Buka

Buka is one of the most reliable places in Accra to try Ghanaian and West African home cooking in a comfortable sit-down setting. It sits on 10th Street in Osu, the city's busiest district for eating out, and was set up to serve business diners and international visitors who want traditional recipes without the uncertainty of a street chop bar. The menu draws on Ghanaian classics and on dishes from elsewhere in West Africa, including Nigeria, which makes it a useful introduction for first-time visitors.

The heart of the menu is soups and stews served with the region's staple starches. Light soup, a peppery tomato broth, and rich groundnut soup are both served with fufu, the pounded dough eaten by hand; banku, a slightly sour fermented corn and cassava dough, comes with stews and grilled fish. Kontomire, a stew made from cocoyam leaves, is a good choice for anyone wanting greens, and jollof rice is always on hand. Order kelewele, spiced fried plantain, as a side or snack. If you are unsure how hot a dish is, ask the staff, as Ghanaian pepper can be fierce.

The dining room is spread over two floors, and the upstairs space, with its tree-house feel, is the more atmospheric place to sit. Buka works well for groups who want to share a range of dishes, for business lunches and for relaxed dinners. The restaurant's own guidance recommends it for children aged seven and over.

Buka is open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 21:00 and closed on Sundays. Tables can be booked through the online form on the restaurant's website or by phone, which is wise for groups and at lunchtime. Prices are moderate for a sit-down restaurant in Osu. Eating fufu with your right hand is customary.

If you are new to Ghanaian food, ask the staff to explain the difference between the soups and the starches, and consider ordering a few dishes for the table so everyone can try them.

Osu is easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing car from anywhere in central Accra, and Oxford Street, the area's main shopping and nightlife strip, is a short walk away. After lunch you can walk to cafés nearby, or continue to the coast and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.