The thought of Africa, to most people, brings to mind the shanties, poor governance, and poverty. On the flip side, at least those who have visited know about the safaris, savanna, rich culture, and beaches. There’s more to African culture, and here we show you African countries with the best food.
Mind you; there are numerous tribes in Africa and all of which have unique but also great meals. We are here to explore and show you a few of the best options. Bottom-line, we are diverse, and so is our food.
Africans are nothing short of strong, resilient, confident people, but we attribute that to our culture and the food. It’s hard to please everyone, and I would love to list every country because of our uniqueness, but I can only mention a few.
It doesn’t mean your country has no great food if it’s not listed. The list mentions the different regions of Africa. Remember, our food is eclectic, but we will represent you well here.
1. Kenya – Pride
Let’s say our food is eclectic, and it’s hard to say there’s one particular meal representing the entire nation. Notice that Kenya has over 42 tribes, all unique in their cooking and eating.
Nonetheless, you can be sure to have your palate needs fulfilled. In Africa, we are the most versatile in culture and ready to embrace the good parts of different global cultures and foods. This is why you’ll find almost every cuisine in this country. We love to test the waters.
This doesn’t mean that we don’t have our unique delicacies. The most common one is Nyama Choma. You won’t eat it any other way but with Ugali. Besides that, we have a variety of githeri, pilau, Omena, and fish stew.
2. Nigeria – Rich
Home of spice is what I like to call Nigerian food, but when I say Nigerian food, allow me to use Nigeria to describe the more giant west African foods. As an outsider, I feel their food is generally similar across the west. But maybe even rich is an understatement for these authentic delicacies.
This is where they will turn something you didn’t think could be edible into an insurmountable meal. As one of my closest Nigerian friend likes to say: ‘we refuse to waste and will make a great meal even out of cow skin”. I love the richness of flavor and the blend of different ingredients in a single pot.
Well, Nigerian meals are for Nigerians and those like me who love to play around with spice. This is your go-to if you also like the colors and hot spicy.
Talk of the famous Jollof rice, Egusi soup, fufu, Efo, and gizi dodo, among others. Note that: Nigerian food features hundreds of options to try. If you’re open-minded, take the time to explore the fantastic meals.
3. Uganda – Variety
I love the simplicity and yet authenticity of the Ugandan meals. Let’s say Uganda has one of the most blessed lands on earth. This is the country to go to when you talk of multiple ingredients. Uganda is all about variety; if you want diversity, you can enjoy it in Uganda.
Not only does Uganda have a rich culture, but it enjoys versatility too. However, most of the meals are centered on stew or sauce. However, they also love using peanuts as part of the ingredients. Peanut is to Ugandans what coconut is to Tanzanians and palm oil to Nigerians.
If you like to explore, this is another country you want to visit for food tourism as it’s affordable.
The home of matoke is a go-to if you like different styles of bananas. But you should also try oluwombo, Katogo, chapati, and many more great foods.
4. Ethiopia – Distinct and Colorful
There are different ways to describe Ethiopian food because they, like many countries, have several foods. But let’s say that Injera is a global sensation; if you haven’t tasted it, you should.
Ethiopia is also one of the largest African countries but has a relatively high population. It’s also one of the countries that still holds on to its culture dearly. With all the social gatherings, you can be sure they show only the best foods.
In addition, they have a variety unique to their taste buds. If you like diversity, then Ethiopian cuisine will be your hub.
However, the food is earthy, sour, savory, and pungent. They like to use the Berbere spice, a blend of different flavors.
The food is primarily spicy but unique to Ethiopians, just like their delicious, rich, aromatic coffee. Try injera, Kitfo, Shiro, and tibs before you venture into anything else.
5. Tanzania- Smoky, communal, and delicious
Here you have a variety of foods. Well, Tanzania, just like the neighboring country Kenya is not only about the safaris and great beaches; they have great, spicy, flavorful food. Tanzania is a communal country, and the food is also part of the combined treatment.
Tanzanian food enriches the communal culture as they also like bringing families together to enjoy meals. You have a wide selection in Tanzania, from meats to pork and rice. The food brings people together while ensuring they make only the greatest food.
I love their mshikaki, chips mayai, plantain, and pilau, among other meals. If you like food made with coconut milk, you will enjoy the one they offer here.
6. South Africa – Fusion flavors
When we talk of South African delicacies, we talk about a blend of foods. South Africa has several cultures that make it a country and different foods. South Africa is also home to hundreds of great meals.
Nonetheless, the food has a lot of influence from the cultures outside South Africa. It ranges from French to Indian, British, Dutch, and many other flavors.
With this, we mentioned countries with the best cuisines, and you can be sure to find the best meals. The different flavors are still making their way into South African homes.
We say South Africa is home to diversity and trickles down to food. Make sure you try Braai, boerewors, boboties, and more when you visit.
7. Egypt – Distinctive
Of course, Egypt will be on the list to ensure we capture the Arabic flavors we love. For the love of Mediterranean cuisine, try the Egyptian style of food. Egypt is all about the history and rich culture, including food.
It’s right to say that Egyptian cuisine has some of the best meals in the world that stand out. Well, Egypt brings in flavors from Greece, France, and more.
Let’s talk about hummus, Fatteh, Hawawshi, Stuffed Pegion, Shawerma, Kebda, and more. Egypt will excite your palate needs.
I enjoy their baklava and which is your best dessert from Egypt.
8. Tunisian – Universal
In Tunisia, you have the perfect blend of French and African flavors. Think of Tunisian food, and couscous comes to mind. You will probably find the best and most hearty lamb and perfectly fresh seafood.
They aren’t only about the food; they also blend in the best wines to take with the food. They, too, bring Mediterranean flavors to the table. Check out some of their go-to options that, include Shakshuka, Ojja, and Harrisa are some of the best options to try.
9. Morocco – Wholesome
Here is another one of the wealthiest cuisine as it brings in a blend of different flavors of Mediterranean origin. In addition, you will also find a combination of French and Spanish flavors if you like food that’s not only colorful, it’s rich and flavorful with subtle spice.
Note that the food here has a slight influence on the sub-Saharan flavors. We all like Morroco’s hearty, flavorful, and wholesome meals. It’s had to use words to describe these great meals following a single word.
Check out Moroccan tagines, Moroccan chicken bastilla, lamb or beef with prunes, and Mechoui.
10. Ghana – spicy and flavorful
From birthday celebrations to just the regular days, you can have some of the greatest meals, but of course, they have a few similar flavors as Nigerian delicacies. They have lots of stews, and they include lots of tomatoes too.
They like to use their indigenous spices, thus making their food authentic. Ghanaians have the perfect and definite foods for all to enjoy. Whether veggies, meats, or your Waakiye, they make the food memorable with the different flavors.
I know one thing is that the beef between Nigerian and Ghanaian Jollof will never end. I’m also not about to join the tussle, but it’s one of the most common dishes here. Check out Banku, Kelewele, Fufu, and more.
11. Madagascar – Finger-licking good
If you somehow enjoy Asian flavors, you’ll love the Madagascar flavors. What’s better is that you get to enjoy island life as well. The meals, in this case, feature the influence of India, China, Africa, and parts of Europe.
Best believe they enjoy rice and some sought source. Whenever you are on the beaches, you can enjoy the different flavors of Madagascar.
When eating this cuisine, prepare for spicy but also chili food. They like lots of curries; you can bet it has garlic, ginger, tomatoes, spices, and chilies.
I like a few of their meal options: Ravitoto, Sesika, Fish in coconut sauce, Akoho, and more.
12. Botswana – Indigenous
The truth is that while Botswana has its authentic food, they also share some of its delicacies with south Africa. They still enjoy several traditional dishes with different fruits and nuts.
Note that while you will have the usual beef or goat for the meats, they also offer meats like giraffe and ostrich meat, meaning there are lots of game meat to enjoy.
You’ll also find different fruits in this country, but that’s not all. They retain the authenticity of their meals.
Check out: Dikgobe, Seswaa, and Mogodu for a taste of the south.
13. Mozambique – Exotic
This country is abundant in agriculture and has Arabic and Portuguese influence in its food. They are the colonizers of Mozambique. The great thing is that you will enjoy the different flavors wherever you are.
But like most other African countries, you will have cassava and rice as their primary carbohydrate. They also like vegetables, meats, beans, and fish.
When trying the meals, you should consider the following: xima, peri-peri chicken, prawns, rice in coconut, and Dobrada, among others.
14. Seychelles – Delicious
We must talk about the islanders because we love it here too. The country is not only about the island; it has excellent food you can enjoy. The food here has lots of influence from Spanish, British, French, Africans, Asians, and the list goes on.
I know most people remember this island for its beaches, but it has more great things, including rich culture and food. You can be sure that, like the other African countries, you will have the local fish, fruits, veggies, and many other ingredients.
Ensure you eat their bat curry, grilled fish, coconut curry, breadfruit, and more.
Things to note
You will have a balanced diet in Africa, even if you’re a health fan. They have rich carbs, veggies, meats, and fruits. The best part is that we source most food from our farms.
If you visit any of the countries here, you will notice that they, too, like to have three meals a day and more. We attribute this to the fact that we often have garden food.
If you like coffee, don’t worry, you can find it in Ethiopia, and traditionally brewed coffee is the best. Forget about the processed options.
Generally, we love food; it remains the standard way to bring families together. Mind you, we sincerely enjoy our authentic cuisine.
If it’s the different styles of cooked veggies you would like to eat, don’t worry because you will have them. We have some meals for everyone. Even vegans and vegetarians will have something to eat in these counties.
We value our guests and are always ready to serve you a meal, so be prepared to sample it. Even if it’s not the same as yours, you may as well love it as many foreigners have loved it.
There’s no country I would say has better food than the other. Note that our judgment is affected by our taste buds and culture, which is why I say to each their own, and I celebrate us all with our uniqueness. In a nutshell, ours is the best.
But which cuisine did I leave out? We are showing you African countries with the best food. Let me make it clear that all African countries have uniquely delicious food.