Restaurant
Akwaaba Restaurant & Bar
29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia
Find Akwaaba Restaurant & Bar
29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Akwaaba Restaurant & Bar
Akwaaba brings hearty Ghanaian cooking and warm West African hospitality right to Fitzroy Street. Diners gather around communal tables for traditional swallow feasts—pinching steaming mounds of fufu or fermented banku to drag through slow-simmered okra beef stew and rich peanut soup. Generous suya platters arrive on carved wooden boards shaped like the African continent, flanked by skewers of spiced grilled chicken, beef, and fried plantains. Staff guide first-timers through the menu with easy charm, detailing spice levels and traditional eating techniques. Pair the meal with house hibiscus sobolo from the entirely alcohol-free, halal bar.
- West African Swallow Dishes: Traditional swallow staples like fufu, banku, and kenkey come paired with hearty peanut soup and okra stew.
- Halal Dining & Mocktails: An alcohol-free drink program highlights house creations like spiced hibiscus sobolo alongside halal-certified meats.
- Communal Platter Service: Shareable suya platters with grilled meats and kelewele arrive on signature Africa-shaped wooden boards.
What's On at Akwaaba Restaurant & Bar
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Guests Choose Akwaaba Restaurant & Bar
Discover authentic Ghanaian stews, traditional fufu dining, and welcoming hospitality in St Kilda
Traditional West African Swallow Staples
Diners enjoy traditional swallow dishes like hot fufu, banku, and fermented kenkey served alongside richly seasoned meats and hearty stews.
the dough was hot and fresh, the meats were melting in our mouths hot off the bones!
victoria Hearty and Authentic Flavor Profiles
Recipes reflect authentic Ghanaian tradition, delivering rich stew profiles and balanced spices that satisfy both newcomers and long-time fans.
The dishes were hearty, rustic and full of rich, authentic flavours.
T O Welcoming First-Time Cultural Guidance
First-time visitors are guided through cultural food practices and menu profiles by attentive staff who explain traditional swallowing techniques and stew pairings.
When we sat down, our waiter offered in depth descriptions and recommendations about the menu.
Isabelle Celestial Warm, Heartfelt Culture-Sharing
Hospitality from the owners and front-of-house team leaves guests feeling personally embraced and cared for throughout their visit.
the individuals serving us were so kind and full of smiles, best customer service i’ve ever gotten at a restaurant.
Sue L Festive Group and Birthday Celebrations
The restaurant accommodates group celebrations and milestone events with generous, shareable spreads and lively hospitality.
Came here for my birthday, was about to leave and was given a free dessert and even sang happy birthday to me.
Liana Wiki Generous Platters Built for Sharing
Portions are designed for communal dining, complemented by custom Africa-shaped platters and traditional gourd bowls.
Since West African cuisine is heavy on sharing, it’s definitely a place to go to for a large group of people
Leviticus Shi
Most popular items
West African culinary staples and signature specialties
Fufu
The fufu was really interesting and lived up to the whole tik tok hype. We are totally fufulfilled!
Chit chad Kitchen Jollof Plate
I highly recommend the Calamari, the Peanut Soup plus Fufu, and the Jollof Plate. The flavours were rich, perfectly balanced, and incredibly comforting.
Gayeshi Perera Suya Platter
especially the chicken on the Suya Platter; the best I had in a while.
Leviticus Shi Kenkey with Fried Fish
I had Kenkey with fried fish and it was absolutely delicious! The Kenkey was fresh, perfectly fermented and soft with that authentic traditional taste.
Oscar Kwawu
Other favorites
Appetizers, sides, and small plates to complement your meal
Chicken Wings
The chicken wings were so flavorful and tasty!
Chit chad Kitchen Calamari
I highly recommend the Calamari, the Peanut Soup plus Fufu, and the Jollof Plate.
Gayeshi Perera Chicken Giblets
we were given a plate of chicken giblets on the house (i am not sure if it’s complimentary for everyone, i believe we were given for a delay in the food which in all honestly didn’t take too long) which were season perfectly and so so good.
Sue L Kelewele
I recommend the Suya Platter, Beef Stew, Chicken Giblets & Kelewele (fried plantain).
Melissa “Mel” Lee
Beyond the menu
Memorable cultural touches, hospitality gestures, and tailored service that elevate your meal
First-timer dish guidance & cultural dining tips
Servers and owners take time to explain West African dishes, advise on pairings like okro soup, and teach newcomers traditional eating techniques such as how to swallow fufu.
Dedicated coeliac & gluten-free kitchen accommodation
Staff coordinate directly with kitchen chefs multiple times to verify dietary safety, even preparing off-menu gluten-free fried chicken specifically for guests with coeliac disease.
Complimentary birthday celebrations & song
Guests celebrating birthdays receive personal surprises from the team, including complimentary birthday dessert and staff singing happy birthday.
Africa-shaped platters & gourd tableware
Dishes like the suya platter and soups are presented using culturally unique tableware, including bespoke Africa-shaped serving boards and natural gourd bowls.
Before you head over
Practical advice on reservations, dietary choices, and navigating the menu
Book Ahead for Busy Dinners
Book ahead online, especially for weekend evenings and family celebrations, as the dining room fills up and gets busy quickly. Ordering and payment can also be handled easily via the table QR code.
Navigating Halal and Dietary Options
The venue operates a strictly alcohol-free bar pairing its menu with specialty mocktails and serves Halal meat. Plant-based diners have dedicated options like the naturally vegan Red Red, and the kitchen accommodates celiac gluten-free requests.
Ordering Fufu and Shareable Platters
Traditional swallow staples like fufu, banku, and kenkey paired with rich stews are substantial and designed for sharing. If you are new to West African cuisine, ask the staff for menu advice on dish names and swallowing techniques.
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