The Everett restaurant scene has a well-documented habit of hiding its best options behind unremarkable storefronts in commercial strips that most people only drive through. Ubuntu Bar & Grill, tucked into a suite on Hardeson Road in south Everett, is a textbook example. This South African and Malawian braai spot has been quietly serving some of the most distinct food in Snohomish County — and most of Everett has no idea it exists.
We went. Here’s what you need to know.
The Concept: South African Braai in Snohomish County
If you’re not familiar with braai (pronounced “bry”), the short version is this: it’s South African BBQ, but calling it BBQ sells it short. Braai is a cooking tradition rooted in the indigenous cultures of southern Africa, refined over centuries with Portuguese colonial influences, Indian spice traditions, and the specific fire-cooking culture that defines South African outdoor life. The word itself is Afrikaans for “grill,” but it means something closer to “the way we cook.”
Ubuntu Bar & Grill brings that tradition to 7425 Hardeson Road, Suite B, Everett — a location that doesn’t hint at what’s inside. Once you’re in, the kitchen does the talking.
What to Order
The oxtail stew is the move. It comes out rich and deeply savory, the kind of slow-cooked dish that requires hours of attention and rewards it. Reviewers consistently call it out as the standout item, and we agree — it’s the dish that makes the trip worthwhile on its own.
Peri peri chicken is the second order you should place alongside it. Peri peri sauce is a southern African chili sauce made from African bird’s eye chilies, garlic, lemon, and herbs — it has heat, but the flavor complexity is what distinguishes it from generic hot sauce. Ubuntu’s peri peri chicken runs $7.50 and comes with the right amount of spice: enough that you feel it, not so much that it drowns the chicken.
The lamb chops ($5.50 each) are another standout. Grilled over direct heat with garlic and herbs, these are the kind of chops that make you recalculate what lamb is supposed to taste like. Get them with extra peri peri sauce on the side.
Turkey samosas ($5.50) make for a good starter — crispy, well-filled, and a nod to the Indian influence that runs through South African cuisine’s history. The South African vegetable relish — a spiced mix of cabbage, carrots, onion, garlic, tomato, ginger, and baked beans — is worth ordering as a side just to understand the flavor profile the kitchen is working with.
Beef ribs at $8.00 round out the main proteins. If you’re going in a group, order across the menu. This is food designed to be shared.
The “Ubuntu” Philosophy
Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu philosophy that translates roughly to “I am because we are” — a statement about human interconnectedness and community. It’s a fitting name for a restaurant built around braai, which is inherently communal. You don’t braai alone. You gather people, you cook together, you eat together.
The restaurant’s mission is to provide an authentic South African chesanyama (roadside meat grill) experience — high-quality meat, fire-cooked, spiced with southern African tradition, served without fuss. That’s what they’re delivering on Hardeson Road.
The Practical Details
Ubuntu Bar & Grill is at 7425 Hardeson Road, Suite B, Everett, WA 98203. Hours are Monday through Sunday, 11 AM to 9 PM. Phone: (425) 754-2419. They’re also available for delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats, and you can order online through their Toast ordering system.
Parking is a non-issue — it’s a commercial strip with plenty of lot space. The space itself is casual and welcoming. This is not a white-tablecloth dinner; it’s a braai spot, which means the energy is relaxed and the focus is entirely on the food.
Why This Matters for Everett’s Food Scene
Everett has done a remarkable job in recent years of building out genuine international food coverage — the Casino Road corridor alone has Vietnamese, Mexican, Filipino-Hawaiian, Central Asian, and Gambian-Senegalese kitchens within a short drive of each other. Ubuntu adds South African and Malawian cuisine to that list, which is not something you’ll find anywhere else in Snohomish County.
The Everett Food Truck Park on Beverly Boulevard already hosts Tabassum, the only Uzbek food truck in the Pacific Northwest. Ubuntu Bar & Grill is another data point in the same pattern: Everett’s south and central corridors are quietly building one of the most diverse food scenes in Western Washington, and most of the people driving through those corridors don’t know it yet.
Go find out.
Ubuntu Bar & Grill
7425 Hardeson Road, Suite B, Everett, WA 98203
Hours: Monday–Sunday 11 AM – 9 PM
Phone: (425) 754-2419
Order online: Toast | DoorDash | Uber Eats
Website: ubuntubarandgrill.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of food does Ubuntu Bar & Grill serve?
Ubuntu Bar & Grill serves authentic South African and Malawian cuisine, centered on the braai (South African BBQ) tradition. Signature items include oxtail stew, peri peri chicken, lamb chops, beef ribs, and turkey samosas.
Where is Ubuntu Bar & Grill in Everett?
The restaurant is located at 7425 Hardeson Road, Suite B, Everett, WA 98203, in a commercial suite in south Everett.
What is peri peri sauce?
Peri peri is a southern African chili sauce made from African bird’s eye chilies, garlic, lemon, and herbs. It has heat and significant flavor complexity — spicier than most Americanized hot sauces but more aromatic and layered.
What does “ubuntu” mean?
Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu philosophy meaning roughly “I am because we are” — a concept centered on community and shared humanity. It’s a core value in many South African cultures and a fitting name for a restaurant built around communal cooking traditions.
Is Ubuntu Bar & Grill available for delivery?
Yes. Ubuntu Bar & Grill is available for delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats, and accepts online orders through their Toast ordering system.
Is there other international food near Ubuntu Bar & Grill in Everett?
Yes. The south and central Everett corridors have a remarkable concentration of international cuisine, including Tabassum (Uzbek food truck, Beverly Food Truck Park), Enseamada Cafe (Filipino-Hawaiian, Evergreen Way), and the Casino Road corridor’s Vietnamese, Mexican, and other kitchens.
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