The Ghardens Claim this business

Li Limon Google

2 months ago

First time trying Ghanaian food, and the flavours were fantastic, but the service really let the experience down. We visited for Saturday lunch and it wasn’t crowded. We ordered four dishes. We especially enjoyed the jollof rice and the fufu with okra stew. The green chilli condiment was a highlight. Service: Unfortunately, the service was disappointing. The staff member taking our order was distracted, repeatedly stopping mid‑order to chat with another visitor. It took about five minutes just to place the order, and even then, the last dish (the fufu and okra stew) was forgotten. We waited almost 40 minutes for it to arrive. By the time it came, we were already half full. We also had to pay $2 for a takeaway container because they “didn’t have a small one,” which felt excessive. Overall: We genuinely loved the food, but the service needs improvement.

SomeRandomGuy101on Google

2 months ago

Didn’t disappoint. The chicken w/ joloff rice was nice, smokey and had subtle flavours that made me want to eat more. The Suya (spicy beef) had strong flavors and spices that were addictive. Would’ve eaten more but the portions we got were very filling. My friend and I cleaned our plates.

N Zireteon Google

3 months ago

Listen, the only reason I wouldn’t post a review is because I’d be tempted to gatekeep. This was hands down the best restaurant meal I’ve had. Period. I ordered the okra stew with fufu, and let me tell you, everything tasted incredibly fresh. I also had the light soup with goat, which was flavourful, comforting and perfect for a chilly autumn night. The service was immaculate and the staff were fantastic. I’ll definitely be going back. Oh, try the Sobolo!

Jackie McMillanon Google

4 months ago

The Ghardens is the first Ghanaian restaurant I’ve visited. It’s a month old, slotting into a spot vacated by De Glorious Delight after they picked up stumps and moved their—also Ghanaian—restaurant to Penrith. It joins a small pocket of African restaurants on Main Street in Blacktown, including Ethiopian standout, Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant and Cafe, just across the road. If you’re as unfamiliar with Ghanaian food as I was, it uses staples like corn, plantain, yam, cassava, beans, and fresh seafood. You can eat a fair few of these ingredients in the popular Ghanaian stew, red red ($27). Made on black-eyed beans, this dish takes its name from its deep red colour, a product of red palm oil. It’s thick and hearty, with lumps of smoked fish helping it to punch umami. Traditional toppers are fried ripe plantain, boiled eggs, and gari: a fluffy dusting of fermented cassava. It’s one of the most exciting dishes I’ve tried so far this year. Get more of the sweet, caramelised plantain in kelewele ($15), a typical street food snack. We had it as The Ghardens kele-turkey ($15) where the spicy fried plantain hunks—seasoned with ginger, cayenne pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and salt—came interspersed with bone-in fried turkey pieces. Waakye ($27) is a tasty mound of rice and beans, turned red with dried sorghum leaves. It’s served with a thick and tasty beef stew, salad, cold spaghetti, gari, a boiled egg, a fish steak, and shito. Shito is Ghana’s pungent condiment of choice, made by simmering peppers, dried fish or shrimp, onions and other spices in oil. Spicing across the board is unique and enjoyable rather than fiery, including the salty, dry spice blend that sits over spicy beef ($15). This side dish eats like soft jerky teamed with onions and capsicum… a perfect drinking food, so do BYO (it’s free).

Nandika Gosaion Google

3 months ago

First time trying Ghanaian food with my boyfriend and it was absolutely delicious. Everything was full of flavour and we can’t wait to come back and try more dishes. Our server was amazing and made the experience even better. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this place to family and friends