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.
