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African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA)
Philly’s Africatown area is a celebration of the city’s rich immigrant communities and the African diaspora.
Centered along Woodland Avenue between University City and the Philadelphia International Airport in Southwest Philly, Africatown’s commercial hubs extend along parts of Woodland, Baltimore, Chester and Elmwood avenues.
It’s a neighborhood of neighborhoods, overlapping smaller areas like Kingsessing, Cedar Park and Elmwood Park. (When country flags adorn street poles and afrobeats flow from shops, you’ll know you’re there.)
Home to residents from around the world, Africatown features striking murals, a National Historic Landmark garden and thriving business corridors filled with authentic boutiques, restaurants, bars and service providers.
Though much of its growth has come in the past 25 years, the roots of Africatown’s immigrant communities run deep.
Read on for a guide to Africatown, created in partnership with the African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) and other local organizations supporting African and Caribbean immigrants.
Africatown is packed with small, family-owned spots offering soul food, Caribbean favorites and dishes from across Africa — alongside Chinese, Italian, deli fare and pizza.
Try flavorful oxtails at Jam-Rock, jollof rice at African Small Pot and Southern classics at Simply Good Food. Unwind with old-world style donuts at Oteri’s Italian Bakery and a drink at Trendsetters. Or eat your way through the neighborhood on the guided Africatown Food Tour.
African Small Pot — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Africatown is a shopping delight, especially along the west ends of Baltimore, Woodland and Elmwood avenues.
Find rare and imported goods at family-owned grocery stores like Sohani African Market, cultural clothiers like Jamilah Fashion Boutique and fun gift shops like VIX Emporium. Many stores offer country-specific ingredients or distinct fashion styles.
Jamilah Fashion Boutique — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
A National Historic Landmark and America’s oldest botanical garden, Bartram’s Garden is a riverside oasis for boating, fishing and picnicking with skyline views.
The 50-acre garden on the Schuylkill River has more than 200 native plants — including North America’s oldest living ginkgo tree — alongside fragrant gardens, grasses and wildflowers.
Community programs with African, Indigenous and local organizations involve orchard harvests, tree planting, seed exchanges and farming.
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
The largest cemetery in Pennsylvania, Mount Moriah spans nearly 200 acres and gives off the vibe of an ancient city, with winding paths and a grand, crumbling brownstone gatehouse.
Once abandoned, the historic cemetery — where Betsy Ross was originally buried — is now being lovingly restored and evokes the feeling of a natural arboretum.
Visitors can spot over two-dozen jaw-dropping murals throughout Africatown, thanks to Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Local favorites include The Mother by Walé Oyéjidé, illustrating ties between African Americans and new immigrants, and Bridging the Gap by Willis “Nomo” Humphrey, celebrating resilience and unity.
Bridging the Gap — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Africatown is probably one of the most exciting sections of the city, with a ton of great plans in the works for the community. And it’s already a hotbed for Black culture and cuisine. You can literally get a taste of the whole African diaspora — from Jamaica to the Carolinas to Senegal — in just a few blocks.
Looking for soul food? The salmon cakes from Simply Delights are perfect any time of the day. Caribbean? Oxtail over rice and peas from Jam-Rock is hands down my pick. And African? That’s a toss-up between egusi (a spicy stew) with fufu (a doughy West African staple) at Lè Mandingue or red snapper and plantains from African Small Pot.
Lodging in Africatown is limited, but visitors can still find charming boutiques nearby, like The Gables Bed & Breakfast. For more traditional hotels, check out the big-name brands in University City or further south near the Philadelphia International Airport.
The Garden Room at The Gables Bed & Breakfast — Photo courtesy The Gables Bed & Breakfast
Ready to experience the neighborhood firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings.
Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods