New York City is hosting a week-long celebration of African cuisine and culture. [Photo/CCTV.com]

Americans looking to get a taste of Africa can put their passports away. This week, New York City is hosting a week-long celebration of African cuisine and culture.

Fill up a plate, and feel the rhythm: It's African restaurant week in New York City.

"We're celebrating African cuisine, culture and fun," Yolanda Sangweni from Essence Magazine said.

This is the kick off event for a week long food fest that shines the spotlight on the city's best Pan-African eateries, and gives foodies a chance to discover cuisine from another continent - in their own backyard.

"There's a lot of different cuisines in New York, but I don't think African cuisine is something people know a lot about. We have such different palette all over the continent," Sangweni said.

From veggie samosas to South African biltong, chefs across the city are serving up a variety of traditional dishes at a discounted rate. It's equal parts cuisine and culture.