Must-see restaurants in Africa

  • Maracujá

    Cabo Verde

    One of the best eateries in Tarrafal, Maracuja serves up delicious seafood and grilled fish plates, with French accents. The arroz de marisco (seafood…

  • Glen Carlou

    Winelands

    The food at this stylish winery is on a par with the views: magnificent. Dishes, such as pan-roasted sea bass, Parmesan mousse and lamb shoulder with…

  • Wapalapam Island Eatery

    Mauritius

    The sort of chilled place you'd expect to find in a downtempo Mauritius beach town, Wapalapam Island Eatery is actually quite the rarity in this part of…

  • La Belle Rodriguaise

    Rodrigues

    Perfected recipes by Françoise, author of a respected Rodriguan cookbook, are served on a breezy veranda with never-ending ocean views. Meals are mostly…

  • Savanna Cafe

    Madagascar

    With lovely views from the terrace, a warm welcome from the Cameroonian owner Paul Roger, Savanna Cafe is a terrific choice at any time of day. The…

  • L'Hostaria

    Malawi

    In an atmospheric old house with black-and-white floors and a large veranda overlooking a lawn, L'Hostaria offers Italian recipes and fresh produce that…

  • Seven on Kellner

    Bloemfontein

    Set in an old house with inside and outside dining options, Seven on Kellner offers an informal, intimate atmosphere. Poultry, meat and seafood dishes are…

  • Nomad

    Diani Beach

    One of the best restaurants in Diani, Nomad benefits from stellar sea views from its terrace and a talented chef who cooks up such culinary magic as…

  • Ancre Terre et Mer

    Réunion

    A hop and a skip from the seafront (but no views), this attractive garden restaurant has a seductively cosy terrace and serves up delectable burgers,…

  • Côté Jardin

    Lomé

    Hands-down the most atmospheric eatery in Lomé, Côté Jardin has an exotic pleasure garden replete with tropical plants and woodcarvings. The supremely…

  • Main Street Cafe

    Damaraland

    Quiche, hazelnut cheesecake, white-wood furniture...what's not to like about this fine little lunch and breakfast spot that makes a priority of fresh…

  • Karoux

    Winelands

    Well known for its gourmet cuisine and attentive service, this is one of the Western Cape's best small-town restaurants. The menu changes regularly but…

  • Lukmaan Restaurant

    Zanzibar Town

    Probably the best local restaurant for quality Zanzibari food. There's no menu: just make your way inside to the 1950s counter and see what's on offer…

  • Le Gris Gris

    Mauritius

    Rosy's place is a simple affair with a motley assortment of wicker and plastic furniture. The food, however, never misses the mark – locals and tourists…

  • Yuzu

    Port Louis

    Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese fusion cooking fuse seamlessly at this swish and sophisticated restaurant at Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel. The…

  • Hickory Shack

    Western Cape

    This smokehouse has quickly gained a huge following for its slow-cooked and perfectly seasoned meats and Texan-inspired sides like corn salad, baked beans…

  • Okorye Tree

    Ghana

    Attached to the Black Star Surf Shop, the Okorye Tree does a roaring trade in pancakes, burgers and great big burritos. Grab a table on the wooden deck,…

  • La Bas Ter La

    Réunion

    One of St-Paul’s top tables, La Bas Ter La is tucked down a quiet street not far from the seafront. It offers excellent French cuisine with a refined…

  • Bleu Soleil

    Morondava

    Winning the prize for the best beach views of any restaurant in Morondava, this breezy place serves everything from tagliatelle to zebu brochettes,…

  • La Vielle Rouge

    Mauritius

    Fish and seafood cooked fresh or with a few Asian inflections make Le Vielle Rouge one of the standout options in town. Service is friendly and signature…

  • Café Patisserie Ben Yedder

    Djerba

    A prime people-watching spot, Djerba's best cafe offers an above-average collection of pastries and snacks, fresh juices and good coffee made with Cafés…

  • Paradise Lodge – Abaya Restaurant

    Arba Minch

    Inside Paradise Lodge, the lovely ridgetop dining room, together with menu choices like poached fish or beef stroganoff, make this the most atmospheric…

  • Roti Aka Vinoda

    Flic en Flac

    It's all very simple here - rotis or farata (Indian flatbreads) filled with whatever you like – fish, beef, chicken etc. The quality puts many Indian…

  • Restaurant Nacional

    Oujda

    A Oujda institution where people queue for tables at lunchtime (there’s a big, packed salon upstairs). Salads are great, and waiters rush with plates of…

  • Sur la Plage

    Ifaty & Mangily

    This sand-floor restaurant offers the best of this stretch of coast – feet in the sand, grilled fish fresh off the boat, expertly mixed punches and…

  • Sunjeel Palace

    Eldoret

    This formal, dark and spicy Indian restaurant serves superb, real-deal curries. Portion sizes are decent and if you mop up all the gravy with a freshly…

  • Kyoto Garden Sushi

    Cape Town

    Beechwood furnishings and subtle lighting lend a calm, Zen-like air to this superior Japanese restaurant with an expert chef turning out sushi and sashimi…

  • Galani Cafe

    Addis Ababa

    Best known as Addis' coolest cafe, Galani also serves up fabulous food such as raw cauliflower salad, sweet and savoury crepes, tacos and the city's best…

  • El Refectorio

    Ceuta

    Considered by many to be Ceuta's best restaurant, El Refectorio has a good bar, and dining inside and out with magnificent sea views from the balcony. It…

  • Wude Coffee

    Bahir Dar

    For high-class Ethiopian fare in a chic city-style garden cafe, come to Wude Coffee, although it's just as good for a stiff macchiato. While the indoor…

  • L'Atelier des Saveurs

    Réunion

    Well-respected chef Gregory and his wife (and sommelier) Pauline opened this very special spot on the main drag in late 2018. The emphasis is on local…

  • Baobab Vegetarian Moringa Restaurant

    Cape Coast

    A tiny organic food bar with a wholesome touch, Baobab serves up great veggie stews and curries, black-bread sandwiches and refreshing juices, smoothies…

  • La Petite Colombe

    Franschhoek

    The award-winning Cape Town restaurant has opened a breezy sister branch here. The French-inspired menu comes in seven- or 12-course versions and you can…

  • Cafe Roots

    Grand Baie

    This fabulous little courtyard cafe with white-wood furnishings does gorgeous salads and antipasto, paninis and sandwiches, a few pasta dishes and a full…

  • Restaurant La Lune

    Southern Tunisia

    La Lune serves up healthy portions of pasta and pizza, but come instead for the rather good steak, beef stroganoff and excellent seafood. The candles on…

  • La Guingette

    Senegal

    Tucked down a small lane near the entrance to Saly, La Guingette earns rave reviews for its delectable, market-fresh cuisine and its colourful garden…

  • Mesón El Cortijo

    Ceuta

    A classic neighbourhood gathering place that's heavy on tapas, cerveza (beer) and friendliness. Catch up on football, gossip and practise your español.

  • Asham Africa

    Eastern Ethiopia

    It's all about tasteful African chic in this respectable hotel restaurant with an airy feel and unsurpassed lake views. Bounteous wood-fired pizzas are…

  • Karibu Kitchen & Bar

    Mekele

    This garden restaurant is the first choice for faranji food, with a pleasing garden setting where the wood-fired pizza is the star of the show.

  • Rust en Vrede

    Stellenbosch

    Expect innovative dishes like rabbit-leg wontons or beetroot chocolate fondant at this stylish winery restaurant. Book ahead.