Afrika Taste And Lounge

PHOTOS attached below. I finally visited Afrika Taste & Lounge with some friends in mid-April 2023. They turn into a lounge at a certain time after dinner is served so I heard it becomes a party scene here. They even have a little stage where performances happen but there was no one performing when I arrived for dinner.NIGERIAN FOOD (2/5) -- They offer a mix of popular Nigerian dishes plus some American food options. My Russian friend ordered Jollof rice with goat meat and my 2 American friends ordered Fufu with Egusi soup. The jollof rice wasn't authentic Nigerian Jollof but the goat meat tasted good.I ordered the pounded Yam with Egusi Soup. The Egusi comes with assorted meats which includes goat meat. The Egusu soup was not authentic AT ALL and I was disappointed. I've eaten Egusi my whole life and this one was a very tomato based soup which isn't how traditional Egusi should be. Traditional Egusi should be a little thick with melon seeds and green leafy vegetables. The Egusi here was a bit watery and did not have the proper amount of melon seeds inside. I was very disappointed.The Egusi soup costs $24 and it doesn't come with Eba or pounded yam. The pounded yam has to be ordered separately for an additional $5 which is strange because Egusi soup is normally eaten along with Eba, fufu, or pounded yam but I understand that this restaurant is a business that exists to make money so they sell their fufu separately. DRINKS (5/5 for the Malt drink) -- I don't drink alcohol (except for the occasional white wine) but they offer a selection of alcoholic drinks. Also, it appears that this restaurant is more known for their drinks; hence, the name "lounge" in "Afrika Taste and Lounge." I ordered the classic "Maltina" non-alcoholic drink ($5) and this one came from the Goya brand company (called Malt or Malta but people in Nigeria say "Maltina"). The price was expensive because normally you can get a case of 6 of these for maybe around $4. It has a TON of sugar in it similar to a bottle of Coca Cola (Coke) but it is soooo good. I hardly have this drink anymore but since I was in a Nigerian restaurant, I decided to order one. Nostalgia filled my mind as I drank this very familiar drink....haha.SERVICE (4/5) -- The waiter serving us was extremely busy because she was the only one waiting on 3 tables plus manning the bar. She looked stressed and I felt bad for her. Eventually, an hour later, someone came to help her. Thus, my friends and I waited a little bit to get help but it wasn't too long.Overall, it's great to see Nigerian food in Cleveland but I won't be back here for any of their Nigerian foods because what I had was not authentic/traditional. I may come back to eat the American meals that they offer such as lamb chops. ****- 73/150 total reviews in 2023- 624 total overall Yelp reviews- Reviewed on 25 June 2023

Currently: sitting at the bar; the atmosphere: PRICELESS Tonight I decided to try Afrika Taste & Lounge in South Euclid solo. You could feel the atmosphere before you reached the door. I got excited, ready to enjoy myself. Security searched my Fanny pack THOROUGHLY. Took my rat tail comb, very much understandable. Felt very secure by that tiny gesture. Even asked if I had and tobacco products or vapes. Great way to secure and understand everything coming into your establishment. When I walked in, you could feel the vibrations within your skin. Nothing but smiles & dancers on the dance floor. Once at the bar I was greeted with a very welcoming and warm smile from the bartender Krissy. I ordered a Chakla (Hennessy, Sangria & Honey). S/O to Krissy for her great customer service and mixology skills. My drink was AMAZING!!! I'm not even a Cognac drinker but this drink *chefs kiss*. I then ordered Lamb Chops w/ Jollof Rice & Asparagus. Krissy let me know it would be a 40 minute wait but my food definitely came out in less than 30 minutes. Food was HOT, STEAMING! Thank you for the experience at your restaurant.

The owners should consider changing the hours on the door and locking it when they close rather than turning customers away. I will not be returning.

I ordered though DoorDash and the food was hot when I got it. had the Egusi with Fufu and it was delicious. The soup was so flavorful. I don't like the texture of Fufu but that's my personal preference.

Sooooo Let me say no I won't be backI'm pissed 79$ for what The Eguisi didn't taste like Eguisi and was watery I'm upset I will have to report this to the BBB and I'm upset they automatically charge me for a tip which isn't a problem if the foods good . They had no eff rir ro stew and no bissap juice The server was nice the bar maid was nice

This place is fantastic and beautiful. The combination between the theme of the restaurant and the richness of the dishes reflects the values and interests of the consumers in the community, whether local, traditional, or international.By upholding integrity to traditional values of the culture behind the dishes, the color, the flavor, and the themes of the menu, was pleasing and attractive to the eyes and taste. The rice is by far top of the list in the county. The price is higher than the nominal demand and supply calls for, by at least 7% with a deadweight loss to some consumers. This is indeed a luxury restaurant selling luxury dishes, but could see more sales if the price would decreased at least 7-10%. This place is EXPENSIVE!The alcoholic beverages are slightly overwhelming, a slight decrease in alcohol content in the drinks could save on the liquor budget, and increase the fullness of flavor desired.Occasionally, the bartender was reluctant to comment on the themes of the restaurant or the history.The people are amazing and respectful.I am willing to update this review and improve it.

Everything was awesome! Okay, y'all know I'm observant and really picky. So here goes...It was dinner for two. We had a reservation (by the way the person who helped with the reservation was very pleasant and very informative) and arrived early... because we were really excited to try a new spot!Soooooooooo... upon entering we were greeted very cheerfully. The music was amazing, the decor and atmosphere was inviting and super clean. An open space (for those practicing social distancing) with just enough seating and seating options (tables and booths. Plus a bar) and a stage. But wait, it gets better...The food was tasty and yes, ya girl used her hands. The chef personally greeted us and made suggestions. She's also super nice. I highly recommend this place! And y'all know I'm tough. LOLBy the way, they would've gotten 5 stars but they didn't provide anything for your hands before or after the meal to clean (very necessary when eating with your hands).

We ordered takeout. The food was packaged well and was warm when we opened it. We had the Red Snapper, Jollof Rice, and the Efo Ri Ro. The fish was whole and only came with three slices of plantain, which was disappointing. The meat that camewith the Jollof Rice and Efo Ri Ro was too tough to eat. The flavor of the food was decent, but the price is way too high for the poor quality of many components of the meals.

The ambiance was very Instagram ready. I took several pictures. I enjoyed my red snapper. My mom said it was dry. If you don't like hot food, then don't try the hot pepper sauce. The cassava was excellent.

Bought shawarma and Taco Bell burrito was even better than it, was charged $15 for that trash Pls don't waste your money