Santoku is the best restaurant in Ghana right now. There are other pretenders to the throne opening up soon, but the blend of incredible food, effortless service, and truly well-designed surroundings make this a cut above the rest. Firstly, the food. Think Nobu, and you’re just about there. In fact the team from Nobu London helped head chef Mohammed Ayres with the menu, and the results are excellent. Japanese chef Daisuke Yoshizaki creates beautiful looking plates of food, that deliver on the taste front too. Santoku’s signature dish is pan fried scallops with foie gras and orange tobiko – a stunning plate filled with the decadent flavour of the ingredients, yet fresh and light. The prawn tempura was light, allowing the prawn flavours to come through and the tuna and salmon sashimi with ginger, garlic and hot olive oil that just lightly cooked parts of the sashimi deepened the depth of flavour. Add in expertly mixed cocktails, design by Hubert de Givenchy (it’s all about the details), a seductive terrace and a bar that mixes some of the best cocktails in Accra (including the only place you can get sake), and it’s a heady and hedonistic combination. There’s also a private dining room that seats 18. ‘Santoku’ means innovation, and for Ghana, this restaurant really is.
Airport is not only the first place you'll see in Accra, it is, as you'll notice, where most of the development is happening. New malls, hotels (we hear reports of new openings by Radisson Blu, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and Hotel Sun by the Villagio group), bars and restaurants - including the unmissable Santoku - are all in what's loosely defined as 'Airport' or 'Airport Residential'.
In this site we have split up 'Airport' into 'Airport East' that covers Accra Mall and the Spintex road north of the Airport. In Accra Mall, you'll find plenty of high-end shops such as La Maison and Kiki Clothing, as well as supermarkets, pharmacies and bars, including Rhapsody's.
Airport Residential is largely around the southern end of the airport and includes three of Accra's best restaurants: Il Cavaliere Pazzo, La Chaumiere and Santoku, as well as one of the city's most active cultural venues - the Alliance Francaise d'Accra. Also being home to many of the city's offices you'll find other upmarket restaurants such as Nicolino's, Osteria Michelangelo and Branche in the Golden Tulip hotel.
Finally Airport City is loosely defined along the Liberation Road and includes places such as the new Marina Mall and Holiday Inn. But best not to get too hung up on the nomenclature - just head to Airport for Accra's most upmarket vibes. Dare we say it? It's overtaking Osu as Accra's hottest neighbourhood.