The Best Spots To Eat Jollof Rice In Accra

Ghana and Nigeria’s jollof wars and Sister Deborah’s catchy song may have gotten people to make mention of the delicacy more but the tasty rice in tomato sauce dish has always stayed at the top tier in Accra’s traditional and cosmopolitan dining scene. Here’s our pick of the best places for that unforgettable Ghana jollof rice flavor.

1. Crossroads Bar, Osu

Bar, Pub Grub

The main appeal here is hearty home cooking that remains true to Ghanaian classics. Off Oxford street in Osu and right opposite Royal Yacht, you’ll find Crossroad Bar, an entertainment venue and local food basket which also serves alcoholic beverages and caters to fine music genres. Your nose might sense the mesmeric jollof rice which goes with some spicy green sauce and chicken, pork, turkey, fish or meat. Food is ready after about 20 minutes after you place an order, otherwise, it could also be an instantaneous affair when you order by phone prior to your visit.

2. Millionaires Sports Bet—Osu

A casino that doubles as an appraised jollof joint? Yes. Their juicy chicken and assorted meat and fish are prepared with traditional spices that add to the remarkable taste of the affordable meal. You might not be interested in servicing the slot machines, but the plate which is always served hot with the local dark pepper sauce (shito) would surely make you feel like a winner. You could spread their fresh vegetable salad on the side of your serving and let the meal ravish your senses. This spot, also located off the Osu Oxford Street, is open 24 hours, so hop in at any time and place an order for some Ghana jollof.

Location and Phone Number:

Dr Esther Ocloo Street, +233 54 841 4958

The Casino can be found a short distance from Oxford Street – Osu |© Oluniyi Ajao / Flickr

Fridays—Sakumono

Sakumono—one of the laid-back communities which connect Tema to suburbs of Accra—is not only known for bird-watching and its beautiful beach side. Fridays’ jollof brings the queue in. For your affordable, typical home-cooked jollof, ply the Spintex road or Teshie road if you’re coming from Accra or the beach road if from Tema and you won’t miss the strategically positioned popular Fridays bar. If you’re into chicken or kebabs, their cuts can be a weighty mouthful. There are all kinds of drinks available in the bar to keep the thirst exiled. Check in between 9 a.m.–11 p.m. on any day for those fine grains. Normally, expect to be served in less than ten minutes, except on busy days.

Location and Phone Number:

B-C Line Street, +23330 340 1431

3. Le Grand Ecuyer

On Accra’s Ring Road, one of the trendiest French restaurants in Accra also happens to be one of the main spots with recommendable jollof. Their goat meat, fish, or beef goes well with the package. Also, they have flavor-filled organic plugs for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free visitors. Le Grand Ecuyer opens from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day.

Location and Phone Number:

Ring Road, +23327 490 7238

Jollof rice served with fried plantain and salad |© secretlondon123 / Flickr

4. Dolphin Spot

Bar, Restaurant, Fast Food

At Dolphin Spot, the food and atmosphere are both reliably evocative of Ghana. Actually, the ambiance makes for a cool spot for a first date, especially over jollof. Their staff are very friendly and dedicated, so they’re ever ready to serve you warm jollof all day long. For your notice, it is advisable to order in advance. Otherwise, if you can stand the 30-minute wait, you’d want to grab an appetizer or watch football on the huge screens at the social bar area.

5. Bar Naas

Bar, African

Not only is the food super, but the rustic, cozy ambiance of this East Legon space will get you coming back for more. Very few East Legon spots are more romantic than this one. Customer service is satisfactory, but the plates are worth the bite. There are different types of sauces to pick from, whether spicy or mild. Salad and coleslaw are also available, aside boiled eggs, fish, or meat. Prices are affordable here and there’s easy access to transportation routes by road.

6. Captain Hooks

Located in Cantonments near the Goethe-Institut and Nafti Film School, Captain Hooks—one of Accra’s most popular seafood spots—also houses chefs who have the Ghana jollof touch. Prices are a bit high but the ambiance, due to the sophisticated décor and zero traffic, makes it worth the stake. They serve chilled tongue-sizzling after-work drinks and rare appetizers. Their plates of snail facon du chef, lobster tail with smoked salmon, and dill sauce with jollof must be meant for stomach wall orgasms.

Location and Phone Number:

Kakramadu Rd, +23324 433 0709

Fine grain jollof rice |© Charles Haynes / Flickr

7. Labadi Beach

Restaurant, African

If you want a combo of the relaxing beach experience while you dig into a delicious plate of jollof rice, your best bet is Labadi Beach. Labadi Beach or La Pleasure Beach is situated on the breezy coasts in La opposite the Trade Fair. The space is usually packed with locals and tourists of all age groups on weekends but is more serene on weekdays. There are a few mini restaurants and a myriad of bars to check out, especially the Akwaaba Restaurant, where the popular chef, Gary Howard, makes great things happen in of the kitchen. Aside jollof, there are a range of dishes, from traditional West African to continental.

Zen Gardens

At the juncture where Orphan Crescent meets Elite Sports lane in Labone, Accra, you’ll find the cocktail-lounge atmosphere with hip flair Zen Garden space. The warm wooden tables have seen amazing jollof rice servings that give the space some great potential for a sensational Ghanaian night. Improvements in the customer service and maintenance should be made, but altogether the gardens look promising. Their jollof rice goes with fresh cut avocado salad and smoked beef or fish. The menu also has a variety of fast food dishes, smoothies, and soul food to be enjoyed in the serene and cozy environment. If you forget to bring your mosquito repellant, it’s advisable to use the indoor space for dinner. Zen opens daily from 8 a.m. till 11 p.m.

Location and Phone Number:
Next to Elite Sports, Labone, +233 24 493 3339

Rosy ambiance as you enjoy the Zen jollof

In Accra, some of the best jollof rice spots are often the simplest, so don’t be disillusioned by the plain setups. Aside the plush restaurants, do try the roadside kiosk kitchens in Tema, Labone, Osu, and East Legon for that unforgettable but wallet-friendly plate.

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