I got to meet the chef and had a nice goal with him. The food was amazing I had the goat and this desert with avocado and passion fruit ( who knew loll) both amazing delivered very quickly. Great service, eclectic staff and all in all wonderful vibe. read more

Baobab Fare - Goat - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Refreshing atmosphere and great service, We loved the unique dishes, and surprisingly tried an unusual dessert after a filling delicious meal. The place was bustling so plan to get there early. Reservations are important but since we didn't have, we put our name in and walked around checking out the neighborhood shops. read more

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Food is amazing and really well priced. The wait to get a table can be kind of long on a weekend evening so keep that in mind. Note that they don't serve alcohol, but this quality of food here really is a step above the rest. read more

This restaurant has been on my food bucket list for ages, even before all of the great press, prestigious award mentions, and television appearances. I have followed their progress, especially while listening to NPR, where I have heard a lot about the food. So thankfully, we found their food truck at Eastern Market. I ran over there, so excited! My family was with me, and even though we enjoy African cuisine, I was not sure if they would enjoy it. Honestly, I am not sure why I was worried. We ordered the chicken stew with rice and plantain in the roti bread. They loved it! It was so flavorful. The chicken had the best rich flavor in the sauce. The plantains were very nice and the bread was excellent. So chewy and stretchy. It reminded us of one of our favorite dishes at Universal Volcano Bay, which sounds odd, but they serve a chicken curry rice with plantains inspired by the Caribbean that is excellent cuisine and not at all typical of a water park. If we can get that amazing flavor here we are very excited and can't wait to try more dishes. Now we can't wait to visit the brick and mortar restaurant. I would love to try their beef stew, desserts, and interesting drinks, but I do not think I could visit without getting that chicken again. This food is amazing and completely worth the hype even when eaten on the go. read more

Baobab Fare - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Don't know if I am insane but I was underwhelmed. The sides and beans were good but the mains felt under-seasoned to me. Hot sauce was very good. Ambiance was ok but service definitely left something to be desired. The waitress initially waited to greet me and take my order even though she wasn't doing anything else and then came up to me and asked if things were going well right at the time I was on the phone because my mom had called me. She was literally not doing anything else the entire time. I guess she doesn't know timing? read more

Nice food and warm-hearted service! Trendy decoration.Highly recommended! We ordered three different main courses and all of them are delicious. Amazing avocado and passion fruit pudding. read more

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I wish I could have packed this restaurant in my suitcase and taken it home with me. This place was THAT good. Everything was a dream. In particular, these were the best plantains I've had in my entire life - the texture, the flavor - perfect. The service was awesome. We were in a bit of a rush before leaving; we communicated this to our server to make sure we'd have the time. They were incredibly nice about it and our food got to us with plenty of time to spare. The ambiance is nice. Lots of tables, big and bright windows. This place is a must eat at for anyone visiting Detroit. read more

Baobab Fare - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Literal chefs kiss to this place. We came here on a Saturday for lunch after reading all of the reviews and I'll have to say, this was some of the tastiest food I've had. We got the Kumuhana which is marinated chicken with corn slaw, plantains, beans and we chose the coconut rice. The flavors that went into the bowl were absolutely delicious! Honestly I'm still craving the food! The service is quick and the ambiance is pretty chill overall. They have a little coffee bar area where we ordered Hibiscus and passion fruit tea both of which were a huge hit. Would recommend this restaurant! read more

Baobab Fare - Kumuhana - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Came to baobab with two friends and no reservation. It was quite busy but we were immediately seated. The inside of the restaurant is nice, modern, and clean. I was greeted by Deb who was an absolutely incredible energy. She is so vibrant and you can tell she loves working there. The passion fruit juice is absolutely phenomenal. It's sweet and tart and wonderful. We waited about 25 minutes for our food to come out. I got the kumuhana and my friends got the kuku and nyumbani. As soon as I got my dish I asked if I could get a side of hot sauce. It took about 10 minutes for my side of hot sauce and I had to remind the waitress. The hot sauce is about a tablespoon for 2 dollars. It was absolutely incredible hot sauce but extremely overpriced. I felt bad because my friends waited for me to get my hot sauce to start eating so it caused our food to be slightly colder. My food had amazing flavor and was really really tasty. When the bill came, I honestly think the waitress should've comped my hot sauce for waiting for so long, but she didn't. (I didn't ask but I think it's how to build customer relationships when you forget something for someone's meal). After the hot sauce, the waitress came over to our table multiple times to check on us to make sure we were okay and didn't need anything else, which I appreciated. Deb also came up to our table multiple times to check on us and to just make small talk. My food was 9/10 The hot sauce was 10/10 Our waitress was 7.5/10 Deb was 10/10 Prices were 7.5/10 - slightly high Portions were 8/10 My bill was $27 for 1 entree, no drinks, hot sauce, tax and tip I would definitely come again read more

Baobab Fare - Nyumbani - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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The food is amazing - very flavorful yet not overly salty. You have a choice of coconut or spiced rice - get half and half. They are both delicious. I got the eggplant option. The other veggie option is a larger serving of the spinach/peanut side that came with my dish. The service was slow towards the end of the meal, and there seemed to be several staff not very busy hanging around the coffee bar. That's the only reason I didn't give 5 stars. I've been back already even though it is a long drive from where I live. It's worth it. read more

Baobab Fare - The eggplant dish - can't recall the name. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This. Was. Delightful. We got the Mbuzi & Nyumbani as well as the Ji Passion fruit, and all of it was such a pleasure to eat. Rich flavors, well balanced, nothing out of place. The meat was all cooked to perfection and even re-heated well a couple of days later! You have a choice of coconut ride or spiced rice with any dish, but our waiter told us you can choose both for a half n half situation, so...great for the indecisive or those throw just want to sample everything! Stellar. We got both and both loved the spiced rice more than we thought we would. It's not spicY at all, just spiced, so no worries if you're trying to avoid hot things. The goat in the Mbuzi was so tender and flavorful (not at all gamey, if you're worried about that). The beef in the Nyumbani was likewise moist and flavorful. The peanut spiced spinach was amazing - like a creamed spinach with peanut instead of the cream...totally delightful and, again, neither flavor overwhelmed the other. It was an excellent pairing. The yellow beans were a very pleasant mellow accompaniment and the friend plantains added just the right amount of sweetness. I think that there can be no wrong choices at this establishment. They have clearly thought through each element of their dishes and come out with a small collection of standout combinations. It's basically choose your protein and go from there! Even a vegan option for those looking for that. Eating here made me so happy! The decor in this place is simple, fresh and colorful. Everyone who helped us on staff was knowledgeable and accommodating. They made excellent recommendations and checked on us regularly. The space was comfortable and bright, even on an overcast day. Restrooms were clean and easy to find. This was a very chill spot and somewhere it would be easy to hang out in for a leisurely meal with friends (and most tables were doing just that!). All in all, a total delight of a meal and somewhere we already yearn to return to someday. We drove up more than an hour from Toledo, but the experience was worth every minute. read more

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I was staying here on business and Baobab Fare was well worth the trip out of downtown. Easily the best food I had in Detroit. Hands down. I found it from a Youtube review and that was the best random video I ever watched. Definitely have to try when you're in town. Authentic AF. read more

Baobab Fare - Kuku with half and half rice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This is a pretty popular restaurant so arrive early and put your name in the list. Our wait time was approximately 30 minutes and luckily it was a nice day and we were able to take a short walk and sit on a nearby bench as there was no available wait area inside the restaurant. The menu covered a wide range of dishes most of which came with coconut or spiced rice, plantains, beans and a corn/cucumber salad (on marinated chicken dish). We ordered the marinated/smoked chicken and the goat shank dishes along with a side of peanut flavored spinach and a passion fruit juice. Both dishes were really good with the meats being tender. Didn't taste much coconut in the white rice but the spiced rice was good. The chicken dish also included a corn and cumber salad which was tasty. Serving size was just enough to satisfy our appetites and price point wasn't too crazy. Enjoyed the meal overall and our service was great ! read more

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This hidden gem is a must visit as dishes from the East African culture are full of flavor. I had the Mbuzi, Stewed Peanut Spinach and Intore, my only issue is the food didn't come out hot. read more

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Been a couple times, every one was delish! My sister got the khumana and hers looked the best. That's what I'll get next time :) read more

Baobab Fare - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Nothing more for me to add... the food is great... the plantains... awesome, the service... awesome. The food is good but I'd say the ladies that work there are the stars of the show. They're super friendly and their energy super positive. They even fed me extra plantains and some of the avocado/passion fruit dessert which surprisingly was not bad at all! That's all a brotha wants is a woman who keeps feeding him til he's full. I'll be back to try more of the other dishes. read more

Baobab Fare - Kuku - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Food/ perfectly seasoned, fresh, hot, delicious, savory, mildly sweet and salty Service/ friendly, attentive, knowledgeable Ambiance/ clean, busy , family friendly, stimulating, attractive read more

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Unique flavors make this place one of a kind. Dined there several times and it never disappoints!

Mboga is one of the best meals I've had in Detroit. I've had it several times, and I prefer the delicious spiced rice pilau over the coconut rice, which is more similar to just normal white rice. The staff have always been super kind, the turnaround time on an order is always ridiculously fast, and it's just a really cool ambience in there. My only criticism is the small number of vegan options. If there were a couple more vegan options I would eat there way more often so I could rotate dishes. I've had the Intore and the Mboga, and those are the vegan main options with Mboga being my favorite. The side of fried plantains were delicious and had vegan sauces for dipping, and I've had good drinks including the hibiscus and African tea. read more

Baobab Fare - Mboga - Creamed spinach, stewed yellow beans, spiced rice pilaf, and plantains. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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So yummy! We went on a Thursday for lunch, no reservations and we were seated right away. The food came quickly and was delicious. I had the Mboga ( spinach dish) and my husband had the kuku. Both dishes were great, we will definitely return. The staff was friendly. read more

One of, if not the best, fish dishes in the Detroit metro area! (Called Samaki on the menu). $20 and enough for two- the fish is perfectly cooked and comes with your choice of rice (I prefer the coconut rice), plantains and white beans. No idea what the flavors are in here but it's amazing!!! Like, A-Ma-Zing! And of course the other DO NOT MISS a menu item is the tamil. It's base is avocado but that's all I've got for you other than you'll not find this anywhere else in Michigan and it's to die for- thank goodness was they give you one serving ($7) because I could eat it by the bucketful! The entire place is beautifully decorated and has such a wonderful atmosphere- try to dine in if you can. And order the passionfruit juice as well- very special. read more

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There's a reason this place is on yelp's top 100 list this year y'all!! Decided to family style so we could try each dish and every single one was DELICIOUS. If I had a pick a favorite it'd be the samaki, which was fish with corn salad, beans, and rice. The combination of flavors was incredible and a complete mouthgasm. This was my first time trying East African food and I'm so glad I came here for that experience. Must try if you're in the area! read more

Baobab Fare - Intore, Samaki, Nyumbani, Kuku - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This restaurant is amazing! The East African cuisine is so flavorful and delightful. Our dining experience was quite fun. The ambiance is fresh - a gray scale palate with pops of yellow. The windows are plenty when lots of light shining into the restaurant. The food came out piping hot (plus) and the servings were plentiful! My mom and I left with ample leftovers. The Hibiscus tea is made fresh in house with all natural ingredients ( I could have drank two glasses is was so tasty). The food was beyond what we could have asked for - my lamb shank/Mbuzi was paired with rice, plantain, corn and yellow beans. My mom kept raving about how huge the lamb shank is that she couldn't keep her eyes off my plate! You must try this dish! My mom ordered the Wednesday special, Mhogo, which was a yuca and chicken dish paired with cream spinach. You can't go wrong with either of theses entrees. I am looking forward to returning the Baobab Fare soon!!! read more

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We have been fans of Baobob Fare since we first tried their food at a Frame popup back in 2018. Last night we dined at the restaurant for the first time and it was a great experience! We ate a fairly early dinner (5pm) since it didn't appear reservations are taken. We had our choice of tables, but by time we left the place was full. The decor inside is light, bright and cheery. The casual restaurant is exceptionally clean and uncluttered. My husband started with an African spiced coffee, which he enjoyed and I chose the flavorful, iced hibiscus tea. For dinner we shared two dishes. The Samaki (fish) was perfectly cooked and the spices were so flavorful. The meal came with a generous portion of fried plantains, stewed yellow beans, spiced pilau and corn salad. Every bite was outstanding! We also loved the Intore Stew (eggplant) with coconut rice, peanut-stewed spinach and fried plantains. Both meals were delicious! From the service to the food to the atmosphere, we really enjoyed our meal at Baobob Fare and are so happy to see how this vision we first heard about years ago has become a successful and fantastic dining destination! read more

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Just to preface, we have gone to this specific location multiple times and have had exceptional service. The food itself is absolutely delectable and had our family of 6 licking up our plates. We have never had a problem with our service until today when our waitress, Grey, who represented a very wish-washy and oblivious individual with our time there. For example, Grey had not only forgotten to take things off our tab when the item was out, and forgot to inform us that. Also, there was additional items on our tab that weren't consumed during our meal. In addition, they didn't do the bare minimum of giving silverware to the main courses. Lastly, she was utterly 'uncomfortable' with her server skills. One of my family members were made self-conscious by her comment of ordering dessert." Are you sure you'll eat that all by yourself?" It was a half filled 9$ cup chocolate mousse- which was delicious and laughable she made that comment. Also, we witnessed her serving another table with much more enthusiasm and attentive responses while her coworker was doing her job. Really didn't deserve that self-added 20% self gratitude. We love Baobab fare, but were very disappointed by the service today. read more

Nice East African restaurant with great food. I tried the fish dish which I can't pronounce so I am not going to try. It was delicious but a James Beard Award I don't know. I need to try more dishes to determine that.i loved the aesthetics and atmosphere it was really chill. The service was great. Nice place. read more

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You know a restaurant is good when you're trying to recreate their food a week later. Very trendy atmosphere, easily accessible via the Q line. Genuinely unique food, but not in a super challenging way, like, I would take my not-very-culinarily-adventurous friends here and I think they would enjoy it. Also, lots of vegetarian and vegan options! Portions were massive, I saw multiple tables with to-go boxes, so you're getting good value for your money. I got the eggplant stew per the waiter's recommendation, and it came out immediately (like, within two minutes) so I assume they had the stew already cooking. For my sides, I got coconut rice (paired nicely with the stew), yellow beans (solid addition), fried plantains (soft and nicely caramelized) and peanut stewed spinach. Hoooooly crap the peanut stewed spinach. It's so good! I would eat an entire bowl of just that, and it was so delicious that I tried to recreate it myself - my rendition is pretty good, but not quite as good as the original. If you get one thing, get the spinach. Overall, a great spot for anyone looking to try something new! I'm glad I came. read more

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I'm late to the Baobab fare party but have dined here several times in the past few months and am in love. The space is modern, friendly and casual. The food is absolutely delicious and made with love. The Nyumbani with rice, plantains and peanut spinach is my new favorite bowl of comfort food. The hibiscus tea is also refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness. Highly recommend if you want a unique, affordable, stick to your ribs meal in the city. read more

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The Service and food was amazing. My Granddaughter had a birthday dinner and it was phenomenal.

Amazing food!!!!!!!!!! Sooooo Flavorful without hot I absolutely love this place - cant wait to go and try more dishes. I had the stewed beef with coconut rice. My mother had the fish which of the two was the star dish!! The coffee was soooooo good read more

One of my absolute favorite places to eat in Detroit! It's located in such a great area, right on the corner of two iconic streets in Detroit - Woodward and Grand Boulevard - and serves as the gateway to the New Center district! The interior space at Baobab is so modern and open. It's such a fun vibe for everything casual, but also feels cozy and special for those times when you're looking for something a bit more upscale too. You cannot go wrong with anything you order on this menu, but I dream about the Samaki dish day in and day out. That's their flash-fried fish dish and they truly cook it to perfection. Pair that with their spiced rice pilau, the corn salad, the beans, the fried plantains - it is utterly DELECTABLE! It's the perfect meal (combine with the tart passion fruit juice YUM) and it is so much food that I definitely eat half and save the other half for another meal, which I love. But truly, there's something for everyone here. They have weekday specials as well, various different kind of meat-based dishes, but also are very vegan friendly as well! Everything here is delicious and it just makes perfect sense that they were rated the top restaurant in Detroit by Yelp! Congrats Baobab! Love you ALWAYS! read more

Baobab Fare - Samaki (crispy flash-fried fish cooked w/ peppers & garnished w/ tangy sautéed onions), Corn Salad, Plantains, Stewed Yellow Beans - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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I visited during peak service on a Saturday night without a reservation and was seated right away. The restaurant had loud, but good music playing. I opted to put in my AirPods because I forgot my loop earplugs. Our server Christal was absolutely wonderful. I tried the fizzy hibiscus soda and wasn't disappointed. The plantain chips were cooked perfectly and came with a savory sauce I would buy bottled. Had notes of cumin, coriander, etc. really fantastic. I opted for the nyumbani (beef, plantains, rice, steamed spinach) and my partner tried the Kuku (chicken, rice, beans, plantains). Both dishes exceeded expectations. They were well-seasoned but not spicy. The beef and the chicken were tender and plated with intention. I preferred the yellow beans to the spinach as a side. I loved how bright they were from the citrus. The spinach was more earthy than I was expecting . The sweetness from the plantains balanced it out though. Allergen friendly too! So many options for dairy and gluten free people. read more

Amazing experience at Baobab fare. All the dishes were great but our favorite was the kupuna and Mbuzi. We wanted to try the Nyubani but it was sold out at 5:30 pm, so will have to go back again. It was definitely very busy and we waited for about 45 min, but definitely worth the wait. read more

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Was looking forward to try this place. Very easy ordering via website for pickup. I like that they offer vegan options so we ordered few different items to try: Intore (eggplant dish), Nyumbani (beef), Petit Pois to share and side of Kuku. We also got Tamu, avocado dessert which was very good. Overall everything was very tasty and the portion size was good but it's a little pricey. I tried the other African place across the street and the food there was more flavorful than here hence only 4* read more

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We came towards closure on Sunday so they already ran out of a few dishes. Nice, pleasant decor, efficient and friendly service. Fish & chicken dishes were very tasty and full of flavor. Nuyambani was good too but meat was a bit tough. And dishes served on a warmer side not hot. Dishes served in cool plates. Recommend! read more

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This is the cutest little restaurant. It has a small gift shop in it. The staff is super friendly and welcoming. I had the nyumbani and the hibiscus tea. I was only one of 2 customers in there at the time as it was in between meal times, so my food came out in less than 5 minutes, which lead me to assume it's all made they just have to pop it on your plate. Everything tastes homemade and was really delicious. The beef was super tender. The prices are good and I got a huge portion so I had some leftovers the next day. I can't wait to go back and try something else as I have never had East African food before. read more

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Baobab Fare in Detroit, Michigan, and I must say, it was a delightful experience in many aspects. TLDR: Menu items are flavorful through and through. Design is well thought out. Service is prompt and respectful. Ambiance can either be a nice upscale lunch with a group of friends or a date night when it's darker out. Food 5/5, Design 5/5, Service 5/5, Ambiance 5/5 Food: I tried two of their signature dishes, the Mbusa (braised goat shank) and the Kuku (pan fried chicken). The Mbusa was an absolute standout; it was bursting with flavor and literally melted off the bone. The rich, savory taste lingered on my palate, leaving a lasting impression. On the other hand, the Kuku was decent, although it didn't quite reach the heights of the Mbusa but this is just a personal preference of goat over chicken. Not only were the main dishes impressive, but the sides were equally outstanding. They were well-seasoned and had textures that complemented the main courses perfectly. Design: The design of the restaurant is well thought out and mindful of the space. It's beautifully coordinated, creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. The aesthetics of Baobab Fare added to the overall dining experience, making it an appealing place to enjoy a meal. Color choices mesh well represent the cultural ties to Burundi (the owners nationality). There is a level of depth to the way lighting is placed and ceiling fixtures are built. Everything very methodical. Quality of Service: The service at Baobab Fare was impeccable. The staff was well-mannered and attentive, making sure our needs were met throughout the meal. Even during the late weekend lunch hours at 1:30 PM, the wait time was pleasantly short. Moreover, the staff provided excellent recommendations, enhancing our dining choices. Ambiance: Baobab Fare's ambiance is well-suited for date nights and small groups of 4-6 people. While the space is a bit tight, it adds to the intimate and cozy feel of the restaurant. The atmosphere is perfect for enjoying a romantic dinner or a gathering of close friends, making it a versatile choice for various occasions. In conclusion, Baobab Fare in Detroit, Michigan, offers a culinary experience that marries flavorful dishes with thoughtful design, exceptional service, and an intimate ambiance. It's a must-visit destination for those seeking a memorable dining experience in the heart of Detroit. read more

Baobab Fare - The Mbusa Boy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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My friends and I came here as it is a Detroit staple. There was just food, great onions. And so there's no super time and I can see why the chef won on food network read more

Baobab Fare - Nyumbani with Coconut rice and rice pilau - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

What's with the attitude of the staff today?? People waiting to get a table are being totally ignored. And I mean totally IGNORED. At least acknowledge that there's a line and indicate that you see us. After 10 minutes I had to flag someone to ask if there was a wait "list". Yup. Well can u add us? We don't mind waiting at all, but please ditch the attitude like we're an convenience and not a client. read more

Always worth it. Very filling and hearty dishes that are well seasoned and interesting and tasting. I always get extra stewed yellow beans and spiced brown rice w the spinach stuff and an African tea. Though...they could stand to be a litttttlllllleeeeee cheaper for the area they're in. read more