Baku’s African Restaurant

The owner is so friendly, made us feel so welcomed. This is our first time trying Nigerian food. My family and I love it! Small menu so it’s easy to choose from. We tried the curry chicken and goat with the yellow rice and beans. We also tried the plaintain (dodo) and akara. The curry sauce is more of tomato based, unlike asian curry. Its different, but we enjoyed our dish very much. We ended up getting another order to go. My two small children even licked the spoons clean!

When I walked in I was warmly greeted, and immediately felt as though I was in the chef’s home. She was so kind and readily willing to explain the menu to help me decide what to order. I ordered the rice and beans with vegetable of the day and plaintains. The whole dish was delicious and each part complemented the others. The plaintains were the best part.

Best African food around, such a hidden gem. Everything she makes is delicious but I could live off just her rice and sauce. The woman who owns it is warm and welcoming. Give it a try, you’ll thank me.

I’ve been interested in exploring more African dishes and found this restaurant on Unilocal.
A cute tiny 6 table restaurant in Amherst. The gps sent me on a crazy route, but it’s actually on N Main right near the Toy Box.
I was the only person there and the restaurant owner chatted with me while she cooked. What a lovely woman.
I had curry chicken and a delicious cinnamon ice tea. I felt right at home.
I will return to try the rest of the menu.

Service was the best I’ve ever had! She was so attentive to my needs and picked out the vegan choices and explained to me what the dish consisted of as I was not familiar with African (Nigerian) food. Extremely friendly and caring. I felt very welcome and cared for. Because of a special situation, she was completely willing to compromise as well. (details too long). Food was simple, but tasty and very satisfying. ⁵⁄₅ would recommend!!!
Please come here!

Went in on an impulse when we were visiting UMass. Lunch was great. Had the goat, jollof rice and string beans. Great, great, great. Service was like being in grandma’s kitchen. Affordable and delicious. Highly recommend.

My family and I came to Baku’s after my brother’s graduation. The owner was so friendly and helpful in setting up a catered lunch for 16 people. Even though it was planned last minute… She closed the store down and prepared an amazing Nigerian lunch. The jellof rice was sweet and tasty, the beef and plantain reminded me of home cooked Nigerian dinner. All in all the family loved it, the owner yet out of her way to make my brother’s graduation special. This is definitely a place I will be coming back to over and over again.

You must try the cinnamon tea! The owner was willing to chat with us while she prepped for a big catering event. Beautiful women.

I’ve since left the valley, but I have considered moving back simply for Bakus. There is nothing better. I went here because it was gluten free, and in 2009, that was a rare gift.
The amazing delicious red sauce is something I could never ever recreate, and I dream of it often. Eat everything. It’s all amazing.

Overpriced by my standards, but they’re the only African restaurant for miles so I guess they’re allowed. Be liberal with their special Nigerian pepper if you want authentic flavor because the dishes are very minimally spiced.

Went again, still excellent, but they’ve changed the menu slightly. It’s good, go!

My boyfriend and I spent a long time looking at Unilocal reviews to decide where to go for dinner in Amherst. Finally, we thought we’d try Baku’s. The menu and reviews looked good, and I’ve never eaten at an African place. Also, it was a cold, really really windy day in Amherst, so we were kind of excited to just be inside somewhere. It was a Tuesday, around 6 pm. We found Baku’s, saw the neon OPEN sign, which was lit up, walked up to the door, and tried to go in. But it was locked. The hours were even clearly posted on the door, open until 7 Mon.-Thurs. We looked around for another entrance, but it appeared there wasn’t one. Weird and disappointing.
I gave it 2 stars because from looking at the menu, I imagine the food tastes really good.

West African Food. Nigerian. I had the soup and the mango ginger beer. Both were good. A large bowl of filling chicken soup for $ 4.95!!! She even offered me more soup after I was done. Delicious. Will be back!

I called before I went there to see if it was Ethiopian food.(love Ethiopian) She told me no its West African. I went because I’ve never had Nigerian it was good. I had the curry goat, seasoned beef, rice, green beans with iced cinnamon tea. When I come back to Amherst I will be back.

Savory, filling, cheap eats in Amherst! Aw man, everything is so tasty there, but I’m especially fond of the lamb and the goat curry. Both entrees were beautifully tender and came with super tasty rice and string beans. I would’ve licked my plate clean.
Baku has delicious drinks too! The mango ginger beer was sweet and had a great spicy kick to it.
I’m not sure why this place doesn’t get more traffic! GO EAT HERE.

I’d give this place 3.5 stars if it were possible, but 4 because the owner (whom is the cashier and the chef) was so nice. Never actually tried African food before and thanks to my gf and my appetite after a 3 hour bus ride, I was ready to eat anything. Must admit I was a little hesitant on trying because I’ve heard horror stories from friends, but when I finally faced it, it was nothing like I expected. The food was pretty normal actually. I ordered the chicken curry. My plate came with yellow rice, a few pieces of fried plantain, string beans, and the chicken curry (chicken in tomato sauce). For 13 bucks and some change, I was far from impressed, especially when the gf ordered the rice and beans (for less than half the price of mine), which was essentially the same thing as mine, minus the string beans, plantains, and chicken. The rice was good, chicken was tender, and curry wasn’t curry. Ohh and I ordered the mango juice, it was good, but I frequently buy the Goya juice so I know where they get that now. Food is good, place is small & cozy, and is worth a try.

totally no-​frills, fun atmosphere. order and then take your seat. they serve mango ginger beer and cinnamon iced tea! chicken curry came with 3 perfectly fried plantain slices (dodo) and gently spiced rice (i think i tasted coconut) and a curry that was saucy and tomato-​based in a big way. peas for vegetables, mid-​sized portions. salt and african pepper (with a nice kick to it) on the table — curious as to the name of the pepper, to add to my general collection.
an ample woman came out mid-​meal saying she was making our food, and had to ask whether we enjoyed it. yes, yes we did! mm.

Wow! This placce is so good. I got the chicken curry with peas, plantains and rice and it was delicious! I didn’t love the peas but the chicken was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. Slightly disappointed at the 3 plantains that came with my dish – they were good but I wanted more! The sauce was the same for everybody at my party of 7 – but it was delicious. Also the Mango ginger beer was great! Overall, a great experience. I would probably come back for lunch next time though – the prices seem significantly lower.
Delivery through delivery express

Great atmosphere, small and cozy. Great food, wonderful owner! It’s an experience if you want it to be. Beer/​wine not served, but you can byob.

I think this place is great.
Best lunch deal in town, by far. I think it is $ 5.50 for delicious chicken rice and beans; you can’t beat that deal. Their homemade special sauce is outrageously luscious. Clearly non-​traditional fare to be eaten here.
Dinner fare is good but expensive; I would consider it relatively easy to rack up a decent bill for the style of dining, generally $ 10 – 14 a plate.
They are gluten and lactose free, for whom it concerns. It’s also ripe with delicious delicious meat, including the elusive goat meat. The teas and juices are quite swell and satisfying. The owner is an extremely nice woman, small place. Makes you feel good all over.
Interestingly enough, they employ red pepper instead of black pepper to accompany the salt shaker on the tables. I would consider this to be a feature.
Worth a visit.