For 25 years, Abyssinia has been beloved by Memphians. The space is colorful, warm, and welcoming, as are the owners, husband-wife team Mohamed Abdi and Meserat Andeberehan. The consensus is that you can’t go wrong with anything you pick. Among the general must-haves are spicy lentils, cabbage, and salmon goulash/spaghetti. The veggie platter also comes with high praise; served with injera (the spongy Ethiopian flatbread), you won’t need a fork, unless you want one.

Named after the former Moroccan stronghold in Spain, Andalusia is owned by Hanan Boukhari, who has brought a taste of her home country to the M! From the beautiful, hand-painted tiles to the traditional Moroccan tea sets, Andalusia is always a delight. It feels like you’ve been transported across the globe, at least for the moment. There is much to rave about, like their signature dishes—Moroccan lasagna, chicken pastilla, Berber-style brochettes, couscous, and, of course, mint tea.

In 2019, Bala Tounkara opened Bala’s Bistro on Raines Road in Whitehaven before moving to a bigger, even more inviting space on Elvis Presley. Known for its ambiance—the art and the music—Bala’s is all about the flavors of West African countries with a hint of Caribbean flavor and a drop of Southern/Memphis flair. Try the buffet or my favorites—the lamb and beef okra stew with fufu, jollof rice, and jerk chicken. Vegans need not fret because there’s a heaping helping of options for you too.

Owned by Rokhaya Ndiaye for the past 13 years, this Senegalese restaurant is a surprise gem situated right on the edge of Whitehaven. It’s in an unassuming strip mall, so you have to be looking for it, to be honest. But the minute you open the door, you will be assailed in the best way by the most wonderful fragrances. Their specialties are grilled or fried fish and rice and egusi and fufu.

Nestled in a bustling strip in Whitehaven, Le Fuuta offers an alternative to the expected food options. The restaurant opened in 2012 (under different management), cooking up pork-free, palate-pleasing meals across the spectrum. Today it’s managed by Mike Mamadou, while Solomon Deaw does the cooking. The robust menu has authentic staples like fataya (Senegalese fish patty), grilled tilapia, nem de beuf et crevettes (Senegalese spring rolls), and hibiscus tea bissap.

Opened in 2019, Horn of Africa is a gem of a restaurant tucked away in a shopping strip just off of Summer Avenue. Don’t let the space’s minimalism fool you; the food is nowhere near basic. Samira Ahmad, who is also a gem of a human, runs the restaurant and will offer you a wonderful amuse-bouche in the form of the delicious Ethiopian spiced tea (clove and cinnamon) as you wait. The lentils on the veggie plate are life-changing!

This family-owned Somali eatery and grocery is owned and operated by Mohamed Abubakar, Saido Jama, and their son Abdullahi Abdullahi. It’s known for its authentic halal food and some of the best tea and curry goat around these parts. According to Abdullahi, you should definitely try the bariis iskukaris (rice mixed with any kind of meat), the spaghetti plate, and the dhabati (flatbread). Lamb and rice is a fan favorite!

You can find this West African food truck outside of the Cash Saver grocery in Midtown. It’s on a pretty busy lot, so don’t blink or you’ll miss it. Ask for Tinuke “Tee” Monsurrat or Mary Ojo—the Ms in M&M, and the sisters who own M&M Kitchen. They will happily guide you through what’s what on their menu, which is full of Afro-Caribbean fusion food and flavors. The smell of Nigerian and West Indian spices will pull you right in, but only on weekends! They’re only open Friday through Sunday.

If you push a little further down Summer, you’ll find Mammy’s Dish, where Tiru Birhane offers Ethiopian fare she learned from watching her mother, and YouTube! It’s a fairly new spot next to the family’s market. It’s giving real-deal with the thatch hut in the dining area. And it’s open a little later than most, until 10 p.m. The chicken stew pleases most any palate at Mammy’s Dish. Try the kitifo (ground beef with spices and cardamom), veggie platter, & the traditional Ethiopian coffee service.

As with its sister restaurant, Bala’s Bistro, you come for the food and stay for the vibes. Co-owned by cousins Mady Magassa and Bala Tounkara, it’s as colorful and inviting as the West African and Caribbean countries it represents. And as colorful as us Memphians. You come in and are immediately engaged by African artwork and textiles and energized by African music. The West African—Caribbean—Memphian BBQ flavors are expertly mixed.

Sheger is holding it down for the diaspora on Macon Road. It recently switched ownership, and Amir Pauti has given the dining room and menu a facelift. He’s also added a full-service coffee bar. The rich, delicious Ethiopian flavors and big ol’ portions will have you coming back for more. You’ll find a traditional Ethiopian breakfast, the best injera in the city, and specialities like doro and lamb wet.

Formerly Blue Nile, StickEM opened its brick and mortar space during the height of the pandemic in 2020 as a carryout-only space. They have since weathered the storms to remain a Midtown Memphis must. And make no mistake, these ain’t your ordinary kabobs. Whether it’s tofu, shrimp, steak, chicken, lamb, or the melt-in-your-mouth, speak-to-your-soul brisket, the combination of spices from owner Ermyias Shiberou’s native Ethiopia take everything up a notch. The veggies are chef’s kiss.