These are the top three West African restaurants in Liberia that you need to try right now. 

African dishes are some of the most comforting meals you’ll ever eat. When visiting Monrovia, Liberia, trying as much traditional West African food should be at the top of your list. Going to West African restaurants in Liberia can really make for an experience that feels even more authentic.

There are many different kinds of West African restaurants in the country’s capital of Monrovia. They vary from cold bowl shops (super cheap meals often made of restaurant leftovers) to fine dining spots. In this post, you’ll learn more about three of the best Liberian eateries, you’ll get an idea of what traditional Liberian cuisine looks like and you may even notice some popular West African foods that other countries on the continent are known for as well.

After reading this post and watching the video below, you’ll know exactly where to find the best West African restaurants in Liberia, what to order and what to beware of. One thing in particular shocked me. Keep reading to hear more about what it was and how you can avoid it.

Top 3 West African Restaurants in Monrovia, Liberia

3. THE KITCHEN

The Kitchen Restaurant in Monrovia, Liberia is the definition of a hidden gem. Literally tucked away towards the back of NASSCORP Corporate Headquarters, it can be a little hard to find, but once you locate it, you’ll keep coming back. The low key location serves as a great respite from the bustling streets of Monrovia.

When you walk in, don’t be fooled by the eatery’s modern aesthetic. The meals are as traditional as they come. The restaurant serves classic soups (aka “stews”) like Red Oil Okra Sauce. The star ingredient of that dish is okra (of course) and this soup is packed with meat, chicken, and smoked fish. It’s paired with a side of white rice.

If you’re looking for something lighter, the fried fish and fried rice meal (pictured below) is the way to go. The fried rice is not to be confused for jollof rice, as it’s a bit different in flavor. The day’s catch is usually a HUGE piece of fish, with a crispiness on the outside and a soft flakiness on the inside.

One underrated star of the menu is the yuca fries. They’re simple, yet incredibly addicting. They’re so good that my family and I visited the restaurant almost daily, during a recent trip to Liberia, just to get those fries.

I recommend all of these menu items, however, one of the few downsides of this restaurant is that they don’t provide visitors with a menu. When you arrive, you’re told what the options of the day are (typically 3 or 4) and you choose from them. The selection may change daily, so there’s some unpredictability there, but on the bright side, it encourages visitors to try something different each time.

Just a friendly warning, I did notice that the prices for certain dishes were a bit higher for my family and I (who are Liberian, but live in America / have American accents) than they seemed to be for a friend of mine (who is Liberian and lives in Liberia) who visited the restaurant a few weeks prior. This shocked me and I couldn’t help but to wonder if the price was a little inflated because we were American or if the price had actually changed over the course of weeks… I’ll let you be the judge. My advice for this is to bring someone with you who has a Liberian accent and have them put in the order. Sometimes, the American accent makes people think you’re rolling in dough and so they charge you as such. Of course with no menu, there’s no way to tell what the true cost of the menu items are. Here’s what we paid for our dishes, just to give you an idea of what to expect.

Fried Fish and Fried Rice: $18 USD

Okra Sauce Soup and Rice: $12 USD

Yuca Fries: $3 USD

Great For:

• Business lunches with colleagues
• Casual lunch with family or a small group of friends
• Ordering out (but just FYI, the food takes a bit longer to come out for takeout orders)
• The prices are decent, the food is delicious and sometimes when the owner Tee Tee is around, she’ll come to your table for a quick chat, so the customer service gets an A+

Location: 76PH+PRC, 24th St, Monrovia, Liberia – NASSCORP Corporate Headquarters

Hours: Monday – Friday | 8AM – 5PM

Standout Features:

• Extremely clean
• A classy fast casual restaurant
• The fried fish and yuca fries are a must order
• Modern aesthetic featuring beautiful art on the walls

Overall Rating: 8/10

2. MUSU’S SPOT

Who doesn’t love a breezy patio full of beautiful plants and shade from Monrovia’s hot sun? Musu’s Spot delivers that, along with a menu that offers everything from European Food like club sandwiches, burgers and spare ribs to African dishes like Cassava Leaf soup and rice (pictured below), Fried Potato Greens and rice (pictured below) and more. The African food menu changes daily, but not one meal on the menu is more than $8.80 USD. The European menu is priced between $5.50 USD to $22 USD.

There’s a full bar you can order drinks from and catch a game on the TVs. It’s also worth indulging in some of their sweet treats like ice cream, doughnuts and short bread. Count on the food here to be flavorful and filling. One nice touch that really stood out to me during my visit here was the warm towels they bring out, right before the meal, for you to clean your hands with. They also provide you with a free bottle of water with each meal.

Thoughtful details like these are really what makes a restaurant shine from the rest. Musu’s spot is easily accessible, the prices are exceptional and the owner, Musu, can be spotted dining here often. She’s very sweet and personable. Musu’s spot feels like an oasis of sorts, despite being on a bustling main street. On Friday evenings, the restaurant grills large, delicious pieces of fish in their open air outdoor grill, which is a big draw for many locals.

Great For:

• Whether solo or with others, you’ll feel comfortable, relaxed and free to enjoy the space and its offerings.
• Watching big games, like the World Cup, in a lively environment
• Friday night and weekend hangouts with friends

Location: Congo Town, Monrovia

Many places in Monrovia don’t have exact addresses, just the part of town they’re located in, but trust and believe that when you’re in Congo Town, you can ask anyone on the street where Musu’s Spot is located and they’ll be able to direct you.

Hours: Unlisted

I do know that they’re opened 7 days a week and on Sundays they only offer the European menu. If you’re looking to order Liberian food, visit Monday through Saturday.

Standout Features:

• A mix of outdoor and indoor seating
• Friday night grilled fish special
• Relaxing environment
• Great hospitality
• Hot towels

Overall Rating: 10/10

1. EVELYN’S RESTAURANT

If you’re old enough to remember the show Cheers, Evelyn’s Restaurant is the Liberian version of that. A place where everybody knows your name… even if you’ve only been there once before. The waitstaff is so good at remembering names and faces. They make you feel like you’re a part of the family.

On top of that, there’s a large menu featuring everything from Liberian favorites like Torborgee soup and Acheke (pictured below). The menu also has Thai inspired red curry chicken, salads, club sandwiches and a Wednesday all-you-can-eat $18 USD special. Evelyn’s also delivers on the portions. This is one of the only restaurants I visited in Monrovia that didn’t skimp on the portions. For both takeout and dine-in, you’re given so much food that you’re sure to take home leftovers.

Somehow, even with such generous portions, the prices manage to remain low. All of the Liberian dishes are $10 USD or less. Most of the European dishes are $15 USD or less. They also have freshly baked goods they bring out after the main course, to tempt your tastebuds even further. They’re delicious and quite inexpensive, so it’s worth picking up several. If you want an authentically Liberian meal, ambiance and vibe at a place that’s warm and welcoming every time, Evelyn’s is a must. This is by far one of my favorite West African restaurants in Monrovia and it’s not to be skipped on your next trip there.

Great For:

• Business lunches or dinners — lots of NGOs get together here, so it’s a nice place to casually network too if you go on the right day
• Family-friendly with both large tables and booth seating
• Catching up with friends over a delicious meal

Location: Gibson Avenue between 16th and 17th streets in Sinkor, Monrovia

Hours: Monday – Saturday | 9AM – 7PM – Closed on Sundays

Standout Features:

• Hospitable staff
• A good spot to network
• Incredible dishes that’ll last you for several meals
• Great prices, especially for the amount of food you get

Overall Rating: 11/10 – YES, IT’S THAT GOOD!

Which of these three West African restaurants stood out to you most? When choosing a new restaurant to try, is it more about the ambiance, food, price or the customer service for you? 

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