Afrikana must be one of the biggest success stories in UK hospitality from the past decade. The company first started out in 2018 as a bold idea to bring home-cooked, African-inspired food to the small village of Aldridge, near Walsall. By 2024 the brand had franchised to over 50 locations across the country and firmly established itself as a leading destination for varied exotic flavours, served in an immersive dining experience, with incredible music and walls turned into exhibition space for artwork from the namesake continent, and its diasporas.
Opening on Wilmslow Road in the heart of Rusholme in 2023, the Manchester branch certainly represents all the company stands for. A wood-clad interior invokes informal eateries in far warmer climates, with beautiful aromas greeting you at the door. Staff are known for their similarly inviting welcome, and are on hand to guide through the menu, which is influenced by a multitude of cuisines and cultures and uses only Halal ingredients. Extending far beyond Africa to cover a number of kitchens, the delicious small plates and sharing platters provide a great opportunity to try a broad range of what’s on offer.
Individual options range from Cheeky Chops, tender marinated lamb cuts in spicy house glaze, to Bunny Chow, a tender mutton curry with potato served in hollow toasted loaf, and tacos to smashed burgers. You’ll find an impressive selection of poultry dishes, including the Caribbean-hued Chicken Checkmate, and a great vegetarian and vegan offering, too, with many of countries Afrikana looks to leaning into-meat-free by nature. Drinks also deserve some attention, whether you sample an Afrikana Fruit Punch or Strawberry Mojito, with the bar sending out some incredible-looking mocktails, a few of which are best described as ‘drama in a glass’, alongside a whole host of imported refreshments.