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The cuisine here is that of the Ivory Coast, run by a Senegalese staff. The food is simple, and the menu even simpler. When we went, there were just 2-3 things on the menu for mains: grilled fish, grilled fowl, and grilled lamb (along with sides). There are just two outdoor tables that fit two people each, and they only accept cash. The limited options are kind of annoying, but I ordered the grilled fish (don't know what kind) and it did not disappoint in portion or taste. It was a little oily, but not so much that it was unappealing. I love that they left the head in there, as I'm one of the few people who love eating fish head - eyeball and jawbones and all. It comes with a very spicy sauce that took my breath away, and I have an incredibly high tolerance for spice. The price was $19, which is unusual for such a hole-in-the-wall type of place, but I'd say it is worth it. I also got the sweet plantains side, which is included with it, and that was so good. I love that it is cut up into very small pieces and that it's not as sweet as it's normally done elsewhere. There's a side salad that comes with it as well, but that was way too oily for my taste. I can't imagine anyone enjoying that one, sadly. Very much a no-frills place. Simple and hearty dishes. Go if you're okay with not having options.
Came here with a friend on the Sunday afternoon. I tried calling ahead a few times to try and make a reservation not knowing the outdoor seating situation due to covid but I was unable to get a response. I did some research prior to coming so i knew ahead of time that they only except cash and that sometimes they don't have certain items on the menu. But.....I didn't expect them to only have three entree's available when we arrived. There were two outdoor seating tables with two chairs each allowing for only 2 people to sit at a time and a very limited menu. My friend got the grilled fish which she enjoyed and of course what I really wanted (which was the grilled chicken) which wasn't gonna be available until later in the evening There was nothing else I really wanted that was available at that time so I opted out for a lonely side salad instead (talk about boring). Portions are definitely a large enough for two (in my case just me). I really wanted to enjoy this place and its cuisine but sadly they just weren't prepared for customers when we went which made for a blah experience. Service was really nice and fast just a shame i couldn't experience the food and I don't see myself heading back anytime soon.
Just look at the pictures. Thrown in the garbage. The food was inedible and if it wasn't so far I would take it back. I know my way around West African food and this food was terrible. Will NOT Recommend!
I came to La Savane a few months ago after finding it on the African Restaurant week website, turns out they weren't even participating in it. The prices on the menu are so good that we ended up spending less than we would've if we went to a restaurant with an ARW prefix menu. I got the lamb shank which was cooked amazingly and it was delicious. My friend got the guinea fowl which was very good but a little difficult to eat because of how it's presented all in small pieces, it's hard to tell what's bone and what's meat. For our sides we split cassava and plantains. Our meals also came with a mixed vegetable vinaigrette which tasted a lot like a Brazilian vinaigrette, it added great flavor to the cassava. The plantains were AMAZING and they also came with a little sauce which we wished we had more of since the cassava was kinda plain. I had plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. We also had a really tasty hibiscus drink called Bissap. Friendly service, nice environment, and amazing lamb and plantain. I'd definitely recommend.
So I have a sweet mouth and I was craving for some grilled fish and onions. We had to wait 20 minutes for the fish which is absolutely fine. It was so busy during the holiday season. The restaurant has a very cozy environment it's personal. This is not the place for romance though lol just saying. It has the energy for like a local bar. It took some time for our order to be put together because they got the cashier hustling at the register, picking calls, taking orders for the to go customers, and bringing out plates to serve the guests sitting in. So unless you're quick with the French you might have to keep flagging down a sister to get your order in. Now since we decided to have a feast at home we took it to go. The pictures show all of our orders. The grilled fish, lamb, plantains, vermicelli noodles, and rice. The fish had me tight because imagine going from the Bronx to 116 and back lol to open your foil pan and see burnt spots!?!??? I wanted to cry but I forced through and ate. Now Mr ordered the lamb and didn't want to share lmao but when I took a bite i understood why. That lamb WAS SOOOOO GOOD. It was tender and juicyyyyyyy. I took a bite and I was like damn. The flavor is unexplainable you have to taste it to understand. This ain't no basic steak or chicken this is that good good. I wish I ordered it too . Maybe next time. The sides were good, however we thought the white rice would've came with something but the sides of spices were sufficient. I would recommend you visit just warn them to not violate your fish lmao.
My new place for comfort food. Big whole tilapia with your choice of a big side (highly recommend the plantains) for $15 solid. So worth every dollar. I love the spicy hot sauce on the side. It will have your nose running but for hot sauce and spicy lovers like myself, I wanted more! Good people. Nice small cozy family ran restaurant. Authentic.
Grabbed dinner with a friend here at La Savane. Even though it's in my neighborhood i wasn't familiar with it (it's super low key). The place itself is not very big and can probably accommodate ~20 people at a time. The servers were attentive and served us quickly. I decided to go for the fish, white rice and side of plantations. The portions were pretty large (i wasn't able to finish it all). The fish was well seasoned and cooked well. I like the sauce that accompanied it. The fish also came with a fish soup that was really good. Plantains were good they cut them up in smaller pieces than I'm used to but cooked well Overall a cool spot that i will keep on my radar for future dinner spots
Bissap drink was the best thing I took from here. It is equivalent to the Jamaican sorrel drink. Note that there is no ginger flavor in bissap. It was very nice. The owners were kind enough to let me taste a sample of the Ginger drink. That was not at all a sweet drink. It tasted like a very concentrated form of ginger extract. It burns in the mouth and burns all the way to tummy. My tummy had the tingly sensation for a while. Think twice before taking it. Lamb gigot was my entree. Lamb shank was big. It comes with a small cup of spicy sauce. That sauce was spicy. I liked the lamb with the spicy sauce. It was enough for two people. Fried plantains was ok as well.
We went to La Savane after an afternoon at Central Park. It's not too far from the park. They do outdoor dining, so I felt comfortable going there during the covid delta variant situation -- we got a table outside. I ordered the grilled fish, which was a whole tilapia. It was crispy on the outside with a lot of flavor, and soft on the inside. It came with very tasty onion tomato relish, and for the side I got atieke, which is like couscous but made with cassava (that went perfectly with the fish). The fish came with a spicy mustard sauce that was in a separate little container. All of it combined together was fantastic! My friend got the Dibi poulet/ grilled chicken, with a side of plantains . It was in cubes, kind of like kebabs, the marinade/flavor was super tasty. If also came with the onion/tomato relish and the little container of spicy mustard sauce. For drinks we got the Bissap, which is hibiscus juice. I had been a bit wary because I thought it would be very sugary and too flowery. But it wasn't overly sweet or floral. The food portions were enormous (my friend took the leftovers home and the food lasted an additional 2 meals). Everything was so delicious! I wish they had a location downtown so I could go back more often. The hostess/waitress explained the dishes well and she had recommendations on what side would go with what dish (she was pretty adamant about what wouldn't go well!). I appreciated that she stopped me from ordering the wrong combo when my food arrived and I realized how perfectly the atieke went with the fish. It was also nice to sit outside and people watch. A lot of francophone African immigrants were coming and going on that block. It almost felt like we were in a different country, hearing everyone speaking French, and watching people who knew each other stop and talk on the street. It was a very warm friendly vibe.
This was my first time trying food from the Ivory Coast and I loved it! There were 5 of us total (good for groups) and we ordered 3 dishes to share. The portions were big and more than enough for us all. [Food] We ordered the fried fish, lamb shank, and stew with futu. My favorite was the fried fish because I love seafood. The fish was tender and juicy and not over cooked. The lamb shank was soft and tender. The meat tasted great with the spicy sauce that comes with the dish. The stew was a little weird and goopy, so I wasn't a huge fan of the consistency. I liked the flavor and it went great with the futu, which is a soft and chewy bread cake. [Price] Including drinks and gratuity, the total per person ended up being around $15, which is amazing considering how great the food and service was. I highly recommend La Savane and will be back again!! :'D
I am originally from Ivory Coast, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered this gem! The food is excellent and as authentic as you can get in NY. Prices are really fair ($12-18) with huge portions. The place is a little dark with dimmed lights, but it can be a decently romantic spot for a date. It gets really noisy though, and tables are really near each other. The service is typical of African restaurants, a little bit disorganized but this place serves food faster than most. Don't be surprise if half of the items on the menu are not available:..pretty typical too. The waitresses are nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this place! I removed one star bc of the service.
I LOVE THIS PLACE everyone is sooo friendly, the food doesn't cost a lot compared to what they serve you.. The best African restaurant in NYC
Very flavorful Ivorian food and polite (not overly convivial) service. The djolof rice has a nice peppery kick to it, and serves as a great side for the meat and fish dishes. The guinea fowl is a lean bird, and the meat tends to get dry, but the sauces are a nice accompaniment. The interior of the restaurant is cheerful, with linen matching the colors of the flag of Ivory Coast, and upbeat West African music playing. read more
1 year ago
Fantastic! Stopped in for take out while visiting a friend and it did not disappoint. Authentic west African cuisine is hard to come by where I live. The place had some indoor and outdoor seating and a nice vibe with music playing on the monitors. Staff were friendly and the food came out nice and fresh. We had some fried fish, dibi mouton, placali, and aloco. Everything was delicious. There was plenty of food and we had leftovers for later. I will definitely be back for more next trip. read more
1 year ago
I've been here multiple times since 2015, but I usually got fried tilapia and alloko. This time, I tried the lamb shank. So flavorful! Oh my goodness. I also tired attieke for the first time. I liked it. The fresh pepper was amazing. I really love the kick of spice. Their portions are very generous, so I always have lots to take home! Also tried their joloff for the first time (to go order) and it was phenomenal. This will always be a revisit for me. Very homey and cozy too. read more
1 year ago
The cuisine here is that of the Ivory Coast, run by a Senegalese staff. The food is simple, and the menu even simpler. When we went, there were just 2-3 things on the menu for mains: grilled fish, grilled fowl, and grilled lamb (along with sides). There are just two outdoor tables that fit two people each, and they only accept cash. The limited options are kind of annoying, but I ordered the grilled fish (don't know what kind) and it did not disappoint in portion or taste. It was a little oily, but not so much that it was unappealing. I love that they left the head in there, as I'm one of the few people who love eating fish head - eyeball and jawbones and all. It comes with a very spicy sauce that took my breath away, and I have an incredibly high tolerance for spice. The price was $19, which is unusual for such a hole-in-the-wall type of place, but I'd say it is worth it. I also got the sweet plantains side, which is included with it, and that was so good. I love that it is cut up into very small pieces and that it's not as sweet as it's normally done elsewhere. There's a side salad that comes with it as well, but that was way too oily for my taste. I can't imagine anyone enjoying that one, sadly. Very much a no-frills place. Simple and hearty dishes. Go if you're okay with not having options. read more
7 years ago
Came here with a friend on the Sunday afternoon. I tried calling ahead a few times to try and make a reservation not knowing the outdoor seating situation due to covid but I was unable to get a response. I did some research prior to coming so i knew ahead of time that they only except cash and that sometimes they don't have certain items on the menu. But.....I didn't expect them to only have three entree's available when we arrived. There were two outdoor seating tables with two chairs each allowing for only 2 people to sit at a time and a very limited menu. My friend got the grilled fish which she enjoyed and of course what I really wanted (which was the grilled chicken) which wasn't gonna be available until later in the evening There was nothing else I really wanted that was available at that time so I opted out for a lonely side salad instead (talk about boring). Portions are definitely a large enough for two (in my case just me). I really wanted to enjoy this place and its cuisine but sadly they just weren't prepared for customers when we went which made for a blah experience. Service was really nice and fast just a shame i couldn't experience the food and I don't see myself heading back anytime soon. read more
3 years ago
Let's start out with the customer service HORRIBLE! The cashier name Djibril very rude, he shouted out me. I would never go back. The food was not tasty, food took so long to come out. The meat was sooo hard, my bracket is almost came out. I travel from Queens to Harlem. 0/10 read more
5 years ago
Just look at the pictures. Thrown in the garbage. The food was inedible and if it wasn't so far I would take it back. I know my way around West African food and this food was terrible. Will NOT Recommend! read more
5 years ago
I came to La Savane a few months ago after finding it on the African Restaurant week website, turns out they weren't even participating in it. The prices on the menu are so good that we ended up spending less than we would've if we went to a restaurant with an ARW prefix menu. I got the lamb shank which was cooked amazingly and it was delicious. My friend got the guinea fowl which was very good but a little difficult to eat because of how it's presented all in small pieces, it's hard to tell what's bone and what's meat. For our sides we split cassava and plantains. Our meals also came with a mixed vegetable vinaigrette which tasted a lot like a Brazilian vinaigrette, it added great flavor to the cassava. The plantains were AMAZING and they also came with a little sauce which we wished we had more of since the cassava was kinda plain. I had plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. We also had a really tasty hibiscus drink called Bissap. Friendly service, nice environment, and amazing lamb and plantain. I'd definitely recommend. read more
8 years ago
So I have a sweet mouth and I was craving for some grilled fish and onions. We had to wait 20 minutes for the fish which is absolutely fine. It was so busy during the holiday season. The restaurant has a very cozy environment it's personal. This is not the place for romance though lol just saying. It has the energy for like a local bar. It took some time for our order to be put together because they got the cashier hustling at the register, picking calls, taking orders for the to go customers, and bringing out plates to serve the guests sitting in. So unless you're quick with the French you might have to keep flagging down a sister to get your order in. Now since we decided to have a feast at home we took it to go. The pictures show all of our orders. The grilled fish, lamb, plantains, vermicelli noodles, and rice. The fish had me tight because imagine going from the Bronx to 116 and back lol to open your foil pan and see burnt spots!?!??? I wanted to cry but I forced through and ate. Now Mr ordered the lamb and didn't want to share lmao but when I took a bite i understood why. That lamb WAS SOOOOO GOOD. It was tender and juicyyyyyyy. I took a bite and I was like damn. The flavor is unexplainable you have to taste it to understand. This ain't no basic steak or chicken this is that good good. I wish I ordered it too . Maybe next time. The sides were good, however we thought the white rice would've came with something but the sides of spices were sufficient. I would recommend you visit just warn them to not violate your fish lmao. read more
My new place for comfort food. Big whole tilapia with your choice of a big side (highly recommend the plantains) for $15 solid. So worth every dollar. I love the spicy hot sauce on the side. It will have your nose running but for hot sauce and spicy lovers like myself, I wanted more! Good people. Nice small cozy family ran restaurant. Authentic. read more
7 years ago
Grabbed dinner with a friend here at La Savane. Even though it's in my neighborhood i wasn't familiar with it (it's super low key). The place itself is not very big and can probably accommodate ~20 people at a time. The servers were attentive and served us quickly. I decided to go for the fish, white rice and side of plantations. The portions were pretty large (i wasn't able to finish it all). The fish was well seasoned and cooked well. I like the sauce that accompanied it. The fish also came with a fish soup that was really good. Plantains were good they cut them up in smaller pieces than I'm used to but cooked well Overall a cool spot that i will keep on my radar for future dinner spots read more
Bissap drink was the best thing I took from here. It is equivalent to the Jamaican sorrel drink. Note that there is no ginger flavor in bissap. It was very nice. The owners were kind enough to let me taste a sample of the Ginger drink. That was not at all a sweet drink. It tasted like a very concentrated form of ginger extract. It burns in the mouth and burns all the way to tummy. My tummy had the tingly sensation for a while. Think twice before taking it. Lamb gigot was my entree. Lamb shank was big. It comes with a small cup of spicy sauce. That sauce was spicy. I liked the lamb with the spicy sauce. It was enough for two people. Fried plantains was ok as well. read more
5 years ago
We went to La Savane after an afternoon at Central Park. It's not too far from the park. They do outdoor dining, so I felt comfortable going there during the covid delta variant situation -- we got a table outside. I ordered the grilled fish, which was a whole tilapia. It was crispy on the outside with a lot of flavor, and soft on the inside. It came with very tasty onion tomato relish, and for the side I got atieke, which is like couscous but made with cassava (that went perfectly with the fish). The fish came with a spicy mustard sauce that was in a separate little container. All of it combined together was fantastic! My friend got the Dibi poulet/ grilled chicken, with a side of plantains . It was in cubes, kind of like kebabs, the marinade/flavor was super tasty. If also came with the onion/tomato relish and the little container of spicy mustard sauce. For drinks we got the Bissap, which is hibiscus juice. I had been a bit wary because I thought it would be very sugary and too flowery. But it wasn't overly sweet or floral. The food portions were enormous (my friend took the leftovers home and the food lasted an additional 2 meals). Everything was so delicious! I wish they had a location downtown so I could go back more often. The hostess/waitress explained the dishes well and she had recommendations on what side would go with what dish (she was pretty adamant about what wouldn't go well!). I appreciated that she stopped me from ordering the wrong combo when my food arrived and I realized how perfectly the atieke went with the fish. It was also nice to sit outside and people watch. A lot of francophone African immigrants were coming and going on that block. It almost felt like we were in a different country, hearing everyone speaking French, and watching people who knew each other stop and talk on the street. It was a very warm friendly vibe. read more
9 years ago
This was my first time trying food from the Ivory Coast and I loved it! There were 5 of us total (good for groups) and we ordered 3 dishes to share. The portions were big and more than enough for us all. [Food] We ordered the fried fish, lamb shank, and stew with futu. My favorite was the fried fish because I love seafood. The fish was tender and juicy and not over cooked. The lamb shank was soft and tender. The meat tasted great with the spicy sauce that comes with the dish. The stew was a little weird and goopy, so I wasn't a huge fan of the consistency. I liked the flavor and it went great with the futu, which is a soft and chewy bread cake. [Price] Including drinks and gratuity, the total per person ended up being around $15, which is amazing considering how great the food and service was. I highly recommend La Savane and will be back again!! :'D read more
I am originally from Ivory Coast, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered this gem! The food is excellent and as authentic as you can get in NY. Prices are really fair ($12-18) with huge portions. The place is a little dark with dimmed lights, but it can be a decently romantic spot for a date. It gets really noisy though, and tables are really near each other. The service is typical of African restaurants, a little bit disorganized but this place serves food faster than most. Don't be surprise if half of the items on the menu are not available:..pretty typical too. The waitresses are nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this place! I removed one star bc of the service. read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
I LOVE THIS PLACE everyone is sooo friendly, the food doesn't cost a lot compared to what they serve you.. The best African restaurant in NYC read more
8 years ago
Please don't go eat in this restaurant worse restaurant I have ever been in my life the food is not good and they don't respect a customer read more
Aside from the fact that half the items on the menu may not be available (which may be, in part, the charm), there is some absolutely mouthwatering dishes to be had at this small but authentic (so I'm told) establishment. The big surprise was the fork-tender - no, SPOON-tender (which is good, since they didn't give me a knife) - lamb shank. Named more aptly on the menu as, "Gigot", this monstrous helping of two lamb shanks was deeply seasoned and progressively satisfying, bite after bite. The fried fish was also a similarly generous serving (definitely made for two!), and a big hit for everyone at the table who ordered it. Savoury, crispy, and flaky within - if I wasn't such a unabashed carnivore, this could very well have been my favourite dish instead. Guzzling down orange Fanta and spiking each bite of lamb or fish with that fantastic hot sauce on the side made for a great meal, although be forewarned, your ordering experience will probably go a lot smoother if you speak French. But French-speaking or not, the food will remain equally delicious. read more
7 years ago
Cash only. This was a great experience. The staff was really friendly, and the food was really good. Everything is fresh. And you will leave with a really full belly! read more
12 years ago
Because the food was so exquisite, I'm going to ignore the fact that one waitress completely ignored all female customers. Some male customers who came after us were being helped right away. My friends and I were finally attended by a different waitress who was very courteous and attentive, and took the time to explain the menu (now that i'm writing the review, i wish i had asked for her name)... I had the "poisson grillé" or grilled fish, and my friends chose the gigot (leg of lamb), poisson braisé (cooked w/live embers) and pintade grillée (grilled guinea foil). read more
10 years ago
Awesome Ivorian restaurant. 1) This is one of hand full of restaurants in the US serving authentic food from Ivory Coast. 2) The food is fantastic. I got the gigot (lamb shank) and atieke (cassava) as the side. 3) I loved the maggie salt they gave, you have to crush it over the atieke. It tastes amazing. 4) Portions are very large. Will return. read more
11 years ago
This place is great. Really good food and crazy huge portions. I've never had Ivorian food before so I am unable to compare it like some of the other reviewers, but I have eaten a wide variety of foods around the world and I do say that this was very good. My only complaint was the lamb was incredibly chewy and took me over a minute for each bite. I got the fowl, cassava, plantains, and lamb with a friend and the total was around thirty -- not too bad considering we have tons of leftovers! Also in response to the language thing: I noticed they seem to appreciate if you can work a little French in but they all seem to speak fluent English. read more
8 years ago
7 years ago
I was looking for an african restaurant to satisfy my cravings and stumbled upon this place. My oh my was the food delicious !!! The portions were sooo good, I had enough to take back home and the place is of good vibes. My waitress was also funny ! Loved every moment of it and will definitely be coming back ! read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
7 years ago
My first time here, thank goodness I had someone to translate for me. I had the grilled fish with couscous and a side order of plantains. Food was delicious. I was able taste the ginger drink,, sooooo delicious as well. My friend had the lamb and she loved it as well. Definitely going back! read more
6 years ago
8 years ago
We came on a chilly Friday evening, my sister in law and I. We were able to sit wherever we liked. The staff was very welcoming, helpful, and courteous to us. The portions are very generous and the drinks were not only fresh but very refreshing. We chose the grilled fish with plantains and the chopped lamb with yams. Both orders were flavorful and delicious. The tomato onion salad was so good we asked for more and they brought it without a problem. The prices are very reasonable. I will return and highly recommend you stop in if you are in the area. The menu is limited but, they do it well. I am ready to try thier other dishes and stews. read more
I love this restaurant. My only complaint is the size of restaurantit is a very tight fit. However, I will say the food is Absolutely Delicious. I have never came here and not enjoy myself. Large portions where u can share with someone or take home half for another day. The lamb is one of my favorites with cassava and sweet plantains. The staff is cool usually have a quick response rate. The food is fresh and out in under 10 minutes I have no idea how they do it. I highly recommend this restaurant for tasty authentic food. read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
This is by far THE BEST / MY FAVORITE AFRICAN RESTAURANT for Ivorian (food from ivory coast) food. It is a true mom & pop and the food is prepared fresh! YES FRESH so it might take a while... They deliver as well. Anyway, I've been eating at La Savane for 4+ years and they renovated the restaurant in 2017. They now serve alcohol (wine + beer only). Eating there is like being back in Abidjan! read more
10 years ago
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More info about La Savane D'Afrique
239 W 116th St
New York, NY 10026
Harlem
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(646) 490-4644
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Anyone know if they sell that fiery flavorful hot sauce of theirs? I need a bottle of it so we can stop fighting over the little cups.
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