Welcome to the vibrant culinary heart of Accra, where every corner smells of spices, every stall serves a story, and every bite is a celebration. If you’re looking for the most authentic street food spots in Accra, Ghana, you’re in the right place. From fiery grilled kebabs to spicy plantains and comforting rice dishes, this guide will help you explore the city’s most iconic tastes, tastes Ghana has perfected over centuries.

Where to Find the Best Street Food in Accra

Many of the city’s top street food spots can be found near key locations such as Makola Market, Osu Night Market, and Jamestown. These neighborhoods offer bustling scenes of food vendors serving everything from quick snacks to hearty meals.

Markola Market

Makola Market is a major open-air marketplace in the central business district of Accra, the capital of Ghana. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and dense network of vendors, it is a key hub for trade, social interaction, and cultural expression, attracting both locals and visitors seeking goods and authentic urban experiences.

Osu Night Market

Osu Night Market is an open-air evening market in the Osu neighborhood of Accra, in southern Ghana. It is notable as a local hub for late-night street food, fresh seafood, and small crafts sellers, popular with both residents and visitors for its lively nighttime atmosphere.

Jamestown

Historic district with street food mixed with cultural heritage, optimal for trying trotro bread, banku, and local drinks.

1. Waakye: Ghana’s Beloved Rice-and-Beans Feast

Waakye is arguably Ghana’s most iconic street food. This hearty rice-and-beans dish is simmered with dried sorghum leaves that give it a distinctive flavour. Vendors serve it with assorted sides like spaghetti, avocado, fried plantain, gari, egg, fish, and shito, each addition adding its unique layer to the dish. It’s affordable (often under GHC 20) and available at almost every corner you turn in the country.

2. Kelewele – Spicy Fried Plantain Perfection

Kelewele is made from ripe plantains, seasoned with ginger, chili, and other spices, and deep-fried to a golden crunchiness. It’s served with peanuts or beans and is perfect for evening snacks, night markets, or beachside gatherings. Some of the popular spots you’ll find kelewele are Osu, Labadi, Kaneshie, Teshie, and some suburbs located within the heart of the capital.

3. Banku and Tilapia – Coastal Comfort

Banku is made from fermented corn and cassava dough, served with sizzling tilapia and fresh pepper sauce. A classic Ghanaian meal that can be grilled right next to the roadside. It’s a meal that embodies Accra’s coastal culture and is especially popular near beaches like Labadi and Jamestown.

4. Kyinkyinga

Grilled kebabs don’t get more Ghanaian than kyinkyinga, made with grilled beef, chicken, or gizzard coated with spicy suya seasoning. They’re quick, cheap, and incredibly satisfying, often served late at night when vendors line up near bars and bus stops. The best spots for kyinkinga are beaches and bars, as well as along major road junctions.

5. Kenkey with Fish

A taste of Ga heritage, kenkey is fermented corn dough wrapped in corn husks and steamed. It’s traditionally served with fried fish, pepper sauce, onions, and sometimes shito. Its tangy taste and savory sides make it a favorite dinner option across the city. Popular places you can visit for the best kenkey are Chorkor, Jamestown, Kaneshie, Teshie, and Osu.

6. Hausa Koko and Koose

A perfect way to start the day, Hausa koko is a spiced millet porridge served with fried bean cakes (koose). Vendors sell it mainly in the early morning and late at night, often near bus stations and markets. It’s smooth, warming, and comforting, especially during rainy mornings.

7. Indomie Stir-Fry

Although not Ghanaian in origin, Indomie noodles have become a street food sensation in Accra. Vendors fry them with vegetables, eggs, chicken, and spicy sauce, creating a fast, flavorful meal for workers, students, and travelers.

8. Fried Yam and Plantain Chips

Simple but addictive, fried yam (yam chips) and plantain chips are popular roadside snacks. Often done in two rounds within a day, they are best enjoyed hot with spicy pepper sauce or alone as a crunchy munchie.

Pro Tips for Street Food Lovers

Choose busy stalls: high turnover means fresher food.
Eat food that’s just cooked: Avoid dishes that have sat out too long.
Ask before you eat: if you’re concerned about spiciness, request mild pepper or no shito.
Morning vendors: check early for breakfast classics like Hausa koko.
Evening treats: Spots near markets & beaches light up with vendors serving everything from kelewele to grilled corn.

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