Appetizers 2 items
SambusaFried savory pastry filled with tender marinated grilled chicken. Served with Sambusa dipping sauce.
$10
Plantains Chips & Dipping SauceVeganCrispy thin-sliced plantains served with savory dipping sauce.
$6
Baobab Fare brings the authentic flavors of Burundi to Detroit's Midtown neighborhood. Founded by husband-and-wife team Hamissi and Nadia Mamba, the restaurant serves slow-simmered stews, grilled meats, fried plantains, and house-made tropical drinks rooted in East African tradition. Every dish is strictly Halal.
Signature items
Signature dish; 'Nyumbani' means home
Every main plate at Baobab Fare includes fried plantains, a starch (rice pilau or coconut rice), and a vegetable side.
| Dish | Protein | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mboga | None (peanut-spinach) | $17 |
| Ugali (Tue) | Optional fish/chicken +$8 | $17 |
| Intore | None (eggplant stew) | $18 |
| Mhogo (Wed) | Shredded chicken | $18 |
| Kuku | Pan-fried chicken | $20 |
| Kumuhana | Grilled chicken | $20 |
| Nyumbani | Slow-simmered beef | $21 |
| Samaki | Flash-fried fish | $23 |
| Mbuzi | Slow-roasted goat shank | $26 |
Comparing main dish prices at East African and notable immigrant-owned Detroit-area restaurants.
| Category | Baobab Fare | Akoko (London) | Nando's Peri-Peri | Adega Gaucha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest appetizer/starter | $6 | ~$14 | $4.99 | $10 |
| Chicken main dish | $20 | ~$32 | $12–$17 | $22 |
| Signature meat main | $26 (goat) | ~$42 (lamb) | $15–$20 (chicken) | $35+ (churrasco) |
| Vegetarian main | $17–$18 | ~$28 | $10–$13 | $18 |
| Dessert | $9 | ~$12 | N/A | $9 |
Baobab Fare was founded in Detroit by Hamissi and Nadia Mamba, refugees from Burundi who arrived in the United States and built a new life by sharing the food of their homeland. The restaurant opened its doors in Detroit's New Center neighborhood and quickly became a destination for diners seeking the warm, communal flavors of East Africa. The name references the baobab tree — a towering symbol of community, resilience, and sustenance across the African continent.
The menu centers on traditional Burundian cooking: slow-simmered stews like Nyumbani (beef in ripened tomato sauce) and Kuku (chicken in mustard-onion sauce), slow-roasted Mbuzi goat shank, and fried plantains that accompany nearly every plate. Sides of peanut-stewed spinach, stewed yellow beans, spiced rice pilau, and coconut rice give each meal a layered, satisfying depth. The restaurant is strictly Halal, with several vegetarian and vegan options woven throughout the menu.
Beyond the food, Baobab Fare has become a cultural landmark in Detroit, celebrated for its hospitality and for telling the Mamba family's story through every dish. The restaurant has earned national press recognition and community awards for its contribution to Detroit's diverse dining landscape. Special weekday dishes — Ugali on Tuesdays, Mhogo on Wednesdays — honor the rhythms of Burundian home cooking, where certain preparations are tied to days of the week and family tradition.
Find current hours, make a reservation, or order online through the official Baobab Fare website.
Visit Baobab Fare's websiteYes — all dishes at Baobab Fare are strictly Halal. The restaurant does not serve pork or alcohol.
Baobab Fare is located at 6568 Woodward Avenue, Suite 100, in Detroit, Michigan's New Center neighborhood. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 9pm, and is closed on Mondays.
Nyumbani is Baobab Fare's signature dish — tender beef slow-simmered in a ripened tomato sauce, served with fried plantains, peanut-stewed spinach, and your choice of spiced rice pilau or coconut rice. The word 'nyumbani' means 'home' in Swahili, reflecting the dish's role as a comforting family staple.
Several dishes are vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Intore (fragrant eggplant stew, $18), Mboga (peanut-stewed spinach plate, $17), Ugali (with okra stew, $17), and all three desserts are vegetarian. Many sides — plantains, yellow beans, corn salad, and rice — are vegan as well. A vegan option is also available for Mhogo on Wednesdays.
Mbuzi is a slow-roasted goat shank served with fresh corn salad, fried plantains, stewed yellow beans, and your choice of spiced rice pilau or coconut rice, priced at $26. Goat is a widely enjoyed protein across Burundi and East Africa, and this preparation is a centerpiece of Baobab Fare's menu.
Baobab Fare offers house-made tropical juices (Ji Passion Fruit and Ji Hibiscus, $6 each), carbonated versions of both ($5), and a full selection of hot teas including Spiced Coffee ($6), Hibiscus Tea ($5), African Tea ($5), Lemongrass Tea ($3), and Ginger Tea ($3). Bottled sodas (Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Topo Chico) are $4. Espresso drinks are also available.
Baobab Fare was founded by Hamissi and Nadia Mamba, immigrants from Burundi. The couple built the restaurant around the traditional cooking of their homeland, with the goal of sharing Burundian culture and hospitality with Detroit. The restaurant has received significant national attention for its story and cuisine.
Ugali is a traditional East African staple — a dense ball of cooked corn flour served with savory okra stew. At Baobab Fare it is available on Tuesdays only, priced at $17, with the option to add fish or chicken for an additional $8. Ugali is one of the most widely eaten foods across East and Central Africa.
Yes. Online ordering is available through Toast Tab at Baobab Fare's official ordering page. You can also visit baobabfare.com to confirm current hours, view the latest menu, and find reservation information.