Banjul
Banjul's main snack bar has a deserved reputation for tasty shwarma (sliced, grilled meat and salad in pita bread) and felafel sandwiches.
Must-see restaurants in Africa
Southern Mozambique
At Casa do Capitão, with well-prepared seafood and meat grills and wonderful views over the bay.
Zambia
Run by a friendly owner, Nalu's does over 20 different varieties of woodfired pizzas, as well as homemade pastas and grilled meat dishes.
Nouakchott
Known around town, at least within the expat community, as one of the best places for steak in Nouakchott. Also serves some Asian dishes.
Cabo Verde
Popular lunchtime spot that locals storm for good and inexpensive daily specials (a deal at CVE400). It's simple, down home and friendly.
Tafraoute
This casual restaurant dishes up tajines, omelettes and large glasses of fruit juice. It offers what it says on the tin: panoramic views.
Southwestern Uganda
A smart German-owned cafe with decent coffee, burgers, BLTs and meatball dishes. It sells secondhand books and quality crafts next door.
Hermanus
The emphasis is on seafood at this 1860s thatched cottage draped with fishing nets, though it also serves steaks and traditional meals.
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.
Northern Cape
A chain bar-restaurant focusing on meat, with a few salads, seafood dishes and pizzas. It's a pleasantly cool spot after a hot drive.
Southern Tunisia
This is a sparkling-clean place with a bright checkerboard floor and high-backed chairs serving Tunisian fare. A popular lunch spot.
Sousse
Cheap, luridly coloured ice cream is the major drawcard at this bustling place, but it also produces biscuits and gâteaux.
Nouakchott
Groups gather in the pleasant back patio courtyard for a meal and hookah. Savana has a fairly large menu, with above-average pizzas.
Chamarel
This popular place does a roaring trade with curries and faratas (pan-fried flat breads) served in a pleasant dining area.
Kigali
By far the best option for self-caterers, this huge supermarket in the Union Trade Centre has pretty much everything you’ll need.
Mozambique
Simple Mozambican-style meals are offered at this small place at the Centro Social do HCB.
Mwanza
Plastic tables and chairs, a semi-open-air environment, and burgers, fried chicken and chips make this a popular local lunch stop.
Southern Mozambique
Salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta and a changing daily menu plus smoothies and gourmet coffees. It’s in the Lexus shopping mall.
Arba Minch
Althought small, it’s the best-stocked grocery in town and has a few exotic items like peanut butter and imitation Cocoa Puffs.
Western Kenya
Kakamega's best supermarket has plenty of supplies as well as ready-made foods (including yummy samosas) in the deli and bakery.
Flic en Flac
Set in slightly more formal surrounds than we're accustomed to in Flic en Flac, this elegant place serves decent Chinese dishes.
Djibouti City
Part of Djibouti Palace Kempinski hotel, this restaurant is renowned for its themed buffet meals. The Friday brunch is popular.
Southern Tunisia
If you want to eat in over-the-top kitsch surroundings, try this place in the Jugurtha Palace west of town. Alcohol is served.
Cairo
All the cheap and filling shawarma and ta'amiyya dishes you need from this branch of the Downtown fast-food experts.
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.
Cairo
Blocks-long fruit-and-veg market, open late. There's a good dairy store at the corner with Talaat Harb selling fresh cheese.
Bizerte
Facing the old port and the fake Phoenician warship restaurant, with good coffee and a smattering of tables on the pavement.
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.
Western Cape
A roaring fire and an old-timer tickling the ivories make this an atmospheric spot for lunch. The lamb curry is recommended.
Western Cape
This trendy deli-cafe-art gallery is a pleasant place to grab a light lunch or a good cup of coffee and relax in the garden.
Hôtel-Restaurant La Rose des Sables
Zagora
Join a mix of visitors and off-duty desert guides unwinding over tasty beef and chicken tajines at this relaxed restaurant.
Plettenberg Bay
With a deck overlooking the beach, this is a great place for a simple meal and perhaps views of dolphins surfing the waves.
Sierra Leone
You could hardly call it refined, but if it's tasty and cheap fried chicken you're after, this is a good place to head for.
Garden Route
A popular local lunch spot sitting high above the beach. There's lots of seafood, including a selection of combo platters.
Madagascar
The best-stocked place for self-caterers, particularly handy in preparation for long hikes in Andringitra, Isalo or Makay.
Mediterranean Coast
This popular place serves up tasty Western-style pizza. Upstairs seating offers good views onto the street action below.
Cameroon
This bakery sells good bread and sticky sweet treats in the morning, and is a handy general food shop the rest of the day.
Tunisia
A tiny place in the medina serving simple but well-prepared dishes (grilled fish, couscous) at bargain prices. No alcohol.
Western Desert
Road-stop restaurant on the way to Dakhla serving good basics like chicken, kofta, stews and vegetables. Very lurid decor.
Mauritius
This roadside Chinese restaurant never seems to be full but gets consistently good reviews for authentic Chinese cooking.
