Visited their brick-and-mortar store for the first time and had a really good time! Ambience was amazing, fun, friendly, and colorful. Inside is filled with plants and lights. The high ceiling made the space super open. Food was delicious too! We got the Wing Trio and the Goat Stew Jollof Meal to share with a side of Fufu. Everything went super well together. I particularly love the Suya Wings in Tamarind and Mango Sauce. The sauce of the Goat Stew was also flavorful but the meat itself was rather dry. Overall, not bad though with all the sides that it came with. Incredible staffs all around. You definitely get what you paid for. Come hungry cause their portions are huge! read more

Akadi PDX - Goat Stew Jollof Meal - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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My boyfriend and I stopped in for dinner before a night of dancing. I had my heart set on the fufu but learned it was not gluten free. I ended up getting the whole fish with plantains. The fish and plantains were very flavorful and would recommend. My boyfriend got the jollof rice dish with chicken. The flavors and spice stood out and would also recommend. The dishes overall were good and the service was a little bit slower. I do recommend reservations. read more

Akadi PDX - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I don't have much experience w/ African food besides Ethiopian but this is my favorite African food so far I've tried. We had a fried pompano fish and a goat stew and some chicken wings. I think the fish was my favorite but everything was pretty good. The fish was rich and buttery and came w/ plantains & Frufru (kinda like fermented mashed potatoes but from cassava). There's a good amount of meat but you gotta work for it so if ur on a date and don't wanna look like a savage maybe don't order it. The wings we got were the green ones (forget the name) they were aight but I wished I picked one of the other flavors. The goat stew was in a tomatoey stew so I didn't like it so much bc i don't like tomato soups that much but the goat was very tender it comes w/ jollof rice which for the same reason i don't like so much cause the tomatoeyness. But still good overall. My one complaint, which I didn't bring up at the time just cause I think it wouldn't have done anything is that when we came in on a Tuesday night they had a live saxophonist playing which was kinda cool but also annoying cause we had to shout to hear each other across the table and when ordering to our server. But then we were surprised by a $10 live music charge on our bill at the end. And that was already after we had given a cash tip to the musician. I was bothered it wasn't mentioned beforehand bc I honestly would've preferred no music and $10 off my bill. The service was polite but besides taking your order and bringing your food they don't come to check on you. However they are usually keeping an eye but you need to wave at them. read more

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This was our second time coming in. We loved the first time we were in. I had been craving the egusi stew for ages and we finally made it back in. But unfortunately we weren't as impressed as our initial visit. We had reservations for 7:15, showed up at 7 and stood by the entrance waiting to be checked in with the staff. A staff member was available and came by at 7:15, and then we were checked in. Though had to wait till 7:25 to be seated. I got the egusi goat stew with a side of fufu, and the bouake drink. My partner got the jollaf rice with goat plate. These were both dishes we ordered in the past and loved. This time around the jollaf rice was heavily more tomato seasoned, and the goat was saltier than what we remembered. The egusi stew as well was more salty. I ordered more fufu on the side to eat more with the stew. The drink however was delicious. It was a coconut milk and tamarind syrup zero proof drink. Overall I recommend to get a reservation because there were so many people with reservations at the same time as us who weren't seated yet either. read more

Akadi PDX - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Booked my reservation a week in advance. The restaurant was full, but it's not crowded. It feels like there's a lot of open space. Live music playing "Our God is an Awesome God!" Wings were awesome! read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for a while, and it was everything I thought it would be and more! A friend said that this space used to be a brewery, so it had a loftier feel than I was expecting, but I think they've done a good job of making their space their own. Lots of plants, and earthy tones, and African decor. We made a reservation since it was a Friday night, and I'd highly recommend doing that. The place was consistently busy. I like that the tables are spaced out nicely so you don't feel like you're intruding on other people's conversations/space. The service was great. Our waiter was extremely kind and had the right balance of checking on us while allowing us to enjoy our dining experience. The order to receiving food speed was also really good. We had a mix of carnivores and vegans in our party. One that that's really nice about this place is that there are plenty of standard, vegan, and gluten-free options. If you're low-carb, this place not be the one for you. Our party ordered: - Jollof with tofu - Tomato stew with tofu - Jollof with tilapia - Peanut stew with chicken Everything was fantastic! My husband had the fish and it was unbelievable -- perfectly cooked and very flavorful. I had the tomato stew and couldn't get over the fresh, deep flavors. It has the right kind of heat level to it. The other people in our party also thought their dishes were really good. read more

Akadi PDX - Jollof with tilapia - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Bakari was our server and he was extremely attentive. He suggested the goat stew, the Egusu chicken with fufu and the fried chicken wings as an appetizer to pair with the plantains. The chicken appetizer was deliciously paired with the plantains just as he suggested! read more

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I want to preface this review by saying that maybe west African food is just not my favorite. It's very carb heavy and not a lot of variety. I ordered the appetizer sampler platter, which was my favorite. The dipping sauce was good. I loved all the plantains that were included in the dishes. We ordered the peppered fish plate, which was my favorite of the entrees. Also ordered poulet choukouya. For stews ordered the peanut butter one, mushroom one and chicken. The stews I probably wouldn't personally order again I felt like they didn't have a lot of flavor. Also ordered Djeli Mango cocktail. The seasoned lime with that was tasty. read more

Akadi PDX - Djeli mango cocktail - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Akadi is a masterclass in West African flavors. I've been thinking about this meal since the moment I left. If you are looking for authentic, soul-warming West African cuisine with a great atmosphere, this is the spot. Goat Stew & Jollof: The goat was incredibly tender and simmered in a rich, deeply savory stew. Pairing it with the smoky Jollof Rice and fresh slaw made for a perfectly balanced plate. Fried Plantains: Honestly, some of the best I've had. They were like very sweet, perfectly fried bananas--soft, caramelized, and so good. Frufu (Corn Fritters): These were a highlight! They had a great texture--crispy on the outside and soft in the middle--and the sauce they're served with adds the perfect hit of flavor. 3-Flavor Wings: We tried three different seasonings, and every single one hit the mark. The dry rub was bold, and the sauced versions were bright and flavorful. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, made even better by the live music playing in the background. It's the kind of food and energy that feels like a hug. Everything felt fresh, intentional, and made with a lot of heart. read more

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One of the best restaurants in Portland by far! It was easy to get a reservation and the food was well worth it! I got the jollof rice with lamb shank and it was really well flavored I could remember the taste for days! Also the workers were super friendly as well! read more

Akadi PDX - Jollof rice with lamb shank - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My friend and I were in town for a concert and came across Akadi mentioned in several videos on social media. I've had African food several times, but this was her first time. I feel like we got lucky because we did not have reservations, and were able to get a table without a long wait. We were sat at a table with a couch, which was not my favorite having to sit kind of awkwardly to eat and be close enough to the table. We're both tequila drinkers so we both opted for the Djeli Mango which was delicious. Not too sweet, strong enough to know the liquor is there. I also ordered the Suya Wings as an appetizer and which were also amazing. For the main course, I ordered the jollof rice with chicken and my friend ordered the brouchette champion with root fries. You know how they say if no one is talking, that's how you know the food is good? That was us, silent at the table. I'm typically not a fan of unknown sauces on my food, but everything on the plate was SO good. I was so upset when I got full and couldn't take the rest home since we ubered there for the concert. My friend and I travel together pretty often and this restaurant is one we both still tell everyone about. She even said they were the best mushrooms she's ever had. I can't wait until I find myself back in Portland to be able to go back to Akadi! read more

Akadi PDX - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Love the vibe and the services! The food was amazing! Corn fritters is a must! Definitely will come again!

Great service and food, especially the namesake Akadi sauce! Our group of 4 had a Saturday dinner reservation, and it's a good thing we did because the place was almost completely full the whole time we were here. We had all been looking at the menu before and many things caught our eyes, so we decided to order a bunch to share. We got the Appetizer Platter, which came with 3 flavors of wings, plantains, yucca fries, and a beef and lentil samosa. We also got an order of beef samosas on the side, which was absolutely the move because they were fantastic. Everything on the appetizer sampler platter was fantastic, I could've just eaten this and been happy. For entrees we shared Red stew with chicken, Beef Brochette, and the Jolof Meal with lamb. There wasn't a crowd favorite here and most of us actually favorited something different, which is a testament to the goodness and consistency. One thing that was an around the table favorite, aside from the apps, was the Akadi Sauce. We had meant to buy some there because we noticed that they sold it. Unfortunately we forgot to, but we were lucky enough to find it in a market the next day and got 3 bottles to bring back home with us. read more

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Be sure to make a reservation or call in advance to order as they get pretty busy. I stopped by during a weekday and they were still pretty full. The outside is a little unassuming as I didn't realize it was such a big space that can even host some events. I didn't dine in this time around but just took the order to go. I would say come when you're not in a rush or have a reso as it was a little challenging to get their attention at first as nobody was at the front when I visited. If you can't decide on wings I would recommend getting the wings trio. The wings here are MASSIVE and definitely fall on the spicier/saucier side. They're not your regular wings. haha. We also ordered the jollof meal with lamb shank because why not!? The rice was super flavorful and the lamb shank was tender. Both items did get a little messy to eat so be sure to have some napkins close by. We may have over ordered for two people but we defintiely had some leftovers. Didn't get to try the drinks this time around but would be keen to come back and try some other items! read more

Akadi PDX - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We made reservations for dinner on a Thursday evening. The space is large and set up a bit randomly, but the vibes are good. Our server was kind but service was very slow. We split the appetizer platter, the chicken peanut stew with fufu, and the jollof rice meal with chicken skewers between three people. It was a perfect amount of food as the portions are generous. We enjoyed trying these items along with our drinks (the Kumasi and the Bamako). Overall, I thought the food was good but I do not feel a strong urge to return to try any other items on the menu. read more

Such a unique place for dinner. The food is yummy & the ambiance is great for a chill dinner out. read more

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We decided to try Akadi on a random Wednesday during our visit to Portland, and I am so glad we did. I had never experienced West African food before, but had heard wonderful things, and this restaurant truly lived up to the excitement. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed. The atmosphere is inviting and beautifully decorated, and the staff were attentive and kind. It set the tone for what turned out to be one of the most memorable meals of our trip. Parking was also very easy, which made getting there stress-free. We started with the sampler platter, and I can't recommend it enough for first-timers. 1. Nokoss (parsley/garlic/lemon) - fresh and vibrant. 2. Suya (dry rub) - rich and bold. 3. Hibiscus Ginger - tangy and unique. Not only was it flavorful in its own unique way from the outside, the wings were cooked to perfection and were flavorful down to the bone . For our entrees, we tried the red stew with chicken and corn fufu. The stew was hearty and comforting, reminding me a little of Filipino kaldereta, which made it feel both familiar and new at the same time. The fufu was unlike anything I've had before--soft, creamy, and fluffy all at once. It's something you have to try to really understand, and Akadi is the place to do it. We also ordered the poisson frit (fried fish) fried to perfection--crispy outside, tender inside..the kind of fried fish where you can eat the bones. This was seasoned beautifully, the texture was perfect, and it came with a beautifully balanced, tomato and onion relish..super refreshing. Another highlight was the lamb jollof. The rice was aromatic and flavorful, paired with a refreshing kale salad, and the lamb shank itself was so flavorful & tender. To drink, we had the Bouaké, a mix of coconut water and homemade tamarind syrup. It was creamy, refreshing, and reminded me of a lighter, more elevated version of Yakult--comforting and nostalgic but new at the same time. We also tried the Gnamankoudji (ginger pineapple & citrus), which had a wonderful spicy kick that was both energizing and refreshing. Overall, this was such a beautiful dining experience. Every dish was prepared with care, every flavor felt thoughtful, and the staff made us feel right at home. If you're looking for an unforgettable meal, especially if you've never had West African cuisine before, Akadi is a must-visit. If you needed an excuse to come to Portland, this might be it. I'll be posting a review on TikTok @karlocuesta read more

Akadi PDX - Lamb-Fish-Red Stew & FuFu - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great service, delicious and interesting food, and an overall great time. I was there for a birthday party, which went really nicely. There were wonderful hors d'oeuvres and great entrées. I guess I used the world great three times in this review. All I can say is I would come back. The menu is wide and can accommodate vegetarians, gluten-free people and meat eaters alike. Everything was good about this place. read more

wings were great. they were flavorful and delicious. the other dishes had an ok flavor. it seemed like the quality didn't really match the price. each dish was a bit pricey so we had high expectations but these dishes didn't meet them. we also got a $10 fee of a live performance. we didn't know this and felt a bit surprised at the end when they gave the check. it's a spacious place with nice decor. only came here because of social media but we wouldn't come back again because we don't think it's worth it. read more

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This place has been in our list for long. Food here is pretty good. Do try wings (Suya and nokos). Jolof rice with fried fish was mind blowing. Rice is full of flavour and must try. Okra stew with lamb shank was good, but the taste may not work for everyone. We did try few drinks (non alcoholic), it was just fine Overall very good experience. Do try it out . Reservation is required read more

The food was delicious. Get the suya wings and jollof with fish. Skip the peanut lamb stew unless you're a lamb lover. The food was amazing and there was a jazz band playing from 6-9pm! We were lucky to be able to walk in, but recommend making a reservation if you can. The lady working the front was kind to help us find a table when we walked in at about 5:30pm. read more

Akadi PDX - Eating on the couch enjoying the jazz music - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

In town for a trip and was contemplating where to go for dinner when I realized I was enjoying wine across the street from Akadi. Did my cursory review of the restaurant's Yelp and decided it was a go. Wthelly happened Atmosphere: Dimly lit and intimate with art hanging it looked like a great date night spot. Came alone on a Thursday and it was pretty busy. Service was slow but I think there was only 2 servers. The Food: The plantains and kale slaw were the best things on my plate. The fish was just ok, not sure if I'm used to the loaded flavors of Nigerian and Liberian jollof but Akadi's legit tasted like a microwaved Uncle Bens Spanish rice pack. Im disappointed. read more

Akadi PDX - Jolof plate with Pompano as my protein - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I really loved the spinach curry. It was so rich and delicious paired with rice. I would honestly come back just to eat the soya wings 1 million times over again. The beef samosas were also so good and the sauce that it came with was addicting. read more

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Some great African food and I hope it matches what you'd eat in Africa.. this is my first time trying this place and I wasn't disappointed. We had an appetizer of suya chicken I love the crisp and kick it hard with it, which holds a lot of good flavor. The entree was jolof rice with grilled checked, which didn't hold back either... very pleased. Flavors hit every spot and crunch of chicken and that rice hits. I highly recommend you guys check out this place. If you've never tried African food before it's not bland or boring as some people may think if they haven't tried it. read more

It's my friends and I, first time here! We really loved it as for our first time! The food was really yummy and the service was immaculate and I love the ambiance! I love how spacey and homey feeling they have here! :) definitely would come here again read more

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Amazing food and service, will stop here every time we're in Portland!! Very pretty inside too!

Just WOW! I came here with my cousin's family, and we got the appetizer platter to start. I loved all the items, especially the empanadas -- they were so flaky and buttery and had great flavor. I liked the two different plantains and the sauces that came with them as well. I had the Kumasi mocktail, Jollof plate with oxtail stew and loved it all. Everything was so flavorful and the oxtail melted in my mouth! My only wish is that we saved enough room for dessert. The service was so friendly and welcoming! read more

Akadi PDX - Jolof oxtail - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Akadi is one of my favorite restaurants in PDX. Everything is a 10/10 their appetizers, entrees and cocktails. They have great vegan options as well! They have very friendly staff and a cute interior. Definitely recommend coming here! read more

Akadi PDX - Jollof Enoki - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Loved it here! The food was delicious w/ full portions, and the menu has so many interesting options. Friendly service and chill atmosphere. Will be back. read more

Akadi PDX - Fried chikken (oyster mushrooms) with yucca fries - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We loved everything about this place. The epinard grille was on the salty side but with the corn fufu was SO good. The chicken poulet choukouya was super tender and seasoned so well that it was definitely the highlight of the night. Can't wait to come back to try other things! read more

Akadi PDX - Poulet choukouya with Alloco - African Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Kai was our server. He was fantastic! He was so attentive and kind. Food was incredible it was unlike anything else. Loved the food sooo much can't wait to travel back and have it again! Ambiance was perfect and so welcoming read more

Came for dinner with family and had a wonderful time. We were seated promptly at our reservation time. We ordered the appetizer platter, jolof plate with fish, detail and chicken ground nut stews. The wings were well spiced, the samosas were super flaky and tasty with the provided sauces. We loved the plantains both plain and spiced. The rice was very flavorful and great with the fish. The oxtail and groundnut stews were delicious. Service was super friendly, we mentioned it was a birthday celebration and were comped a plate of puff puffs and happy birthday played by the live saxophone musician. The restaurant is one big room, lots of tables with a stage for live musicians in the corner. The room is converted into a club after dinner service. One of these days we'll come back for that! read more

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To experience this location is to experience love on a plate and in an establishment. The ambiance is a chill vibe with vibrant art. Very open space, they have nothing to hide and everything to share. The service was top notch. Provided great suggestions with rationale, continued to check in and made sure for those of us having our first West African experience were having a great experience. The food was top tier. Super flavorful, great portion sizes. We each took our first bites and the table became silent and emotional. For us, it was like being touched by our ancestors internally. Highly recommend. 10/10! The 5 stars does it no justice. read more

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I love akadi! Make sure to get a reservation because it's easily packed. The servers were so nice and attentive. Their hot sauce is fire by the way. They have different homemade sauces that you should try. I ordered the vegan jolof meal with grilled mushrooms and it was delicious. The plantains are perfectly cooked and not greasy. The food is seasoned well with lots of spices. I love how intimate the space is and there is sometimes live music too. read more

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Posted sign inside of the restaurant: NO CASH ACCEPTED. DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD ONLY. AKÂDI PDX - Overall 3/5 -Updated contact info: Yelp-listed number (503) 477-7138 is incorrect. -Website-listed number (971) 271-7072 no one answered the phone during posted business hours on 7/26/2025 between 4-5:30 pm when I called to confirm hours. Email: info@akadipdx.com Address: 1001 SE Division St I strongly recommend making reservation! I RSVPed used their website via link on Toast for 8:00 pm on 7/26/2025 (only three time slots left 8, 8:15, and 8:30). Website hours match Yelp: Wednesday to Sunday, 4 to 9 pm. This was our first visit, celebrating our anniversary. Ambience: 4/5 Charming interior with elegant touches, a solid spot for a special occasion or to try West African cuisine if it's new to you. Unassuming front entrance, but nice once inside. Food: 2/5 Unfortunately, most dishes didn't hit the mark for us, mainly due to flavor profiles and texture. We were confused by pricing inconsistencies: the printed menu said entrees came with at least one side, yet the ordering system added charges ($1-$5) for most. We ordered: -Sauce Okra with Pounded Yam Fufu (GF +$5), $30: I love okra, but this texture wasn't it for me. Fufu sounded exciting, but was both salty and bland. I didn't taste any hints of smoked fish and habanero sauce. -Pepper Fish with Fried Plantains (+$2), $30: Paper menu said fillet, but whole fried fish arrived. I like whole fish; my husband doesn't, cue the awkward laugh. The mashed-style sauce didn't pair well with fried fish. -Poisson Frit with Attieke (+$1), $27: I liked the texture of the attieke (fermented cassava couscous), but it was a bit too salty. Fish itself lacked flavor. -Degue Exquisite Yogurt Couscous, $13: We both enjoyed this. Fun, new texture and flavor. Light, slightly sweet, and refreshing. -BOUAKE, $12: West African take on a lassi using coconut water and tamarind syrup. Sounds great on paper, but I didn't like it even though I love sour tamarind and coconut. -GNAMANKOUDA, $8: Ginger, pineapple, citrus, this redeemed things. Loved the ginger heat. They were nice to let me swap this for the bouake. Service: 2/5 No staff came to our table except to drop off food. Meanwhile, we saw a staff took order from 2 other tables. Our appetizer took 30 minutes to arrive. Dessert was forgotten, we had to ask four separate times before it came. No check-in, no follow-up, and no sense of flow during the entire two-hour visit. Restrooms: Women's restroom: 3 stalls, none with toilet seat covers. Men's restroom: no toilet paper and no toilet seat covers, according to my husband. Parking: Free street parking around the restaurant. read more

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When you step into the restaurant you're greeted with a gorgeous ambience! Love all the plants and the artwork all over the place. The space inside is quite large. The vibes are very chill, there are some nice areas where you can hang out on sofas as well. There was live music playing which was lovely, apparently it's a recurrent thing on Thursday evenings. My friend and I weren't the most familiar with African cuisine and the menu was extensive - our server, Ky Ky, provided us with great recommendations and answered all our questions. We started off with the appetizer platter which had a mix of everything and was easily finished between my friend and I before the main courses (although we did come with a big appetite lol). Everything about the appetizer platter was delicious, my favorite part was the plantains. We also loved the sauces it came with - Ky Ky told us they had an even spicier version and he brought it out to us - it was literally fire lol definitely did not disappoint! For our mains we got the oxtail stew with fufu and jollof rice with chicken. Btw, all the meats were bone-in so after playing with the fork and knife my friend and I eventually dove in with just eating with our hands to get all the good bits! Honestly that's the best way to experience the cuisine here, especially when eating with the fufu. The oxtail stew was very rich, the jollof rice was amazingly seasoned, and the chicken was juicy af. We also got a zero proof drink which was described as an African version of a mango lassi - it was good but a little too sweet for my taste. Can't wait to come back and experience this again! read more

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Coming from Seattle where there are not that many African options, this was my first time trying African food from the Ivory Coast. The staff were helpful and the food was delicious. My favorite was the Suya wings with the 2 sauces (tomato, mustard) because the wings were crispy and a bit tangy while the sauce was more muted flavor. There were a bunch of items on the menu we didn't get try this trip so we'd love to come back again for those one day. Also my friend who had been there once before mentioned the first time she came she had a carrot sauce so they may make minor changes to the menu seasonally. read more

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We start our dinner with some Samosas with thinly crispy shelves and flavorful meat fillings accompanied with a delicious dipping sauce. It's our first time trying the Corn Fufu which goes very well with their Egusi Goat Stew. Service is attentive and provides us a pleasant experience. read more

Highly recommend Akadi! The atmosphere is fantastic and food phenomenal! My personal favorite was the soya chicken, fried plantains, and the fish dish (tasted like super fresh & seasoned ceviche). If you're in a rush and/or not willing to be patient I would pass on it but if you have the time to just sit and enjoy it is well worth it. Make sure to ask for the spicy Akadi sauce it sets it all the way off! read more

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Amazing!!! This place lives up to the hype for sure. Made a reservation a few days before no problem. They had a few tables for walk ins but the place was full for the whole time we were there. Had a 6:45 reservation on a Saturday night, fyi. We were sat within a few minutes. The staff was very friendly. They were happy to answer our questions and make recommendations too. The food came out at a good pace too. For 3 people we ordered: alloco and beef samosas to start. For entrees we shared the jollof meal with fried fish and the okra stew with lamb. Everything was simply delicious but my favorites were definitely the samosas because the flavor of the filling was sooooo satisfying and the dough was flaky and not oily! The fried fish was cooked to perfection and I loved the jollof! It also comes with a few pieces of the alloco and a small kale salad which were good accompaniments. Parking wasn't bad in the surrounding neighborhood and the prices were fair too. I didn't have a cocktail but all the drinks looked good too. 100/10 would recommend read more

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