African Restaurants in Milwaukee

Although Milwaukee touts a large African American population, it does not have a large African population like its northern peer, Minneapolis. Despite this, there are still three popular African restaurants in Milwaukee: one downtown, one in Riverwest, and one on the East Side near UWM. Because African cuisine is so diverse, virtually everyone can find something delicious!

African Restaurants in Milwaukee: African Hut
1107 N. Old World Third St.
Milwaukee, WI
414.765.1110
MCTS Routes: 19, 11
www.africanpresentations.com
Tucked into a neat building in a quiet sector of downtown is the most well-rounded of African restaurants in Milwaukee: African Hut. The menu is small but well-crafted and includes veggie and meat options from Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, and East Africa – to name a few places of origin. For appetizers, try the akara (a unique fritter) and for a meal, I recommend the palm butter stew, a West African beef dish. The entrees are around $10, the place is clean, and the staff are delightful. Even though the dÃ?©cor and vibe is a little more casual than you’d expect for superb cuisine, African Hut is my pick of the three African restaurants in Milwaukee.

African Restaurants in Milwaukee: Lula’s CafÃ?©
2921 N. Oakland Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
414.429.0656
MCTS Routes: 15, 22
Lula’s cafÃ?© specializes in “East African and Italian Cuisine.” If you think that sounds like a peculiar mix, remember that parts of East Africa were once Italian colonies! Offering an alternative choice near the Oakland-Locust zone, Lula’s is the closest Milwaukee gets to an Ethiopian restaurant, so if you want to sop your flatbread in a stewy mix of veggies and/or meat, this is the place. Be warned, though, that the diners there often seem to know each other well and newcomers might feel out of place, despite the hospitality of the staff. Prices are reasonable, and portions are heartily sized. If you like Somali, Eritrean, and Ethiopian dishes, visit Lula’s.

African Restaurants in Milwaukee: Club Timbuktu
520 E. Center St.
Milwaukee, WI
414-265-7000
MCTS Routes: 22, 14
www.clubtimbuktu.com
Named after the capital of Mali, Club Timbuktu is nestled at the edge of Riverwest – one of Milwaukee’s most diverse and active neighborhoods. A little on the didactic side (staff included), this African restaurant offers more than just food: it becomes a dance club at night, featuring various styles of music: hiphop, reggae, jazz, and world – just to name a few. For eats, dishes like the Tigajigi (a hearty peanut-chicken stew) win praise, as does the generous weekend brunch. That said, I’d still opt for African Hut if given a choice.