African in Dallas

Addis Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant

100 S.Central Express Way, Ste. 65 Richardson & Vicinity

972-480-0100

African, Ethiopian, Best Of

1 article

Aso Rock Market

18110 Midway Road, Suite 208 North Dallas

214-393-4390

African, Market

It’s fitting that a city as geographically large as Dallas has a market and eatery that claims a whole large continent as its inspiration; their “About Us” blurb states on their website states, “As a market, we operate within the African Food and Grocery space, offering produce and the best-branded products from across the African regions.”

This location, named for the Aso Rock formation in Nigeria, offers not only dry good groceries such as spices (asiko thyme), oils (akabanga chili oil), and grains (akanozo amasaka flour), but also has a fresh meat section, produce and a sizable frozen area of prepared food and/or perishables. They also have several varieties of bottled beverages, including their own branded natural spring water and sorrel juice. While not overly large at about three aisles of Afrocentric products, it offers a lot more than the local international aisle at our local national chain grocery store, where, at best, if we’re lucky there might be half of one shelf offering anything comparable to what Aso Rock Market has in plentiful amounts.

This location also has a kitchen and provides daily prepared food presented cafeteria-style at a hot bar, which they refer to as “the joint." All the varieties offered at the joint can be a bit overwhelming to those not familiar with African cuisine, but the staff is helpful by answering questions.

2 articles

Cafe Nubia

3920 Rosemeade Parkway, Ste. 100 North Dallas

469-892-6796

African, Mediterranean

Cafe Nubia is a vibrant spot with a menu that blends Middle Eastern and African cuisine. Get plates of shawarma, falafel and hummus, catering to both carnivores and vegetarians. There's a full bar, large patio (with hookah) and live music on occasion.

1 article

CLUB NAI

11345 EMERALD ST, SUITE 103 Northwest Dallas

469-516-2327

African, Bar Food, Bars and Clubs, Grill

lighting up the Dallas’ Nightlife scene the new Club Nai is the perfect place To Be, Be Seen, Socialize & Celebrate. Captivating style, cutting edge music and World Class service has separated this exclusive venue from all the rest. Located in the Royal Lane and Emerald street , Club Nai encompasses 5,000 square feet of retail space and features state of the art Audio, Video and Lighting systems. This sophisticated venue is also a completely unique and versatile space for corporate functions, private events, receptions, wedding events, and so on from 20 to 350. From menu planning with our outside party vendors or yours, decor, flowers, entertainment, etc., our Event team can transform your most simple or specialized vision into a memorable reality. The DJs spin a progressive blend of current chart hits, house, rock, hip-hop, African , Reggae and dance music. Open Fridays , and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m., Club Nai is also an ideal venue for any special event on any day or night of the week.

1 event

Desta Ethiopian Restaurant

12101 Greenville Ave. Garland & Vicinity

214-575-9004

Ethiopian, African, Critics' Pick

Desta doesn't feel like a typical Ethiopian restaurant. The fixtures are modern and minimalist and the space could easily double as a stylish, downtown bar. The one-page menu offers a twist on classic Ethiopian cooking. Greenville Avenue just south of Richardson has a few Ethiopian restaurants. Desta's the perfect stop for those who are new to Ethiopian cooking.

3 articles

Edilycious

324 E. Belt Line Road, No. 300 Duncanville/DeSoto

972-274-1261

African, Best Of

1 article

La Libela

9191 Forest Lane North Dallas

972-792-8442

African, Best Of, Menu

1 article

Lola's Restaurant & Lounge

3435 N. Beltline Rd. Irving/Las Colinas

972-594-5000

African

Lola's Restaurant and Lounge in Irving markets itself as Afropolitan restaurant providing authentic African cuisines. You can try delicious Nigerian dishes such as suya (a spicy meat skewer), jollof rice, goat pepper soup and designer stew made from palm oil, fermented locust beans and bell peppers. My absolute favorite is the whole fried fish that is a mix of spicy and savory and shrouded in delectable crispy edges. If you are feeling adventurous try the cow’s feet.

1 article

Pangea Restaurant & Bar

6309 N. President George Bush Highway #8101 Garland & Vicinity

214-703-2222

African, Critics' Pick, Essentials

Chef Kevin Ashade calls himself “globally trained,” and that education shows itself on a menu that hops across the world, with flavors of France, Jamaica, Asia, West Africa and the American South. Ashade became a champion on Beat Bobby Flay by topping the celebrity chef’s recipe for coq au vin, and Pangea’s recreation of that reality TV moment is a terrific order. But so are crab cakes with almost no filler, Nigerian grilled suya and Jamaican-style beef patty pastries. This restaurant in Garland takes advantage of that suburb’s ample extra space, with two patios and a fabulous bar.

Top pick: Ashade is a master of carbohydrates. At one point, this author managed to have mashed potatoes, grits, risotto, cornbread and macaroni and cheese all at a table occupied by two diners. The champ? Five-cheese jalapeño grits, with the risotto — a twist on African jollof rice — coming in at an honorable second place.

Queen Of Sheba Restaurant

14875 Inwood Rd. Addison

972-525-7966

African, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Italian

One of the most recognizable exported cuisines from the Motherland comes from the eastern side of the continent. The rise of Ethiopian immigrants arriving to the United States probably started in the ‘70s when the country was facing food shortages and political unrest. Over the years the numbers of East Africans have risen and as they carve out a new life in Dallas we can thank the heavenly stars they brought their food with them. Queen of Sheba was the first to introduce me to the enchanting rich flavors of Ethiopian food. If you have never tried it, it will be an experience you won't easily forget.

Inejra (a spongy sour fermented crepe-like flatbread) is the staple of each meal. Your entrée of choice is spread out in a decadent fashion across the injera with extra rolls of injera on the side to be the vehicle you use to eat with. No utensils are needed. I almost always order the kitfo (minced raw beef with various spices) as an appetizer. Other personal favorites are the doro wot (slow-cooked chicken with butter sauce and berbere) and the Tibse (round beef with red onions, jalapeno, garlic in a spicy butter sauce). Ethiopian is famously spicy, so if you can’t take the heat be sure to let them know. Don’t try to be a hero.

1 article

African in Dallas

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