Akwaaba

Reviews

• Brennon T.

  star star star star star 31 May 2026

  Food is amazing, atmosphere is chill and Mo the owner is great!
  
  I would come back again and again. They need more business and are looking to hire more staff.
  
  Hope they're around for a long time!

• Lynn S.

  star star star star star_border 26 May 2026

  This was my second time coming to this place. I spent some time in Ghana a number of years ago so I was thankful to see a local Ghanaian place I can get local Ghanian dishes that I have missed. The first time I went, I ordered the waakye (local rice and beans dish) with chicken and my husband had their peanut stew (groundnut stew as they call it in Ghana). We also had their fried chicken wings as a starter. The dishes reminded me so much of Ghana and I was thoroughly pleased. I enjoyed the shinto (locally made spicy sauce) you eat with the rice and was so happy they had it. I got the chance to talk with Mohammed (the owner) and he told me that on the weekends, they offer more of their menu options like the fried fish with the Banku and more of their stews. I can understand why they don't do their full menu on usual weekdays since African cooking takes time and depending on the customers you get, it might not all get eaten.
  
  The second time, I went with a group of friends on a Friday evening and was disappointed to see they were now only offering the first 4 entrees on their entree section of their menu which was even less then the first time I went, and they weren't doing any of their stews. Nonetheless, all my friends enjoyed their meals. Most of them had their jollof rice with chicken (tomato based rice) and I again had their waakye but this time with beef. The other dish they had available was a bean dish with plantain. I also enjoyed their Ginger beer that was locally sourced in Jamaica.  One of my friends who was there was from Nigeria and though she did say that Nigerian jollof rice was better, she still enjoyed her meal. Sadly to say though on a Friday night, there wasn't much clientale, just two other students beside our group in comparison to the first time we went, the place was more packed. We are hoping this restaurant will be able to stay in the College town area because usually when restaurants start to limit their menu options, it tells you something but hoping they pick up and can represent more of African cuisine here in Rochester.

• F. L.

  star star star star star_border 18 May 2026

  Note that their hours are correct on Google but not here on Yelp at the moment. But those are special Ramadan hours, it'll likely get back to normal. They're also---perhaps concerningly, as this implies financial problems---streamlined their business model, so they offer a reduced menu on weekdays, you order at a counter, and you eat out of styrofoam. None of this bothers me, but it's useful info.
  
  The food here is a set of flavors that really are not common in US restaurants, with very friendly and caring service (even during Ramadan when they have to cook while fasting). Particularly good dishes included the Somali samosas (a lot more crunch and flavor than usual samosas) and the peanut soup with lamb (medium is the perfect amount of spice, and the flavor is deeper than the poor imitation peanut soups I've had elsewhere).
  
  Other dishes involving rice/beans were a bit less imrpessive though, seemed underseasoned to my taste, and plantains too sweet for a savory dinner. It did take a while, as many note, but it wasn't so long that I found it bothersome. Also note that portions are very large and filling---three of us were struggling to finish one appetizer and 3 main dishes.

• Jazzy J.

  star star star star star 17 May 2026

  The food is amazing and authentic. Yes. It will take a good while. I came with a group of six. I checked the time: 59 minutes for my dinner to arrive. When I had my first bite, I literally could not complain. Hot and delicious and sooooo filling. My soul my happy and my ancestors were beaming at me with pride.
  
  I enjoyed the black eye pea stew with plantains and a side of jollof.
  
  The second time I came alone on. A Friday night. Food came out much quicker as the restaurant was less busy. If you've read my other reviews, you know I tend to order one dish only. I'm a woman of consistency. So yes, I got the same black eyed pea stew. And got-dammit it was delicious! (Again)
  
  Owners are suuuuper nice and have a beautiful smile, ready to serve you.
  
  Pack a granola and some fruit in case there's a long wait for food and ready to eat. The food IS GOOD!

• Emily W.

  star star star star star 8 May 2026

  Akwaaba is awesome and definitely worth your time if you're in the area. They recently closed and re-opened with a newer, smaller weekday menu to make it more manageable. The menu is extended on the weekends (it includes the items listed as "limited" on the menu). So, we were a little disappointed that we didn't get to try some of those limited items, but we'll be back on a weekend ;)
  
  The owner is super nice and amiable. The food is AMAZING and authentic... it took us right back to Ghana! Start your meal with the fried plantains, and if it's your first time, jollof and chicken is a great start. The food did take a little while to come out, but let's be honest... it just makes the restaurant more authentic by working on African time.
  
  Go here for a great meal with friends, or if you're in a time crunch, order ahead for takeout. It is totally worth it!