African Restaurant New York: All Time Top 20 South African Restaurants NYC

Some may argue that the apartheid put South Africa on the map while others may argue Nelson Mandela did. Whatever is your argument, you are correct because the apartheid gave birth to Madiba. Do you know what else has put South Africa on the map especially in New York? South African cuisines served in restaurants across New York.

There are many African restaurants in New York Presently and South Africa owns a great percentage. You would be amazed that there are more than enough South African restaurants in New York where you can eat out every night for a whole year and never eat at the same place twice.

Yes but there are only few of those restaurants that I can recommend. As a foodie I am only interested in taste and quality of food but while reviewing the best South African restaurant we considered more. Just like our contemporaries we were able to shortlist the all time top 20 South African Restaurants in NYC based on:

  • Taste
  • Quality of service
  • Great Ambiance
  • Consistency

If you are looking to expand your cultural palate, then these South African restaurants in New York City will leave your stomach full and your taste buds yearning for more.

Madiba Restaurant ( Permanently Closed)

Remember what I said at the beginning of this article, there is no South Africa without Madiba. Just like Madiba is the greatest South African that has ever lived, therefore anything Madiba is about greatness. No wonder she is mother of South cuisine in New York but death is inevitable. Just like Mandela is deceased but alive in our memories, so is Madiba restaurant New York.

They served local and lekker dishes like Samoosas, Oxtail, Biltong, Chicken Livers, Pap en Boerewors and even “Lekker Lamb Chops”. The dessert menu is filled with delicious classics such as Malva Pudding and Melktert, obviously, the wine selection in South African too.

CategoryBest South African Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York
Popular DishesMalva Pudding
Melktert
Samoosas
Oxtail
Biltong
Chicken Livers
Pap en Boerewors
Lekker Lamb Chops
ServicesReservations
Private Dining
Address 195 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Opening Hoursnil
Contact Infonil

Now the official count down begins:

Top 20 best South African Restaurants in New York

Kaia Wine Bar

Farm-to-table small plates, with craft beers & a New World wine list emphasizing South Africa. The Kaia Wine Bar‘s motto is “Home is where the hut is”. Located in Yorkville, Upper East Side, New York City. The menu is predominantly Afrikaans but has translations for each dish. The bar serves over 50 South African wines and cocktails with a South African twist.

This restaurant is a top choice for wine lovers. Their menu has a unique take on South African food with items such as Rooibos Tee En Bosbessie Vark Ribbetjies (rooibos tea and cranberry BBQ pork ribs) and the classic Bunny Chow. They also offer unique sliders.

CategorySouth African Restaurant in Yorkville , New York
Popular DishesDUKKA HOENDER
WILDEVARK
VISKOEKIE
BEDUIWELDE EIERS
GEBAKTE SUURLEMOENE
SAMP EN BONE BREDIE
KAIA SLAAI
WITWORTEL SOP & KAAS SAMIE
WILDE STEURGARNALE MET GEROOKTE PAPRIKA EN PERI PERI SOUS
GEROOSTERDE EENDBORIE
ELK CARPACCIO
WILDE SAMPIOEN ‘MAC EN KAAS’
BOBOTIE
LAM BURGER
ROOIBOS TEE EN BOSBESSIE VARK RIBBETJIES
ServicesHealth Score  – A
Happy Hour Specials – Yes
Takes Reservations – Yes
Delivery – Yes
Address 1614 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10128
b/t 90th St & 91st St
Yorkville, Upper East Side
Opening Hours Mon-Thur 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri-Sat 4:00 pm – 12:30 am
Sun 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Contact Info (212) 722-0490

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Chicky’s Restaurant

There is nothing as amazing as division of labour. Once she agrees to go on a date with you, you immediately choose the place. There is no better place for a date night in New York than Chicky’s Restaurant. The prices are fair, the staffs are friendly and the taste is amazing.

It’s easy to say that my favorite thing from Chicky’s is their Peri Peri Fries with spicy mayo sauce. This restaurant gives you a good opportunity to experiment with your taste buds.

CategoryBest South African Restaurant in Jamaica, New York
Popular DishesSweet Potato Fries
Rice
Mac and Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Butter Corn
ColeSlaw
Mixed Vegetables
Garlic Bread
Chicken and Waffles
ServicesTakes Reservations Yes
Delivery Yes
Take-out Yes
Accepts Credit Cards Yes
Address248-43 Jericho Turnpike
NY 11426
United States
Opening Hours Mon-Sun
11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Contact Info (516) 426-5717

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Peri Peri Grill House

If you are a lover of great grilled foods like chicken wings, chicken parts, corn, salads and much more.

Peri Peri chicken, flame-grilled with your spice level of choice. Here at Peri Peri Grill House we’re all about the spice, that fiery Peri Peri chili spice blend to be exact. We specialize in grilled-to-order chicken, that is marinated overnight in our blend of Peri Peri spices, and then flame-grilled to your spice level of choice. Born in Southeast Africa, crafted by the Portuguese, and now welcomed by Bed-Stuy. From our marination to our table sauces, we’ve got a spice for you to enjoy!

CategoryBest South African Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York
Popular DishesLamb Chops
Peri Peri fries
Peri peri rice
Burger
Services Health Score  A
Vegan Options Yes
Takes Reservations No
Delivery Yes
Address 235 Malcolm X Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11233
b/t Hancock St & Halsey St
Bedford Stuyvesant
Opening Hours Tue- Wed 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Thu- Sat 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Contact Info (917) 966-8614

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

La Savane Restaurant

If you want to briefly transfer to sunny Africa, – visit the restaurant of African cuisine La Savane. African cuisine is a mixture of traditions of many countries of the continent. Most often, this cuisine is prepared on the basis of cereals, legumes, olives, nuts, local fruits and vegetables. In meat dishes preference is given to veal and lamb.

CategoryBest South African Restaurant in Harlem, New York
Popular Dishes Poisson Braise/grilled Fish
Poisson Grille/ Fried Fish
Gigot
ServicesHealth Score C
Takes Reservations Yes
Delivery Yes
Take-out Yes
Address 239 W 116th St New York, NY 10026 b/t 7th Ave & St Nicholas Ave Harlem
Opening HoursMon-Sun 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Contact Info (646) 490-4644

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Mandela Halal Buffet

CategoryBest South African Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York
Popular Dishes BBQ Chicken
Jerk Chicken/Jerk Chicken Wings
Curry Chicken
Brown Stewed Chicken
Fried Chicken
Services Health Score  A
Takes Reservations Yes
Delivery Yes
Take-out Yes
Address267 Troy Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11213
b/t Lincoln Pl & St Johns Pl
Crown Heights
Opening Hours Mon – Sun 8:00 am – 12:00 am
Contact Info (347) 348-9615

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Braai South African Wine & Cuisine

The Braai South African Wine & Cuisine was first established in New York City way back in the year 2005. The South African chef wanted to do this business in her own country, however, things didn’t work out well and she had to move out and live in another place. When she went to NYC, the chef figured out that her passion for cooking and her goal to build her own business can still be pursued even after leaving the country she loved so much. After all, this could be a way to let other people know more about South African cuisine and culture.

She knew that it won’t be easy since she’s alone in planning to create this restaurant but then, she still received a great help form many people. With the help of her family, the chef first started to learn how to adapt to the new place and environment. It wasn’t hard to do since almost all the people they met in New York City were all nice and great. After a year, she started planning and organizing everything for the business she wants to create. In the year 2005, the Braai South African Wine & Cuisine was successfully put up. The people in New York are very fond of this restaurant because they get to discover new dishes and learn about the culture of South Africa.

Braai is located in Hells Kitchen, New York City and is said to be a hidden gem. The owners also own a South African wine bar called Xai Xai. Their menu has options like Mini-Sosaties, Bobotie and offers sides like Slap Chips, Samp and Chakalaka. For dessert, you can have Koeksisters and Lemon Meringue.

CategoryBest South African Restaurant in Manhattan, New York
Popular DishesPeri Peri chicken wings
Grilled Lamb Chops
Biltong
Services Delivery
Takeout Available
Serves Alcohol
Brunch
Outdoor Seating
Address325 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Opening HoursMon-Thur 5pm-11pm
Fri 5pm – 12am
Sat 11am-12am
Sun 11am-11pm
Contact Info +12123153315

Rating: 3 out of 5.

These restaurants mentioned above are the all time top 20 South African restaurants in NYC. They offer the best South African cuisine and you can feel the culture and warmed of Africa once you step into any of these venues. Africans and foreigners are encouraged to pay a visit.