African London

In London the African community is predominantly concentrated in the areas of Camberwell, Dalston and Hackney, Brixton, Peckham, Elephant & Castle and Old Kent Road.

In most of the shops on these roads you'll find everything, from African prints and fabrics called atamfa or ankara, to newspapers and magazines from home, to Coca Cola - made in Nigeria.

The streets are lined with small enterprises that arrange your wedding and birthday celebrations for you, the odd tailor and beauty salons, where they know how to treat African hair.

The shops sell authentic African ingredients, some of them fresh from the continent

MARKETS

Good areas for African food and also African textiles are some of London’s markets – or the areas surrounding them...

Brixton Market

Open Monday-Saturday, 10am -sunset

Brixton’s lively indoor and outdoor markets are the site of Europe’s largest selection of African and Caribbean foods.

The market has been a local landmark for decades. It opens six days a week providing everything from tropical fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices to cloth, books and jewelry.  Electric Avenue, Pope’s Road, Brixton Station Road, Atlantic Road, SW9 (020 7926 2530), Brixton tube

Dalston Market

Amongst the stalls at Dalston’s market on Ridley Road, there are

those selling African music, textiles, and food including yams, plantain, peppers and spices.

Ridley Road, E8. Dalston Kingsland rail/30, 38, 56, 67, 76, 149, 236, 242, 243, 277 bus.

Petticoat Lane

Open Mon to Fri 10 - 2.30 , Sunday 9 - 2 pm

A huge historical market complex that’s over 400 years old. Petticoat Lane sells everything form household goods to leather jackets. A few of the shops along the Middlesex Street end also sell African fabrics, which are popular with much of East London’s West African community. Middlesex Street, London, E1. Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street/ Aldgate/ Aldgate East

Shepherd’s Bush Market

Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8.30am-6pm

This market sits between Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road and has

a range of stalls selling African music, food and textiles.

Uxbridge Rd and Goldhawk Rd, W12. Shepherd’s Bush/Goldhawk Road tube.

Portobello Market

open saturday 8 - 5
Portobello Road Market is one of the most famous markets in the world and features as one of London's top ten most visited tourist sites. 

Despite it's popularity Portobello Market maintains a sense of realness offering foods and ingredients from all over the world including authentic produce from North Africa (Morocco).   on Saturdays when the antiques section is open it is worth visiting the African Art Stalls. Portobello Road, London, W10.

Nearest Tube : Notting Hill Gate / Ladbroke Grove

Shops

Probsthain Arthur (Oriental and african bookseller)

One of the oldest book stores in central London . Opposite the British Museum, Arthur Probsthain stocks African, Asian and Middle Eastern books covering Languages. It has a 2nd branch at the nearby School of Oriental and African Studies in Russell Square.  41 Great Russell St , Soho, London, WC1B 3PE

(020 7636 1096)

Grant and Cutler

Grant and Cutler’s World Language section covers over 50 African languages including Amharic, Shona, Xhosa, Zulu and Wolof. There is also a selection of DVDs and videos from Africa. Fenton House/55-57 Great Marlborough St, Soho, London, W1F 7AY. (020 7  734 2012)

African Food Store

New Shepherds Bush Market

Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush

London, W12 8LH

The African Waistcoat Company (tailored fashion)

Specialists in waistcoats made from hand woven cloth. You can choose

your fabric from classic patterns or the latest designs created by Yoruba

traditional weavers.

33 Islington Green, Camden Passage, N1 8DU (020 77049698). Angel tube.

Pempamsie (fashion and crafts)

Pempamsie Contemporary African clothing, jewelry, books, art and

home furnishings are all found at this boutique store in Brixton Hill.

102 Brixton Hill, SW2 (020 8671 0800). Brixton tube/rail.

Buses 109, 133, 159

Nubian Natural (health and body)

The range of health, body and beauty products at Nubian Natural are

based on traditional African ingredients. There are natural shea butter hair care products, lotions, creams, body scrubs and soaps as well as

gifts, books, candles, jewelry and cards.  3 Vining Street, SW9  (020 7733 8277). Brixton tube/rail.

African Connection (cloth and accessories)

African fabrics can be bought from this small venue in Brixton, which also sells West African gold and other accessories. 6 Tunstall Road, SW9 (0207 501 9445). Brixton tube/rail

Yemanjà

Yemanja is a small and friendly boutique selling books, jewelry, African crafts, sculptures and accessories. From time to time, weekend classes on African or black history are taught here. 7 Stroud Green Rd, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2DQ.(0207 281 8668)

Joss Graham Oriental Textiles (clothes and textiles)

Antique and contemporary clothes are sold here, as are objects and

handmade textiles from Africa. Fabric comes in complete pieces, with

orders imported from West Africa.

10 Eccleston Street, SW1 (0207 730 4370). Victoria tube/rail.

Pempamsie

Pempamsie  is a collective of 4 companies that have got together in 1 shop space. It sells contemporary African clothing, jewelry, books, art and home furnishings. 102 Brixton Hill, SW2 1AH. ( 0208 671 0800)

Nasseri Fabrics (textiles)

A small shop with a huge range of African textiles – mainly from Holland.

Nasseri has a sister branch in East London.

38 Atlantic Road, SW9 (020 7274 5627). Brixton tube/rail.

41 Wentworth Street, E1 7TD (020 7375 2706)

Tribal Gathering London

There's over 20 years of collecting experience between the 2 owners of Tribal Gathering , which is essentially a shop and gallery space. Objects include masks, sculptures, furniture, jewelry and paintings from Angola, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, Somalia and other African countries. 1 Westbourne Grove Mews, Notting Hill, London. W11 2RU. (0207 221 6650)

Rontex Fabrics

West African textiles are found at Rontex who also export to other countries. 11-15 Cricklewood Broadway, NW2 (020 8208 1236). Kilburn tube.

Doris & Doris

A mother and daughter enterprise who design and make their own contemporary clothing from African Fabrics.   Doris & Doris market stall is in the art and craft section of Brixton Market,  opposite the tube (Brixton Tube). Open  every Saturday.

Graceby

African attire -  For Men, Women & children.

201 Kingsland Rd , Dalston, Hackney, London, E2  8AN (0207 739 2873)

Hair & Beauty

Pure Health Ltd

A natural cosmetic and complementary health manufacturer and distributor with an emphasis on products sourced from Africa, which includes Shea butter and Royal Bush Tea.  178 Biscot Road, Luton , LU3 1AX

Nyumba House of Hair and Beauty

This high-end Mayfair salon offers an exceptional range of hair  beauty and grooming services

6-7 Mount St, W1 (0207 408 1489) Bond St tube. open Mon-Wed , Fri, Sat 9am-6pm, Thur 9am-8pm.

Zaytouna (Moroccan)

Stepping into this three-story restaurant can feel like entering a

world within a world. North African carpets, traditional tiling and

artifacts have all been sourced by a Moroccan designer. Food includes

tagines (stews) with spiced lamb, fish or sausage and all come with

complimentary couscous.

45 Frith Street, W1D 4DS (020 7494 9008). Tottenham Court Road tube.

Obalende Suya (Nigerian)

A thriving restaurant in East London, Obalende Suya also has a popular takeaway on Peckham High Road. Nigerian food here includes jollof rice and suya grills with chicken, lamb and fish. The  whole business  has come a long way since it started life as a small mobile service in Elephant and Castle market back in 1987. 523 Kingsland Road, E8 4AR (020 7275 0171). Dalston Kingsland rail. Buses 38, 67, 76, 149.

Ali Baba (Egyptian)

One of only a few Egyptian restaurants in London, Ali Baba serves beautifully flavored meals such as vine leaves stuffed with seasoned rice, char-grilled lamb and baked vegetable dishes with warm sultanas.

32 Ivor Place, NW1 6DA (020 7723 7474). Baker Street tube/Marylebone tube/rail

African Kitchen Gallery (African and Caribbean)

This homely restaurant serves both African and Caribbean food, although there's a strong African focus. Ghana and Nigeria are the African Kitchen Gallery's main influences, with spicy jollof rice, fried and peppered plantain and sweet potato porridge being popular choices. Ackee and saltfish and jerk chicken are 2 fine Caribbean choices, and there's home-made fresh ginger juice, which is a great palate cleanser.102 Drummond Street, NW1 2HN (020 7383 0918). Euston Square

Wabi Shebele (Ethiopian)

The atmosphere is fantastic and the coffee ceremony every friday and sunday is wonderful.. The food is to much delicious especially the doro wot (chicken Stew),vegetarians and shebele special. Every sunday the traditional ethiopian dancers are amazing. 189-191 New Kent Road, London, SE1 4AG (0207 378 9009)

Adam's Café  ( Tunisian)

Adam’s Cafe’ is a local Tunisian restaurant that's big on fish dishes. Rustic bread, sweet and savory pastries, spiced broth and 3-course deals for under £20 keep its customers loyal. 77 Askew Road, London, W12 9AH ( 0208 743 0572)
     

805 Bar Restaurant (Nigerian)

This huge restaurant is situated on the long stretch of Old Kent Road. Set up in 2001, the 805 Bar Restaurant has become a must for huge swathes of London's affluent Nigerian community. Offering European and West African food, the menu reflects cuisine from southern Nigeria. Jollof rice, goat meat stew moi moi (bean pudding), plantain and a signature dish called monika (marinated grilled fish with chili sauce) is worth heading out to SE15 for 805 Old Kent Road, SE15 1NX , ( 020 7639 0808)

Manjaro Bar and Kitchen (Ghanaian)

A café, bar and restaurant, Manjaro offers West and Central African cuisine in a split-level venue that's subtly decorated with African objects. Live music nights have included DJ sets with Afro-beat, Kwaito, Rumba, Salsa and Soukous. 148 Holloway Road, Islington, N7 8DD ( 0207 6092082 )

Asmara (Eritrean)

Perhaps the best thing on Coldharbour Lane if you have a desire

for African food. Alongside stews and multiple portions of enjera dough-bread, 386 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LF ( 020 7737 4144 ). Brixton tube/rail.

Pasha ( Moroccan )

Some fine artistry exists at pasha, both in the lush decor – deep reds and coppers – and in the care taken over the menu. Moroccan fare features briquette pastries with lamb and cheese, chicken and lemon or scallops and red pepper fillings. Tender meat stews with couscous are also a must-try. the North African influences on the menu and varied wine list help create this extra-ordinary Moroccan-chic jewel in the heart of Kensington. 1 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4PP (0207 589 7969  )

Shopping

        African Eating