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 of them. 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.
Category | Best South African Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York |
---|---|
Popular Dishes | Malva Pudding Melktert Samoosas Oxtail Biltong Chicken Livers Pap en Boerewors Lekker Lamb Chops |
Services | Reservations Private Dining |
Address | 195 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 |
Opening Hours | nil |
Contact Info | nil |
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.
Category | South African Restaurant in Yorkville , New York |
---|---|
Popular Dishes | DUKKA 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 |
Services | Health 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 |
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.
Category | Best South African Restaurant in Jamaica, New York |
---|---|
Popular Dishes | Sweet Potato Fries Rice Mac and Cheese Mashed Potatoes Butter Corn ColeSlaw Mixed Vegetables Garlic Bread Chicken and Waffles |
Services | Takes Reservations Yes Delivery Yes Take-out Yes Accepts Credit Cards Yes |
Address | 248-43 Jericho Turnpike NY 11426 United States |
Opening Hours | Mon-Sun 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Contact Info | (516) 426-5717 |
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!
Category | Best South African Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York |
---|---|
Popular Dishes | Lamb 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 |
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.
Category | Best South African Restaurant in Harlem, New York |
---|---|
Popular Dishes | Poisson Braise/grilled Fish Poisson Grille/ Fried Fish Gigot |
Services | Health 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 Hours | Mon-Sun 11:00 am – 1:00 am |
Contact Info | (646) 490-4644 |
Mandela Halal Buffet
Category | Best 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 |
Address | 267 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 |
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.
Category | Best South African Restaurant in Manhattan, New York |
---|---|
Popular Dishes | Peri Peri chicken wings Grilled Lamb Chops Biltong |
Services | Delivery Takeout Available Serves Alcohol Brunch Outdoor Seating |
Address | 325 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, USA |
Opening Hours | Mon-Thur 5pm-11pm Fri 5pm – 12am Sat 11am-12am Sun 11am-11pm |
Contact Info | +12123153315 |
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.