food was amazing! DO NOT SLEEP ON THE BAOBAB GAMBAS! sooooo good. kitchen was down a bit so the wait was longer than normal, but our server Karina was incredibly sweet and made us feel extremely comfortable! they had a live balkan band as well so the vibe of the night was great. Very unique little spot, will definitely be back :)

Y'know this wasn't the first time I tried the West African food served here. During the pandemic, I took advantage of the takeout food at the now-closed Little Baobab because I was a fan of the Afro Tacos and Tabouleh Salad. After missing my window for trying their Downtown Oakland location, I finally tried the main restaurant on Mission one evening when it wasn't too crowded. They were preparing for a show in the adjoining room because most of the staff was focused over there. I decided to start with a refreshing libation, the $10 Tatu (Hibiscus Margarita) which was served in a tall highball glass (photo: https://yelp.to/wwNXykbzWw). For my main, I went with one of their most popular dishes, the $18.75 Poulet DG (Chicken General Director), a Cameroonian dish that mixed tender chicken parts with mixed vegetables and plantain slices in a spicy curry sauce. Accompanied by rice, it was quite flavorful in a uniquely tropical way (photo: https://yelp.to/8MpyaCPYCh). I was pleased enough with my entree that I decided to go for dessert. I wanted something on the lighter side, and the $8.25 Tiakri did the trick. It was a tasty yogurt-based mix with quinoa, agave, and mixed baobab fruit (photo: https://yelp.to/aPQKCRI0Ua). It made for a refreshing end to my meal, and I'm glad they still serve the Afro Tacos here. FOOD - 4 stars...unique West African dishes with familiar flavors AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...tables a bit crowded together SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly and informative TOTAL - 4 stars...a nice change of pace in the Mission RELATED - Exploring the Mission? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2NHtst6

The chicken with the fufu is amazing. Had the shrimp too and joloff on the side. The place is nice and if I would have came later it would have turned into a night club. I know it used to be on the other corner but this bigger place serves them well.

I was here for a comedy show hosted by local comedians. I had a hibiscus margarita. It's a chill spot for a date. FYI, Bissap Baobab is a local Black-owned business!

I recently went to Bissap Baobab with my beloved. I first experienced here at a recent Elite Yelp event and enjoyed it very much. First things first the service and hospitality is superb. You couldn't ask for more kind service and hospitality which really makes all the difference in dining out. The ambiance here is awesome. Bissap Baobab has a wonderful atmosphere and vibe overall. Now onto the food and drinks. I went with the ginger juice and enjoyed it very much. For the entrees we ordered the Yassa which is marinated onions in savory sauce with vegetables. We had it Akara which is tofu and plantains cooked together and a side of rice. We also ordered Mafe with Akara which is tofu and plantains cooked together and a side of couscous. The tofu was really good yet the respected curries were so so and could have been better. It seemed like we just were getting tofu and side of grains with a tiny bowl of curry. Decent yet could have been better with more veggies. Still solid and exceptional service along with hospitality. Terrific ambiance and the food could have been better.

There is a lot to do here besides enjoy great West African food. Bissau is know for their dance scene and deep display of various cultures and ethnic background. Each week, you will find different live events whether it be music, dance classes, or just dancing in general you are always in for a good time. The service moves fairly quick as on event nights they tend to get very busy so they do their best to get your food at in a timely manner, though it can be hard to catch them in larger crowds, but that is to be expected. The pastels came out hot and crispy and the shrimp is very well seasoned, though they seem small you are given a great amount of the combo plate so there is enough to fill you up. The side dishes are amazing as of course, the plantains are so well cooked and are a great side dish or even an appetizer if you feel it necessary. The owner has put a lot of time and though into everything here and really has a passion for bringing the community the very best of what the mission has to offer.

I was super pleasantly surprised here! I came without expecting much and the food was so good. Good: - The seafood with tilapia was amazing - I didn't think I'd like it as much as I did considering I'm not usually a fan of seafood, but the curry sauce + the jolof rice made a combo that I couldn't stop munching on! - Portion sizes were perfect for what I could finish in one sitting - The staff were nice! Bad: - Pretty noisy place, still good for catchups with people - Took some time for the food to arrive Overall I enjoyed the food here a lot, the ambiance not so much but I'd come back just to try out something else!

Akara is typically described as black-eyed peas fritters, but in the hands of the talented chefs at Bissap Baobab, it approximates the shape and texture of well-fried tofu. This meatless protein can take the starring role in most entrees, from more traditional mafe and yassa to innovative fusion fare like afro tacos and dibi wraps. I couldn't resist the promise of okra stew, which absolutely did not disappoint. Paired with comforting fufu, which I'd say is quite like stretchy mashed potatoes made from pounded cassava, it's a must-order. The spices are bold yet nuanced, applied with care and purpose. Don't forget to ask for the hot sauce, which has a serious habanero punch, but also sweetness from roasted red peppers, onions, and garlic. This stuff is downright addictive and should seriously be bottled for sale. I know I'd stock up in a heartbeat. It's unlike anything else in the mission, which is really saying something for the hyper-abundance of restaurants in the area. There are so few places to find West African food, let alone a restaurant with such a wealth of vegan options; this place is a real treasure.