Must-see restaurants in Africa

  • Frenchie Café

    Mauritius

    One of the coolest places on the island, French-run Frenchie does quick bites and more substantial (but reasonably priced) mains, as well as breakfasts…

  • Le Jasmine

    Casablanca

    This fine-dining Moroccan restaurant is set in an exquisite space at the art deco Hôtel Le Doge. With its red-velvet chairs, ornate stained-glass ceiling,…

  • Huntingdon House

    Malawi

    If you're driving between Blantyre and Mulanje, don't miss lunch or afternoon tea (minimum two people for tea, and do book ahead) at this historic…

  • La Bonne Chute

    Mauritius

    Don't be dissuaded by its location adjacent to a petrol station; La Bonne Chute has been around since 1969 (!) and has built its reputation on expertly…

  • El Jaleo

    Chefchaouen

    El Jaleo, meaning 'the mess', takes the best cooking in Chefchaouen – from Nuura of Sofia – to a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant above Oued Ras El Maa…

  • Le Saint-Michel

    Réunion

    Part of the eponymous hotel, this is the gourmet choice in St-Gilles. With its enticing dining deck by the pool, charming welcome and delicious cuisine,…

  • Blue Heron

    Arusha

    The pick of the garden restaurants that are a recurring theme in Arusha's east, the Blue Heron gets the tricky combination of lounge bar and family…

  • Le Carnot

    Tunis

    Heralding the long overdue arrival of contemporary chic in Centre Ville, this hybrid bistro/cafe/bar in the Institut Française de Tunisie will come as a…

  • Au Bon Pain

    Goma

    The opening of this lifeline marked the beginning of a new era in Goma – and if that sounds like an exaggeration just look at the lovely pastries, the…

  • Bistro Sixteen82

    Cape Town

    Perfectly complementing the slick and contemporary wine-tasting lounge at Steenberg Farm, this appealing bistro serves everything from oysters for…

  • À l'Ombre du Figuier

    Tiznit

    Follow the signs through alleyways and under low doorways to one of southern Morocco's best restaurants. Colourful tables are arrayed under the dappled…

  • Cafe Zambezi

    Livingstone

    Head straight through to the courtyard, sunny by day and candlelit by night. Bursting with local flavour, the broad menu covers local favourites of goat…

  • L'Instant Plaisirs

    Réunion

    If you're growing weary of heavy regional dishes, this cute crêperie is a godsend. It's renowned for its gourmet crêpes and galettes made from quality…

  • Pâtisserie Bennis Habous

    Casablanca

    Secreted in a lane in the Souq Habous, this famous patisserie deserves a dedicated visit. Make your choice of traditional Maghrebi pastries such as cornes…

  • Maracujá

    Cabo Verde

    Inés, who spent 40 years in France, brings a touch of Europe to her cooking in this cheery cafe across the road from Gamboa beach. Market-fresh…

  • Rockpool

    Mahé

    The views here, next to Bliss hotel, are rather special and there's a real classy-but-casual atmosphere; they haven't tried to cram in too many tables,…

  • Orion Tabora Hotel

    Western Tanzania

    Tabora’s top dining spot has a mix of local and continental food, with pizza and Indian available during dinner. There’s dining indoors and in the outside…

  • Mandala Cafe

    Malawi

    Sit on a breezy stone terrace in the grounds of Mandala House, or inside at this chilled cafe adorned with artworks and guidebooks. Regulars love the…

  • Kafe Kreol

    Mahé

    One of the east coast's best seaside restaurants, stylish and breezy Kafe Kreol combines beachside charm, good service and terrific food; the octopus…

  • Toko Telo

    Antananarivo

    Run by Landy, the teacher at Tana Kitchen cooking school with which this restaurant shares premises, Toko Telo is our pick to try expertly crafted…

  • St Aubin Table d'hôte

    Mauritius

    The height of the St Aubin experience is a meal at the charming table d'hôte. The dining room is one of the island's best throwbacks to colonial times:…

  • No 17 at The Repose

    Northern Atlantic Coast

    Enjoy home-cooked vegetarian food and city views on The Repose's plant-filled roof terrace, or in the cosy salon; nonguests need to reserve ahead. The…

  • Iya

    Cameroon

    A rarity in Cameroon: a stylish restaurant with warm attentive service. The minimal interior has white walls brightened with feathered hats and geometric…

  • Calypso

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Much-loved Calypso serves delicious grilled fish, snacks (such as prawn spring rolls), panini and an African dish of the day, plus a full English…

  • Moira Jane's Blue Bird Cafe

    Zimbabwe

    A genuine reason to stop by Masvingo is this attractive little cafe that does 10 different kinds of burgers (including some good gourmet varieties), steak…

  • Oscars - The Bar & Grill

    Mahé

    For fresh fish, grilled just the way it should be, Oscars is a terrific choice. There's grouper, sailfish, marlin and red snapper, but the best order is…

  • Chez Pierre Restaurant

    Dadès Gorge

    Mediterranean flair meets Moroccan market-fresh produce on the daily-changing menu at this restaurant attached to the Inn of the same name. Perhaps roast…

  • Le Jardin

    Mouassine & Central Souqs

    Entrepreneur Kamal Laftimi transformed this 17th-century riad in the medina's core into a contemporary, oh-so-pretty oasis where you can lunch beneath a…

  • Hotel Milénio Restaurant

    Northern Mozambique

    Equipped with a chef from Mumbai, this sleek restaurant at Hotel Milénio knocks out the best Indian food in northern Mozambique, with excellent meat and…

  • El Morocco Club

    Tangier

    King Mohammed VI was seen dining here, which is as good a recommendation as any. A very smart renovation of this elegant building along the medina wall…

  • Nerone Ristorante Italiano

    Antananarivo

    Tana's best Italian restaurant is one of those places you'll find yourself coming back to time and again. Artful Italian cooking of pasta, pizza, meat and…

  • Le Saka

    Antananarivo

    Striking the perfect balance between gastro French and straightforward local cooking, Le Saka is a Tana institution. The restaurant is housed in a…

  • L'Alchimiste

    Chamarel

    The Rhumerie de Chamarel's chic restaurant boasts an impressive menu that promises to satisfy, with seafood and palm heart from the surrounding hills the…

  • Heaven Restaurant

    Kigali

    A highlight of the Kigali restaurant scene, Heaven has a relaxed, open-air deck bistro with a wide-ranging menu drawing from a variety of international…

  • Blue Water Cafe

    Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula

    A lovely place to enjoy breakfast, simple-but-good lunch dishes including pizza, pasta, seafood and gourmet salads, or a craft beer with a sweeping view…

  • Test Kitchen

    Cape Town

    Luke Dale-Roberts creates inspired dishes with top-quality local ingredients at his flagship restaurant – generally agreed to be the best in Africa…

  • Emerson Spice Rooftop Teahouse

    Zanzibar Town

    Perched on top of the Emerson Spice hotel, the 'teahouse' (open-sided room) offers 360-degree views and some of the finest food in Stone Town. Many guests…

  • Diaz Coffee Shop

    Lüderitz

    The cappuccinos are strong, the pastries are sweet, and the ambience wouldn’t at all seem out of place in Munich. Patrons sit in a large room with some…

  • Café Culturel El Ali

    Tunis

    This is indeed a cultured hideaway. A converted house with atmospheric wood-beamed ceilings, stained-glass windows and a rooftop terrace, it serves…

  • Itegue Taitu Hotel

    Addis Ababa

    If you’ve travelled overland to Addis Ababa, and eaten in a succession of cheap local restaurants serving less-than-inspiring injera, then reward yourself…