Best Restaurants in Ghana 2026

Jollof Rice

Ghana's version of the iconic West African party rice — tomato-based, deeply spiced, and often cooked over firewood for the coveted 'bottom pot' smoky flavor. Served at every celebration and better at local restaurants than anywhere else.

Where to try: Any local chop bar or Ghanaian restaurant in Accra or Kumasi

Price: $4-12

Waakye

A beloved breakfast and lunch dish of rice and black-eyed beans cooked together with sorghum leaves, giving it a distinctive reddish-brown color. Served with spaghetti, fried plantain, avocado, shito (black pepper sauce), and your choice of protein.

Where to try: Waakye vendors along Osu Oxford Street, especially before 11 AM

Price: $2-6

Fufu and Palm Nut Soup

The quintessential Ghanaian meal — pounded cassava and plantain forming a smooth, elastic dough, eaten by pinching and dipping into fiery palm nut soup with goat or tilapia. A hands-on communal meal eaten without utensils.

Where to try: Asanka Local restaurant (Osu), traditional chop bars throughout Accra

Price: $5-10

Banku and Tilapia

Fermented corn and cassava dough shaped into balls, paired with grilled or fried tilapia and fresh pepper sauce (one-man-thousand). Ghana's most celebrated seafood dish, best eaten by the ocean.

Where to try: Republic Bar and Grill (Osu), beachfront restaurants in Cape Coast and Elmina

Price: $8-15

Kelewele

Cubed ripe plantain deep-fried in a blazing marinade of ginger, hot pepper, and cloves until caramelized and fragrant. Ghana's greatest street snack, served in newspaper cones with roasted groundnuts at sunset.

Where to try: Labadi Beach vendors at sunset, Osu street stalls from 4 PM

Price: $1-3

Groundnut Soup (Nkate Kwan)

Rich, aromatic soup made from fresh groundnut paste with tomatoes, onions, and spices, simmered with chicken or goat to create one of West Africa's most satisfying stews. Often eaten with fufu or rice balls.

Where to try: Local chop bars and restaurants throughout Ghana

Price: $4-10

Kelewele

Spiced fried plantain cubes — Ghana's iconic street snack made with very ripe plantain, ginger, hot pepper, and cloves. Sold from large woks on street corners from late afternoon. Perfect with roasted groundnuts.

Find it at: Osu Oxford Street, Labadi Beach, markets throughout Accra — active 3-10 PM

Waakye

Beloved rice-and-beans breakfast served with a constellation of accompaniments including spaghetti, avocado, fried plantain, and shito sauce. Best vendors sell out before noon so arrive early.

Find it at: Waakye stalls along Osu Oxford Street and Jamestown, 6 AM - noon

Suya

Spiced beef skewers grilled over charcoal with a coating of groundnut powder, ginger, and hot pepper — Ghana's West African answer to barbecue. Best eaten fresh off the grill at roadside vendors in the evening.

Find it at: Osu Recreation Park and roadside grills throughout Accra, 6 PM onwards

Roasted Groundnuts

Freshly roasted peanuts sold in brown paper cones or newspaper packets by roadside vendors throughout the day. A filling, protein-rich snack at just $0.50-1 per packet.

Find it at: Street corners throughout Accra, markets, and bus stations

Coconut (Fresh)

Young green coconuts cracked open for drinking followed by eating the soft flesh — sold by vendors throughout beaches and busy streets. Hydrating and refreshing in Ghana's heat.

Find it at: Beaches, markets, and roadside vendors citywide, $1 per coconut

Makola Market

Accra's massive central market with dedicated sections for fresh produce, dried fish, spices, groundnut paste, and tropical fruits. The spice section sells dried peppers, dawadawa, shea butter, and traditional ingredients unavailable elsewhere. Arrive early for the freshest produce.

Hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily

Kejetia Market Food Section

Kumasi's legendary market includes enormous food halls selling smoked fish, root vegetables, palm nuts, garden eggs, and the full range of Ashanti culinary ingredients. The busiest and most authentic traditional food market in Ghana.

Hours: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily

Agbogbloshie Market

Accra's largest fresh produce market and a fascinating window into the city's food supply chain. Fresh yams, cassava, plantain, tomatoes, peppers, and onions arrive daily from across Ghana. Best visited as part of a guided food tour.

Hours: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily