Baobab Fare

Lisa Gray

3 months ago

Absolutely amazing food. Chicken and beef unbelievably good. The passion fruit/avocado dessert was complex and rich in flavour. Hibiscus tea also delicious.

Harold PK

5 months ago

The Detroit area has been my home for the past 13 years & it continues to amaze me because of places like this. The food scene is scattered throughout the city. I like this location because it’s right off Woodward, the Q line, & New Center area…with easy parking. The Environment: Stepping inside you immediately feel transported. The vibe, music, & adjacent area falls together like a well oiled machine. The airy environment is well curated like a larger upscale-casual chain, which it isn’t…it’s a single location; a lot of thought went into its’ execution. The Food: Wow! I had googled Ethiopian and this popped up and I ended up going…still thinking it was Ethiopian and not Burundi. In ways it similar but more toned down. I sampled the goat dish (Mbuzi) and savored each bite. I sensed signature tones reminiscent of Ethiopian, Yemeni, and to some extent the West Indies dishes…think rice & proteins with less common spices. Spice level, it’s not…it’s simply flavorful…not hot. I also tried the Tamu (Avocado & Passion fruit pudding) and was surprised with a bright & sensational flavor explosion; not common to North America. Summary: It’s not often that I render 5 stars but I feel they earned it. I’ve travelled & lived in many parts of the world and have sampled a lot. Baobob Fare, for me checks off many boxes of what I find great. I plan to visit again.

Huss

5 months ago

This corner spot is a fantastic place to enjoy some African food! The interior design is beautiful, and the view of the streets from inside is amazing. We had the Chicken and Lamb dish, both of which were delicious. I also loved the coconut and mango dessert. I’ll definitely be back!

prasoon vuttoor

4 months ago

This was our first time trying African cuisine, and we absolutely loved it. The flavors felt surprisingly close to Indian food in the best way. We tried the hibiscus tea and the spiced coffee—both were excellent. The plantain chips with the dipping sauce were a classic and delicious combination. For the main course, we had Ugali and Intore. Ugali felt very comforting, almost like homemade South Indian food, and Intore was rich, flavorful, and reminded us of South Indian dishes as well. The service was quick, and the ambiance was great. Truly one of the best restaurants in downtown Detroit!

Ansel Wong

4 months ago

Worth the visit! I give out a lot of 5 stars but if I could rate this place higher I would. The food was exceptional and not a single crumb was left on anyone’s plate after the meal 😅. I would recommend the mbuzi (goat) and the kumuhana (grilled chicken)! Both the spiced rice and coconut rice are delicious as well and you can get half and half. Overall for the price, the food, environment, and service are well worth it. This restaurant gives a great insight on Burundi cuisine and has joined my rotation of restaurants in the area! 10/10 would recommend.

MMR’s. World

a month ago

Had a wonderful experience at this African restaurant! The vibe was warm and has a welcoming atmosphere that made the whole evening enjoyable. The food was incredibly flavorful—rich spices, well-seasoned tender meats, and delicious sides that really brought everything together. You can tell the dishes are made with care. Service was friendly and attentive as well. I definitely recommend making a reservation. Looking forward to coming back! 🌍🍽️

Leilani Wolfe

2 months ago

Absolutely wonderful experience. Service was prompt and friendly, and the location and atmosphere were both really great. Lovely building with a laid-back feel. And the food was exceptional. My mom got the intore eggplant stew, which was savory and hearty, and wonderfully prepared. They allowed her to get half-sizes of the 2 rice options (spices pilau and coconut rice) as well as the peanut stewed spinach and the yellow beans, and a generous serving of fried plantains. Everything was so flavorful and hearty. I got the nyumbani beef, which was perfectly tender and so delightful. I also got the pilau and coconut rice to try them both, and I got the peanut stewed spinach and plantains. Everything was instant comfort food - so rich and warm and full of flavor. I also got an African tea, which was Lipton black tea with added spices and frothy milk. My mom got the spiced coffee, which was a wonderful blend of spices and nice strong coffee. We were both too full to get dessert, which was a real shame because they all sounded incredible. I would love to come back and try some more dishes. Highly recommend if you are in the area and looking for a great experience!

Fei Fei Metzler

a month ago

Cool “neighborhood” eatery. Tasty foods with nice warm spices. Lamb shank was off-the-bone tender. Fried fish perfectly seasoned and good texture. Loved the spiced rice. Fizzy drink very refreshing. Service was friendly and efficient. An unpretentious relaxed vibe. Great place to try out African cooking and flavors.

Serge N

a month ago

The food was so flavorful! Had sambusa appetizer- could eat like a dozen of them! - so good and it’s dipping sauce! We had the Nyumbani and Kumuhana, with coconut rice and a side of kuku- drank warm delicious hibiscus tea, and ended with the coco mango dessert! 10/10 for flavors and portions! Very friendly service; quick serving of food! Definitely going back here over and over! Parking was available street side via a Detroit parking app (was like $2 for 2 hrs)… definitely recommend going here for anyone looking for some authentic East African flavors!

Leslie Jackson

a month ago

This is my 2nd time coming here. It was so good that I had to come again. Great authentic East African comfort food! Food comes out quickly and is delicious EVERY SINGLE TIME! No matter how finicky your palette may be, you will find something absolutely delicious and filling! This is my new favorite place!