Where to Eat Jollof Rice in London
A guide to finding great jollof rice across London, the Nigerian versus Ghanaian debate, and how to order it.
Jollof rice is the dish that starts arguments at every West African table. It is rice cooked in a rich base of tomato, pepper and onion, smoky and savoury when done well, served with chicken, fish or beef. Nigerians and Ghanaians each swear theirs is the true version, and London has plenty of both. Here is how to find a good plate and where the debate plays out.
What makes it good
The base is everything. A proper jollof is cooked down slowly so the tomato and pepper deepen and the rice takes on colour and flavour all the way through. It should not be greasy or bland, and it should carry a bit of heat.
The prize, for a lot of people, is the smoky note at the bottom of the pot, sometimes called party jollof because it comes from cooking big batches over a flame. Slightly toasted, smoky grains are a sign someone knew what they were doing.
The rice itself matters too. It should be cooked so the grains hold their shape and take on the colour of the base all the way through, not left half-raw or boiled to mush. When you get a forkful and every grain tastes of the tomato and pepper, that is the mark of a kitchen that put the time in.
Nigerian versus Ghanaian
The two styles differ. Nigerian jollof is usually made with long grain rice and a tomato-forward, peppery base. Ghanaian jollof often uses fragrant or basmati-style rice and leans on different spicing. Neither is wrong, whatever anyone tells you. Try both and take a side, or refuse to and keep the peace.
How to order
Jollof is rarely a meal on its own. Order it with:
- Grilled or fried chicken, or fish
- Fried plantain, sweet and soft
- Moi moi, a steamed bean pudding, or a bit of coleslaw
- Sometimes served alongside fried rice, which is how it turns up at parties
Ask for a mix of jollof and fried rice if you want both. And do not skip the plantain.
The listings below show real African restaurants across London serving jollof.
Where in London to look
Peckham in Southwark is the heartland, with Nigerian and Ghanaian kitchens up and down Rye Lane, and you can browse African restaurants in Southwark to start. Head to east London too: Newham, especially around East Ham and Barking, has a strong scene. Dalston and Hackney, Tottenham and Woolwich all deliver.
Parties, weddings and naming ceremonies are where the very best jollof lives, so if you get invited, go hungry.
Plenty of kitchens across these areas also cook jollof in large quantities for events, so if you are feeding a crowd it is worth asking about trays and party portions rather than only eating in.
The verdict
Good jollof is smoky, savoury and just spicy enough, with the burnt-bottom grains as the reward. Order it with chicken and plantain, try both the Nigerian and Ghanaian versions before you pick a side, and remember there is no neutral position at a West African table. London gives you every chance to make up your mind.
Written by See The Smoke · kept current from the directory, last checked 2026-09-07