Two years ago, Colorado made headlines as the fastest-growing state for Black immigrants, with 400 percent growth from 2000 to 2019, according to a Pew Research Center report. Nationwide, the Caribbean still accounts for the largest share of immigrants, but there has been growing diversity from African countries, with a 348 percent increase from Kenya, 300 percent increase from Ethiopia, 205 percent increase from Somalia, and 200 percent increase from both Nigeria and Ghana.

Over the same time period, there’s been a steady increase in interest in African food and restaurants. With 1.4 billion people, Africa is home to many different cuisines, each with its own history, ingredients and techniques. For most Americans, however, exposure to fare from the second-largest continent in the world is still limited.

Whether you’re a food enthusiast looking for new tastes or someone reminiscing about their homeland, these restaurants have something special to offer. From the bold spices of Nigerian food, Ghana food, and Kenya food to South African food, you have your hands on what they offer.

Tolu Omotunde of Afrik Digest Magazine has put together five African restaurants to visit in Colorado.

Queen of Sheba RESTAURANT, Denver:

Began as a small family-owned restaurant in March 1991 in Dallas, Texas and over the years spread to other States in the country. Located in the East Colfax area of Denver metropolis, this restaurant is your go to spot for all authentic Ethiopian cuisines alongside Italian-inspired dishes and a full selection of vegan and vegetarian entrees. Whether you’re craving injera with Doro Wott, plant-based stews, or one of their signature pasta creations, you can trust them to deliver. They offer an open kitchen where all the aromas are available for the public to enjoy.

Owambe African Restaurant & Lounge, Colorado Springs:

This is the first Nigerian and African restaurant in Colorado Springs. They prepare a variety of African dishes like Ponded Yam, Fufu, Ogbono Soup, Pepper soup, Egusi, Jollof & Fried rice and many more. The restaurant’s decor and atmosphere are also frequently mentioned as highlights.They serve authentic African cuisine and are patronised by customers from across Africa and beyond. They offer delivery services as well as take-aways and dine in options. Their dishes bring the perfect blend of sweet, savoury, and spice that leaves you craving for more.

African Grill and Bar, Lakewood:

This is the first all African kitchen with two cozy dining areas and 200 dining capacity, dependable catering services for all events, room to rent for all parties, delivery service, and one of 8 restaurants selected to offer catering services at the Denver and Chatfield Botanic Garden in Colorado. They serve cuisines from West Africa, East Africa, North Africa, South Africa, and Central Africa and you can be assured of top-notch satisfaction.

Akwaba Restaurant, Aurora:

 

Experience the rich flavors of West African food with a touch of Afro-Caribbean fusion at Akwaba Restaurant. Those who step inside Aurora’s Akwaba Restaurant are greeted with the smell of sizzling red snapper, tilapia, and skewered chicken kebabs. Fried appetizers like nêm and bofrot grace the menu as delicious West African takes on spring rolls and fritters, respectively, while sauce kplala, peanut butter stew, eggplant stew, semi-sweet yogurt speckled with millet grain are among their popular and a hearty Ivorian gumbo is a standout entrée. Akwaba has many crave-worthy dishes to choose from.

Taste of Soweto, Denver:

The owners of the South African food truck aim to deliver the real-deal meals of their formerly segregated hometown.Taste of Soweto offers more than culinary thrills; it offers a taste of history. During the apartheid era in South Africa, Soweto was established as a Black neighborhood outside of Johannesburg to house blacks to keep them away from white communities. Although it’s not the first South African food business in Denver, it is the first Black-owned one. Their top draws include the peri-peri chicken wings tossed in their signature paprika-laced sauce. Or the kota, an Indian-heritage dish, often called “bunny chow,” of beef or chicken curry stuffed into a hollowed-out quarter loaf of white bread.