Traditional Food of Ghana: Must-try Dishes & Accra Dining Guide

The traditional food of Ghana celebrates bold flavours, communal meals, and staples like cassava, maize and plantains simmered in rich stews. Stay at The Pelican Hotel, Accra, in the heart of Cantonments, and savour these dishes right at The Beak Bistro or explore the city's vibrant food scene nearby.

A close up of many ingredients kept on a table that includes carrots, chicken among others. This are some of the ingredients to make the Popular Food in Ghana.

A Taste of Ghanaian Culinary Heritage

Accra stands as the ultimate gateway to Ghana’s traditional flavours, where everything from humble street stalls and local 'chop bars' to refined eateries celebrates the country's cuisine. Discover hearty, starch-based staples perfectly balanced by aromatic soups, grilled proteins, and the signature heat of shito pepper sauce. Reflecting the diverse landscapes of the coast, forest, and savanna, Ghanaian cuisine is more than just food—it is a cultural journey best experienced through communal plates and vibrant table talk.

From dawn waakye queues to evening banku feasts, the popular food in Ghana thrives on fresh ingredients and family recipes passed down generations.​

Must-try Dishes from Ghana

  • Jollof rice, Ghana's pride, layers fragrant rice with tomatoes, onions, peppers and ginger, often served with chicken, beef or fried plantains—a staple at celebrations that sparks friendly West African rivalries.
     
  • A staple of Accra’s street food scene, Waakye is a hearty breakfast of rice and black-eyed beans often piled high with spaghetti, boiled eggs, creamy avocado, and crunchy gari, all finished with a bold dollop of spicy shito.
     
  • Banku and tilapia are a masterclass in flavour, featuring smooth, fermented corn-and-cassava dough served alongside succulent charcoal-grilled fish. Scoop the dough and dip it into fiery pepper sauce or rich okra stew to enjoy the ultimate harmony of sour, spicy, and smoky notes.

A close up of a table with jollof rice, fried fish, lime pieces and tomatoes on it. You can have this at the best local restaurants in Accra.
A close up of eforiro and fufu kept next to each other on a plate that is ready to be served.

  • Fufu, a smooth and elastic dough crafted from pounded cassava and yams, is traditionally served submerged in rich, aromatic broths. Whether you choose creamy palm nut, savoury groundnut, or a spicy light soup, each bowl comes generously filled with tender goat, fresh fish, or chicken.
     
  • Kelewele tempts with spice-rubbed plantain chunks fried golden, while red red, named for palm oil's hue, features beans stewed with peppers and served with fried ripe plantains—simple yet soul-satisfying. These represent the heart of popular food in Ghana.

Accra's Food Scene & Best Local Restaurants

Accra’s vibrant food scene offers a full spectrum of flavour, ranging from rustic roadside chop bars serving authentic waakye and banku to sophisticated restaurants that artfully reinvent Ghana’s traditional cuisine. Visit Buka Restaurant for upscale jollof, Auntie Muni Waakye for legendary street portions, or The Republic for modern twists on fufu in Osu.

Best local restaurants in Accra, like Papaye, serve 24-hour waakye, while Chale blends kelewele with craft cocktails. Makola Market serves as a vibrant window into daily life, providing a unique space to explore Ghana’s essential ingredients and authentic street food in one lively location.

A man wearing a bright green appron preparing jollof rice on a rectangular pan at a local food joint.
Experience comfortable dining seating at The Beak Bistro, one of the nice restaurants in Accra, offering a delightful blend of cuisine and ambience at The Pelican Hotel.

The Beak Bistro at The Pelican Hotel

Right at The Pelican Hotel, The Beak Bistro captures traditional food of Ghana through its all-day menu of Ghanaian-inspired dishes—think grilled tilapia with banku, jollof specials, and kelewele platters alongside juicy steaks and fresh salads. With its sophisticated atmosphere and a choice of indoor or open-air dining, this is the perfect retreat for a relaxed meal after a day of exploration.

Comfort Meets Culinary Convenience at The Pelican Hotel

Nestled in the prestigious Cantonments district near major embassies and the vibrant Oxford Street dining scene, The Pelican features stylish accommodations. Each room is designed for comfort and productivity, boasting king sized beds, refreshing rain showers, high-speed Wi-Fi, and dedicated workspaces. Special website booking offers, a fitness centre, business centre, and event spaces cater to leisure and corporate guests.

A render of the contemporary multi-storey exterior with street frontage at dusk at The Pelican Hotel, Accra.

Accra unlocks the traditional food of Ghana through its lively markets, street vendors, and welcoming restaurants, with The Beak Bistro providing convenient, high-quality tastes without leaving our hotel. Stay at The Pelican Hotel to blend culinary adventures with comfort in Ghana's vibrant capital. Book now and let jollof rice, banku feasts and kelewele awaken your senses to the true flavours of Ghana.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. What defines the traditional food of Ghana?
At the heart of Ghana’s communal dining culture is a vibrant fusion of flavours, where satisfying staples like fufu, banku, and jollof rice meet the bold heat of spicy soups, smoky grilled fish, and savoury shito pepper sauce.

2. Which popular food in Ghana should first-timers try?
For an authentic taste of Ghana, start with icons like jollof rice, waakye, and banku with tilapia, followed by fufu, kelewele, and red red.

3. Where to find the best local restaurants in Accra for Ghanaian dishes?
Buka Restaurant, Auntie Muni Waakye, Papaye, and The Republic rank among the best local restaurants in Accra for traditional flavours.

4. Does The Pelican Hotel serve traditional food of Ghana?
Yes, The Beak Bistro offers jollof, banku, grilled tilapia and kelewele alongside international dishes at this Cantonments gem.

5. Is The Pelican Hotel convenient for exploring popular food in Ghana?
Perfectly positioned near Accra's chop bars, markets and best local restaurants in Accra, with on-site Ghanaian dining at The Beak Bistro.

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