i will start with the food here is a 5/5, and every dish had perfect flavor and seasoning. When we sat we were asked if we wanted still or sparking water. Thinking still was tap we were given one bottle of a clearly non tap water, abd then a refill bottle of tap water. We were charged $18 for water on our bill. I asked about this and our server thought we were given two of the nicer bottles... We ordered hummus as a starter. It was. as stated above, delicious and a 5/5. The portion, pictured, is not very large and comes with only one piece of bread. We were asked if we needed additional bread or plaintain chips. This was not clearly stated as another additional charge of $6. Given that the vegetables are inside the hummus, I am not sure how we would have been able to enjoy it without just using our forks if not the chips or more bread. Now for the mains. Our table ordered the Dayboat Fish, Awaze Chicken, Wagyu Flat, and Lamb Griot. All were excellent, and the Chicken and Lamb are pictured. From the time we placed our mains to the time they got to the table was roughly 55 minutes. This would have been fine if we were told ahead of time as the hummus was not sufficient for 4 people, or if given some type or table bread or crackers...but at close to the 30 minute mark our server came over and asked if we wanted another round of drinks as our food would "be right out" The sides I felt were not worthwhile, and I was the only one at the table who had more than one bite of the rice or broccolni, the latter of which I thought was bland and undercooked. Overall, I would be interested in take-out, but the nickel and dime additions without warning on the water (which I thought was tap) and plaintains were a bit of a turn-off, and knowing that the mains take a long time would have changed my order. Note: I would have given 3.5 or 4 stars for this meal itself, but the last time I went I waited at my table for over an hour before getting my drink order...so I feel a theme. read more

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We celebrated our 25th anniversary here tonight and the evening was amazing! Latha is like no other. Beautiful ambiance, hospitable and friendly staff, delicious and special drinks (both alcoholic and non alcoholic) and the food is top notch and incredibly flavorful ! We are foodies and Latha does not disappoint. Thanks for making our anniversary so special. See you soon! read more

I was excited to try this place and it was pretty good, but I think all of our expectations were a bit higher. We really enjoyed our evening and the food was good for the most part, but my boyfriend thought the halibut was quite bland and lacking flavor. I had the oxtail and it was fantastic, but I wasn't a huge fan of the mac and cheese. I sort of felt like if I'm ordering one of the most expensive items on the menu that it would maybe come with some vegetables or a different side dish. You could order sides extra so I did get a side salad, which was good. We also really enjoyed our appetizers. The shrimp with avocado was excellent and the whipped goat cheese was also really nice. read more

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Went there for a friends birthday and the service was great. The owner was in the gift shop and we had a little chat with her, super friendly. The food itself was absolutely fantastic, we asked for the peri peri wings extra spicy and they delivered, perfect mix of spice and flavor. Oxtail was a very unique flavor profile and also amazing. read more

LATHA - Peri peri wings - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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I visited Latha for Restaurant Week and had a truly enjoyable experience. Evalina, part-owner, greeted me warmly right at the entrance, setting a welcoming tone for the evening. Our server, Angelina, was absolutely phenomenal--attentive, friendly, and made great recommendations. I started with the Rum Punch, which was decent--not the standout of the night, but a refreshing way to ease into the meal. The Pineapple Piri Piri Chicken was a solid choice--flavorful and satisfying. But the true MVP? The Caribbean Honey Hot Wings. I asked for them well done to be on the safe side, and wow--they brought the heat in the best way. Spicy, yes, but incredibly tasty. I'd come back for those wings alone. For dessert, I tried the Roasted Strawberries and Cream Cake. It was a really good end to the meal--especially the cake itself. I'm not usually one for fruit in my desserts, but I could definitely appreciate how well-executed it was. All in all, a delightful experience. I'll be returning soon--and you guessed it, I'm having a second helping of those hot wings. Bonus points: they even have a small store inside where you can pick up items to take home, such as the hot sauce they use on the wings, which is made in house and that added a fun and unexpected twist to the visit. read more

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This is one of our absolute favorite places to eat in Arizona. We truly love and appreciate how Pan-African cultures are honored and woven into every recipe. We started with the watermelon salad and goat cheese salad, which is always a hit, and the bread that comes with it is so delicious. The ambiance is so intimate and the service is great! Every time I've visited before, the oxtail was sold out--so I was thrilled they had it available this time, and it did not disappoint. It was phenomenal. The macaroni and cheese was perfectly cheesy and incredibly creamy--honestly, it tasted like the noodle itself was cheese. My husband ordered the chicken, which was also excellent. But the real star of the show was dessert. The pound cake, served warm, was beyond delicious and absolutely incredible. This place is truly a gem, and we love it beyond measure. Highly recommend! We love this establishment and wish it many more blessings! read more

The saxophones kept getting louder.... We really wanted to like this place. Found it through our Chase portal as a top restaurant in Phoenix. But unfortunately was very disappointed, primarily in their service. There was one waiter serving the entirety of the outside patio - like 8-10 tables. One man. He was very kind, but had zero sense of urgency given he was servicing 10 other tables. By the time he got to us, we had been seated for 20 mins. Put in our drinks and our apps. Didn't see him again for 40 mins to take our food order. Let's start with drinks. My husband ordered a wine and I ordered a lemonade. It took 40 mins for our drinks to arrive. Our drinks arrived after our appetizers did. I'd maybe show some leniency if we had ordered mixed cocktails but 40 mins to pour out of a bottle is crazy. On top of that, they brought the wine in a mini carafe and didnt bring a glass, which took another 15 mins to arrive. When the apps came, we noticed we didn't have forks, so we waited 10 mins for anyone to see us as our waiter was busy chit chatting with other tables. When we finally asked someone for forks, we waited another 10 mins to finally get it. At this point we've been seated for over an hour and have not been able to eat. We then waited another hour for our entrees to arrive. My husband ordered another wine, which took another 40 mins to arrive. It was around this time that we noticed the entire restaurant staff was dancing on the porch of the restaurant while we were still waiting for our second wine, entrees, and napkins, forks, whatever we asked for. I love employees having a good time, but yall are busy. Be serious. Everyone on that patio had been waiting for things. You can have fun and do your job at the same time. Or at least hire more help. Also, at this point, we were approached by who we can assume is the manager, who informed us that they ran out of rice. On top of the 6 other dishes they had run out of . Their menu is tight and small - how can you function running out of the majority of your dishes? In total, we were there for almost 3 hours, for 2 apps and 2 entrees. The food was good, but the portions were small and very overpriced for what we received. The saxophone music was cool though. I'll give it that. read more

Like the location and the atmosphere but the food didn't really hit me. I had the halibut dish and it was ok. I added the rest of the pics as my friends order the shrimp, the lamb and the ox tail. The ox tail was good but I didn't care for the cheesy Mac pasta. I was excited to taste it as it was done with Gouda cheese which sounded refreshing to me. Overall just wasn't my kinda place in terms of the food. read more

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Ambiance 10 Cocktail flight 10 Food perfect 10 The shrimp,steak, goat cheese, pound cake , watermelon salad were amazing. read more

I really wanted to like this place in fact, I am willing to give it another try next time I'm in phoenix. But what did it for me was the attitude from the greeter. I walked up the stairs and said "hi can I get a table for two?" he said "first of all how are you?" I said, " oh! I'm sorry I'm fine. How are you?" he looked at me and said "do you have a reservation?" I smiled and said no I just got off the plane from "New jersey and I really wanted to try this place." (I looked around and saw a lot of empty tables so I figured it wouldn't be a problem.) he looked at me and said." Hmm you still should've made a reservation." Then he asked me what I plan on having while I was there. (It seemed like such an odd question).. I looked around and said" dinner and drinks" . He grabbed a couple of menus and said come with me. We were seated immediately. Which was odd because I thought we needed a reservation... anyways I counted about three waiters who said that they would be attending us when they finally settled on one person who was a really nice young lady. However by then,I was already in a bad mood. I didn't even pick the right dish. I had a vegetarian dish that tasted horrible. But my friend really enjoyed her meal I also looked around and everyone else's food looked amazing. (I'm usually good at ordering I just was having an off night. I blame the host lol) On the plus side,they have live music and the owner came out and introduced herself. That was really nice and the reason why I'll give it another try when I'm in town. But i'll make sure to have a reservation to avoid an attitude from homeboy. Lol read more

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What an incredible meal! We had the watermelon salad (refreshing), whipped goat cheese with black garlic honey (creamy), and the shrimp aguachile (spicy ) with plantain chips to start. For our mains we went with the dayboat moqueca with shrimp and the oxtail barbacoa. Food is served family style so it's easy to share. Everything was delicious. Our server, Charity, was lovely and the owner Evelia, stopped by to check in. Will definitely be back for Sunday brunch! I recommend sitting on the patio, it's gorgeous. read more

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What an amazing experience! My friends and I were in Phoenix to celebrate my 30th birthday. We made a last minute reservation for 8 PM on Friday night. We were welcomed with a beautiful tour of the space and an explanation of the menu when we sat down. There was live music , which was beautiful. After we ordered drinks, we danced with other guests on the porch! Most of my friend group ordered the Chef's Journey on the menu. The wings were delicious, spicy but flavorful. The picture I included was the piri piri chicken which I really enjoyed as well! The staff members were so friendly and welcoming as well. 10/10 highly recommend! read more

LATHA - Pineapple Piri Piri Chicken - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

okay so i've been here for a birthday and they give the birthday person a bracelet based on their bday. AND i've been here for happy hour and I am so happy to announce that the burnt onion hummus is SO amazing holy.... like so good i kept eating it and going oh my god this is the best hummus ive ever had. read more

LATHA - burnt onion hummus, rum punch (purple), hibiscus lemonade (pink) - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Had a surprise date night at Latha thanks to my man! The patio is gorgeous and so cute at night with all the lights. The servers were all amazing and service was consistent throughout the night. We tried the wings and goat cheese dip for an app and were impressed by the flavor of both. For mains we split the oxtail with Mac and cheese and the burger let me tell you both were incredible one thing this place does not lack is flavor! The dessert was awesome as well and a perfect end to the night :) If you're nearby or looking for a fun date night downtown this place is a must try! read more

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Had a fantastic meal for dinner. Service was also amazing! Highly recommend. Will definitely be back read more

LATHA - Southern Pound Cake - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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What a pleasant surprise to come in here for a Friday dinner after visiting the Arizona Science Center for their Poison exhibition. I was hungry and my buddy thought it would be fun to try this place out as he wanted to try their oxtail grilled cheese so I said ok. I have known about Latha for awhile but never had the opportunity to visit until this past Friday. Its a really nice restaurant on Heritage Park and the house that the restaurant is in was cool to see. Once you walk into the restaurant, to the left, there is another room where the bar is and then to the right, it opens into another room, which is the restaurants gift shop which has all sorts of African items for sale. That was really neat and I enjoyed that. The bar is beautiful and I would definitely come back just to experience the bar. We had to wait about 10 minutes or so and then we had a table ready indoors. Service was good and we were taken care of nicely. My friend ordered the oxtail grilled cheese which is why we came in and they were sold out, bummer. He then ordered the oxtail barbacoa with mac and cheese, and the mac n cheese was also sold out. He then got the fonio as his starch. I ordered the whipped goat cheese and that was just delicious. It came with one pita bread, which wasn't quite enough for the dip, so I ordered a side of veggies which came with jicama, cucumbers. The whipped goat cheese was delicious. I ordered the their fish dish and that was just amazing! Everything was very fresh and so so tasty, I loved it! My friend gave me a taste of his oxtail and it was some of the best oxtail I have ever had honestly! The price tag wasn't cheap, but you are paying for quality. For our dishes with no drinks or desserts, our bill came to $100 without tip, so about $50/person. I definitely would come back here again as it's a great hang out spot on a weekend with great music playing, delicious food and great ambiance. Next time, I'll dress up a bit so I can match the classiness of the restaurant. read more

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Pan-African food was completely new to us and Latha knocked it out of the park. It's tucked inside the historic Silva House at Heritage Square and feels like walking into an elegant dinner party, not a restaurant. Warm, intimate, and genuinely special. What we ordered: The tamarind barbacoa wings are a must-order. Suya spice dry rub, perfectly juicy, with a serious spice kick -- and squeezing the fresh lemon over the top completely transforms the flavor. This might be the best restaurant chicken I've ever had. The oxtail barbacoa over housemade mac and cheese is their most popular dish for good reason. Fall-off-the-bone tender, incredibly rich, and the mac and cheese pairing is unexpected but totally works. My husband's adobo rub pork chop over sweet potato puree was equally impressive -- perfectly cooked, not a drop of moisture lost. The staff even sent us home with a complimentary Chocolate Brigadeiro (avocado mousse, sorrel, date jam) -- rich, smooth, and the perfect ending. Service was warm and knowledgeable throughout. If you've never tried Pan-African cuisine and want something genuinely different in Phoenix, Latha is the move. We'll be back. read more

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This is a MUST! There is no place more flavorful to be found in Phoenix. From the lip smacking Piri Piri, to the refreshing watermelon salad, every bite did not disappoint. And the cocktails. 8 different cocktails at the table and not a single one disappointed. But the highlight is the staff. Each and everyone welcomed us like we were in their home. Thank you from the Evolution Team! read more

Me and family went here today for brunch. DEELICIOUS! AND you feel SO welcomed! This place is different in many ways and the food is amazing! I had the chicken and waffles, WHAT!!! A few of us had the waffles which have a beautiful rum infusion, slight sweetness yet hearty comfort tastiness. The chicken, nice and crunchy with a nice, i believe, harissa flavor. I had the beautiful hibiscus mimosa. There were a few shrimp and grits at the table, and a few non-alcoholic teas. Everything was perfect! We stared with those wings...squeeze the lemon on them, it WILL ENHANCE the flavor, STAT! The hummus is ALWAYS a starter for 3 of us at the table. It's mild, the chunky veggies do it for us! The bread, get a second order to share, it comes with 1. A lovely day was had today with my auntie, the 2 nieces, and her Goddaughter. 4 generations-YASSSSS! Check out the brunch too! Dinner pops as well, but brunch feels so good! read more

Food: all the food was delicious! My favorite was the shrimp with the chimichurri sauce with the coconut chutney. The pound cake was also soooo good, I could've eaten it on my own Drinks: I got the least sweet drink (the mule) and it was still too sweet on my opinion. I would love to see an African martini on the menu. I understand rum is common in the Caribbean so not surprising that the drinks were on the sweeter side Service: Will was awesome and very helpful. I will note that this restaurant is one to enjoy and take your time. Don't come here in a rush. The owner even stopped by our table and she was so sweet and welcoming Ambiance: so so so fun! Felt like you were at your family's house with live music, people dancing and even a cute local shop selling fun African items Parking: I recommend parking on Monroe or in Heritage parking lot read more

LATHA - Duck Tagine, mushroom crillio, and fish coconut chutney dish - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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If you're looking for something different, then you need to check this place out. Located in downtown, right by the Science museum, you'll find this gem of a place. Parking is tricky in this area so give ourselves some time to find a parking garage nearby. This restaurant is in a district house which is very cozy and has a lot of character. I ordered the pineapple sidecar. - Great flavors as you can taste the grilled pineapple and brown sugar - a little pricey but I would recommend it for anyone who wants a strong drink with a sweet taste I also ordered the awaze chicken. - I really liked the coconut rice and asparagus combination - chicken was well seasoned and cooked well - an unique spin on chicken and rice Overall, I would recommend this place because it is so different from other restaurants in the downtown Phoenix area. I highly recommend planning a date here. 10/10 read more

LATHA - Awaze Chicken - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Went for Valentine's Day and everything was great from the appetizers to mocktails. We enjoyed the live music, the singer was fantastic and we met one of the owners, she was extremely friendly. read more

LATHA - Lamb and salmon - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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the service is great. this restaurant is in an old house with a great location. walkable distance from the Suns stadium. the owner stopped by a few times throughout to see how we were doing. i love their drinks. they have a spicy margarita that was tasty. we tried the chefs holiday menu and everything had great flavor with detail to attention on presentation. it's a little on the pricey side. read more

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Phoenix Restaurant Week gave me the perfect reason to finally check out Latha Restaurant & Bar and it did not disappoint. From the moment I stepped in, I could feel the soul of the place. Rooted in heritage and bursting with flavor, Latha offers a contemporary Pan-African dining experience. I was eager to try something new, and the Restaurant Week menu guided me through a thoughtful culinary journey. I started with the whipped goat cheese with black garlic honey, radishes, sumac, and chapati which was a beautifully plated dish, though the flavor was milder than expected. But things quickly escalated in the best way with the Caribbean honey hot wings, which were bold, fiery, and completely addictive. The tamarind-finished ribeye was the main event; tender, richly glazed, and bursting with depth. It perfectly reflected Latha's commitment to flavor-forward cooking that respects both tradition and innovation. For dessert, the roasted strawberries and cream cake was a delightful close; light, fresh, and not overly sweet. To pair with everything, I tried two refreshing cocktails from their drink menu, both were well-balanced, creative, and incredibly enjoyable. So definitely don't skip on the cocktails, they complement the menu beautifully and showcase the same care and inventiveness as the food! What truly made the night memorable, though, was the hospitality. The owner personally welcomed guests, shared insights into the inspiration behind the menu, and made sure everyone felt connected and cared for which included a touch that elevated the entire experience. read more

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What a great experience dining here for restaurant week. Owner Evelia Davis and team were delightfully hospitable making me and my sister feel welcome and valued patrons. From the restaurant week menu we enjoyed: Starters Whipped Goat Cheese Caribbean Honey Hot Wings Main Course Dayboat Fish Moqueca Pineapple Piri Piri Chicken Dessert Roasted Strawberries and Cream Cake Drink Rum Punch This Pan-African cuisine left our taste buds craving more. Everything was delicious and the service was phenomenal. There is also beautiful African decor throughout the restaurant and a shop with all sorts of cultural goods from body care, jewelry, clothes, bags, etc that are sourced locally and from the Motherland. Make sure to stop in (reservations suggested) for a delectable meal, top-notch service, and live music (Fridays and Saturdays). Thanks Latha for a memorial dining experience. read more

Amazing food, service and vibes. Loved the owner walking around making conversation and asking how the food was. Been twice and definitely will be back again. read more

LATHA - Onion hummus and watermelon salad - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This place has been on my list for some time now and so glad I was able to try it!! Me and my friends got a little bit of everything so here's the breakdown. We shared all the food and drinks so the ratings is based on what the group decided. Appetizers: Whipped goat cheese 10/10 Aguachile 10/10 Drinks: Passion fruit margarita 10/10 Chocolate Negroni 9/10 (surprisingly good) Rum punch 10/10 Entrees: Oxtail barbacoa 10/10 Moqueca 9/10 Duck 9/10 Dessert: Pound cake 10/10 This is a must try spot and can't wait to go back. Make sure to check out the shop in the back as well. Staff was great, decor inside was beautiful. read more

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Enjoyed this hidden gem for dinner and brunch. The staff are friendly and personable, making drinks at the bar feel like drinks with friends. Scenic outdoor setting, good music and tasty Caribbean cuisine. I loved the dinner selection. Flavors were on point. Wasn't a fan of brunch. The food didn't hit the pallet the same. Still overall, this place is a vibe. Grab dinner and stroll the local area for sights and bar hopping. read more

LATHA - Watermelon Salad - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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I don't even know where to begin--this place is absolutely incredible! For my 50th birthday, my two best friends came into town to celebrate, and I wanted somewhere truly special: not a chain, great vibes, and completely new to me. After asking around on the NextDoor app, someone said Latha was a must-try--and they could not have been more right. I made a reservation for five and mentioned it was for my birthday, and from that moment on, the experience was flawless. We were seated at the most beautiful table on the porch, complete with heaters and live music--pure magic. Inside, there's even a charming little gift shop that's an absolute must-visit. The food and drinks were outstanding. We enjoyed both mocktails and cocktails, and every single one was exceptional. The service was warm, attentive, and genuinely personal. And then came the birthday surprise--so thoughtful and special it brought me to tears. Latha didn't just host my birthday dinner; they created an unforgettable experience. This place made my milestone birthday truly meaningful and left me with memories I'll cherish forever. I cannot recommend it enough. read more

It took me a minute to write this review In all fairness I was really trying to process my experience Most restaurants feel rushed, a secret hurried pace you expect and have accepted as the norm. Latha is different From the moment your feet hit the first stoop and you're greeted you feel like family As we dined each table next to ours became an extension of us. It's truly challenging to describe but we dined as a unit. Sharing our stories, experiences, and meal recommendations. I ordered the ox tail which if you're going to dine here I highly recommend ordering because it sells out. The table next to us attempted to order ox tail and they shared they were out, I had ordered the last dish. Most restaurants this happens and you never know but here it's different I shared my food They also ordered the last of a special dish and guess what They shared with us Again, I don't think this is the norm but here our dining experience transcended the norm and we were all family It was truly special As you watch my videos you may think to yourself WOW how does she get that smoky look I didn't do anything Each plate is served fresh and piping hot. Each plate in front of us was steaming, you could smell the seasoning and spices before your meal even hit the table I've never had coconut rice Life changing It's been weeks and I still wake up wanting coconut rice for breakfast because it was just that good Now the wings I was skeptical I'm more of a dry rub kind of gal They advise you squeeze the turmeric laced lemon you may do a slight eye roll I mean what's the big deal it's just a lemon When I tell you to squeeze the lemon BABBBYYYY squeeze the lemon Note, the menu changes often so what you see today may be different tomorrow Good news I can't imagine anything served would not warm your spirit As I sat smiling and eating the words love, joy, soul, and passion played in my mind This is more than just a restaurant This is more than food This is an experience and I hope you get to have it read more

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Loved the wings - very unique flavors, very yummy. Branzino was stellar. Mostly, vibe a small shop in back very authentic African. Highly recommend read more

Great food, excellent service and a welcoming vibe! I met a friend here for Sunday brunch and a great time was had. We each had the Chef's Menu basically a 3 course prix fixe for $55 drinks are additional. Christian was our server and he was very helpful even though he's a newer crew member. Whipped Goat cheese and Watermelon salad are great starters, the Mushroom Criolla and Dayboat fish very tasty and the pound cake is not to be missed. Everything about LATHA is great. Include time to look for parking or pay the garage rate. on 3/23/25 we didn't realize there was an event taking place inside Heritage Square and parking was $20. We were able to score meter parking on 5th near Fillmore max 2 hours for $1.50 per hour. Next time we go fingers crossed for being able to park around the corner with a 4 hour max. Or we'll plan to take the light rail. read more

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Super friendly service. Food was delicious, especially the hummus and the oxtail shakshouka. Would recommend.

One of my fave restaurants in az! I went with one of my girlfriends, and we got the goat cheese with watermelon radishes, shrimp aguachile, dayboat fish moqueca, and mushroom criollo. The standouts for me were definitely the whipped goat cheese and the shrimp aguachile! These dishes were seasoned very well! The whipped/creamy goat cheese paired with the sweet black honey and the airy chapati was chef's kiss! The shrimp aguachile with the mango and avocado paired with plantain was a great move as well because it was refreshing yet slightly sweet and with plenty of kick from the spice! The drinks were also good. Will come back for those drinks and appetizers alone! read more

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Latha absolutely blew us away. We came during Arizona Restaurant Week and were so impressed by the food, the drinks, the service, everything. The energy here is electric with incredible live music, warm lighting, and a stylish ambiance that made the whole evening feel special. To start, the Whipped Goat Cheese was hands down my favorite. It was creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced with sweet and savory flavors. I am still thinking about it. The Pineapple Piri Piri Chicken was another highlight. It was juicy, flavorful, and beautifully spiced. It had just the right amount of heat and sweetness. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, from the Caribbean Hot Honey Wings to the Ribeye and even the Roasted Strawberries and Cream Cake for dessert. And do not skip the drinks. The Spicy Tamarind Margarita and Kahawa tini were both unique and delicious. Latha knows how to do cocktails right. A huge shoutout to Andrea, our server, who introduced herself as our guide, and she truly was. Her warmth, knowledge, and attentiveness elevated the experience tenfold. This place has it all. Bold food, creative drinks, a lively vibe, and top tier service. We will definitely be back whether it is Restaurant Week or not. read more

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So fun!! I normally don't like when restaurants are louder but the vibes here were so good I didn't mind at all. I went with a large group so I got to try a little bit of everything and all of it was very good. The only thing I didn't love was the lamb but it was well made, I just don't like game-y meat. The cocktails were even better than the food and I recommend getting a couple drinks. read more

Enjoyed a pork chop and a moqueca to the dueling live music of Latha and the restaurant next door. Who needs the outdoor heat lamp when those barbacoa wings are bringing some serious heat!!! Jimi's pallet is not sophisticated enough to enjoy the desert offerings but high praise to the meat and seafood here. This place was a great pregame to a not so politically correct comedy show! 5 stars read more

We went here during the Arizona Restaurant Week. The parking can be challenge since it could be the same day that downtown Phoenix has an event (so please plan ahead). There is a parking structure near by, unfortunately, we could not get in because the parking ticket would not release from the machine (maybe the parking lot was already full?). Luckily there is a valet parking for the restaurants in the heritage square. The flip side is that we pay for valet parking. I think the restaurant will give you a compliment parking validation if you park at the parking structure. We came right when they are just opened. The dining room is spacious with beautiful decorations. The food are super-delicious and huge portion. The watermelon salad is so refreshing. The whipped goat cheese is addictive. Goat cheese is not my favorite but the chef here made it so delicious. The black garlic honey on top of whipped goat cheese make this dish complete. Hypha Mushroom Criollo is a huge bowl of variety of vegetable stew. This is my first time having Yolele Fonio grains. These grains help complement the broth in criollo. Last but not least, the Southern pound cake is to die for. I love watermelon sauce and coconut sauce on every bite of this cake. On the other side of the restaurant is a market. They have many products, dry food, clothes, skin cares, baskets, and bags. The baskets are so cute and I had to stop myself from getting too many things. read more

LATHA - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Latha is the Swahili word for flavor, and the aptly named restaurant 's menu of African flavors combined with hints of Brazil, the Caribbean, and Southern definitely serves on the name. We went on a Friday evening and walked right up. I love the small houses-turned-into restaurants downtown, and this was so cute. The porch lights and the misters and the laidback feel were so welcoming. We started with the whipped goat cheese app. It was a delicious combination of savory and sweet flavors from the black garlic honey, sumac, and radish. It was served with chapati, an Indian flatbread, but I also ordered some coconut bread to dip in it as well. Mmmm. For entrees, we both had amazing selections. My husband had a taste of home (South Africa) with the Oxtail. Both his stomach and heart were happy. I chose the Dayboat Moqueca with grouper. I was pleasantly surprised at how good this was! The grouper was cooked perfectly and laid on a bed of rice grits and coconut chutney. That sweet coconut flavor with the texture of the rice grits and the flaky fish was heavenly. I can't remember the drinks we chose (Caipirinha was in there at some point) but they were well crafted and we had the second round chosen by our bartender after asking our flavors and entrees to match. We finished the meal with the Southern pound cake topped with whipped cream and date jam. Dessert and drinks were good, but the entrees were the hit of the night. The vibes and aesthetic of @lathaphx were so chill and fun. I had fun, along with the other women seated nearby and in the other rooms and at the bar, yelling out "call him" as the singer on the porch performed Erykah Badu's Tyrone. It was a cool date night full of Latha. read more

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There was a lovely live band playing outside that created such a beautiful atmosphere! It's a wonderful greeting! But sitting at our table, the music was just a little bit too loud. It got hard to hear my friends at our table as well as the waitress. Attached to the restaurant are a bar and a gift shop with all kinds of goods imported from Ghana. On sale they have a variety of items like chocolate, jewelry, clothing, and skin care. They let us look around there while we waited for our table to get ready. My friends and I started with the whipped goat cheese appetizer. I thought it was such a unique and flavorful dish. The honey mixed with the subtle taste of the cheese was unbeatable! I would highly recommend. For my main course, I ordered the Dayboat Moqueca. They were out of the fish of the day I guess, so it was made with shrimp instead. Overall, the dish was ok. It was way too small for its $38 price tag. And I'm not sure what "rice grits" are, which is what's in the menu description, but it was essentially halfway between coconut rice and risotto. That part was good, and the sauce was very flavorful, but the single broccolini in the dish tasted unseasoned, and the shrimp was slightly overdone. Overall, I commend the fusion of different flavors and the ambience, but I think my main dish was just a little bit lacking in a couple areas! read more

LATHA - Dayboat Moqueca - African Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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