International restaurants in Africa
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Rhapsody's
Jump on a minibus to one of the two modern shopping centres: Manda Hill or Arcades on Great East Rd. Arcades has a cluster of top-end restaurants, the most popular being wine-bar/restaurant Rhapsody's, a hang-out for nongovernment organisation (NGO) types and well-to-do Zambians at weekends.
reviewed
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Amanzi's
Set in a stunning former colonial house with African décor and an even more amazing garden, Amanzi's has the tastiest food from around the world and a great vibe. You can also buy a painting from a local artist on the way out. A must.
reviewed
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Victoria 22
Yet another restaurant set in what was once a colonial house, this is a favourite of well-heeled locals. It is pretty formal (for Harare standards), with choices within a set menu of four courses, and probably has the best food in town.
reviewed
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A
Mcmoody’s
McMoody’s serves mostly burgers.
reviewed
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Blue Mango
For a good selection of grub from all over the globe, head to the suburban sanctuary that is the Blue Mango. Big bush furniture, cushions to sink in and flowing African drapes provide the backdrop for a very relaxed meal. The menu includes cheaper bar meals, such as pies with mash and crisp salads, and a more sophisticated range of meat, poultry and fish with a regional accent. On Friday it fills up with the post-work crowd.
reviewed
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Shop Café
Most perfect for brunch and lunch any day except Sunday, the Shop Café serves some of the yummiest food in Zimbabwe, from its amazing homemade muesli, yogurt and stewed fruit to vegetable moussakas and fish curries. The food here will put you in the right mood for shopping in the attached shop for hand-printed textiles, hand-painted ceramics and cane and teak furniture - double yum.
reviewed
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Azzurro
The restaurant is located near the lighthouse in the Los Lagos part of town with its shallow pools and scrubby desert setting. At this place overlooking the beach, with a pretty peach-painted interior, the menu includes fish fillet in lemon and basil and a tasty pasta dish with mushrooms and prawns in a nest of parmesan cheese.
reviewed
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B
Snobs
Popular and well-managed Western-style restaurant that has gained an excellent reputation for its great salads, pastas, pizzas and steaks, cooked by a young and talented chef. There is no alcohol but you are welcome to bring your own discreetly.
reviewed
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C
Chit Chat
A popular place for lunch or dinner in a relaxed, open-air atmosphere, it has the most eclectic menu in Lusaka and features a rotating exhibition of purchasable modern art from local artists.
reviewed
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Sopranos
Named after the long-running American TV series, Sopranos caters for the whole family, with food and an indoor climbing gym for kids, and steak, fish and vegetarian meals for grown-ups.
reviewed
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E
Orangery
The Orangery is a pretty-looking place specialising in sweet and savoury pancakes, muffins, waffles and crepes. Nonbreakfast specialities include moussaka and seafood bouillabaisse.
reviewed
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El Lagar
Everything from curries to pizzas to fresh Canarian fish is served at this sprawling beach-side restaurant at the back of the Centro Cancajos. By day, enjoy great ocean views.
reviewed
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Lime Tree
Tuck into a pita stuffed with tabouleh or falafel, or savour a chicken coconut curry. Its creative juices are thirst slayers.
reviewed
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G
El Sakya
Dotted with big white umbrellas and jutting over the water, the terrace restaurant at the Grand Hyatt is a great place to take in a view of the Nile – and perhaps some local movie stars, as this is a popular place to schmooze. The menu draws from all the hotel’s restaurants, so you can take your pick of Indian, Italian, American and more. Note that following a partial ban by the hotel’s Saudi owner, alcohol is not available on the terrace.
reviewed
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H
La Piazza
Part of a complex of restaurants under the collective title Four Corners, La Piazza is decorated to resemble a gazebo - think cane furniture, floral-motif stained glass and candy-cane colour scheme. It won't be to everyone's taste, but it's a good place for lunch and casual dinners, offering soups, club sandwiches, chicken Caesar salad and pastas. There are a number of vegetarian dishes. Wine and beer available.
reviewed
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I
Jacky Cochon
The most interesting eating establishment in all of Gabon, this place in the Quartier Derriére Prison is decked out in red, green and gold, and hung with portraits of reggae legend Bob Marley. Excellent meals (grilled meat and veggies) served by long-dredded Jacky himself, a pig farmer and musician. Ask for a tour of his saw-dust-floor butcher shop next door and his astral wine cellar.
reviewed
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El Risco
A superb location, with a terrace overlooking the sea and a nautical blue-and-white interior. Owner Gustavo recommends his fish and goat dishes, but has also introduced a menu of pizzas and savoury crepes to appeal to the less intrepid diner. The result makes this a winner for fussy families. The dining-room is pleasantly informal and there's a small terrace for catching the breeze.
reviewed
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Lounge
A low-key place with delicious, great-value cuisine, featuring homemade tagliatelle, gourmet wraps, crispy salads, meat and seafood grills, pizzas and ‘Kilimanjaro nachos’. Everything is freshly made and served in generously large portions against a relaxed backdrop of lounge seating and music. It’s at L’Oasis Lodge, on the northern edge of town.
reviewed
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J
Old Man and the Sea
Definitely the daddy of Malindi's restaurants, this old Moorish house on the seafront really has no competition in its class. The food's superb, service is attentive, you can get decent wine by the glass and the guestbook is effusive and entertaining reading - apparently Tupac Shakur returned from the grave to eat here. A 16% VAT charge is added to the bill.
reviewed
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Mcheza Bar
Next door to Mtoni Marine Centre is this recently completely refurbished beachside sports bar, with a mix of booth and table seating, two big screens, plus burgers and pub food, seafood, South African steaks and a pizza oven. A sushi bar is set to open soon on the adjoining beach. There's live music on Saturday evenings in season.
reviewed
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Hotel Baobab
It is worth venturing into the wilds of Nyamirambo to this popular garden restaurant. It is also a good place to go for a meal if you want some privacy or are catching up with people you haven't seen for a while, as dining is in private pavilions. The menu is extensive, including steaks, fish and some pretty good pizzas.
reviewed
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K
Café Riche
This narrow restaurant was the favoured drinking spot of Cairo’s intelligentsia. It’s a bit less lively now, but nonetheless a reliable and nostalgic spot to enjoy a meal (even a European-style breakfast) and a glass of wine, surrounded by framed portraits of Cairo luminaries on the wood-panelled walls.
reviewed
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Cordon Rouge
Lively bar-restaurant in a contemporary setting, popular with Alexandrians and expats who prop up the bar and chat to the cool barman, or grab a bite at the Mediterranean-style restaurant. The international menu focuses on salads, pasta dishes and grills. A live DJ pumps up the volume on Thursday night.
reviewed
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L
Five Bells
This old-fashioned place has one of the few outdoor courtyards in Zamalek and is a pleasant spot for a summer dinner. Food is uninspired but quite edible international fare, with pastas, grills and fondue featuring on the menu. It's a bit pricey, but the cute cherub fountain compensates.
reviewed
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Tiawaah Restaurant
You may catch the staff sleeping at this modern restaurant on the third floor of the Aseda Complex, a block from the VanefSTC station. It has a wide selection of Ghanaian, Chinese and continental cuisine. KPS World Enterprise Coffee Shop is on the second floor of the same complex.
reviewed