Mombasa
This smart and cool cafe serves up great breakfasts, but as it doesn't open until 9am it's not much use to early risers! However, if you can wait until…
Must-see restaurants in East Africa
Western Tanzania
If you are willing to exercise your Swahili to its fullest and don't mind if things get lost in translation, this no-name eatery has delicious cheap set…
Dar es Salaam
Located in the Slipway shopping complex, this place is Dar's most popular sundowner spot, with westerly views over Msasani Bay. Palm-thatched umbrellas…
Dar es Salaam
This long-standing and popular local eatery serves roasted chicken, biryani and coconut-crusted fish. In addition, the large menu features fast-food…
Lamu Island
Built around a sturdy tamarind tree, this wonky tree house–restaurant overlooks the dhows on the waterfront. Lobster, prawns, squid and catch of the day…
Mombasa
Most people come to this open-air, parkside restaurant for the chicken tikka and the beef mishkaki (marinated, grilled meat kebabs). Eat it with lovely…
Kigali
This venerable local haunt serves up authentic, country-style Rwandan standards – namely meat and maize – in rustic surrounds (think stone floors, four…
Lake Naivasha
This local joint has bright-blue walls and long, communal benches. It serves beef dishes, beans, gari (cassava) and chapati, with sides of village gossip…
Northern Kenya
Inside the popular hotel of the same name, JeyJey serves local favourites as well as the odd curry. Take a good book to read while your food is prepared,…
Kenya
There are two storeys of bustling eating goodness at this cheap hotel. The downstairs restaurant specialises in all things fried, while upstairs houses…
Western Kenya
Along with New Sunshine Hotel, this is regarded as one of the better restaurants in town, though in truth the fried chicken and chips here were no…
Kigali
This American-style diner is great if you’re in the heart of town and just want something fast and fatty, including a wide assortment of acceptable…
Kilifi
Atop a cliff on the edge of the bay, this restaurant/bar has the best location in Kilifi. Unfortunately, not all of the staff seem so thrilled to be here…
Kampala
Another big player in Kololo's fantastic multicultural food scene, Casablanca does tasty injera (flatbread) dishes in its outdoor candlelit garden…
Western Tanzania
This popular local hang-out offers samosas and other snacks, plus a good-value buffet. The price depends on the meat you choose. There is a second branch,…
Northern Tanzania
Serves a few extras, such as vegetable curry and spaghetti bolognese, alongside the usual suspects (chicken and chips) in little huts. It’s on the main…
Kampala
An upmarket Chinese restaurant with a large, quiet outdoor terrace. Specialities include fried crispy prawns with ginger and garlic. There's also a more…
Kampala
This basic hotel restaurant does Ugandan food, with excellent local flavours (including good vegetarian options) and healthy breakfasts, a rarity in…
Dar es Salaam
Dar's best Lebanese restaurant serves a good selection of hot and cold meze dishes, shish kebabs and salads. No alcohol is served but there are fresh…
Mombasa
This canteen-style restaurant is constantly packed with ravenous locals – and you have to be ravenous to tackle one of the monster portions of mutton or…
Kenya
Pretty much anything you want to eat (well, anything Kenyan or Western) from pizza to nyama choma is available and cooked passably well here. You may want…
Diani Beach
Good for a quick bite or a coffee, Avanti has an outdoor terrace and indoor booths. On the menu, there's freshly squeezed juice, posh hot dogs, salads and…
Kigali
A fun Tex-Mex place serving huge crispy tacos and burritos stuffed with beef or chicken and a range of sides. It's hardly authentic Mexican but it's tasty…
Northern Kenya
While the atmosphere is far from coastal, this place, run by a couple from the sultry coast, offers daily dishes such as pilau – it's made with goat…
Kampala
Serving authentic flavours (both south and north Indian) and plenty to keep both vegetarians and carnivores smiling for the night. South Indian cuisine…
Malindi
The outer walls look a bit like the children's ward of a hospital, but there's nothing sterile about this circular roadside lunch spot. Expect friendly…
Bagamoyo
Coffees, spiced tea, milkshakes, chapati wraps, pizza and local-style meals are among the offerings at this small, popular place in the old town centre…
Western Tanzania
Next to the market; inexpensive samosas and other snacks plus local-style meals, including rice and beans. It's on the unnamed alley behind the Grand…
Arusha
Passable Chinese-owned restaurant with fast service and 'Far East meets the Wild West' decor – let's face it, when did a Chinese restaurant in Africa ever…
South Coast
Locals rate this pricey Japanese restaurant highly, but the sushi and sashimi are underwhelming. There's an extensive menu of Japanese standards, though;…
Diani Beach
This thoroughly authentic Italian restaurant is a mainstay among holidaymakers in Diani, and is a great place to enjoy an evening out among the local…
Lamu Island
For a decent but cheap feed right on the seafront, Hapa Hapa is a safe bet. It offers good seafood curries and substandard international fare, but the…
Lamu Island
The best of the Shela cheapies. Hidden away in the alleys behind the shorefront mosque, this tiny greeny-turquoise cafe does the usual stews and ugali (a…
Northern Kenya
With a wooden fenced-off terrace, this place is the height of Marsabit style. There is no menu, so just ask what the special is for the day. The owner is…
Dar es Salaam
Mishikaki (marinated, grilled kebabs), plus chipsi mayai (omelette mixed with French fries) and other local staples, and a mix of local and expat…
Southern Rift Valley
This quaint old diner does the usual chicken and choma plates, plus Indian variations. Outside on the pavement terrace, you'll sit on shabby blue parlour…
Jinja
Locals like this friendly laid-back Nepali-owned restaurant, the last word in authentic South Asian food, from Indian thalis to dhaal bhaat, with some…
Kenya
Popular with locals, this restaurant is cheap as chips, but has really good traditional Kenyan cuisine. Start with the samosas, then have the beef stew…
Kampala
An immaculate modern cafe with Kigezi coffee brewing and wi-fi for the working crowd. Expats will be drawn to breakfasts with pancakes and home fries;…
Southwestern Uganda
A wonderful safari-style canteen, Tembo buzzes with campers, UWA staff, guides and drivers, all here for cheap, tasty food and cold beer. Head outdoors to…
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