African Queen

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

African Queen is a charming, authentic little place, with a casual atmosphere and hearty food. The staff are genuine and candid without displaying any of the obsequious behavior that you are likely to find in more up market joints. You will not find waitresses oozing superficial charm here.

The menu is extensive and the food, although predominantly West African, allows customers to sample cuisine from a variety of regions in Africa. You will be assured of tasty, decent sized portions and moderate prices. If you want a taste of the African experience then this is the place for you!

Nov 27, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  8     

Acutely aware of some bad reviews especially about the service, we tried this place with trepidation on a quiet Sat night.

True to form, the waitress appeared brusque and ushered me to a table closest to the toilets. Was this a sign of her confidence in the food? Rolling of eyes ensued when she came to take my order and I told her I was waiting for my friend to arrive. The air-con was suitably chilly.

Suffice to say, things got better. The foofoo, cassava and main dishes were good, and the waitress warmed to us. In a lighter moment she described the African gunpowder tea as 'manpower'. An interesting experience all up, but not for the easily offended.

Sep 25, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  6     

Staff are loud and come across kinda angry but once they warm up they are still loud but amusing. Food was quite nice and definitely different to what I've tasted, service was a little slow but not too bad.

They seem very proud of their Ginger Beer but I,ve never been a fan so it did little more me but it certainly had a kick too it. You should give it a go if your ever there.

The ambiance was quite poor as the place looks rather outdated, thankfully we were a group of 15 so we made our own thou. Not sure if I would return again but I would suggest others to go and try it out.

Jun 12, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  8     

I wasn't sure about visiting this restaurant after reading all the reviews. This isn't your usual dining experience, the staff were sometimes in your face and the service was amusing to say the least. The food was wholesome and tasty. The ginger beer was out of this world. It was good value and I would probably go back but it's not a place that would suit all tastes.

Jun 04, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Service  1     

Absolutely disgusting service. We looked online for something different to order in for my birthday today, found african queen, noticed some bad reviews and a couple good ones so thought we would give it a go. They advertise delivery online and on the menu, we called and they were very abrupt did not answer with a business name and much to our surprise were told No No No Delivery, the car is in the garage, what the hell? never again will we try there.

May 26, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

Not recommended. Didn't get our drink order, but had them charged. Rude service and food was made with "Chicken Tonight" sauce. "Fresh seasonal vegetables" was actually just frozen Mccains vegies. We wanted to like this place, but it went to the next level of bad.

May 08, 2011 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  3     

We were hastily waved to a table upon entering, and on our way to pick up some wine (BYO is offered) we were overtaken by frantic kitchen staff on their way to the closest grocer. Against all better judgements we decided to stay (African food is a favourite). Our order was taken by an unfriendly lady whose vocabulary consisted of "what?" "not available" and "is that all?". No warmth or manners what-so-ever.

The first hour clocked by and one meal arrived. Half-an-hour later the next. We amused ourselves with beverages and conversation before realising that we had spent three hours at the restaurant and only two of five meals had arrived.
As I stood outside making a phone call, a lady mentioned to me that she had been waiting two-and-a-half hours for her takeaway meal. When she finally received it, I noticed that the staff simply handed it to her and waved her on her way. Call me old-fashioned but I think an apology was in order.

We decided to leave without waiting for the rest of our meals, unhappily paying on our way out. Our entire party was demoralised by the experience and went home feeling sullen. I will certainly never eat at this place again, and suggest all lovers of African food avoid it. If they were struggling under the work-load, a simple explanation would have sufficed. Instead they left us sitting there like idiots and spoiled our night.

Apr 13, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  9     

A treat for vegetarians. Some delicious and uniquely flavoured and fragrant fresh foods. I come back for the vegetarian Abo abo made with black eyed peas and sweet plantains. And the okra in delicate coconut sauce is lovely. Very homemade tasting. Kids will like the giraffes on the wall, the nearby bathroom and the cous cous. I think the ladies that run the place are still getting a handle on service which explains the lack of speed, but take it as slow food - so delicious it's worth it.

Sep 16, 2010 

6.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  8     

The food is absolutely fabulous, always fresh and tasty. Very much likened to home style cooking. We are regular customers and especially like the Cassava leaf stew, homemade salsa and ginger beer. The food is freshly prepared so is a little slow arriving but well worth the wait.

Jul 30, 2010 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  1     

Waited 50 minutes for an entree of chicken wings. Asked what was happening after half an hour, and we were told it takes a while as they're made fresh. Finally got them only to take a bite and realise they were freezing cold in the middle. After asking the waitress it emerged that they were fresh when they were frozen that morning, how it took nearly an hour to not quite defrost two chicken wings in a microwave and pour some sauce over I'm not sure. It didn't get any better from then on in, highly recommend going elsewhere.

Jul 08, 2010