Trying West African Food in Madison 🌍🔥

Les délices de Awa specializes in West African cuisine — and as someone always curious about global flavors, I was excited to finally try African food! West African cooking is known for its bold seasonings, generous portions, and a kind of vibrant yet humble beauty. For adventurous eaters like me, it offers unique tastes you won’t find anywhere else. The restaurant itself is bright, clean, and warmly welcoming — perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends or coworkers 👨👩👧👦💫. 🍽️ Must-Try Dishes (Starters + Mains): 1️⃣ Whole Grilled Fish 🐟 This is the dish I still dream about a month later! It might look charred on the outside, but it’s perfectly cooked — smoky, tender, and flaky under that crispy skin. The garlicky dipping sauce takes it to another level. I’d come back just for this! 2️⃣ Beef Pastels 🥟 Similar to empanadas, these are crispy, golden pockets filled with juicy seasoned beef. Only $10 for three big pieces — so flavorful I would’ve finished them all if I hadn’t wanted to save room for other dishes! 3️⃣ Goat Meat 🐐 I had high hopes, but this was a bit underwhelming. Goat is lean, so the meat was quite dry — similar to well-done sirloin. Still interesting to try though! 🥗 Recommended Sides: Each main comes with two free sides — my favorites were: 🍟 Fried Yuca Looks like fries, but better — denser, chewier, and more flavorful than potatoes. A must-try! 🍌 Sweet Plantains If you like ripe bananas, you’ll love these caramelized, soft, and sweet fried plantains. 🍹 Drinks & Extras: I also tried the Baobab Smoothie — made from the fruit of the baobab tree! It was tangy, sweet, and super refreshing. Highly recommended to start your meal with! Restaurant: Les délices de Awa 📍Address: 2045 Atwood Ave STE 109, Madison, WI 53704 A truly unique and flavorful experience right here in Madison — don’t miss it! 🌟🤎 #MadisonEats #WestAfricanFood #AfricanCuisine #FoodDiscovery #Madison