Must-see restaurants in Africa
Cameroon
In Rhumsiki make a beeline for Vegetarian Carnivore, at the entrance to the village. Here you'll be met by friendly, English-speaking Kodji, who runs one…
Mali
Our favourite restaurant in Timbuktu, Amanar has a mellow atmosphere with a soundtrack of Malian blues (think Ali Farke Touré and Tinariwen), chilled and…
Central Algeria
This is the best and most established restaurant in town. It has a very chic dining room – bright white walls with traditional arts and crafts on display …
Burundi
Located in the Hotel Botanika, this excellent restaurant offers delightful dining under the bougainvillea-coloured courtyard trestles. The food is a…
Mali
The décor here is charmingly African and the specialties are quality Malian dishes (the poulet au coco is especially good), which can take a while to…
Cameroon
Tucked away in a courtyard off the main drag (look for the small sign), this green-painted restaurant serves up a range of local dishes as well as the…
Niger
Hands down, this is the place for fine Italian fare. Enjoy a plethora of pastas, ranging from various raviolis to lasagne and even gnocchi dripping in…
Hargeisa
The Dalxiis is an enticing ‘park restaurant’, with a garden-like setting. Get your fingers dirty experimenting with the wide range of Somali dishes,…
Burundi
Funky art and garden fountains make this new Belgian-run restaurant a rising star among Buju's elite. The food is a mixture of French classics with…
Al Xayaat Restaurant & Fish House
Somaliland
Lap up a reviving fruit juice and scoff a grilled fish at this colourful eatery overlooking the bay, and you’ll leave with a smile on your face. While…
Nigeria
If you want to eat like a local, head here. The 'special plate' has a bit of everything in a serving, but also try northern specialities like miyan taushe…
Niger
Put aside your fear and grumbling insides to walk the plank out to this established boat restaurant. The views can't be beat, and the lemon chicken and…
Hargeisa
Belying its name, this venture is regarded as the best place in town for a fresh pizza. If pizzas aren’t doing it for you, delve into fish and meat dishes…
Niger
The shady garden confines of this friendly restaurant, west of Palais du Congrés, are a perfect place to indulge in some of the Niger River's tastiest…
Niger
Slurp delicious Vietnamese pho (a noodle soup with coriander, bean sprouts and beef), sharpen your teeth on frog legs, or work your chopstick magic on…
Burundi
Slap on some insect repellent and head here for tasty brochettes (kebabs), excellent pizza (half price on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and fresh fish straight…
Mali
Top marks for this place. High-quality French cooking, French wines and a switched-on ambience ensure plenty of regular customers among the expat…
Northern Madagascar
You get two for the price of one here: Chez Joice is a tearoom serving cakes. It's the perfect place for breakfast, and later in the day it morphs into a…
Niger
With friendly service and great Italian, French and Lebanese fare, this restaurant is justifiably popular with expats, travellers and well-to-do locals…
Hargeisa
Opposite Maan-soor Hotel, this large compound is one of the favourite haunts of diaspora Somalilanders, who come here to relax and sample excellent fare,…
Hargeisa
Located at the hotel of the same name, Hadhwanaag is a great place to sample Somali specialities like loxox (a pancake-like flatbread with butter and…
Hargeisa
The Imperial’s on-site restaurant serves an assortment of well-prepared Djiboutian, Somali and Yemeni dishes. Don’t miss its delicious anbabur (pancake…
Cameroon
For upscale dining, this is Maroua's best option, popular with the local French community. The restaurant has great French options, including a good-value…
Mali
Around the Grand Marché you can get coffee and bread in the mornings, and street food in the evenings (check out the excellent local sausages)…
Mali
In Bamako Coura, this is a fine, relaxed backpacker hang-out opposite the Mission Catholique; their spaghetti, couscous and ragout dishes contain the…
Burundi
Housed in a huge villa on the eastern extreme of Chaussée Prince Rwagasore, this French-inspired institution is one of the best restaurants in the city,…
Hargeisa
You can’t miss this bustling cafeteria – look for the red-and-white building near Telesom. It rustles up simple dishes such as spaghetti and sandwiches…
Niger
This great Lebanese restaurant, with thatched garden pavilions and open-air ambience, has some of the best tabouleh and hummus in Niger. It's on the…
Cameroon
This pleasant spot by the main market has outdoor seating under a thatched roof, a friendly atmosphere and good food, including a nightly buffet. Check…
Hargeisa
True to its name, this authentic Ethiopian eatery serves good honest Ethiopian fare in intimate, low-key surrounds. Be sure to get your caffeine fix…
Hargeisa
Though there’s something on the menu for everyone, the in-house restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel is highly rated for its choice of camel dishes,…
Democratic Republic of Congo
Officially known as the tongue-twisting Taverna Communaute Hellenique, but the Greek Club to you and I, this is the place to try Hellenic specialities as…
Hargeisa
This hotel restaurant has a good repertoire of palate-pleasing dishes. Choosing the main course is a real nail-biter – should it be salads, burgers,…
Hargeisa
This is the closest thing Hargeisa has to a Western cafeteria. It’s popular with 20-somethings here to enjoy the atmosphere, chat over a cappuccino and…
Nigeria
If you've been craving some vegetarian food, this fantastic Indian restaurant will answer your prayers (meat dishes are also served) and the owner loves…
Hargeisa
Inside the Safari Hotel, you’ll find a welcoming garden restaurant offering an array of belly-filling dishes, including lamb, chicken, goat, beef, burgers…
Burundi
Proving the theory that every capital city in the world has a Chinese restaurant, the ‘Club’ brings the reasonably authentic flavours of the Far East to…
Burundi
This trendy internet cafe does decent light meals (toasted sandwiches, burgers and steaks), salads and soups in air-conditioned, classic Starbucks-esque…
