Must-see restaurants in Africa

  • Café Bahia

    Dakhla

    What's on the menu here? There is no menu. But there's fish and Coca Cola, and rumour has it you can get a beer disguised in a teacup if you ask nicely.

  • Millepattes

    Conakry

    Tucking into fresh barbecued fish or spice infused local dishes here, where diners eat out under bendy coconut trees overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it…

  • La Maison des Combattants

    Abidjan

    Next to the war memorial, this restaurant housed in a renovated colonial building has a great range of dishes, including escargot, sauce feuille (manioc…

  • Le Petit Marin

    Southern Morocco & Western Sahara

    Near Place Bir Anzarane, this Westernised snack bar serves dishes ranging from pizzas, burgers and spaghetti to tajines and pil-pil prawns with olive oil,…

  • Cafe Al Khan

    Cairo

    Inside the built-for-tourists Souq Al Fustat complex, this restaurant-cafe mostly deals with tour bus groups. Prices are reasonable though the menu is…

  • Le Plein Air

    Côte d'Ivoire

    A simple maquis (open-air restaurant) in Taï town. You can get the usual grilled chicken or fish with aloco (ripe bananas fried with chilli in palm oil)…

  • Mimi Restaurant

    Northern Madagascar

    In addition to the Patisserie Mimi where breakfast of a croissant and coffee will set you back Ar6000, there is a large, somewhat dark, restaurant…

  • McDonald

    Burkina Faso

    This cool den off the main drag boasts an inviting covered terrace and a vividly decorated interior. It churns out a good range of satisfying dishes,…

  • Floating Restaurant

    Zanzibar Town

    Despite its name, the restaurant is not actually floating, but perched over the water on a pier at Forodhani Gardens. And despite the wonderful location,…

  • Riverside Café

    eSwatini (Swaziland)

    This cheerful cafeteria is no place to escape the crowds, but the food is tasty and great value. Pastries are the reason to come, with a tempting choice…

  • Casa Mar

    Southern Morocco & Western Sahara

    Just outside the port entrance, Casa Mar's cafe-restaurant serves whatever's fresh from the fish market, from sole to calamari and octopus. The cafe, a…

  • Millers Cafe

    Harare

    No longer the buzzing spot it once was, this smart bistro has changed its menu and now specialises in wood-fired thin-crust pizzas, steaks and ribs to…

  • Little Ritz

    Southwestern Uganda

    Located above the popular Hot Loaf Bakery, this rather dark and characterless place nevertheless offers an eclectic menu of Western, Indian, Chinese and…

  • Tuhende Safari Lodge

    Kampala

    Chargrilled steaks and fish are the speciality at this old-school, budget-traveller hangout. The vegetable stew is pretty good too. It also has good…

  • Allocodrome

    Abidjan

    Brochettes (kebabs), beer and beats: this fantastic outdoor spot, with dozens of vendors grilling meats, sizzles until late. Once you arrive you'll be…

  • Hot Spot

    Malawi

    With plenty of local characters frequenting it, this simple eatery has vibrant red walls and sits on the main drag by the harbour. Authentic Malawian fare…

  • 101 Supermarket

    Northern Kenya

    Northbound self-caterers should head here for provisions, as there's very little available elsewhere. The supermarket doesn't have lots of fresh food…

  • L’Étoile d'Agadir

    Tafraoute

    Facing the Atlas, this is Tafraoute's favourite cafe for a continental breakfast in the morning sun. After serving breakfast, L'Etoile remains open for…

  • R66

    Botswana

    The fact that we include this place should be read as a statement about the lack of choice in Ghanzi more than as a recommendation of quality. Wilted…

  • Jammoulti

    Cap Bon

    If you’re on the beach and on a budget, this cheery, casual place does standard plates of pasta, fish and grilled steak. Service can be slow, but with a…

  • Take Away Palace

    Malawi

    Run by a local Indian family, the Palace has seating in a diner-style interior or outside. Feast on a menu spanning Northern Indian cuisine and Western…

  • Pizzeria La Madone

    Western Sahara

    A popular place with families, the Madone specialises in thin-crust pizzas with a variety of bizarre topping combinations, like calamari and turkey…

  • Brochettes de la Capitale

    Lomé

    This Lomé institution is somewhat suffering from its popularity and location on the increasingly polluted Blvd Circulaire, but it's still a cool place to…

  • Grand Hôtel du Dauphiné

    Middle Atlas

    On the ground floor of the hotel, the Dauphiné serves up the usual range of Moroccan standards, plus a handful of Continental dishes. The dining room is…

  • Le Marlin Bleu

    Abidjan

    An upmarket, yachting-orientated seafood restaurant (ignore the hotel!) that has fresh fish and luxurious seafood offerings. Popular with the expats. In a…

  • Belvédère

    Conakry

    The large garden is a favourite for family parties and live concerts. The menu is made of fast-food staples, but the garden space is pleasant and as good…

  • Le Petit Dakar

    Guinea

    It's hardly haute cuisine but the Petit Dakar, which doubles as a corner shop, stands out for its friendly vibe. Food is of the burger and greasy-fried…

  • Restaurant Imilchil

    Ziz Valley & the Tafilalt

    Pop by for a good tajine served on a big terrace or to watch the sports on TV. There's a scruffy garden in back. It's on the main road, a 10-minute walk…

  • La Pyramide

    Burkina Faso

    This maquis (open-air restaurant) on the main street is a Pô institution, with regal service and delicious daily specials (grilled chicken, couscous,…

  • Chez Mahi

    Benin

    Locals swear by this restaurant, just south of Pl Kokoyé. It's not an attractive place (bare concrete walls), but the mashed yam is excellent and the…

  • Capri

    Tunis

    Pizzas, grills and seafood are served in this busy, smoke-filled place. The set three-course meals offer great value. The clientele is largely male and…

  • Maquis Flamboyant

    Côte d'Ivoire

    You can find great attiéké (grated cassava) – a slightly bitter, couscous-like dish – and brochettes (grilled meat or fish cubes) in this low-key eatery.

  • Abidjan Cafe

    Abidjan

    This Plateau dining hall has a good French menu, featuring everything from local grilled fish to fois gras and créme brûlèe infused with Nutella.

  • Mille Maquis

    Abidjan

    Don't miss this energy-infused local strip of different maquis (rustic open-air restaurants) offering fresh Ivoirian dishes served with a side of banter.

  • Le Flamboyant

    Burkina Faso

    One of the town's better maquis, right in the centre of town; expect the usual rice or tô (millet- or sorghum-based pâte) with sauce.

  • Esperance Maquis

    Benin

    This is a bit of a mix of African and European fare. Decent schwarma, basic rice and beans plus a fish of the day is served up in this friendly little…

  • Le Berbere

    Djerba

    Chow down on custom-filled pita sandwiches, shawarmas and fries at this fast-food-style restaurant next to the police station. Opening hours are erratic.

  • Drogba Beach

    Côte d'Ivoire

    A nice and simple maquis on the beach, popular with local families at the weekends. Rustic Ivoirian food is served at the simple wooden terrace.

  • Pastelaria Central

    São Tomé

    It's a bare affair, with a few pastries and passable coffee, but this is the only downtown cafe with wi-fi and ai-rcon, making it a lifesaver at times.

  • Pie City

    Botswana

    For a quick bite, these pies make a nice if unexciting break from the fast food that dominates things along the main road through the centre of town.

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