My first time at Bala's Bistro. Not only is this just a restaurant; it's also an all stop shop for the African vitamins, soaps,and much more. The food was simply delicious that jerk chicken was falling off the bone my goodness. read more

Bala's Bistro - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The food at this hidden gem was fantastic. The folks behind the counter were super friendly. Our group had all of the vegetarian items. ALL OF THEM, were amazing. My family is from Ghana and the food was legit. If you want a taste of West Africa run to this jewel of a restaurant. This place is a 10 out of 10!!!! read more

I have gone back since posting and the service has been better than before. I always get the vegan quesadilla and it hits the spot. read more

Bala's Bistro - Plant base vegan wrap - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Every time I go here I'm always amazed This food is sooooooo good I can't make it up I've tried quite a few things and they don't disappoint at all. Try the juices as well read more

First time trying Egusi and fufu and was recommended this place by a coworker. Was good and fresh.

Omg I loved my experience here. Visited for lunch with coworkers during black business week. The guy was so nice he let us try some of the different hot options. Everything was so good I got a little of it all since the hot food is $9 per pound. Food was very flavorful and fresh, not very spicy. Also got beignets for dessert which were also 10/10 and came with chocolate, strawberry and caramel sauce. Ambiance was chill, not too many ppl sitting down and eating. read more

Bala's Bistro - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Amazing! I've been wanting to try this place forever! I haven't had oxtail before, and it did not disappoint! I drove to Bala's Bistro because I've heard nothing but good things about this place. It was worth the drive, and everything was warm when I got home. The oxtails were delicious and fell right off the bone. The stew is vibrant and full of flavor. The jollof rice was a little stiff, but it was still delicious. I think I'll get more vegetables next time. The oxtails come with any side you want. I also ordered the meat pies to go. They are very filling and tasty. I'll be eating this for lunch and dinner. The honey hibiscus juice is what I love the most. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but I want to try more new things this year, and it was surprisingly good. I can't wait to go back and try more of their house-made juices! Give this spot a try. You won't be disappointed. read more

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bala's has a MASSIVE menu! i typically choose something from the hot serve display; however, they have a menu full of fresh, cooked to order options as well. also, DO NOT sleep on those slushees they have behind the counter. that hibiscus slush gets me right every time! the staff here if very helpful and infinitely knowledgeable about what you should get if you're having trouble. i wish they offered more points per dollar but I'm still buying from them lol read more

Bala's Bistro - chicken kabob, zaman rice, plantain - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Great service, great food! After leaving Graceland, and having had a bunch of BBQ previously during our trip to Memphis , our group wanted something different. With a bunch of vegan, chicken and fish options, this place delivered! read more

I tasted this food at an event someone hosted and ordered from here. I was like I have to go visit them. I looked them up and I was like wait they in Whitehaven. I literally dislike leaving my neighborhood but I found strength to carry on (not to mention I've driven out there 4 times now). I ordered the oxtails, cabbage, meat pies, curry chicken, rice, blackeye peas (which are my favorite), fufu and soup, grilled salmon and mostly everything . I get to these restaurants and can't stop myself. Listen everything was good. Literally everything. Customer service is always on point. Food is always hot. The only critique I have is that I don't like they weigh the food at $9 a pound because all their food is heavy. My plate was like 30 bucks. My total that day was like $112. I think they should reconsider the amount per pound. Other than that I love the food. Not the cutest building at all but hey it gets the job done. read more

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So good. I had it 2 nights in a row. Where do I start other than to say scrumptious!!! This is not an inflated story and these are the true experiences of my taste buds, stomachs reaction, over indulgence and experience. After arriving to my hotel food was the next thing on my mind. So, I placed went to the handy dandy door dash. After waiting 30mins the order never arrived, so I loaded me up and off to Bala's I went. The restaurant was clean and being cleaned as I arrived due to how close it was to closing. Nevertheless, my order was ready when I arrived. The staff on both occasions were very helpful and allowed samples of the prepared foods. I will definitely revisit when back in Memphis. My apologies for no pics however the dishes I tried were Vegan Quesadilla, Vegan Wrap and Vegan Saka Saka. Until the next one, Bye Bye! read more

Service was wonderful. Food was too salty and the flavor of the dishes tried were not very tasty. Location is ok and the decor inside is so so. Would possibly try again to make sure I didn't just catch them on a bad day. read more

Bala's Bistro - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

This was my 1st time trying authentic African food and boy was I excited. Ive heard good reviews about this establishment and I agree!! Whenever my best friend and I go places we kinda just order several things and share, we eat family style. Cant remember what I tried but I didnt have any complaints. The cheesecake was vegan, it had a coconut taste. Not bad but not my thing.. possibly because I make creamcheese cheesecakes. The caramel cake was a regular cake n was pretty good. Definitely coming back, gotta try some kinda soup n fufu.. Yes, I recommend. read more

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SO I decided to give them another try. This time I ordered vegan dishes from the menu. I was impressed with the vegan quesadilla- very tasty! I only complaint is the saltiness. It could be a me thing but I don't like super salty food. The vegan quesadilla is something I will definitely order again! The sweet plantain I didn't care for- as a Caribbean, I love naturally sweetened plantain and these weren't it. The vegan wrap- I'm not sure if I didn't care for it because the vegan quesadilla was the "star" of this order. It wasn't bad but it wasn't my favorite thing either. The veggie roll pretty decent. The orange sauce it pretty good however I DID NOT believe it is vegan! I am trying to keep away from dairy because I have a reaction to it and when I tried this sauce- I had a slight reaction. Again, this is a personal assumption. read more

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Look, we're not familiar with this type of cuisine at all (we ordered delivery). So all we have to go on is taste and bang for your buck. Speaking of which, those oxtails are a rip-off. You can't charge those prices for such a small dish. Highway robbery, man. My other nit is regarding the overall sloppiness of the food. Stuff was everywhere. It just wasn't packed or prepared well (and missing our cassava). So besides that, the taste was pretty good. The beef patties were the best thing we had. Everything else was fine. We wouldn't go back, but like I said, we're not familiar with this type of cuisine. read more

If you want true authentic African and American cuisine this is the place to go! You can order off the menu or from their ready made food. Either option is great and you will be served hot and fresh food. I went during Memphis Black Restaurant Week and I am glad that I did! I had the house ginger juice. It is made in house and you can taste the fresh - raw ingredients with every sip. For food I ordered from the ready made food. You can put as much food on it as you would like and then they weigh it and your amount is based on that. It's $9 per pound. I had the jerk chicken, jasmine rice, collard greens, and peanut butter stew. It was all good and well seasoned. They do have a small dining area if you would like to eat in. So, the next time you are in the Whitehaven area you should definitely stop in. read more

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I tried their egusi soup and fufu and their oxtail once as well. It was very good. I would definitely try them again. I recommend trying their beef patties a well. read more

Bala's Bistro - Beef patty - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Well, well, well...here we are a year later. It's black restaurant week in Memphis yet again and my first stop was none other than Bala's bistro! I'm so happy that they've expanded and got a new spot! Decided to actually go inside and take a look instead of ordering and picking up food this time. When I went inside, I went for the buffet which is currently priced at $9/lb. There is lots to choose from at the buffet and of course you can order from the menu as well. They have a large variety of food, but I went with some more African cuisine. I've been wanting to try fufu for quite some time, so I went for the egusi, vegan soup kandja (okra stew), fufu and fried plantains. I already knew what the okra stew was like because I had it before, but that egusi hit different! Soooo rich in flavor. Paired with the fufu, it was such a delight! Everything was really good and I'm pretty sure I'll be paying them another visit. They've yet to disappoint me. read more

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I'm always impressed by the food. I have never once been disappointed by a meal from here. Great service and DELICIOUS food!!!!!!

I ate here before Before they moved to a new location it was pretty cool the boom boom sauce uhhh naw not for my taste the salmon wrap tasted too fishy for me properly because I'm pregnant my taste buds is everywhere but I would eat here again I think both wraps was $24 nice size but make sure you get your sides I didn't I orders Fry's and plantains didn't get my plantains but one order of Fry's next time I will get the chicken wrap and probably wings they look promising!!! read more

Bala's Bistro - The salmon wrap - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

When I say the food is amazing, it's just that! I've been here many times over the past three years. The food is always fresh, seasoned and fragrant. You get a big portion for the price. Bala (the owner & chef) is delightful as well. I usually do takeout because the dining area is small. They can get crowded, so be sure to order online or call in ahead to order. read more

Bala's Bistro - 12 oz. Bone In Lamb Yassa, Fried Plantains, Jollof Rice - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Next level food, especially their vegan dishes. I had the peanut stew with jollof & collards, the first bite was otherworldly

First do not take my word for it. Please go & experience it on your own. Saw it on the news & felt I wanted something different than what's continously offered here in town. I've never had West African cuisine so a huge THANK YOU to the chefs, cooks & staff at Bala's Bistro. Went in Sunday evening to treat myself to an early birthday meal. The decor is so beautiful & the vibrant colors makes you feel welcomed. The sweet woman that rung us up informed me I would love the food I was ordering. I wasn't sure because like I stated before, never had West African cuisine. The Chicken Maafe - Its stewed in a creamy peanut butter sauce. I didn't expect it to be so delicious! I would've never thought to use peanut butter that way. I don't know how they did it but it was done!! The chicken was so tender. The cabbage was cooked so well I didn't even notice it until I read the menu again. The thick cuts of carrots paired so well with it. I still can't wrap my mind around the combination of food & flavors for this dish. I was so amazed, I took 2 quick photos & ate until my pregnant belly said stop. The Chicken Yassa - This dish reminds me of home. Nope! I am not from Africa... just the entire feeling alone as I ate felt like home. I rarely give reviews because I don't like to take the time but I had to for this. Now be careful, they do cook it with bone in but that's not an issue for many & definitely not for me, just my picky partner The chicken again, tender & juicy. There's lots of onions but that's not a problem at all because they were sauteed to perfection & the garlic wasn't at all overbearing. The Dijon is what tied it all together with a welcoming taste of lemon. Everything blended perfectly.. Oh so good!! Now the Beef Fatayas‍ - All I would say is instead of two I should've purchased 10. I deprived myself. Being cute I allowed my partner to bite one not knowing he would double back and ask to have the entire fataya. Their boom boom sauce & spicey onion relish was so good I ate it with my spoon just to have it w/o the fatayas. My partner also ordered the Salmon Wrap which I didn't get to see or taste but hey, I will return today for my BIRTHDAY and get it for myself, alongside my Fatayas & those egg rolls. Can't really remember exactly what the sweet woman told me were in the egg rolls but all I know is she made me go, "Oooo I want those too!" I made sure to take left overs home so I can enjoy some the next morning. I really hope it's not a pregnancy craving for why it tastes so good to me. I want to go back regularly in the future especially for their housemade drinks. The Ginger Lime wasn't bitter at all. It was sweet and subtle. The gallon will make its way to my refrigerator. These people need a spot out in Bartlett, Raliegh, Midtown & N. Memphis read more

Bala's Bistro - Chicken Maafe, Chicken Yassa & Jollof rice - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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WOW WOW WOW!!! Marvelous soul food! The sweet potatoes were to die for, so creamy and delicious. Other favs are the plantains, collard greens, and seafood okra stew. Don't forget to get a gallon of lime ginger juice as well. Got a lil dessert for the road and it just melts in your mouth. Best food in Memphis! Period! read more

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Great food and excellent customer service care. Everything is made fresh and its in your face like buffet style

Recently tried this place for the first time, and I've been 4x within 3 weeks. The food quality is consistent, and the food is always delicious when I ordered both in person and via DoorDash. Staff is friendly also. My favorite items so far are the jerk chicken, okra stew, jollof rice, patties, and the salmon wrap. read more

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Delicious! We are visiting from Texas and stumbled upon this little place (thanks to Yelp). All three of us ordered something different and then shared tastes of everything. I also liked the cafeteria style service where we were able to see what each dish looked like, since the names were uncommon to us. read more

Bala's Bistro - I had already eaten some before I took a photo. - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Excellent food excellent prices, great atmosphere. Staff very clean and helpful. Authentic food, always cheerful and helpful staff. read more

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Our first time, and we were just passing through. Saw the write up here on Yelp and thought it would be something different. It was, and we were very glad that we as two Canadians unfamiliar with this cuisine gave it a try. It was both delicious and interesting. You choose your food from the steam table, and then pay by weight. Delicious. read more

Bala's Bistro - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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I had to walkout the Reasturant the food is good, but the people who run it had me wait 10 minutes with one person in front of me. Then a another person came in and they took his order. It's unacceptable. I won't comeback to this African Reasturant. read more

Bala's Bistro - Salmon Wrap and Sweet Potato fries. - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I love the food here. It's like none other. The spices are different and lend authenticity to every dish. The best oxtails I've eaten out, saka saka is delicious, and you must have the plantains. I love that you can buy a variety by the pound. Excellent way to try this wonderful African cuisine. The restaurant is cozy and Afrocentric, I love that too! This comfort food is on another level. I want to proudly sing the Lion King song when I walk up to the counter! read more

Absolutely no. The oxtails I just had were 90 percent fat. It made me sick. They were literally taken out the package and cooked. I could have done better. I mean there was absolutely no flavor. The white rice was great. Tho! Lol this place is charging 30 for some oxtails and they taste horrible. Save your money. read more

Amazing food with beyond generous portions for incredibly reasonable prices. Bala's has the best African cuisine in Memphis. If that's not enough, the decorations and ambiance are second to none and the staff are kind and gracious. read more

Great authentic west African cuisine! I am a fan of their jollof rice and tamarind drink. Lots of vegan/vegetarian options. For those that like spicy food their hot sauce is great! read more

Stopped by around 8pm last Saturday and was pleasantly surprised that they've grown to an expanded space in a different location. I order the vegan kimchi (however you spell it) but they served me the vegan quesadilla which my friend ordered. Although it wasn't what I ordered, it was delicious. Because they took so long to bring our food to the table, the sever offered both of us free beverages. The hibiscus teas was DELICIOUS. I enjoyed the music, African decor and overall ambiance. I shall return. Go check'em out, you won't be disappointed! Cheers! read more

Bala's Bistro - Vegan Quesadilla and plantains - African Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Fantastic lunch here. We had a salad, sweet potato fries, chicken dibi, and fried sweet plantains. Enough spice to make it very interesting on the chicken, but not so much as to be uncomfortable. I would absolutely come here again, and in fact I think I will tomorrow. There's a pretty huge menu full of interesting things. read more

Service and food is phenomenal great staff/management my go to place for a decent entree of greatness highly recommend

My vegan husband and I love this place! I get the jerk chicken or lamb shank with jollof, and collard greens and it never disappoints! I think my vegan gets the okra stew. They have a lot of delicious vegan options for him. read more

One of the restaurants I chose to visit for Memphis Black restaurant week & it did not disappoint. They have a variety of selections from vegan to meat lovers. The inside could use some updated but the food was so good you overlook it. You can order from the menu or choose from the buffet bar. I chose the buffet bar so I can try different things. The food from the bar is weighed & cost about $9.00lb. Can't wait to go back & try other items. read more

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I've visited three times. Food is always hot and delicious! I always get the same thing. The egusu soup ( w/o the fufu) jerk chicken and on my last visit I tried the black eyed peas and the greens. Vegan portion was tasty and I love the plantains!! Cashier is always friendly as well as the cooks when I've seen them come from the back. Out of my three visits I dined in once and the table was really sticky. Other than that I'll most def come again. read more