African BBQ House offers a nice variety of grilled meat to choose from, including lamb, chicken, and goat, as well as seafood like shrimp and fish. However, that’s the extent of its variety, which we can’t complain too much about, as they make up for it with their quality.

For instance, their grilled chicken quarter leg is marinated perfectly, offering a perfect balance between tangy and smoky. Their portions are quite generous, which is impressive considering their affordable price point!

We spoke with some of the regulars, and they told us that it doesn’t matter which dish they order from the menu, as everything pairs with the jollof rice. Speaking of, this African staple is always cooked perfectly, with each grain being coated with various spices.

Service is impressive as well, as we never had to wait too long for our dishes. The only thing they could improve is the ambience, as the interior decor is a bit bland.

Authentic African BBQ taste

“The food was exquisite—authentic African BBQ taste. The jollof rice was flavourful, the plantain was cooked to perfection, and the chicken/beef skewers were juicy. I highly recommend the lunch special, which is a steal at under $10.

Ask them for their hot sauce; it adds more “oomph” to the food.”

– Ali Bhimani, Google Review

Loved every bite

“We came as a group of 12 and loved every bite! The food was so well seasoned, with plenty to share. The chicken, fish, vegetable salad, and fried plantains were amazing. Thanks to Fathi and Douae for their friendly and professional service!”

– Juanita Dash, Google Review

Alhuda Restaurant shines the spotlight on Somali food. Right off the bat, we were impressed with their food presentation, from the arrangement of the rice and meat to the colourful ceramic plates, and whopping serving sizes.

We also reached out to regulars who are also Somalians, and they shared how this was one of the few restaurants that offer authentic flavours from the cuisine. 

They specifically highlighted sambusas as the prime examples because of their perfect deep-fried shell and flavourful minced meat. 

We also ordered the chicken and lamb rice meal, which we fell in love with because of the tenderness of the meat and the rice’s perfect doneness. Speaking of, they use fresh ingredients like tomatoes, raisins, and lettuce to flavour their rice.

Our interviewees also noted the signature Somalian hospitality that keeps them coming back to this humble place.

We only wish that they would expand their menu further. Also, the interior decor could benefit from some updates to enhance its ambience.

Perfect for a relaxed dining experience

“Al Huda Restaurant is truly a hidden gem in the city! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. The atmosphere is clean, comfortable, and family-friendly — perfect for a relaxed dining experience.

The food is absolutely delicious and full of authentic flavour. We tried the grilled meats, rice dishes, and fresh salads — everything was cooked to perfection and well-seasoned. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality you receive.

What really stood out was the freshness of the ingredients and the love you can taste in every dish. The staff were kind, respectful, and attentive without being intrusive.

Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a satisfying dinner, Alhuda Restaurant is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be back!”

– Nour Harfi, Google Review

Banging out top-quality food

“Don’t let the location fool ya, this hidden gem is banging out top quality food. We tried the Lamb & Rice as well as the Chicken Drumsticks and Rice; both were incredible, and that little cup of hot sauce added the perfect pop of freshness.

I just wish I knew the bananas were to be eaten with the meal, we would have tried it for sure and will next time. The family running the place were super friendly.”

– Rob Edwards, Google Review

One of the things that struck us about Suya Palace is its meat. After a single bite of their beef suya, we immediately noticed how well-seasoned it was, even the inside, which we then discovered was the result of a 24-hour marination process.

We also enjoyed the overall dining experience because of the modest interior decor and the lingering aroma of grilled meat. It also helped that their staff members were super friendly and even took the time to explain the dishes since we weren’t familiar with them.

While we’re on the topic, we were also impressed with the variety of dishes they offered beyond the grilled and skewered meat. For instance, they offer egusi soup, a West African staple that’s made up of crushed melon seeds.

Regulars also shared their fondness for the generous portion sizes of the dishes here. Meanwhile, Africans who tried this restaurant stated how close to home their dishes tasted.

Our only complaint is that they reduce their operating hours on Saturday and are completely closed on Sunday.

Tasty and well-flavoured

“Tasty and well-flavoured. I meant to take pictures before I started eating, but alas, I only remembered when I had eaten my fill. As you can see, there is still a lot of food! (minus plantain, salad, some chicken and half the beef from the egusi.)

No room for dessert, but feeling satisfied. I ordered the mixed suya and egusi with pounded yams. Not enough greens on the suya and a bit too much oil for my liking on the egusi.”

– Queen Pearl, Google Review

Customer experience was great

“A very delicious meal with a good portion of meat. Deserves a second turn. Oh! And the inside of the restaurant is really impressive. 

They are probably going to have a live band or something. You will have a great sense of Home when you are here. The customer experience was great too”

– Chris Love, Google Review

Sa’hara seamlessly combines Somali and Western dishes in its in-depth menu. What impressed us, however, was how they’re able to achieve authenticity in both cuisines, with the former being praised by our Somalian interviewees.

One of their best Somali offerings here is the lamb platter, which we love for its extremely tender meat. The chunks of lamb pair perfectly with their basmati rice, which is also well-seasoned with local spices.

We were also recommended to try the beef suqaar, and we don’t regret ordering it one bit. It immediately piqued our attention with its colourful nature, consisting of peppers and fresh herbs, but what sold us was the juicy beef chunks that had charred skins and tender insides.

However, we were dismayed with the serving sizes, especially considering that this place features a relatively higher price point compared to other entries on this list. Nonetheless, we still enjoyed dining here, thanks to the kind staff members and neat interior.

The food was super incredible

“This is now my most favourite Somalian restaurant in Ottawa! The food was super incredible, and you can tell the dishes were made with good care and love! 

Our server/host, Ahmed, was amazing and super friendly to me and my family, who had never had Somalian food, and introduced us to a lot of amazing dishes. The place also has smash burgers and a lot of other interesting foods. 

We will definitely come back here again. Highly recommended family-owned restaurant!”

– Juhnun Oh, Google Review

Very impressed

“DELICIOUS!

I am very impressed with the quality of the food here. I absolutely love the tender lamb; it just fell apart. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who may be curious about it! Very nice drink selection as well. I will be back, thank you very much, Sa’hara.”

– Kiki Shadzik, Google Review

BBQ Golden Grill is one of Gladstone Ave’s hidden gems. 

We immediately liked this place because of its charcoal-grilled offerings, such as goat, lamb, chicken, and beef, all of which feature tender textures and flavourful marinades. However, we were a bit disappointed that these were the only choices for their mains.

What caught our interest out of the bunch, however, was the beef tongue. I ordered this with two sides: basmati rice and fried plantains, and they all complemented one another.

We also want to highlight their widely varied sides that we don’t typically see in other African restaurants in Ottawa. 

For instance, our interviewees recommended the cassava leaves, also known as pondu, to which we obliged. It was a good decision too, as it was a great way to familiarise myself with Africa’s stews.

Dining here was a treat as well, thanks to the stylish interior of the restaurant. It’s also well-maintained, and we stuck around for several hours because of the comfy furnishings.

One of the best African restaurants in Ottawa

“BBQ Golden Grill is one of the best African restaurants in Ottawa. Their charcoal BBQ chicken is amazing, and their goat is really good too. 

Very flavourful and tasty in generous portions, while reasonably priced. Martha, the owner of the restaurant, was so accommodating and nice. I recommend it without hesitation.”

– Jehan J, Google Review

Drove from Montreal to eat here

“My husband and I drove from Montreal to Ottawa to eat here. They have a variety of dishes; we enjoyed their Ghana jollof and sobolo (bissap drink). Nice reception from personnel. We are coming back on our next visit.”

– Mavis Asare Dadzie, Google Review