Eating authentically prepared food lets you taste the very essence of a country and draws far fewer angry glares than chewing on its national flag. Sidestep an international incident with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of African fare and drinks at Nyala African Cuisine.

For 20 years, Nyala African Cuisine has recreated the flavours of Ethiopia, Morocco, and South Africa from the fresh, local ingredients culled from the soil of the Vancouver area. The extensive menu surveys a rich variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts as well as drinks including draft beers and a mix of South African and British Columbian wines. Discover African aromas without buying a scratch n’ sniff travel guide with dishes such as the nyala tibs ($19.95), beef loin strips delicately marinated and then sautéed in butter spiced by onions, rosemary, green peppers, tomatoes, and candied sunshine. Representing vegan edibles, the tofu stew ($15.50) simmers hearty tofu chunks in red pepper sauce, ginger, cardamom, and garlic. More bites include prawns marinated in Piri Piri sauce ($24.95) and boerewors kebabs ($8.75), skewering chunks of spiced South African sausage. Nyala hosts live music every night of the week and offers the convenience of online reservations so diners can secure a table right from WiFi enabled roller skates.