Utali’s restaurant

’m Nick Hamman and I’m looking for the best Jollof Rice in South Africa, and today I’m out in Sunnyside Pretoria, which makes sense because this part of town has a strong Nigerian population, making it one of the best places in the country to experience truly authentic West African flavours. I’ve come to Utali’s together with my friend and fellow 5FM jock, The Big Chief.
The first thing that struck me inside this canteen-styled eatery was the wall decorated with proud boasts about the incredible continent of Africa.
Taking a look at what was on offer, we decided to also get some egusi together with a swallow. Egusi is a rich West African soup made from ground melon seeds, cooked down into a thick, nutty stew often packed with meats—in this case tripe—and it had a solid, lingering heat. The swallow is a smooth, dough-like staple (typically made from pounded yam or cassava), designed to be pinched, rolled, and used to scoop up the soup, making the whole experience tactile and deeply traditional.
Essentially, Jollof rice is a one-pot rice dish cooked in a deeply flavoured tomato and pepper base, often layered with spices, stock, and aromatics. Interestingly, it has its roots in the Senegambian region of West Africa, spreading across countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal—each fiercely claiming to have the best version. Here, they do a great job—it’s rich, smoky, and well-spiced, with that signature depth of flavour and just enough heat to keep you going back for more.
I would recommend you try out Utali’s for yourself, and I’ve left the details in the caption—but if it’s not the best Jollof in South Africa, I need you to let me know in the comments where I’m going next.
Address: Esselen & Troye Street, Sunnyside Gallery, Pretoria
#Jollof #AfricanFood #spicy