I got the suya bites. They didn't taste like suya, just well seasoned steak. Delicious just not suya. Ordered lychee martinis. Roland was super nice and sweet. He made wonderful drinks and was a gracious bartender. The entire staff was friendly and the layout of the restaurant is nice. I didn't get to try anything else but I'll come back next time I'm in Newark. read more

Took my Mom to see the Alvin Ailey show in NJ and Swahili Village was right across the street! The location is PRIMETIME! We loved every bit of our time together at this restaurant. The music and ambiance was lovely, and the servers were amazingly attentive. The food was mouthwatering. We shared the Red Snapper and had the sauce on the side. The curry fish nuggets had a lovely coconut flavor. Our drinks were celebratory indeed. If you're ever in NJ for a show at NJPAC, go across the street and check Swahili Village out! read more

Good food, first time trying a Kenyan restaurant, but my server would not leave me alone. My goodness, it was borderline harassment, and I ended up giving my phone number just to make it stop. Very unprofessional honestly. Outside of that, I give the food a 4/5. It was delicious. I didn't care for the cabbage or the sauce that went on the fish, but it was mostly delicious. The restaurant is very clean, from the booths to the restrooms. There is good music and also the ladies there were very kind. I came here specifically because a Kenyan guy I was dating wanted me to try it out. It was definitely worth trying, although the server soiled the experience for me. I don't recommend visiting as a woman by yourself. Come with a group or something. That was very weird. read more

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Time to break out of one's culinary groove and explore a cuisine loaded with flavor, history, and a diversity of textures and ingredients. African cuisine holds quite a range, depending on the country and culture it originated from. Across the US, from vibrant food markets to trendy fusion cafés and transmigration-owned restaurants, one cuisine is rising fast: Kenyan food. It's not as globally mainstream as Thai or Mexican yet, but in 2026 it's becoming one of the most talked-about international food experiences, especially in multicultural cities like New York, Chicago, or LA. My partner, our friends, and I made a reservation at Swahili Village off of Center Street in Newark before the Saturday night performance at the nearby NJPAC. A reservation was easily made hours in advance via OpenTable. Upon arrival as first-timers, we were greeted by the host at this husband-and-wife-owned establishment. We were promptly seated at a high table by the bar in one of the three spacious dining rooms blending traditional elements paying homage to African heritage with modern touches; Afrobeat music enhances the festive atmosphere to create a warm and welcoming vibe. The menu is built around East African dishes influenced by the region's historical ties to Arab traders, Portuguese explorers, British colonizers, and Indian immigrants. As a starter, we opted for the Samosa. For our main meal, we decided on Suya-Nyama Choma (Beef), Lamb Chops, Grilled Chicken Breast-Kuku Choma, and Oxtails. They came with two sides and got Jollof rice, Mokimo, Sweet Plantains, and Spinach. Our drinks (Flaming Margarita, White Sangria, The Motherland, and Heaven's Nectar Martini) were strong enough and tasted great, with some unique options. One reason why we fell in love with Kenyan cuisine was its balance of flavors. Instead of being extremely spicy or very mild, Kenyan dishes were aromatic, warmly spiced, and tastefully rich & savory. The portions were healthy. We didn't have room for dessert. The service was impeccable. Our server, Fabrice, took the time to explain everything on the menu & recommended drinks and entrees. Overall, it was an amazing experience. Hands down the best food we've ever tasted! read more

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Always great time and vibes. I enjoy the music more than the food. Dishes I do enjoy are: coconut fish, wings, chopped salad. Drinks are really good too. read more

Delicious delicious delicious. Service is awesome. Will 100% be back! Conveniently located across from NJPAC. read more

Swahili Village - Oxtail Stew, Mokimo, Pilau Rice - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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Eh....stopped in for dinner mid week. Host sat me at the bar right away and that was the best part of evening for me. There were 3 other patrons, but he was busy talking to fellow servers. Once I was given the menu still took several minutes to come back to take my drink order and no water dropped off yet. Really wanted the Tusker Lager (Kenyan beer) but they were out. Then ordered an old fashion. It was ok, but they used the wrong cherries and no other garnish. Then ordered the grilled goat appetizer. When it came (see picture below) did not appear freshly grilled. More like steamed or nuked and not a lot of flavor. While I had intended to get a main. Opted not to as getting the staffs attention to further order was most difficult. Overall very disappointing. Really wanted to like the place and come back. But with my experience I do not think I will. read more

Swahili Village - Grilled Goat-Mbuzi Choma - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

Food could be way better for the price point. It has flavor but I've definitely had better

Was asked to try this place with one person from Kenya. I am not a heavy spice guy. But I am all for new first. There is no parking for this place. And street parking is horrible in Newark. I asked the hotel next door could I park their. Amd the attendant said no even though it was a pay to park. So if you give this place a try. Be prepared to ride around looking for parking. The decor is nice, warm and inviting. I notice they have table clothes on tables in the back, but not all tables - unsure why this is? I had a issue with my silverware sitting on the table and not on a napkin. So I asked for a glass of HOT WATER to place them in. The menu is not large. Choices are limited. But decent. I should have gotten the Lamb chops like I planned to. But I went with the Samaki Wa Nazi Whole deep-fried tilapia, seasoned in Kenyan spices and finished with a coconut sauce. I am not going to trash it. But I will say I did not care for the Kenyan spices so much. I will go back and try the lamb chops. When I saw it on other plates that passed by me. They looked really good. But again I would think there be a different flavor with Kenyan spices. But I'll try it. read more

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Across the street from the NJPAC. Came with a friend for a performance and was in the mood to try some African cuisine. Such a little gem. The food was mouth-watering and definitely asked for a to-go box! You get a lot even with sharing the platter ! Definitely will be back read more

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I came with a group of 8 because I wanted everyone to try African food. We were warmly greeted and seated in the back room near the bar by two very kind ladies. The atmosphere was welcoming, and service started off well. Our waiter took our food and drink orders, but unfortunately, there were a couple of issues. I ordered the grilled goat based on the waiter's recommendation, but I was served the stew goat instead. Since I had an event to attend afterward, I didn't have time to send it back. The dish was okay, but not what I asked for. Also, one of my guests ordered a drink that never arrived during our meal. When we noticed it was still on the bill, I asked the waiter about it, and he ended up giving it to her to go. Overall, the staff was friendly and the vibe was good, but the service could use some tightening--especially when it comes to order accuracy and follow-through. read more

Swahili Village - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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This place is really just wonderful! Great and friendly service, delicious food and a really fun vibe. More pics added. If you haven't tried, you really should. read more

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Meal was honestly a solid 9. It lost points on the flavor in the lamb unfortunately - good but I've had better. The rice *chefs kiss* and the fried sweet plantains top tier. Why I did not give 5 stars was because the service / staff. When we arrived at our reservation time we were ignored. We waited in the lobby close to 15mins after several servers / staff members came to the counter to address other issues EXCEPT the 6 people staring at them. Finally we spoke up and we were taken to our seats. Once at our table we continued to wait YET AGAIN this time 10mins before we were even greeted. Truthfully this type of service would make me not want to come back - but the food was good and I'd probably try to come next time maybe not on a Saturday night.. Word to the wise expect to wait, but you'll enjoy the food. read more

Swahili Village - Lamb Chop Special w/ Shrimp. Sides Jollof Rice and Fried Sweet Plantains. - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

My kids and I planned a Mother's Day evening of dinner here followed by seeing Alvin Ailey at the PAC. The show was at 8 and we had reservations arriving at 6. Our waitress knew we had an 8 o'clock show to make. At 7 she said our meals would be right out. At 7:30 still nothing. The show was great but the evening was soured by tension and no food. I got no apology just a bill for $250. Don't let this happen to you. read more

The food was absolutely delicious and great portions. If you have never had Keenan food, you need to come here try this place out. read more

Swahili Village - Goat - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

Came here on a Saturday evening after a show at njpac. We walked right in and was satat a table. Thr place was really packed. Services was a bit slow but it was expected due to how many people where there. The music was good, food was good, and vibez were on point. I got the salmon with jolof rice and plaintain, my partner got the chicken with jollof rice and plaintain. The salmom wasnt what was described. It didnt come in a butter sauce. It was dry but well seasoned. The jollof rice wasnt my favorite but it was ok. My partner liked his food. read more

Swahili Village - Salmon - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

Hubby and I decided to eat here one night after wandering in from a concert at the NJPAC. We got seated immediately, but waited 5 minutes for a menu because the dining room was short on menus and we had to wait for a table across from us to finish with their menus. When menus finally reached us they were crumpled and stained, not befitted of a dining experience that will cost upwards $100 per person for dinner. We decided to leave before the server returned to take our order and dined elsewhere. Also, the greeter who seated us also presented himself as our assigned server which might indicate that they were short-staffed. read more

First and foremost this has nothing to do with service. The bartender was very very nice. Went in today around 1pm 04/26. Super nice and welcoming guy. Music was good and ambience was nice. I ordered a passion fruit mojito and it was good. Ordered samosas and they were good.. wish there was a dipping sauce with that. Also ordered the oxtails with joloof rice and cabbage. Rice was great, cabbage was aswell... the oxtails were a disappointment. They were predominantly fat. Like literally most of it was fat that was given. Not enough meat and for $40.. I wanted meat.. sauce was good but kinda not my thing to eat just fatty part.... So therefor this place gets a 3stars. For $40 give some meat! lol read more

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I can't believe it's been 2 years since I've been here. Happy to report the customer service and food remain on point. I had the wings again, sweet plantains and chapati. The food came out hot and fresh. It was a Friday around 5pm and it was kind of empty but I'm guessing I got there before the dinner rush. Everything clean, organized and welcoming. I will continue to support this place whenever I'm in the area read more

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I had heard about Swahili Village for a while, so when my friend, who is Kenyan, suggested we dine there for dinner, it was a no-brainer. The restaurant is absolutely stunning and has very beautiful African artwork that creates a really lovely aesthetic. The pan-African music also added to the vibe and wasn't overpowering. The prices certainly align with the ambiance as they are certainly on the high-end. The bar is bustling and quite a scene, which is the reason that I would return. The evening weekend rush might have impacted my dining experience. For starters, each person at my table ordered their own Swahili basket which had one samosa, 3 bhajia (fried flattened potato) and one sausage. We could not fully enjoy the starters as the entrees were served less than 5 minutes after the starters arrived at our table. For my entree, I ordered the goat stew which was accompanied with a thick tomato sauce on top. For my sides, I had the mokimo (similar to mashed potatoes) and sauteed spinach with coconut milk. The goat was quite tender and the spinach was tasty, but the rest of the elements of the dish were underseasoned. However, I did taste the grilled chicken with pilau rice and both of those items were flavorful. While my Tamu cocktail (coconut rum, melon schnapps and peach puree) was really sweet and strong, I found the non-alcoholic version of one of their gin-based cocktails (the first drink on the cocktail menu and begins with a C) to be the star of the evening. I would like to return to Swahili Village the next time I am catching a show at NJPAC to enjoy a drink at the vibrant bar and enjoy the wonderful music. read more

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This is a very good Black owned restaurant in downtown Newark. The food was amazing. The drinks were strong and tasty. I loved the art and decor. Plus our server was attentive and friendly. read more

Swahili Village - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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came here since in area for a concert. got the ginger beer, which i found out was freshly made - delicious, not like any other canned or glasses premade ginger beer. for apps we tried the beef bites, asked for them to be medium rare which they definitely were not, but they were still crispy, fatty, flavorful. Main course, oxtail, with jollof rice and cabbage - this is a different kind of jollof rice, so i need to try them all from various parts of Africa, but i did enjoy this one. the oxtail had some fatty bits to it, which i didnt care for but the meat that was there was tender and fall off the bone. read more

Swahili Village - Suya-Nyama Choma - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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Came to this restaurant during my short trip to Jersey after my artists' set expecting good African food and I was not impressed at all Here's a quick review: 1. Ordered spicy pineapple margarita. - was okay , but wasn't spicy at all. 2. Ordered shrimp skewers (those were good) 3. Lentils with jollof rice & fufu - rice came out very old and hard so I sent them back and they gave me a new batch. Fufu seemed like it was instant fufu with a gritty consistency (not good with this being a African restaurant) Overall, the bartender was a very nice lady but the quality of food was mediocre and rushed. read more

Swahili Village - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

The ambiance is always a hit at Swahili Village. There is always amazing music playing. The decor is a celebration of black and African culture. The staff is very helpful. Last night after a rough week, 5 of us got together to eat, drink and unwind. The jollof rice is a must have. The lamb was cooked to perfection. The shrimp was very tasty as well. The beef was tender. The drinks were described by our waiter Freddy as sweet but strong which was not a lie. They were very strong. The only downside to Swahili Village is the parking however it is worth it! Car pool or take an Uber. You will not regret eating here. read more

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Roland, the bartender was amazing. He totally talked me through the menu spent much time talking to me. Explain to me the drinks they serve. It was so nice for somebody who was not familiar with Swahili fair. I definitely recommend people going here. Enjoy the happy hour. It's a deal! read more

Horrible place. Drinks were awful. Seating terrible. I sat in a booth and realized the seat was sinking in. I would not recommend this place. Oh and I got sick after I left there. read more

Came on a night that was super packed. We shared a few appetizers at the table. Im not sure this place gave me the wow factor. I was truly unimpressed, and when the hill arrived, i found that it was truly overpriced. Im on the fence to return. We will see. read more

My friends and I stumbled upon this restaurant on our way to a concert at NJPAC. The location is perfect--super convenient for dinner before or after a show. Swahili Village is an upscale African restaurant with a beautiful ambiance and a high-energy bar scene where the music truly soothes the soul. The food is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the oxtails (don't forget extra gravy!), the grilled wings, and the collard greens. And whatever you do, make sure to explore their South African wine selection--such a perfect complement to the meal. If I had one critique, it's that some food items occasionally run out and the service can be hit or miss. That said, Violet (not sure if she's still there) is superb--my favorite waitress by far. Her service is completely top notch. With late hours, great vibes, and consistently flavorful dishes, this is a spot I'll keep coming back to--especially when picking up friends and family from the airport. -------------------------------------------- Because dining is more than food - it's flavor, style and elegance that should be savored one bite at a time. - AMC read more

Loved this place! Ordered the sampler appetizer and the cod coconut curry dish. Everyone was so sweet and informative of their food and excited to educate me on it! Feels very funky and fun inside the place, yet classy. read more

Swahili Village - Samaki Fillet Bites with Mokimo and Jollof Rice - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

Easy Yelp to make. Great location if you are looking for a place to eat and/or have drinks near NJPac. It is literally across the street! Great hospitality from the moment you open the door and walk in, to when you leave. Food and drinks were great but I mostly enjoyed the vibe. Everyone was dressed nice and just having a good time everywhere you looked. I look forward to visiting again. Oh and great vegetarian options read more

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Dope experience! I was entertaining out of town colleagues after a busy week at work and wanted to make our last evening memorable. My cousins suggested this place and it hit the spot in almost every way. We spent the week hosting race equity retreats so how fitting to end it at an African restaurant surrounded by beautiful Black people?! Restaurant is located right across from NJPAC. Theoretically there is street parking but on a Friday evening good luck. We ended up parking across the street in the event lot. $28 ouchies but work is gonna slide me that reimbursement so I'll deal. Your tolerance for that pricing may be understandably reduced. The vibe is great - I was initially concerned that me at 44 entertaining folks who have a solid 15-25 years on me would not be in alignment with what had been described to me as a "festive" atmosphere but I was happy to see the intergenerational flavor of the place: teens, couples, elders, girls night, aunties, toddlers. Yes please! Food: The only African food I've really had is Ethiopian which I love. Didn't know what to expect from the flavors here but it all looked and tasted fantastic. I got the steak tips with jollof and collards. My colleagues got the red snapper which was gorgeously presented and a tilapia salad and sides. Prices: Whew! But I've eaten less quantity and quality for way more so I can dig it. $8 for a soda with refills smh. Picture: A camera person comes around and takes photos of you. You think you won't purchase it bc you can take a photo on your phone for free but something about the mood, the Blackness, and the psychological safety coaxes you to spend. The frames are nice lol. Fat things: The chair situation is varied. I was not impressed with the bar stool sturdiness so we opted for a floor table and were taken to a booth. The clearance between the table and bench was laughable imo and would have made a nice shelf for my breasts. Finally, in true Goldilocks fashion we got a regular table. Note to restaurant: Make more of those please!! They're accommodating for a wider range of bodies and disabilities. I will be back. I will spend a lot of money. I will be surrounded by Black people. And I will be happy. read more

Swahili Village - SITA, Jollof Rice, Fried Sweet Plantains - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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I'm not well versed in Kenyan specific food but as far as African in general this is the best I've had. Honestly. I got the tilapia, my wife got the Salmon and my mom got the chicken curry. I tried some of everything. The salmon was perfectly crispy and then not over cooked inside. Honestly the chicken was the best. The sides were great. My wife got the plantains, which were just perfectly crispy. I got the best Maddie rice, which was absolutely delicious. I got a ginger beer which was closer to soda than most ginger beers. We didn't even know that my wife's parents were at the bar and they said their drinks were amazing. This is about an hour and 46 minutes or so away from us, but we are definitely going to make the drive to go here again. In fact, it's probably a reason to book another symphony show. I wasn't surprised to find out that the places a chain because it kind of looks like it's decorated like it would be a chain. Still cool that it does appear to employ people that have African accents. read more

Swahili Village - Curry Chicken - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

I came here for dinner on Sunday with a reservation and was seated right away. Inside is nice and the decor is really esthetically pleasing. It wasn't too busy, with a few folks seated at tables, as well as the bar, but as the evening went on, it began to get packed. The music and vibes were great. Leyla was our waitress. She was very sweet and well familiar with the menu. For drinks, we ordered the homeland and the smoking thunder, and for an appetizer, I got the nyama choma bites (suya). It came out within 10 mins of ordering. It didn't taste like the typical suya I'm used to and definitely didn't have any suya spices. Instead, it tasted like marinated steak tips you'd get at a sports bar. Some pieces were harder to chew than others. The drinks took a while to come out, which was a little annoying since we were seated right next to the bar and could see the drinks, or lack thereof, being made. The homeland was basically a sweet and sour Long Island, since it was made with sweet & sour and mango purée. It was really strong. The smoking thunder was more on the sweeter side, but still strong. The salmon was really yummy and well seasoned. The jollof rice was just okay and nothing to run back to. I enjoyed the cabbage. It was a flavorful, but still added a fresh element to the entire dish. Overall, it was a decent dining experience. I'd come back and sit at the bar. They also have big TVs and I was able to watch the Celtics game that was playing. An 17% gratuity is automatically added to your bill. read more

Swahili Village - Salmon with Jollof rice and Cabbage - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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I came to pick up trays of pilau rice and collard greens for my cousin's wedding reception. What immediately caught my eye was the artwork in the lobby and throughout the restaurant. The music was at an even level where you could enjoy it and your company at the same time. I also noticed how spacious it is inside, with multiple areas to dine at. In terms of the food, the rice and collard greens paired well with the other dishes we had. I look forward to dining here to get the full experience. read more

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Came on a Monday during lunch hours- not very busy at all so we just walked in. Disclaimer- they do NOT have the combination/platters for entrees here! Only available in servings for 5+ people... I don't know why. Might be too fancy ($$$) of a spot. That's what we came looking for but decided to give ethiopian 'fine dining' a try. Mango mojito- strong on the rum! Tropic infusion- delicious. pretty presentation with 3 colors in layers but mix it up to get the best flavor. Swahili basket- nice sampler but I will say its a small portion, def not a shareable item. The samosa and the bhajia were my favorite. The sausage was okay but nothing African tasting about it to me. The sweet chili sauce was a nice touch. Curry chicken- delicious! The seasoning is so flavorful and the chicken was perfectly tender. Boneless too thank god! Sweet Plantains- ok, not as sweet as maduros like I was expecting and a little hard too. Jollof rice- MUST have. The spices in here are amazing. Paired really well with the chicken too. Really wanted to try the mandazi for dessert but they didn't have a lot of options available that day for some reason. Our server was really nice and on point too. Parking is only on the street and limited at that. Recommend? yes Return? maybe. It is a bit pricey. read more

Swahili Village - Swahili basket aka sampler - African Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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This place was recommended to us by one of our bartenders so we decided to check it out before we went to a concert at the NJPAC. We just went in for drinks and appetizers. Their speciality drink list is limited, but decent. They have a small draft list and several can/bottle options. They offer a "bucket special" of African beers - 6 for $50. The appetizers that we had were VERY good (simosas and the tilapia fillet bites in coconut curry sauce). The prices are fairly high, in my opinion, so be prepared to spend at LEAST $100 for dinner for two people. It gets VERY packed in the evening and it has a "nightclub" kind of atmosphere - loud music, drinks flowing, and high energy. Not sure we would go in again, but we were both glad we tried it and we really enjoyed ourselves. read more

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Delicious food. Loved the oxtail and goat stew. Service needs improvement! Waiters need training on how to provide good service.

Recommended for a wedding anniversary while traveling from Florida through New Jersey to New York. Upon arrival, an open mid table with no reservation sign was refused, with the explanation that it was a four-person table--despite being offered another four-person table that was isolated in the back. Requests for assistance were declined by both the server and the manager. The manager did not attempt to resolve the issue and walked away when I did not agree to the isolated seating. After 20+ years in sales, I know customer service matters. I felt dismissed and left to dine elsewhere in Manhattan. This establishment is not suitable for special occasions. read more

The food is extremely delicious and cooked to perfection. The service is exceptionally polite and customer focused. The ambiance is superb and well-lit to accommodate any special occasion. I plan to host another luncheon in the near future. read more

The service was good. The owner was very kind and attentive. Our actual waiter seemed a bit off but maybe he was new to the establishment. There was a moderate amount of people inside and a cigar club congregating outside. We ordered and then partaked in the food. We ordered the Bhajia for appetizers. Then I ordered the salmon with cabbage and jollof rice. I also had the lentils as a side dish. The lentils were great! The bhajia was also good especially accompanied by the sweet&spicy sauce. The jollof rice was really good too. My first time eating their food although I have been there a few times before. read more

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