Africa remains a bit of a dark continent as far as our appreciation of its cuisine goes. But mix in some exotic drinks, dance and entertainment, and the Southside of Glasgow is suddenly rocking to an African beat, as Rona Alexander discovered

Camflava is both a must-try destination for Southside diners and a culinary home from home for Glasgow’s growing African community. This former snooker club has been converted into a bar, restaurant and nightclub, with live music from Congolese musicians adding to the good-time atmosphere at the weekends. The décor is clean, almost clinical, with black and white tiling throughout the dining room and more stereotypical African styling in the bar area. The Ivorian and Cameroonian chefs have created a menu ranging from Mozambican staple peri-peri chicken, to North African couscous, with West African dishes and flavours predominating. Highlights include a starter of alloco (sautéed plantain and rocket), deliciously smoky black-eyed pea and spiced pumpkin stew, and spiced chicken cooked with plantain, onions and peppers, as well as the chance to try cassava, yam and green banana and succulent goat. Desserts – not a strong feature of African cooking – include banana and rum crepes and chocolate fondant.

+ Authentic African ingredients and a feel-good vibe
- Layout means live music can make it difficult to talk and eat