Food & Dining

Food & Dining in Ghana

Ghana offers rich culinary experiences from traditional Ghanaian dishes to international cuisine, particularly in Accra. Food is central to Ghanaian culture and social life.

Traditional Ghanaian Cuisine

Staple Dishes:

Fufu:

• Pounded cassava, plantain, or yam
• Eaten with soups (light soup, palm nut soup, groundnut soup)
• Swallowed, not chewed
• National favorite

Jollof Rice:

• Tomato-based rice dish
• Variations with chicken, fish, or vegetables
• Street food favorite
• Ghana vs Nigeria jollof rivalry is serious!

Banku:

• Fermented corn and cassava dough
• Sour taste
• Eaten with okra stew, grilled tilapia, or pepper sauce

Waakye:

• Rice and beans cooked together
• Served with various sides (spaghetti, gari, stew, protein)
• Popular breakfast and lunch

Kenkey:

• Fermented corn dough wrapped in leaves
• Pairs with fried fish and hot pepper sauce
• Ga and Fante varieties

Red Red:

• Black-eyed peas stew with palm oil
• Served with fried plantains
• Simple but delicious

Groundnut Soup:

• Peanut-based soup
• Rich and hearty
• Often with chicken or fish

Street Food

Popular and Generally Safe:

Kelewele: Spicy fried plantains

Koose: Bean cakes (similar to akara)

Bofrot: Fried dough balls (like donuts)

Roasted plantain: With groundnuts

Grilled kebabs: Chicken, beef, goat

Fresh coconut: Vendors everywhere

Cost: GHS 5-30 ($0.45-2.70) per item

Dining Out

Local Restaurants/"Chop Bars":

• Authentic Ghanaian food
• Very affordable
• No-frills atmosphere
• Cost: GHS 20-50 ($1.80-4.50) per meal

Mid-Range Restaurants:

• Local and international menus
• AC, nicer setting
• Osu, East Legon locations
• Cost: GHS 60-150 ($5.50-14) per meal

Upscale Restaurants (Accra):

• International cuisine
• Fine dining experiences
• Wine lists available
• Cost: GHS 200-500 ($18-45) per meal

Popular Restaurant Areas:

• Osu (Oxford Street): Most variety, nightlife
• East Legon: Upscale, international options
• Airport Residential: Good restaurants
• Labone: Mix of local and international

International Cuisine (Accra)

Well Represented:

• Lebanese: Phoenicia, Mamma Mia
• Indian: Royal Kanya, Monsoon
• Chinese: Dragon Palace, China Wok
• Italian: Santoku, various pizzerias
• American: KFC, Burger King, local burger joints
• Ethiopian: Few options available
• Nigerian: Common in many areas

Fast Food Chains:

• KFC (most popular)
• Burger King
• Pizza Hut (limited)
• Barcelos (South African chain)
• Chicken Inn

Markets and Groceries

Local Markets:

• Makola Market: Largest in Accra, fresh produce, fish, meat
• Kaneshie Market: Large, diverse
• Madina Market: Popular
• Cost: Very affordable - GHS 50-100 ($4.50-9) fills multiple bags

Supermarkets:

• Shoprite: Multiple locations, South African chain
• Marina Mall Carrefour: Well-stocked
• MaxMart: Local chain
• Palace Supermarket: Upscale
• Game: South African chain

Specialty Stores:

• Nallem: Asian groceries
• Various Chinese stores: Asian ingredients
• Organic markets: Growing presence

Imported Goods Costs:

• Significantly more expensive (2-3x markup)
• Cheese, wine, specialty items pricey
• Consider bringing some items when visiting home

Food Safety

General Guidelines:

• Bottled water only (never tap water)
• Ice in reputable establishments only
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
• Street food from busy stalls (high turnover = fresher)
• Avoid raw salads initially
• Well-cooked food safer

Stomach Adjustment Period:

• First few weeks challenging for some
• Local bacteria different
• Build up gradually to street food
• Keep anti-diarrheal medication handy

Cooking at Home

Kitchen Equipment:

• Gas cookers common
• Electric ovens available
• Some apartments have basic kitchens
• May need to buy appliances

Challenges:

• Power outages affect refrigeration
• Limited oven use (expensive electricity)
• Different cuts of meat
• Fewer prepared/packaged foods

Dietary Accommodations

Vegetarian:

• Challenging but possible
• Many bean and vegetable options
• Local dishes often meat-based
• Better options at international restaurants

Vegan:

• More difficult
• Palm oil common
• Fish stock often used
• Accra has some vegan-friendly restaurants

Halal:

• Widely available (18% Muslim population)
• Many restaurants clearly indicate halal
• Northern regions more halal options

Gluten-Free:

• Unintentionally many local dishes are
• Rice, yam, plantain-based dishes
• Awareness growing in international restaurants

Drinks

Non-Alcoholic:

• Sobolo: Hibiscus drink (delicious and healthy)
• Asaana: Fermented corn drink
• Fresh coconut water: Everywhere
• Malta Guinness: Malt beverage
• Soft drinks: All major brands available

Alcoholic:

• Club Beer: Popular lager
• Star Beer: Common lager
• Guinness Ghana: Widely available
• Alomo Bitters: Local herbal spirit
• Imported beers: Available but expensive
• Wine: Limited selection, expensive

Local Beverages:

• Pito: Millet beer (Northern)
• Palm wine: Traditional, varies quality
• Akpeteshie: Local gin (strong!)

Food Costs Breakdown

Weekly Groceries (Cooking at Home):

• Local markets: GHS 150-300 ($14-27)
• Supermarkets: GHS 300-600 ($27-54)
• Mix of both: GHS 200-400 ($18-36)

Eating Out Budget:

• Budget: GHS 20-40 ($1.80-3.60) per meal
• Mid-range: GHS 60-150 ($5.50-14) per meal
• Upscale: GHS 200-500 ($18-45) per meal

Social Aspects

Eating Culture:

• Often communal (fufu eaten from shared bowl)
• Right hand used for eating
• Washing hands before eating important
• Food = hospitality and generosity

Tipping:

• Not mandatory but appreciated
• 10% at nice restaurants
• Round up for small purchases
• Service charge sometimes included