Tema is Ghana's great planned city, built from the 1960s around the country's largest seaport. Where most Ghanaian cities grew organically, Tema was drawn on a drafting table: numbered Communities, wide roads and industrial zones arranged with deliberate order. Today it is the industrial engine of Greater Accra, home to the harbor, the fishing port and heavy industry.
That industrial reputation hides a livelier reality. The fishing harbor lands some of the freshest fish in the country, the Communities have their own markets and chop bars with real character, and the whole city sits on the coast with Accra an easy motorway run away. Browse local businesses in our directory, and use this guide to eat well and find your way around.
Tema guide from nearmeghana.com: verified businesses in Tema, plus food, sightseeing, and practical tips for visitors. Every listing is individually verified.
The Tema Motorway connects the city to Accra in about 30 to 45 minutes, traffic permitting, and trotros and shared cars run the route constantly. Tema is very much part of the Greater Accra conurbation, but it has its own center of gravity.
Learn the Community numbers, they are how everyone gives directions. Taxis are plentiful, and the grid layout makes the city unusually easy to navigate by Ghanaian standards.
The fishing harbor is Tema's great culinary advantage. Fresh fish comes off the boats daily, and the grilled tilapia and red fish spots around the harbor are among the best value seafood meals in Greater Accra. Kenkey with fried fish and pepper is the local default, and banku with tilapia runs it close.
Beyond the harbor, the Communities hold chop bars, continental restaurants and fast food serving the city's workers. Check our restaurant listings for what is currently listed, and Ghanaian foods for the dishes to try.
Each Community has its own market, and together they cover daily needs without a trip into Accra. The main markets are strong on fresh produce and fish, naturally, and the city's supermarkets and industrial suppliers make Tema a practical place to stock up.
For visitors, the markets are also a window into the planned city idea: orderly, purposeful and very much lived in, decades after the planners drew their lines.
Tema is primarily a business and transit city, and most leisure travelers use it as an affordable coastal base near Accra rather than a destination in itself. The Greenwich Meridian passes just east of the city, a fun geographic footnote for the map minded.
Our business listings are growing in Tema, so if you run a restaurant, shop or service here, add your free listing. For wider planning, see our guides to Accra and Ghanaian food.
Tema is known for Ghana's largest seaport, its planned city layout of numbered Communities, the fishing harbor, and its heavy industry, including the oil refinery. It is the industrial engine of Greater Accra.
About 30 to 45 minutes by the Tema Motorway, depending on traffic. It is close enough for a day trip but far enough to feel like a different city.
The Communities are the numbered planned neighborhoods the city was built around, from Community 1 upward. They are the standard way of giving directions in Tema.
Yes, some of the freshest. The fishing harbor lands the catch daily, and the grilled fish spots around the harbor and the Communities are excellent and affordable.
One of Tema's most trusted sit-down spots, on Mitchell Street in Community 8, serving Mediterranean and Lebanese-inspired dishes plus brick oven pizza, seafood platters, steaks and grilled chicken. Popular for birthdays, family gatherings and business dinners.
Fine-dining Indian restaurant in Community 10 known for chicken biryani, butter chicken, tikka masala and naan, with vegetarian options and an elegant setting suited to corporate lunches and celebrations. 4.5 stars across 500+ Google reviews.
Family-friendly restaurant on Emmanuel Quist Road in Community 8 mixing Ghanaian favorites like jollof rice with international dishes, burgers, pizza and pancakes, with outdoor seating for groups.
Tema's unique German and continental restaurant, opposite Complex School in Community 11, serving wiener schnitzel, beef goulash, pork chops and German-style potatoes in a peaceful outdoor setting.
Ghana's big fast-food chain with branches in Tema's Communities 7, 10 and 25, known for affordable meals and quick service: jollof and fried rice with chicken, pizza, shawarma, chicken wings and noodles.
Community 25 restaurant specializing in Indian and Chinese cuisine, popular among expatriates and large groups, serving chicken curry, fried rice, spring rolls, noodles and vegetarian specialties.
Fast-rising Tema dining spot known for excellent customer service and attractive atmosphere, blending Chinese dishes, American meals and African-inspired cuisine with desserts. Good for casual dining and business meetings.
Authentic Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant serving kebabs, Turkish pizza, grilled meats and traditional Turkish tea at affordable prices, with vegetarian options.
One of Ghana's most recognized pizza brands, with a Community 25 branch known for generous toppings, reliable delivery and family meal deals.
Hidden-gem Ghanaian eatery in Community 25 serving authentic affordable local meals: banku and tilapia, jollof rice, fufu and light soup.
One of Tema's most recognized traditional chop bars, popular for local dishes like fufu with palm nut soup, banku and tilapia. Listed with 1,400+ Google reviews and its own website.
Spacious family-oriented restaurant on Hospital Road known for outdoor seating, weekend gatherings and group dining, serving pizza, grilled pork and fish dishes like redfish and grouper.
Tema branch of Accra's well-known Imperial Peking Chinese restaurant group, on Hospital Road in Community 9 opposite the Tema General Hospital, with a large menu and secure parking. Tripadvisor rates it 3.5 from 24 reviews.
One of Tema's most affordable Chinese restaurants, serving fried rice, noodles, sweet and sour chicken and spring rolls. 4.0 stars from 270 Google reviews.
Buffet restaurant offering a wide selection of Ghanaian and continental dishes, ideal for corporate events, family gatherings and group dining.
Modern food court at Denovo Plaza behind the Total filling station on Hospital Road, attracting families and young professionals with its diverse menu. Google-listed and active.
One of the highest-rated restaurants in Community 25, known for grilled meats, local dishes, cocktails and outdoor dining.
Combines local Ghanaian dishes with continental cuisine, known for grilled meats, barbecue dishes, cocktails and relaxed outdoor seating.
Local favorite for affordable Ghanaian meals with generous portions and consistent quality, counted among Tema's best budget restaurants.
African, bar and contemporary spot in Community 25 opposite the Devtraco Estate main gate, serving lunch and dinner with the listing actively managed by the business. Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice badge.
The 50-room Tema property of the indigenous Alisa Hotels group, with an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, garden, full-service spa and conference and banqueting facilities, including a new 400-seater pavilion. 4 stars, 4.5 from 800+ Google reviews.
Modern luxury hotel on Ike City Street in Community 25, behind EMEFs Estate, with 54 air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, two bars, outdoor pools, spa, gym and conference centre. Opened in 2024; rooms from about US$99.
Hotel on Halcrow Road in Community 2, adjacent to the GPHA Club House, with active listings on major booking platforms. Confirmed operating status: Active.
Wellness-focused resort off Beach Road on the Tema Harbour Road side in Community 3, bookable on major hotel platforms with live availability.
3.5-star hotel opposite Rama Down in Community 11 on Old Medass Road, with a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, spa and meeting rooms, near Tema Port and the Golden Dragon Casino. Has its own website.
Hotel on Lumumba Loop in Tema with food and beverage facilities. Confirmed operating status: Active, open now.
Small hotel at 11 Rama Street in Tema with a 24-hour front desk, on-site restaurant and free parking, holding a live Tripadvisor listing.
Google-listed Tema hotel with an active presence and 50+ reviews, appearing in current Tema hotel rankings.
2-star hotel in Tema West with 18 rooms, free WiFi, airport shuttle, on-site restaurant and lounge bar, bookable on major travel platforms.
The public multispecialty hospital serving the Tema metropolis on Hospital Road in Community 9. It provides inpatient and outpatient care across multiple specialties and runs 24 hours.
A private 100-bed hospital on Community 4 Road, opposite Chemu Senior High, delivering medical and surgical services since 1979. It runs specialist clinics, maternity care and emergency services, and shares its compound with Narh-Bita College.
A private medical centre adjacent to TDC in Community 1 on Patrice Lumumba Drive, serving the Tema community for over three decades. It is known for its annual free child health screening events.
A government-affiliated, world-class hospital at Community 3, Site A behind the GNPC Flats, close to Tema Port. It serves seafarers on the West African maritime route as well as the general public, with operating theatres, maternity wards and emergency care, open 24/7.
A community pharmacy in Tema listed as active, open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The Tema Community 1 branch of Melcom, Ghana's largest retail department store chain, on Post Office Road near Traffic Light Meridian, opposite Vodafone. It stocks thousands of products and brands under one roof.
The Tema branch of Palace Hypermarket, the Lebanese-Ghanaian hypermarket chain, located in Tema Community 25 on the N1 Accra to Aflao road. It sells groceries, electronics and home goods with home delivery available.
Tema's central traditional market in Community 1, selling fresh produce, spices, clothing, fashion and crafts. It is one of the most reviewed markets in Tema with a 4.1 rating from over 770 reviews.
The Tema Main branch of GCB Bank PLC at Dennis House Building, adjacent to Petroleum House in Community 1. GCB Bank lists it as its main Tema branch in its official annual report branch directory.
Ecobank Ghana's Tema branch at Meridian Plaza in Community 1. Its SWIFT branch code ECOCGHACTMA is active.
Stanbic Bank Ghana's Community 1 branch, located at the Community 1 Market near the Meridian Hotel in Tema. Stanbic also operates branches at Tema Industrial Area and Tema Fishing Harbour.
Absa Bank Ghana's Tema Main branch at the Central Market Area in Tema Community 1. Absa also runs a Tema Fishing Harbour branch and a Tema Prestige centre in Community 1.
CalBank's Tema Community 1 branch, near the Tema Community 1 Post Office. CalBank also operates a Tema Industrial Area branch on Sanyo Road opposite Tema Mall.
Zenith Bank Ghana's Tema branch at the Kasapa Building in Community 1. Zenith also operates branches at Tema Industrial Area and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly area.
A beauty salon in Tema offering cosmetology services including hair, nails and skin care at affordable prices.
A car wash on Baba Yara Road in Tema, open daily from 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
A gym and physical fitness club on Numawose Road in Tema, open daily from 5:15 AM to 8:30 PM.
An MTN Ghana service center in Tema Community 1 offering SIM registration and replacement, Mobile Money services, device sales and support, bill payments, and customer complaints resolution.
An MTN Ghana service center in Tema Community 6 offering SIM registration and replacement, Mobile Money services, device sales and support, bill payments, and customer complaints resolution.
Telecel Ghana's Tema office, listed as active, in the Community 1 area of Tema. It serves walk-in customers for telecom services.
The AT (formerly AirtelTigo) shop opposite Perez Chapel in Tema Community 1, listed as active. It handles SIM, phone and mobile services for walk-in customers.
A 1,365-hectare protected wetland along the Sakumono beach road in the Tema Metropolis, designated a Ramsar site on 14 August 1992 and managed by the Forestry Commission's Wildlife Division. It acts as a storm-water buffer and stopover for migratory birds, though parts are threatened by encroachment.
A travel agency incorporated in 2005 with its head office in Tema Community 6. It sells airline tickets and handles corporate and leisure travel, domestic tours, car rentals and education-abroad advisory.
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