This was one of my first experiences trying African food, and even though it was about four years…read moreago, I still think about this place all the time. In fact, it's one of those restaurants that randomly pops into my head because the food was that memorable. My friend and I were walking around the food hall trying to decide where to eat and honestly had no idea what to order. The owner came out, started chatting with us, shared a bit about his background and his food, and immediately made us feel welcome. When we told him we were open to trying anything, he offered to pick some of his favorite dishes for us. Everything he chose was incredible. Not only was the food delicious, but the experience itself is what stuck with me all these years later. You can tell he genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in what he does. His kindness, passion, and hospitality made us feel like more than just customers. Four years later, I still crave the food and remember how warmly we were treated. That's rare. This place will always hold a special place in my heart, and I truly hope more people get the chance to experience it. If you're thinking about trying it, do yourself a favor and go. You'll leave with a full stomach and probably a smile on your face too.

I really wanted to enjoy this experience, but it ended up not being quite for me. The egusi soup…read morehad a flavor profile I wasn't expecting, and the chicken was a bit tough. The dish also had a strong smell and a slightly bitter aftertaste. I had anticipated a more balanced, savory flavor, but it leaned more toward spice and bitterness for my taste. The fufu reminded me of an unseasoned potato in flavor. That said, the jollof rice with oxtail was a highlight. The meat was tender, the plantains were nicely sweet, and overall the dish felt more flavorful and satisfying. I definitely enjoyed that option much more. Considering the portion sizes and the ghost kitchen setup, the $30 price point felt a bit high to me. The food is not made to order, it is reheated before packaging in standard plastic containers, which influenced my overall impression. On a positive note, the woman serving was very kind and spoke highly of the food. I can see how this cuisine might be an acquired taste for some. For first-timers, I'd recommend starting with the jollof rice and meat dishes and exploring from there.

First time visiting, we were watching a play nearby so we stopped by for an early dinner. We made a…read morereservation but we didn't need it Saturday at 5p. They only have 2 tables & some barstools. It's a little pricey but the food was good & very flavorful. We enjoyed the chicken bowl with thieb rice & alloko (plantains) and the fish bowl with jollof rice & alloko (plantains). I also enjoyed the bissap drink (hibiscus). If you're in the area, it's worth a stop. Seems like many people get take out but you can dine there too.

definitely not a good representation of any African country as far as food is concerned especially…read moreNigeria. the jollof rice is tasteless, the fish is inadequate in more way than one and the yam is tolerable at best. wouldn't recommend at all. I'm pissed at my self for giving them a try, real waste of money

I'm first born American in a Jamaican family and I was happily surprised to find a Jamaican…read morerestaurant, in Chatsworth of all places, that was within walking distance of my mechanic's shop. The restaurant is in a strip mall, next to a barber shop. The woman behind the counter was so friendly and helpful that I was genuinely concerned about the quality of the food. Typically in a Jamaican restaurant, the ruder the service, the better the food is. This spot is the happy exception to the rule. The food was EXCELLENT. I asked for a recommendation for their best menu option and she suggested their fried chicken and maaaaaannnnnn, I think about that chicken like white dudes think about the Roman Empire. I'm actively trying to come up with reasons to take the long drive back to Chatsworth to try more of their menu. If you're ever in the area, this is worth a visit.

I was craving Jamaican food and ordered from this restaurant on Uber Eats last night…read more Unfortunately, my order never arrived because the restaurant was closed, even though they were still accepting orders on Uber. Wanting to give them another chance, I ordered again this morning. I got the jerk chicken special with rice and peas and cabbage, expecting a fresh, flavorful meal. Sadly, the experience was very disappointing. The jerk chicken was extremely tough and dry, the rice and peas tasted old, and the cabbage appeared spoiled& had a terrible smell (not edible) I spit it right out my mouth. The entire meal was not fresh and was simply reheated in a microwave. I eat Jamaican food regularly, so I know what fresh Jamaican cuisine should taste like. I called the restaurant to address my concerns and hopefully find a resolution. Instead of listening or attempting to make things right, I was repeatedly told that the food was fresh. There was no effort to resolve the issue or acknowledge my experience as a customer. I don't normally leave negative reviews, but after two disappointing experiences in less than 24 hours, I felt it was important to share. Hopefully this helps others make an informed decision before ordering.

I found this place on DoorDash last year and I've been ordering from here almost every month ever…read moresince. I love the flavor of their egusi soup and the texture of their pounded yam. The food is consistently delicious, only once was the soup a little on the watery side. It's a bit pricey, but the portions are very generous and packed with meat, so it's well worth it. I recently found out that this restaurant has the same owner as The Peppered Goat, which is where I used to order from when I lived in Van Nuys. No wonder the taste is exactly the same! Happy to see that they now have their own restaurant. I haven't dined in yet, so I can't comment on the full service experience, but everyone has always been friendly whenever I've stopped by to pick up my order. There are metered street parkings out front, although finding a spot can sometimes be a challenge. I hope to try different dishes in the future, but I have a hard time moving on from their goat egusi.

Jagabans LA truly delivers a refreshing and elevated take on Nigerian cuisine. From the moment you…read morewalk in, you can tell this is not your typical spot, the ambiance is clean, modern, and thoughtfully put together. From the jollof to the egusi, every bite reminded me of where I come from, while also showing how far our cuisine can go on a global stage. Proud to see Nigerian food represented at this level. Highly recommended. If you're looking for real Naija taste with a premium vibe, this is the place.

The jollof rice was good but everything else was mid including the egusi but good customer serviceread more

The food was unpleasant, the service was just ok. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyoneread more

Easily some of the best Ethiopian food I've had…read more We went with the veggie combo (misir, kik alicha, gomen, atkilt, fasolia), and each dish had a completely distinct flavor profile. Earthy, spiced, bright, and deeply savory, nothing tasted repetitive. The vegetables were fresh, the seasoning was layered, and everything had that slow-cooked depth that's hard to find. The kitfo with fresh garlic leaned spicy, rich, and intensely flavorful. The cottage cheese cut through just enough to keep it balanced. It's not a beginner dish, but if you're into bold flavors, I'd recommend a try. The injera was excellent. Light, fragrant with a clean tang that complemented each item. Service really elevated the whole experience. The staff were attentive, thoughtful, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. You can sense how passionate they are about their food. They mentioned they had just opened yesterday (5/2/26), so I suspect the restaurant recently changed hands. The space looks brand new. I'll definitely be back. My new go-to in Little Ethiopia!

I don't normally write reviews, but it's a MUST that I do so today…read more My husband and I visited Little Ethiopia Restaurant in LA today to be a part of their Grand Opening, celebration and it's already a HIDDEN GEM. Now under new management, the owners are incredibly warm and welcoming, treating every customer like family from the start. The space is simple but striking. The black walls and Ethiopian artwork make it feel warm and spectacular. On the TV, they were playing beautiful scenes of Ethiopia, lush greenery, waterfalls, and stunning landscapes, which honestly made us feel like we were there. We ordered the Doro-wot, Veggi-combo, and Leb-leb Tibs. Every dish was packed with flavor, cooked perfectly, and truly authentic. The teff injera is gluten-free, fresh, and soft. If you're anywhere near Fairfax "Little Ethiopia" in Los Angeles, don't miss this spot.

No menu? This was…read morethe first stop in our Non-Ethiopian-African-Adventure of last weekend. We'd enjoyed Ngoma on Wilshire and had been looking around for some new non-Ethiopian African choices when we happened upon an article that mentioned some Nigerian restaurants in Inglewood. Bamboo Cafe is a bit of a drive over highway and land streets. It's located near the racetrack. We were curious as to what to expect, as we'd called a couple of times and been told: "Yes, we're open until ___, but we're closing early because I'm going to the store." When we walked in, the place was practically empty on a Friday night and the kitchen seemed closed. "Hi," I said. "Are you guys open?" "Oh yes!" said the owner, very friendly. "Do you have a menu?" "Oh no!" he laughed in a jolly way. (We were later to find out there *was* a menu. I guess it was some sort of off-night?) "I can cook you up some goat with rice." "How much?" "Oh, say $10." Hm. Okay. The dish that came, accompanied by spiced spinach, was very good, and quite SPICY. (In a nose-running, teary-eyed way.) But very tasty. He said: "A few people are out of town." I said: "Do you normally have a menu, or is it always like this?" "Hold on!" he said, and then left the building. (We still don't understand where he went.) He returned with a very nice postcard that said "Bamboo Cafe" with a full menu. (Why did he have to leave the building to find this is yet another mystery.) Aaanyway, the food was good. The decor -- dusty old plastic flowers and an interior that seemed more like someone's bare little living room -- was charming and cozy. If you want a glossy, Hollywood / Silver Lake style hipster place, DON'T go here. If you want an interesting, friendly, authentic little African vibe, definitely go!

I was extremely delighted to learn that Pearl Island, in Van Nuys, was starting their Friday Night…read moreAYCE Sri Lankan Hopper buffet. The timing was 6 pm to midnight and I made sure to put that on my calendar for their first presentation. The inside is cozy with two tables, with the rest of seating outside. There are well known Sri Lankan musical hits, playing in the background. Menu consists of both plain and egg hoppers (cooked perfectly, with an over easy to medium liquid yolk, just the way I like it). Other dishes are chicken curry, lentil curry, pol (coconut) sambol, seeni (onions and chillies) sambol, white rice and pol (coconut) roti. What clearly stands out at this restaurant is the culinary prowess of the Chefs (headed by the Matriarch) and the freshness of all the offered dishes. They came out one at a time, just after they were prepared in the kitchen, accompanied by intoxicating aromas. The sambols were addictive. All the food was distinct and tasty, bursting with complex flavors and a harmonious blend of chili heat and several authentic Sri Lankan spices. If you get the chance to separately get their chocolate roll cake, it is amazing. This is a family operation, with the mother and daughters cooking and also affectionately serving their customers. Service all round, was attentive, timely and nothing short of exceptional. Need to be going back. Thank you, Taki and everyone else, for a delightful and memorable dining experience.

This restaurant has one of the best Sri Lankan cusine. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming…read more Every dish feels like you're going back to Sri Lanka.