Monsoon is a swank establishment located in the heart of Osu, situated above street level. It’s geared toward the wide array of international patrons, as well as trendy scenesters looking for a nice rooftop hot spot or simply dinner options unique to this part of the world. when I stepped inside I got a very trendy big-city vibe along the lines of New York, London or Tokyo, and after having explored Osu, that energy felt about right.

The dine-inside menu features an à la carte selection of seafood, fries and meat options, including an African game menu with ostrich, crocodile, warthog and springbok. The outside terrace features a sushi bar, a teppanyaki restaurant, and a wine and spirits bar as its main centerpiece.

The portions vary in size from tapas to large hunks of grilled meat. I wasn’t very hungry here so I ordered a Camembert starter, which was tasty and satisfying. But I spied other people’s sushi plates and specialty cocktails like pina coladas, blue lagoons and more, and they looked appetizing too. Main courses from the á la carte menu range in price from GH16-35, and it’s a good idea to make a reservation for this place if you’re interested in seated dining.

I noticed people from various walks of life milling about. I saw call girls (who are easy to spot) entertaining businessmen, general business meetings, birthday celebrations, singles looking for fun, and foodie travelers who wanted to see if the place matched up to its reputation.

My food was good, and keeping in mind that there aren’t many dining options in this vein in Accra, it’s a top notch establishment due to lack of competition — but it’s not my scene. A lot of the people here seemed pretentious and ostentatious. I prefer a more relaxed environment, but I would return if I were with a large group or even on a romantic date. When it comes to the latter, dining outside is an incredibly appropriate option.