Must-see restaurants in East Africa

  • Bustani Café

    Lamu Island

    This pretty garden cafe has tables set about a lily-bedecked pond. The small menu includes lots of healthy salads, smoothies and various snack foods. It…

  • Splendid View Restaurant

    South Coast

    Sister to the original branch in Mombasa, this place has a wide menu, serving customary Indian cuisine and a handful of Western dishes. Ironically, the…

  • Bomen Hotel

    Northern Kenya

    A rare place serving more than the local usuals, with fried tilapia (Nile perch), pepper steak, goulash and curries up for grabs. Has an attached bar with…

  • Travellers’ Corner

    Uganda

    This corner pub serves anything from tasty stews to Indian fare and fajitas. Choose between a tranquil courtyard sitting area and patio seating out front…

  • Salama Hotel

    Northern Kenya

    The most popular place in the town centre. The culinary highlight of the Salama has to be its giant bowl of pilau. There’s always a crowd of people here…

  • Shan-e-Punjab Restaurant

    Diani Beach

    One of the only dedicated Indian options in town, this makuti (thatched-roof) restaurant is good value, with plenty of vegetarian options such as palak…

  • Mumtaz

    South Coast

    The best-value nyama choma (barbecued meat) joint in town also offers big plates of chicken, other kinds of meat, and chapati, served with a soda. A…

  • Aidchild's Equation Cafe

    Uganda

    Drop in to this excellent cafe located near the Equator marker for a cold drink, coffee or a meal, and browse some artwork. All profits fund activities to…

  • Rayjo’s Café

    Kenya

    This tiny canteen is usually packed with customers, including bus and matatu drivers, notoriously good judges of cheap places to eat. Emphasis on fish …

  • Tuskys Supermarket

    Southern Rift Valley

    Out in Buffalo Mall where Moi Ave meets the Nakuru–Nairobi road, Tuskys is a well-stocked supermarket; their beef samosas (available from the bakery deli)…

  • Nabahani

    Pemba

    A basic eating house serving local dishes, such as beans or fish and rice. There's no sign; look for the outdoor counter under a tree a few shops up the…

  • Prison Canteen

    Northern Kenya

    Set up just outside the prison for the staff, this canteen offers ample room to eat nyama choma (barbecued meat) and drink slightly warm beer surrounded…

  • Rongai

    Diani Beach

    This rowdy joint is a popular place for nyama choma (barbecued meat) – if you’ve been missing your roast meat and boiled maize, Rongai’s here for you.

  • Seasons Hotel

    Masai Mara

    The Seasons Hotel has a good restaurant serving a lunch buffet (popular with passing tour buses) as well as spicy beef, chicken stew and a few vegetarian…

  • Blue Turaco Pizza Point

    Northern Tanzania

    The Blue Turaco Pizza Point, unmissable along the south side of the main road, makes good wood-fired pizzas. Seating is in a small courtyard area just…

  • Ribs Butchery

    Southern Rift Valley

    Brightly painted Ribs Butchery does all the usual nyama choma (barbecued meat) options and is the pick of numerous such places along the main road.

  • Smiles Café

    Southern Rift Valley

    As basic as they come, this little green-and-white treasure offers cholesterol-filled fried breakfasts and hearty stews with a focus on dishes locals love.

  • Ali's

    Dar es Salaam

    Huge beef, chicken and fish mishikaki (marinated, grilled kebabs), barbecue chicken and freshly baked garlic naan in a streetside setting.

  • Mirapot

    Arusha

    Mirapot serves local fish dishes, traditional beef stew, and chicken in coconut sauce, as well as burgers, sandwiches and decent local coffee.

  • Tuskys Supermarket

    Masai Mara

    A large, well-stocked supermarket in Oltalet Mall on the way through town. Good for supplies or for takeaway meals from the deli and bakery.

  • Cafe Barista

    Southwestern Uganda

    This friendly cafe on Kabale's main drag serves up pizzas, burgers and curries to hungry travellers. It also has decent coffee and pastries.

  • Coffee Pot Café

    Southwestern Uganda

    A smart German-owned cafe with decent coffee, burgers, BLTs and meatball dishes. It sells secondhand books and quality crafts next door.

  • Akberali Tea Room

    Dar es Salaam

    Enjoy tasty samosas, kebabs, chapati and other snacks plus a delicious cup of chai (tea) with the locals in this classic corner place.

  • Nakumatt

    Kigali

    By far the best option for self-caterers, this huge supermarket in the Union Trade Centre has pretty much everything you’ll need.

  • Burger Point & Cafe

    Mwanza

    Plastic tables and chairs, a semi-open-air environment, and burgers, fried chicken and chips make this a popular local lunch stop.

  • Tuskys

    Western Kenya

    Kakamega's best supermarket has plenty of supplies as well as ready-made foods (including yummy samosas) in the deli and bakery.

  • Lakeside Restaurant

    Southwestern Uganda

    Serving typical Ugandan fare and more, scenic Lakeside Restaurant is good if you can spare a long time to wait for your food.

  • Jamaa Supermarket

    Southern Rift Valley

    If you're stocking up on supplies, Jamaa Supermarket on Kenyatta Ave is probably the best stocked in the centre of Naivasha.

  • Fayaz Bakery

    Mombasa

    Mombasa’s ‘Master Baker’ cooks up excellent cakes and muffins here, and in several other locations around town.

  • Boulangerie de Gisenyi

    Rwanda

    This well-stocked supermarket across the road from the main market has cheese, meats, yoghurts and fresh bread.

  • Nakumatt Supermarket

    Kenya

    The best grocery store in town. Go here to stock up on essentials if you are camping or self-catering.

  • Wat General Agencies

    Uganda

    If you forget to pack anything in Kampala, this small supermarket on Commercial St will come in handy.

  • McMoody’s

    Arusha

    A perennial favourite for burgers of all sorts, as well as pizzas, kebabs and other light meals.

  • Mwahingo Canteen

    Northern Tanzania

    Located at headquarters, Mwahingo Canteen does chicken, pilau, and beans and rice.

  • Pop Inn Hotel

    Northern Kenya

    This zebra-striped building has decent Kenyan staples and is popular with locals.

  • Uchumi

    Nairobi

    Once the main supermarket chain in town, Uchumi still has a good range of items.

  • Africa Cafe

    Pemba

    A basic place with simple meals, such as meat or fish with rice and chips.

  • Village Supermarket

    Dar es Salaam

    Pricey, but with a wide selection of Western foods and imported products.

  • Kako

    Malindi

    Chicken, chips and chapattis from this shiny hole-in-the-wall joint.

  • Valley Cave

    Southwestern Uganda

    This popular eatery is a good spot to grab some local food.

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