National Geographic says this restaurant in Sierra Leone is the best in the World 2024
In all of West Africa, only one restaurant has made it onto National Geographic's list of 21 best restaurants in the world for 2024. That restaurant is in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and it is Cole Street Guest House.
I had the pleasure of dining at Cole Street twice in the past month, once for dinner and another for brunch. I had intended to go a third time, but as is often the case with the best of the best, Cole Street was fully booked for private dining.
As a self-proclaimed fine dining enthusiast, I appreciate good food. Whether it's in New Castle, New York, DC, or London, I always check for and respect Le Guide Michelin. There's nothing better than a top-notch culinary experience, except perhaps an equally delightful sensual one. If the food is scrumptious, count me in!
The brunch platter at Cole Street was incredibly generous, featuring what seemed like a dozen small dishes. My dining companion and I were astounded to discover that we had only finished one order after an hour of eating. We had to cancel the second order. What I found particularly enjoyable about Cole Street's brunch interpretation is how it showcases local ingredients. Each dish goes beyond the ordinary, from sour sop to star fruit to mackerel. It's a delightful experience to recognize familiar flavors while being pleasantly surprised by the unique touch that elevates them to Le Cordon Bleu standards. In short, brunch at Cole Street is an experience in and of itself.
On my second visit to Cole Street, which took place on January 4th for dinner, I almost didn't make it due to a long day. However, I am thrilled that I did because, once again, it did not disappoint in terms of flavor. The approach was consistent with using homegrown ingredients, reimagined to create a genuinely one-of-a-kind Sierra Leonean menu. It's not a fusion with other cuisines but a standalone representation of the local culinary scene.
For further details, you can read National Geographic's review of Cole Street. And if you ever find yourself in Freetown or are searching for the best African culinary experience along the continent's western coast, I highly recommend traveling to Cole Street. It’s one of the best in the world!
