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    Akara House

    4.8 (39 reviews)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Akara House Photos

    AKARA HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Vegan Akara Burger Yam Fries
    Daniel K.

    I came here for a pickup order after wanting to try this place for a while. It was delicious and I'll definitely be back. The burger patty was nice and crispy on the outside and all the toppings were really fresh. Need to go back and try some other items on the menu. The man who gave me my order was super friendly too.

    TJ J.

    Went to this spot after seeing it buzzing on social media and I had to try it because this place had a few things going for them that included being black owned, local and I'm trying to explore my palate whilst laying off the meat. I went there on the best day too JUNETEENTH and much to my surprise the shop was running a special offer BOGO of their signature Akara Burger! The store is small and it is probably best to buy your food to go but, there is a small eating area outside if you wanted to chill. Met the owner who was working that day and he told me his amazing origin story of how the burger was made and how much of an awesome cook his mother was. This food is very much a part of his childhood that he made his own for the people of Bk to enjoy. Go here!!!

    Made in Lagos Akara Burger
    Michael J.

    A love letter to American fast food, through a distinctly and thoughtfully Nigerian lens. Forgot to take a picture of my first visit because I wolfed down the veggie burger so quickly. Second visit was just as revelatory. I kept getting this vegetal freshness - almost like a cilantro or aji verde - but couldn't place it. It was a ballet of hot, crispy, sour, umami, crunch, vegetables, carbs. Amazing. A good veggie burger is hard. A new one made from something that isn't soy or imitation meat, a traditional Nigerian dish (akara) but deep fried and presented as a new dish? Something special. This is my new favorite lunch on Nostrand. If you haven't tried it - go. It's something special.

    Menu
    Sebastien B.

    Great wonderful food Clean food if you are trying to stay away from meat or dairy but still want a great meal Wonderful service from the owner, very friendly and cozy environment as a local business Definitely would recommend to the neighbor Get desert from Island Pop up the same sidewalk after your meal

    Alan S.

    Let it be said here first, that Akara House is serving what I now consider to be the number one veggie burger in New York City! Akara is a Nigerian black-eyed pea fritter (also shared with a few other West African and Caribbean cuisines) that here has been transformed into the centerpiece of a magnificent veggie burger. If you have ever enjoyed an Indian vada pav, the akara serves as a marvelous substitute for the potato patty with a natural breadiness that is satisfying to bite into without the flavor notes of meat substitutes that make some of us vegetarians uncomfortable. The entire affair is served in a bun with cheese and absolutely must be paired with the not-too-spicy red sauce that is made from ginger, garlic, and a few other secret house ingredients. Seating is limited but available.

    REAL lemonade, hint of bitterness. Delicious!
    Edward K.

    Stop 2 of a 5 stop culinary tour of the Crown Heights neighborhood was Akara House. I had seen it on Yelp and knew it would be just right. The owner was extremely nice and helped us make our selections. I knew that I wanted the Akara (bean fritters) and I also chose Akara House because they also had Suya beef. Two Nigerian classic dishes under one roof. We also got glasses of his homemade lemonade. Perfect flavor with a hint of bitterness coming from the actual citrus fruit. First thing that came out was the Suya beef with Jollof rice. The beef is marinated in a sauce that includes peanuts and was very tender and flavorful. The jollof rice had wonderful texture and nice flavor as well. The highlight was the Akara, the owner indicated that he'd been perfecting them for two years. We could taste the pride. We ate them at optimal temperature because we enjoyed sitting in the two available seats at the front of the restaurant. They were perfect fritters, somehow being both light and substantial at the same time. The whole meal also went great with the freshly made hot sauce. All of it went well with a great conversation about Nigerian politics, fiction, and his experience in the Crown Heights neighborhood. Certainly wishing him the best because this is the type of business we need more of!

    The made in lagos
    Deepshikha K.

    Akara House is a solid choice for quick bites. The Made in Lagos burger was a highlight, and the Jollof rice with fritters and Kale salad were tasty. Friendly staff, the owner also shared egusi samples for us to try. The place is bit small however fast service rounded out an overall good experience.

    Erika P.

    First time trying an akara fritter & it was absolutely delicious! I got the "Made in Lagos" sandwich and the flavors meshed so well together. I'm always looking for new vegetarian dishes to try and this was definitely a winner. The fries are also so crispy and fried to perfection. The owner was really nice and they are accommodating if you want to make any changes to the sandwich. Definitely worth a try!

    Akara veggie burger
    Chika D.

    Akara House is IT. Trust me, I'm Nigerian. I decided to stop in on Saturday (Feb. 3) afternoon after coming across Akara House via the Righteous Eats YT channel the day before. For those unfamiliar with akara, it's a popular Nigerian street food made from ground black-eyed peas, onions, and spices, deep-fried into fritters. When considering vegetarian burgers, our minds often gravitate towards black beans, mushrooms, or alternative meat substitutes. Owner Funso Akinya (who was chatty and friendly) had the idea to use akara as a patty in a vegetarian burger -- a creative fusion, if you ask me. I didn't know what to expect. I have had tons of akara but never on a bun with creamy mayo, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, cheese, and cucumbers. It slaps! All of the additions complemented the flavorful akara patty well. I'm a fan. Can't have a burger without fries so I also ordered suya-dusted fries. A spicy kick that wasn't overwhelming but felt. I also got moi moi (made from Nigerian honey beans), and again, flavor punch. I wanna note that the moi moi was wrapped in a banana leaf. An authentic detail I loved. It's pretty cool to witness the erection of several Nigerian restaurants around Brooklyn. I believe Akara House is the only plant based one so all my vegan and vegetarian heads, this place is for you. Lemme tell you, as a carnivore, I will definitely return.

    Menu - 8/16/23
    Jonah W.

    I ordered the double akara burger for takeout on a weekday afternoon. I'm glad I went for the double, since each burger is on the small side. (Like a big slider.) The burgers were tasty - they came with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, mayo, and pickled cucumbers. The red sauce/pickled vegetables on the side was great as well. I do wish the akara patty itself had a little more flavor. With everything else on the burger it was really good, but I don't think patty alone would have done much for me. Looking forward to coming back to try some sides!

    Chicken , Joloff Rice , plantains and greens .
    Kern C.

    My Joloff rice with chicken bowl and plantains was my first Nigerian meal ever . The food is packed with seasonings and spices . I mean packed ! The chicken was also super spicy . The meal came with some greens and they surely could've used a dressing that balanced out some of the spiciness which I didn't see. The couple plantains I added were super necessary to any meal and I added my own slice of avocado at home like a typical Californian . The best part of the meal was the joloff rice itself. I could eat the rice all day. My overall meal was good and I give it its respect but it's not something I can be a fan of. The spicy ness and over seasoning is just too much to deal with .

    Akara Spinach Wrap

    This is one of my favourite restaurants in all of NYC! Absolutely delicious food- always fresh, hot and tasty. The owner is really kind and genuine. Cute and informal, I just love it!

    Akara burger & suya seasoned fries

    Delicious food! Had the Akara burger and suya seasoned fries, will be coming here on a weekly basis now :) very kind owner, was very helpful & chill vibes. The red sauce is a must, I would buy it if he sold it!!!

    These akara balls did not make the pictures, but they were sooo good. The special sauce!!!!!

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    3 years ago

    Delicious food, friendly owner. Good vibes all around. Didn't take a pic because I devoured it too quickly. I got the chicken over rice.

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    3 years ago

    This sandwich - a perfect, flavorful bite with balanced heat, pickle, mayo and just a little sweet. A new regular!

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    2 years ago

    soooo good! i got the Classic Akara Sandwhich with fries, next time will try others but a great first impression

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    2 years ago

    food was literally SO good, service was quick and the owner was really sweet. definitely coming here as a regular

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    Ask the Community - Akara House

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    Ital Fusion

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    NAMASTE BROOKLYN

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    I happened to venture to Brooklyn and was excited to see this Himalayan restaurant. I ordered the…read morevegetarian Thali, which is an Authentic Nepali combination platter of vegetables (tofu), lentil soup, potatoes with string beans, mustard greens, yogurt, papadam, chutney and rice. It was a good portion, enough for one to finish. The lentil soup was on the saltier side, and the potatoes with string beans tasted a little fishy. But, altogether, everything was an interesting mix. I felt like I was eating a mix of Chinese- and Indian-inspired food. The mustard greens reminded me of Chinese fare, while the touch of spicy chutney reminded me of Indian cuisine. After the main meal, I tried their fried green tea ice cream. The dessert was beautifully presented, and tasted as I would have expected: a touch of bitterness from the green tea ice cream, covered in batter. While the food was maybe a 4, the ambiance was easily a 5. The artwork was breathtaking! Whoever commissioned the artwork did a great job. At night, they dim the lights and add (fake) candles, so the artwork stands out even more, and the ambiance feels soothing. Service was good. The owner was very accommodating. All in all, Namaste Brooklyn is in a great location in Brooklyn and offers patrons a trip to a different part of the world. Check it out if you're nearby!

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    Full bar in the back
    Nura

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    One of my favorite meals I've had! Everything was absolutely stellar. From the wine to the ceviche…read moreto the king oyster mushrooms to the fish! The ceviche was probably the best ceviche I've ever had in my life. It was blood orange based, but the citrus was really well balanced. The king oyster mushroom dish was soo delicious. The sauce and the texture of the mushrooms were to die for. I've salivating thinking about them right now! The fish was also so amazing. The bottoms were so crispy, it was almost like it was a layer of potato chip! Really great texture, and the fish meat was cooked to perfection. Really sad that they're closing, but looking forward to whatever the chef/restaurant team does next!

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    Secret Garden

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    I absolutely love this place. I first came here for a Yelp event week, where I tried the Hood…read moreHealer and their vegan lentil soup. Both were incredible and I felt immensely better afterwards. I later returned on several occasions and tried their Moon Milk, which is a delicious mixture of turmeric, cardamom, coconut and ashwahganda, the Key to the Garden drink (coconut, nutmeg, cacao, cinnamon and maple), their vanilla chocolate chip cookies and regular chocolate chip cookies. You can get these drinks hot or iced. I had all of them iced! I also had one of the best iced matcha lattes ever from here with sweet coconut milk. WOW. From what I've seen, baked goods change daily and their drink menus change semi often as well, which is exciting!! Outside, there is some seating, lovely items and books for purchase and a window to order, as well as the menu items displayed on boards and items around the space. Inside is quite similar, but with more items for sale and more seating. The vibes are immaculate and this seems to be a space that's community centered and has an emphasis on carrying items made by local artists. Remember to bring cash to tip. I cannot wait until my next visit here!!

    When they said secret Garden, I suppose so because I have a hard time finding this spot because it…read moredoesn't outright have any signage that says secret Garden or juice bar like it's supposed to or what you would think that it should so I just think that's kind of weird, but once you walk past the place several times. You realize it's cluttered with a bunch of knickknacks and other games and accessories that. Some of the items inside look like they're either for sale or just meant for display, which is fine, but I feel like it distracts from the main purpose, which is serving food and being a comfortable resting spot. It's no fault of the place, but the vibe is a mix of reggae, African folk music, and incense, and it contrasts sharply with the environment outside. There's an Italian restaurant across the street blasting Frank Sinatra type music, so the clash is noticeable. I feel like maybe the sound could be adjusted or balanced somehow. As part of the promotion, I ordered the vegan lentil soup. It was okay, nothing special but not bad. Then I was served an iced chai latte, and most of the spices sank to the bottom under the ice. After I swirled it, the spices still didn't have much flavor. It wasn't strong or pungent, and you couldn't really taste the spices or feel any of the digestive benefits chai is usually known for. It didn't taste like tea; it was just mildly sweet. I could see myself drinking it with a dessert, but it didn't stand out on its own. The service was friendly. I hope this place the best and want it to succeed but it needs to literally clean up.

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    Akara House - sandwiches - Updated July 2026

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