were cooked perfectly. Lastly the African margarita was perfectly mixed. Ill definitely return.

From the first bite to the final moment, Taste of West Africa delivered an experience that went far beyond my expectations. The chicken was cooked to perfection—so tender it practically fell off the bone with the gentlest touch of a fork. Every bite was rich, flavorful, and bursting with authentic seasoning that spoke to hours of careful preparation. The rest of the meal matched that same level of excellence. Each dish was vibrant and balanced, bringing together bold spices and comforting textures in a way that felt both home-cooked and elevated. You could taste the pride in every plate. The service was equally impressive, a mother and daughter team. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, always quick to check in and make sure everything was just right. What really set the experience apart, though, was the owner herself and cook. She came out personally to see how we enjoyed the food—a warm, genuine gesture that showed just how much she cared. Her kindness and authenticity made the evening feel less like a restaurant visit and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. In short, Taste of West Africa isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a place to feel welcomed, cared for, and delighted. A must-visit for anyone who values both exceptional food and heartfelt hospitality.

I ordered online. Went in the time it stated my order would be ready! The atmosphere is lovely and beautifully decorated! I was sooo impressed by how yummy the food was. All the food made my tastebuds dance! Super generous portions! I look forward to exploring the menu in its entirety!

Our visit here tonight was unplanned but so glad we stopped in. We stopped to look at the menus out front and a lady stepped out to ask if we've had African food before and suggested we read the bigger menu inside which had description. We felt very welcome. The space inside was very open and spacious. Very different from African restaurants I've been to. The service was superb. Everyone was so attentive and made sure the food was to our liking. The mama/chef came out to check on us as well, made sure we were happy with the food. The red snapper fillet in peanut soup had the most unique flavor! It is light, not too nutty. We had friends who happened to be in the downtown area as well, so we invited them over for a meal. On Tuesday night, the have a free drum class for the community. Be sure to stop by.

We came for a dinner date night out. We ordered the chicken stew plate with jollof rice and beans and rice with a side of mixed veggies. (We originally asked for a side salad and the server said “the truck didn’t come so we don’t have lettuce so no” uh? okay lol) The meal came out and it was beef instead of chicken. Server said “my bad” and brought out chicken separately (solved ! no problem!) We also never received our veggies. The very nice manager/owner lady (assuming) came around asking how everything was. We mentioned we didn’t receive the veggies. The server came back and said “what veggies?” so i said “the veggies we ordered on the side with the stew” she said “it doesn’t come with veggies” and as i was trying to explain she walked away mid sentence. She then came back with a bowl of veggies slammed onto the table rolled eyes and walked away 😖. All in all the food was amazing ! Service not so much.

Absolutely wonderful! Started with egusi soup w/ goat which was more like a thick stew with veggies, spinach, etc amazing flavor spiced perfectly. Just different enough to make it interesting yet pure comfort food. The kelewele were the most interesting plantains I've had to date. Sweet, tossed in a spice combo that was unusual to me but in a way that made it feel like something I could eat every day. I ordered a veggie & a chicken hand pie. Hands down (pun intended) the best I've ever had! Zero hyperbole! The lightest flakiest crust I've experienced in my food adventuring. Hand made to order. The veg was PACKED full, not like many pies I've experienced where you bite into a giant air pocket that's all dough. Sooo satisfying. I wanted to buy a dozen. The chicken was marinated in a golden sauce full of flavor but not overly spiced. They also gave me a sample of their hibiscus drink that they hand make. That was quite delicious. When I was paying the owner was asking me about my experience and I raved to her especially about the hand pies. Her mother, the other cook came over and asked her a question and then snatched my to-go container and filled it with another portion of goat and then gave me an entire order of plantains to go with a drink refill for free. I tried to refuse but they were so gracious. I would highly recommend visiting this place if you're a local or just passing through town. I personally will go out of my way to make another stop here someday. They have a large menu. would be fun to explore every item. Family-Owned business, they have a large patio that allows dogs and inside is a giant space with an open kitchen on one side tables in the middle and a full bar on the other side. They have WiFi & It seems like it would also be a good place to work while eating a meal, snacks or enjoying drinks.

Food was amazing. Service was great we loved every second of our experience here! Highly recommend to anyone wanting west African food! Thank you for the delicious meal and great service!

Chef's kiss to the Stewed entree with jollof rice and plantains. I had it with oxtails and it was heaven. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant.

This place was closed during the peak Covid era when I lived around here. Probably a good time to get your renovations in. What they've done with the space is quite pleasant with a lot of art on display. The first dish I tried to order, a Ghanaian red red, was not available. I settled on some sautéed spinach and did get the option for Black Eyed Peas and rice. It came with a few chunks of as soy product you usually see in India called Nutrella. It was an interesting warm spice mix. My mango passionfruit juice was a bit small but did bring a desirable tropical flavor. There is not a ton of West African cuisine available in the US but if there is one place, I've lived that needed a restaurant like this, it is Fayetteville, as I knew many Nigerians and Ghanaians here. I'm glad I finally got to try it after all these years.

We took a group here from our church June, 2024. Street parking is free after 7p I believe. (Double check that!) We had a nice table in the back. Great for small or large groups. The wait team was proficient and knew the menu. This is a must when trying new food! Everyone ordered a little different stuff, and everyone was very pleased with their meals. I had the Peanut Butter Soup, with Chicken, and FuFu. It was excellent, the flavors were so deep, and the chicken was tender. The flavor of the FuFu was very mild and fresh, which was a great addition to the richness of the soup. Prices are a little high, but to me was worth it. Anytime there is enough leftovers for another meal... Did I pay for 1 or 2 meals? My point is passively made. Happy eating at Taste of West Africa!

Food and atmosphere was great. A nice downtown restaurant in Fayetteville located among the shops. Oxtails were tender and delicious. Service was friendly and accommodating. Definitely going back for more!

I will not go here again. I visited this restaurant today May 31 25 for the first time. Food was great, however the server brought my receipt and overcharged me for my meal and my drink. I informed her the charges were incorrect according to the menu, she immediately responded to me raising her voice to tell me the prices have increased it's not her fault that their new menus have not arrived. I informed her I am only paying price listed on the menu I was given since they failed to inform me before and during ordering of the alleged changes. She reprinted the receipt and still pushed to overcharge me. I will NEVER visit again and will be taking my complaint a bit further so no one else experiences this.

The food was excellent. It reminded me of my visit to West Africa some years ago and the food brought me all the way back to my visit 20 years ago The serving size was impressive , the ambience of the restaurant was very authentic

The service here is so fantastic, the bartender Giuliano was kind inviting and so helpful. The owner and cook Izabella brought out samples of a couple of different things. The food was really great. I was in town on business and went here because it was highly recommended. Taste of west Africa didn't disappoint. The food was great the service amazing and the restaurant was spacious, clean and had good ambiance.

The food was excellent so is the service, I really felt like I took the airplane back to home

First time trying African food so I didnt really know what to order. I decided on the stew beef with jolof rice and it was delicious and flavorful. Only wish the temperature of the rice came out a little warmer but overall food was good. Service was friendly. I plan on coming back.

My friends and I went here and the food is absolutely amazing, just some things didn't have much flavor (i.e. the soup). The service did take awhile even though we were 1/3 people inside. If you're wanting to try fufu, by all means go here, it's just one of those places you go once and not again. It was very awkward with how we were interacted with and we were walked through the entire menu for about 30 minutes. Pricing is just contingent on how you go about eating out. If you can't fork up $30 a person, then this isn't the place for you.

Taste of food was good but not worth the price. Just got rice and meat for $50. No other items on the plate. For 3 of us to eat was 100 bucks that's insane

Food? AMAZING! Drinks? GREAT ! Vibe? PERFECTION! First date night in a while with the hubby and we will definitely be regulars. Tummy's full spirits lifted feeling good. Thank you

So......I was "back at Bragg" and was looking forward to some good African cuisine. Back in 2014 there was a restaurant with almost a similar name and the food was outstanding. I found this spot on Yelp and it did not disappoint. The young lady at the counter patiently explained the menu and I decided on the Jollof rice with chicken, plantains and mixed veggies. The rice was flavorful and just hit the spot. The chicken was tender, flavorful and cooked just right. The plantains were good and so were the vegetables. The service was outstanding and I have rarely come across a restaurant that genuinely cared about their customers. It almost felt like I was getting home food. Next time I gotta try the oxtail and the goat.

Got the ballot rice with beef and it was incredible. Service is kinda slow because they are busy, but the food is great. They're in the Volta Space (yellow facade). I'll be coming back!!

The food was on point!!! Seasoned well and cooked to perfection!! The staff were all incredible!! I can't wait to go back and try more!!

The best food and friendliest staff!!!!! I love this place and am so happy that they are back open. Mrs. Isabella and her mother are so lovely and I am so happy for them. Their restaurant is spacious and they have done a wonderful job.

When you walk in the space is huge which was a little off-putting but grab a table and make yourself comfortable. We ordered the khebab (the waiter recommended goat), a spicy beef pie, and the pepper soup (highly recommend). The khebab was a few pieces of super tender goat not skewered but presented nicely on a plate. Unless you are a chili-head get the mild which was plenty hot for me. My husband loved his empanada (I would probably go with chicken and spinach). The winner was the pepper soup which came with a side of fufu (a starchy side dish). We received a very large bowl of what I would call beef stew with carrots and cabbage. So good. We have enough left over to have another dinner at home. Try fufu--it went so well with the stew. Staff was lovely--the owner?? came around a couple of times to see how we were doing. Fayetteville support this restaurant. You are lucky. We would love to have a place like it back in Durham.

NOT enough food for the money, does not taste like authentic West African food, the fufu tasted like it was made with potatoes and not cassava. Also they charged me twice for the same order and refunded my overcharge but did not honor my request to keep a happy customer. I am a huge fan of African food and this was a complete let down. To top it off the food took FOREVER to be prepared.

Really phenomenal food to try for us and would highly recommend to anyone. It was very high quality food and service. The staff and owner were all really lovely and friendly! The ambiance was expected for a Sunday and the staff put in their best efforts to make us feel comfortable.

My husband and I went there the other day and I was extremely impressed. The food was succulent, seasoned to perfection. Mama Brigette is so welcoming and friendly. We are from the Washington DC area and we have been spoiled with the West African cuisine. This restaurant food reminds me of authentic West African food. We ordered the egusi/fufu and it was amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant. Greg and Kim C.

Food was delicious, staff were very friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere was amazing. There is a very large and open dining area with fantastic music playing at a reasonable volume.

The food was delicious and the staff were very kind and friendly. The restaurant was clean and I look forward to eating there again.

Fayetteville has a large variety of food options available, but I haven't spent much time checking out the downtown food. It's a small downtown area, but my boyfriend found this place to try. The food looked great online, but the prices, not so much. When I checked in on Yelp, I was prompted with a 15% off discount and felt more willing to give this place a try. However, when I showed the waiter, he said they don't honor the Yelp discount. He informed me that many places downtown have a similar Yelp deal and do not honor it either, and that the restaurant had tried to inform Yelp to take down the discount. I was so disappointed, especially because the discount was the final push I needed in deciding to try this place over another place. We ordered the Chicken Meat Pie (Empanada) and discovered that it's $5 for only ONE pastry! Crazy! We were expecting at least 2 for that price! The chicken was savory and delicious, and the pastry was perfectly cooked, but that thing was gone in seconds. At the very least, if I'm going to be charged that price, then the empanada should be gigantic or beautifully presented on the dish! It was just one golden empanada sliding around on an over-sized oval dish. We shared the Goat and Oxtail Mikata Platter that was served with Jollof (long grain rice cooked with spices), Waakye (long grain rice cooked with black-eyed peas), baby carrots, broccoli, green bell peppers, and plantains for $24.99. The meat was so tender, especially the oxtail, which fell right off the bone! This dish is good for sharing between two people. Both the Empanada and Mikata Platter had a curry smell and taste to them, and I loved the flavors of both. The decor was very earthy. The waiter was nice, though he often repeated himself one too many times like a broken record, and it was hard not to interrupt him sometimes because it seemed like he constantly spoke in run-on sentences. I am a fan of the food, but not of the prices.

If I could give this place 3.5 stars I would. I have mixed feelings as I went into this with high expectations with all the reviews I have read. However, I was disappointed. The staff was nice and I had no issues with the customer service. I ordered the Jallof rice with stewed oxtails. My husband ordered the Jallof rice with the goat. I can say, the rice was cooked perfectly. I feel like the oxtails were bland and lacking flavor. The goat was tough to me but had more flavor. My husband ordered the beef kabob appetizer which I was not impressed with. Small portions in general for the price. My biggest critique is not having a lunch option on their menu. We spent $50 on lunch.

This was my first time eating African food. I had the oxtails with rice and the meat was so tender and flavorful. The service was okay but for the most part waitstaff were attentive. I like that you could sit outside and the location is very nice area downtown. Decor could be better but in my opinion the food made up for it. I will definitely be going back and recommend this place for someone who loves comfort food and would like to try something different.

I feel terrible 2nd year in a row & your restaurant is closed. We left Maine to reach you by Sunday & it turns out your closed. Major sadness, I was looking forward to your peanut soup, goat & meat pie. We'll try again in April.

If I could give it a 2.5 I would. But it's not good enough for a 3! The mango drink was good. It was served warm with ice put in. I wish it was cold all the way through. The beef itself was very good and tender. The rice was a bit dry. My husband got the goat and oxtail. Very strong tasting so I wouldn't suggest getting it unless you know that you like that type of meat. Out server was not very conversational and seemed like he would rather be somewhere else. Also the prices seem very high! Cool atmosphere though!

Closed and it looked like it was nowhere near "coming soon" either. Please adjust the info if you are moving or temporarily closed (both yelp and google map). We drove a long way for it.

Having had the opportunity to travel to the African continent a few times, this was a delight. It is a very simple place but an experience. The owners and staff are very friendly and welcoming, much like the people of Africa. The food is very authentic and delicious. It brought back memories to have an ice cold Tusker beer. I will come back to the next time I pass through Fayetteville and recommend that if you want to try something unique and delicious...try the taste of West Africa.

S/O and I were visiting Fayetteville for the weekend, and we were both up to trying some African food. This seemed to be the only place around the area, so we settled upon this restaurant. Upon stepping in, you could really get a sense of the culture and the warmth that the restaurant brings, it was well decorated, and the servers greeted us with enthusiasm, smiles, and overall really made us feel at home. The servers let us take our time, and took time to give us dish recommendations based on our experience with African cuisine. We first ordered the Mikata platter consisting of two types of rice: jollof and waakye served with goat and ox-tail and plantains. I would say this is enough for two, but you may need an appetizer if you or your partner in crime has a big appetite. The goat and ox-tail was so good! The spice was delicious and meat was cooked to perfection. I particularly liked the jollof, but in comparison to jollof I've had before, this was a little bit on the soggy side. My bf later ordered the chicken chili soup. He asked for spicy, but we had no idea there would be THAT much heat. It was unbearable for me (but I do have low tolerance), however he said it gave him a good kick and he really enjoyed it. The chicken was AMAZING, though. Extremely tender! Would absolutely love to come back and try more. I'm interested in their indigenous entrees part of the menu.

I liked it and I'ma put a ring on it. Taste of West Africa: Awo's Cuisine, will you be mine? Here's a tip, skip all the fancy stuff on the menu with the exotic names and complex descriptions and just go with the basics. Basic = Best (like American Apparel). Take it from me because I've only tried that one thing from the menu, twice in 4 days, hahahaha. If I were you, I'd go with the #15, good old Jollo rice (no one care about the rice), ox-tail OBVIOUSLY, and just leave it at that. Done. Happy. It's everything you want in your mouth. Rice, yummy cooked to the bone ox-tail drenched in generous drizzles of gooey meaty sauce, and some unidentifiable cooked spinach-like veggies as the sidekick. The restaurant is owned by a family from Ghana who are friendly and chat up the patrons. I've never been to Ghana and never had West African food but if this is any indication, book me a ticket to Accra. Or maybe just to Fayetteville.

Fresh prepared food which comes nicely prepared and well presented. Interesting combination of soups , which when chosen spicy are still full of taste and flavor. Lot of options for vegetarians.

Good food and overall good experience. Suitable pricing for a new restaurant but I did feel a little skimped on the portion. Good choice of decor and colors. The staff was very attentive and helpful. My sister's hot pepper soup was quite hot and she requested an adjustment to the dish. The staff member adding more tomato puree but it was still spicy. I appreciate the effort.

A great surprise, friendly service and nice decor. The food was fantastic, you really taste flavors that you will not have anywhere in the area, the cox with rice taste as a plate I used to have back in South America (seco de chivo)

So legit. Stopped by on a rainy day with some friends from out of town. The restaurant is cozy, well-decorated, and the staff is very friendly. I had the goat curry and loved it. All the spices were familiar to people used to South Asian food, and the rice was cooked just right. One of my friends ordered this oxtail stew that came with a sponge-like bread thing that was fun to eat and very tasty. I regret not ordering the stew, and probably will if I find my way back again.

When are they going to open their new location?! We miss TOWA! I love trying different restaurants across multiple cultures in Fayetteville, and this was one of my favorites!

A hidden gem in Fayetteville...in a nice area. Parking right in front of the store! First time having West African food and was not disappointed. Stewed beef with jollof and sweet fried plantains (especially) was good! Mango-guava cheesecake was amazing! (Beef) meat pie (empanada) was a bit salty, didn't enjoy it.

This place is only OK at best. Very overpriced for what you get. The waiter couldn't even explain the menu correctly. Anybody that rates this up for a five I have obviously has problems with their taste buds. It's getting two stars only because I did not get sick.

I had the goat stew with spinach and sweet potatoes. The waiter did not know the menu plates as well but was very nice and helpful. The chef came out and really welcomed us and explained the food items. She gave us a spicy ginger habanero sauce. This was my first time eating west African food, so i have to try something more unique to give them 5 stars.

This was my first time eating west African food and it was delicious! I highly recommended the Peanut Butter soup with veggies followed by the oxtails over one of their rice dishes. The hosts were so nice and welcoming and the chefs came out and greeted us after our meal! I was very impressed. They gave us a complimentary piece of navy bean pie that was so good! It was sweet and spiced just right. Make sure to taste some when you go.

I believe that when you eat at a restaurant that specializes in a certain ethnic class culture or dish it should transport you to that dish of origin and believe me A Taste Of West Africa does. From the moment you step thru the doors you enjoy the fruits of their lives and their labors. The food reveals the essence of the people's souls and this soul food has been good for my soul. Pun intended.

I decided to eat here based on the Yelp reviews. There were not many people on a Wednesday night but the regulars present suggested I try the "sampler plate". The sampler plate was a little disappointing. There were a couple of pieces of two types of meat (less than an oz each). I expected more. However, my made to order okra soup with my choice of oxtail was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten! I also ordered one of three "meat patties" and decided on the chicken instead of beef or spinach. The shredded chicken was freshly seasoned and made to order as well. The service overall seemed a little rushed for the crowd due to the waiter having dual roles as the cook and cashier at times to support the evening crowd.

So frikken good! Seriously never eaten a bad thing here and it's soooo clean! I don't know the last time I saw a restaurant with a 100 sanitary grade lol

Loved this restaurant and really enjoyed meeting/seeing the family who owns it. Very friendly and warm service, tasty food. Great for us vegetarians. Absolute must visit!

Great food!! Very delicious we got the kelewele and Mikata Platter with ox tail and goat!! The meat was very moist and falling off the bone. The service was amazing. They accidently took our leftover plate when I asked for a to go box when I went to the restroom. They replaced the leftover plate with a fresh box of rice and meat! Highly recommend

My s/o and I were visiting Fayetteville for the weekend to check out the town since I was going to be moving here in the next few months. We were both craving some African cuisine and decided to browse Yelp to see if there were any restaurants that came highly recommended. Taste of West Africa was I think the only one that had many good ratings and the only African restaurant that was around the area, so we decided to visit. We came early, I think only an hour or two after it opened. The restaurant is nicely decorated, very classy with lots of Africa-reminiscent art work on the walls and around the restaurant. Tables were booth style which gave us a sense of closure and security. We decided to go to the back of the restaurant and sit there. The service here was prompt and quick. The employees were very cheerful and friendly, and I think it added to the atmosphere and spoke positively toward Africa and its people and its food. First we ordered the rice with goat and oxtail. The food portions are adequate and it can be shared between two people, although that wont work if you two are really hungry. I was on the hungry side that day so we ordered another order of chicken chili soup and made it spicy. Well the spice was too much for girlfriend but I think the kick it gave the soup was pretty good. It would've been better if we had some rice to go along with it, but the soup didn't come with rice. If I were a regular at this restaurant, I'd probably order the soup and some rice on the side and that would fill me up and the price of the soup is also more reasonable than their rice dishes with meat. Overall the meal and the experience was great and we would definitely recommend his place to those craving a little taste of Africa in Fayetteville. I also liked the fact that they took our first time check in coupon from Yelp, and that they had a donation box for supporting a girl's school in Ghana. We donated and I think that also added to the experience.

It was time for lunch on our long road trip south from MA to FL. Happened to be in the Fayetteville, NC area. There were several choices, but chose this because of the good reviews and the menu choices. Also, had to sit outside, our dog is with us on this trip. Not disappointed!!! Food was super flavorful, fresh, and delicious. Obviously made to order and with care. Wife had a spinach and vegetable dish with sweet potatoes that was great. I had the goat with rice and black eyed peas. Mmmm. Plenty of water and unsweetened iced tea on a hot day. Good solid professional service. Kitchen staff super nice. Highly recommended.

This might be the best restaurant in Fayetteville. Delicious Ghanian food. We stopped in for lunch; I had the fish and veggies with black eyed peas and rice with plantains on the side. Asked for it spicy and it was really spicy and delicious. Co-worker got the goat meat and rice, and that was perfectly cooked. Mango juice was large and delicious as well. This place was a delightful surprise.