The best African and Caribbean food in the Detroit area

By Layla McMurtrie on Thu, Apr 18, 2024 at 3:31 pm

In recent years, the amount of African and Caribbean eateries in the Detroit area has continued to increase, with spots such as flourishing East African restaurant Baobab Fare and numerous hole-in-the-wall Jamaican eateries on the city’s northwest side.

Other local dining experiences serve up flavors from Senegal, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Liberia, Haiti, and Puerto Rico, proving that Detroit’s food scene is more than meets the eye.

If you want to expand your palate or are a food lover always in need of new authentic restaurants to try, here is where you should visit in metro Detroit.

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Instagram, @luffyskitchen

Luffy’s Kitchen

2934 Russell St., Eastern Market Shed 2, Detroit; luffyskitchen.com

This food vendor, plus catering and delivery service, specializes in authentic Nigerian cuisine. You can usually catch them at Eastern Market during the usual warm weather season market hours but follow the spot’s Instagram for specifics on when you can order.

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Google Maps

Caribbean Chill & Grill

27206 Grand River Ave., Redford Charter Twp.; 313-534-5550; facebook.com/people/Caribbean-ChillGrill

This family-owned restaurant has been serving the community for over 10 years with recipes that have been passed down through generations. The bar and grill-style spot offers a variety of dishes inspired by the Caribbean islands including curry goat, Roti, and seafood stew. There are indoor and outdoor seating options alongside a wide tropical drink selection.

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Facebook, Latin American Cuban Cuisine

Latin American Cuban Cuisine

2269 Ellsworth Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-961-7452; latinamericancubancuisines.com

The name of this place is straight to the point. Whether you want a Cuban sandwich, yuca fries, a meat-heavy meal, plantains, rice and beans, or tres leches cake, this spot has a variety of Latin food with a Cuban focus.

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Google Maps

Island Spice

18200 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-592-0941; facebook.com/ISpiceCaribbean

Specializing in homemade cooking with fresh ingredients, the flavors at Island Spice exude Caribbean influence.

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Google Maps

KG’s African

465 Inkster Rd., Garden City; 734-367-2000; kgsafricangrill.com

This “African-American” grill is Garden City’s first diner and eatery specializing in authentic African cuisine, specifically from Senegal. Along with numerous traditional Senegalese dishes, the spot also offers American diner food such as mozzarella sticks, Caesar salads, and cheeseburgers, so there are options for the adventurous and the picky eaters.

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Facebook, Jamaican Jerk Pit of Ann Arbor

Jamaican Jerk Pit

314 S. Thayer St., Ann Arbor; 734-585-5278; jamaicanjerkpit.com

The interior of this small space is brightly colored and lined with the flags of Caribbean countries. While it is take-out only, its food is delicious, offering the usual brown stew chicken, plantains, rice and peas, and more.

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Tom Perkins

Taste of Ethiopia

28639 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-905-5560; tasteofethiopiadetroit.com

Similar to Blue Nile in Ann Arbor, the staple at this family-owned Ethiopian restaurant in Southfield is a platter of side dishes served up with injera bread. There are meat and vegetarian options, plus options to try authentic Ethiopian drinks and desserts.

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Google Maps

Topey’s Kitchen

14621 Fenkell Ave., Detroit; 313-837-3737; topeyskitchendetroit.com

Offering yet another westside Jamaican spot, Topey’s is unique and multifaceted. The spot offers Jamaican breakfast, seafood dishes, soul food meals, island-style homemade juices, “reggae-style,” sandwiches, and more.

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Google Maps

Delphine Jamaican Restaurant

14377 E. Nine Mile Rd., Warren; 586-217-5000; delphinejamaicanrestaurant.com

This take-out Jamaican restaurant, located in an easy-to-miss strip mall, serves up authentic dishes like jerk chicken, salt fish, and patty. Jamaica-born Delphine Drake, known for the Jamaican seasonings she sells at Eastern Market and local grocery stores, opened the carryout spot in 2018 to bring Caribbean food closer to the east side of the city.

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Google Maps

Caribbean Authentic Cuisine

37136 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-272-2594; caribbeanauthenticcuisinemi.com

Caribbean Authentic Cuisine has a name that is straight to the point and true, with carefully crafted dishes ranging from an oxtail dinner to rasta pasta to red snapper.

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