Jane said on 28th February ... "I'm puzzled. Though Jowata closed down sometime ago - but there are a couple of recent reviews. Unless they've just boarded the place up to create a bette ambiance. I have to agree though, this was the worst restaurant in Manchester on all counts"
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Sonia Ogunkoya said on 26th February ... "If you want to experience true African cuisine DO NOT expect to find it here!
I'm Nigerian, and couldn't recognise any of the dishes by taste. Its such a shame and outrage that they charge way over the top prices for food my 7yr old could make better. I'm amazed too that this place is still running!"
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Anon said on 25th February ... "Sounds like the only people that are saying this place is ok is the restaurant people themselves. How the hell do they keep the place open.
Horrible night!!!"
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Anonymous said on 05th November ... "It is apparent that even though the 200th Aniversary of the Slave Trade expects acknowledgement in humanity, there are still people that extend racist rude behaviour in black establishments.

Jowata restaurant still evolves with a 15 year returning established clientel.

The account of stories about Jowata are contrast to the ambience hosts, African food and drinks."
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MUG said on 10th October ... "I must be a mug to have paid the bill, crap service, crap food & crapiest ambience & the worst ever manager ever, apart from that it was ok.... Never again, i really do not know how she stays in business!!!"
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Mr & Mrs Gray said on 26th June ... "Have you ever eaten in an establishment akin to the mental institution that starred in "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" with the owner being a complete "cuckoo"

It's an overpriced, unprofessional mess of an establishment so save yourself a fortune and find the greasiest cafe you can,it will taste better, be served more proffesionally and cost you about 10% of what it would in this place!"
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Anon said on 19th June ... "I should have read this page before entering this supossed restaurant. It is hard to put into words, other than I think even Gordon Ramsey swears less than the manageress/owner/warlord.

DO NOT under any circumstances think about trying this place. It was down right disgusting followed by threats upon complaining. I would normaly hold my ground with what I would consider to be a genuine complaint but I was so concered by the afore mentioned "woman"!!!

I decided the best option was to pay for what had been served and leave..."
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Dissatisfied Customer said on 10th June ... "If you want to know what it is like to have your worst restaurant experience, go to Jowata. But bear in mind, the food is overpriced and there's a 12.5% service charge added. It will cost you about £60 for 2 people (2 mains and 2 drinks).

Here's the story of what happened to us when we went there on a Saturday night. We entered the door which was kept ajar by one of the chairs. We took a table opposite the door and feeling the draft, I went to close the door. The owner rudely scolded me for my actions and promptly returned the chair to the door.

Whilst reading through the menu, we noticed that it said "cash only". Having only cards on us, we pointed this out to the owner wanting to enquire whether there was a cash point nearby. She simply said "sorry, we only accept cash", turned her back and walked off without giving me a chance to finish my sentence. We were left speaking to her ass. This put us off wanting to sample the so called "fresh organic food" on offer, so we left.

We have not had such a rude and weird experience at a restaurant in the UK before. One wonders how this place keeps afloat in popular Deansgate. Everytime we pass there, the place is empty. Now we know why! If you want to learn about African hospitality and food, please do not go to Jowata to get your first impression. To us, this place did not represent African hospitality.

It instead brought to mind the kind of treatment one is likely to receive at the hands of traffic cops in some African cities - pure rudeness, bad attitude and disrespect."
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Michael B said on 08th January ... "The food is well overpriced & if you have a problem, what ever you do don't let the manager know, unless you have a Death-wish. NEVER AGAIN!!!"
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Rachael said on 17th December ... "Myself and ny boyfriend are always keen to experience new foods, and neither of us has been to an African restaurant before so we were excited to try what Jowata had to offer.

Often you can forgive a restaurant if one aspect is its saving grace e.g. the food or atmosphere. This place was uncomfortable, cold, the food tasted weird (maybe that was us, but we both love hot and spicy foods.)

The price is scandalous. £60 for 2 people with one drink each!! I've paid much less in restaurants in central London. Trust me, you'd rather go hungry."
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Joan Crawford said on 22nd August ... "The food is poor - mains come swimming in half an inch of oil, plantain slices are small, soggy, and £6 for 15...

No fish in the fish dish.

The eastern European waiter was plainly bewildered (first night?)

Damp basement toilet."
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helen e said on 18th August ... "Outrageously over priced for food that is far from authentic. Was shocked to see such a large service charge added to the bill when the only ''waitress'' that was there was the owner!"
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a regular at Jowata said on 29th May ... "The Jowata African Restaurant on Deansgate is a very classy place to eat and provides entertainment found nowhere else. The food is fresh and organic.

Brainier people always prove that tasting the food is the only evidence. Fantastic fare.

Try it."
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Vasudha said on 21st March ... ""I had the worst experience of my life, when the sole member of staff in an empty restaurant asked me and my friends to leave only because we asked the innocuous question of whether the restaurant was open- since the door had been locked earlier. I am only cutting a very long story short, but trust me, she was rude and weird as rude and weird gets!""
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Jowata said on 21st March ... ""This African restaurant has been established for 12 years. Whilst we are open to the general public, we reserve the right not to serve rude people.""
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