Kilifi
Jetties and boats, fresh crab and fries, salty air…there's nothing better than a long, lazy meal at the Boatyard, especially when it involves fresh…
Must-see restaurants in East Africa
Arusha
Unpretentious al fresco spot serving two menus: Ethiopian and Continental – ignore the latter and order injera (Ethiopian bread) soaked in beef, chicken…
Nanyuki
This coffee garden is a terrific place to come to eat, a little removed from the Nanyuki scrum. The menu is always changing so check the board when you…
Southwestern Uganda
This 2nd-storey open-air cafe with comfortable divans provides respite from dusty Kabale. A curbside blackboard announces the daily specials, though your…
Jinja
A magnet for expats seeking reliable wi-fi (not free but cheap and fast), this attractive cafe does excellent French-press coffee, baked goods and…
Nairobi
There's nothing all that special going on here, but that's partly the point. It's all about good, honest local cooking, with dishes like fried tilapia –…
Uganda
Start your day feasting on homemade pastries, crêpes or an American breakfast. Salads, sandwiches and tacos are served the rest of the day. It's no wonder…
Tumaini Cafe & Makuti African Restaurant
Northeastern Tanzania
Tumaini Cafe – on the main road next to the Telecom building – offers cheap snacks, breakfasts and meals, including banana milkshakes, freshly baked rolls…
Kampala
A pretty garden restaurant offering carnivores anything from tender beef steaks to more exotic ostrich burgers, wildebeest steaks and crocodile in garlic…
Zanzibar Island
This locally run cafe serves beers, juices, coffee and meals on a small garden terrace. Service and ambience is delightfully relaxed. There's also a…
Arusha
Arusha’s poshest menu features fresh ingredients and creative dishes such as slow-cooked West Kili lamb shanks. Seating is in the quiet dining room or in…
Lamu Island
The family that runs the Olympic makes you feel as if you’ve come home every time you enter, and their food, particularly the curries and biriyani, is…
Mombasa
A great Indian restaurant steeped in Mombasa history: the owner first opened the doors in 1962 to serve arriving and departing railway passengers. The…
Lakeside Restaurant & Beach Bar
Rwanda
This hip and classy lakefront resto-bar is as adept at serving up light bites as it is heartier meals. The menu is eclectic and inventive, and the breezy,…
Rwanda
Conveniently located opposite the Bisoke car park, this small cafeteria arranged around attractive gardens dishes up simple meals and sells soft drinks…
Entebbe
In a new location, this wonderful expat institution does wood-fired pizzas and the best coffee in town. Bored with local food? Dig into a Bali burger with…
Southern Highlands
Green grounds, a small children’s play area, sports TV, pizzas on weekends and huge portions make this a popular choice. The rest of the menu covers…
Mwanza
No longer open-air, the Breeze restaurant has little in the way of character, but is known for producing decent Indian food. There are also Chinese,…
Zanzibar Town
This waterfront kiosk in Forodhani Gardens serves a simple menu of grilled chicken and fish, kebabs and wraps. Outside seating makes it perfect for people…
Kampala
Doubling as a stylish wine bar, this upmarket Italian grill is a spot to see and be seen. Think steak with rustic potatoes, flame-grilled lamb chops and…
Arusha
Le Patio follows a tried-and-tested eastern-Arusha template: a large garden beneath shady trees, an open fire at its heart, a lounge bar and outdoor…
Kenya
The full buffet here (when numbers permit) is an impressive piece of work, with some tasty mixed-grill options done up in a satisfyingly fancy fashion…
Southern Highlands
The Acropol has tasty soups, sandwiches, fish and meat platters, some vegetarian options, all-day breakfasts featuring steak, eggs and chips, and good…
Mwanza
Excellent local fare is served fast and cheap in this church-run place with an old-fashioned cafe look and feel. There's no menu, just a daily special…
Western Kenya
It’s got style, it’s got glamour, it’s got big-city aspirations and it’s totally unexpected in Kitale. With cheap dishes and an old Morris car hanging…
Nairobi
Situated in Village Market's new Trademark Hotel, the modern and spacious restaurant on the second floor serves fusion cuisine with a good selection of…
South Coast
This legendary restaurant is on a floating pontoon on the north bank of Mtwapa Creek. It’s a fine place for a beer and serves great seafood and…
Southwestern Uganda
A colourful haven on the main drag, this cute cafe serves organic espresso drinks with brownies and banana cake. For something more substantial, try a…
Kampala
Kampala's premier Thai restaurant is a classy affair stylishly set in an immense open-air thatched hut. All your favourite Thai classics (plus a few pan…
Kigali
If satisfying pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas or well-prepared meat dishes make your stomach quiver with excitement, slide into this buzzy eatery in…
South Coast
We know, we know. It's a chain, but it's Kenyan and it's a good one. Java House's coffee always goes down a treat, and we're big fans of its BLT…
Mwanza
Quiet during the day, this cheap Indian joint transforms into a hive of buzzing activity in the evenings. This is when people grab a streetside table and…
Nairobi
One of a number of Seasons outlets around the city serving Kenyan and Western dishes. This branch has a popular bar and beer garden, where you can bring…
Kampala
In a candlelit garden setting under a jackfruit tree, this popular Korean-owned restaurant offers up a selection of Korean and Japanese dishes. Bibimbap …
Laikipia Plateau
The most upscale restaurant in Nyahururu; you can order off the menu though everything is also offered at the buffet. While there is no mistaking that the…
Mwanza
Sambusas (Indian pastry snacks stuffed with curried meat or vegetables), soft-serve ice cream and juice are all pleasers here, but it's the smell of…
Mombasa
Right opposite the entrance to Fort Jesus, Mombasa's main sight, this excellent restaurant is an obvious place for a meal after your visit. The speciality…
Pemba
Located on the top floor of a modern concrete building, reached by an anonymous staircase, this no-frills restaurant serves evening meals, usually with…
Zanzibar Town
This restaurant is named for the enthusiastic Ethiopian owner and offers, of course, steak plus cuisines from around the world – Africa, Arabia, India and…
Arusha
With a semi-outdoor setting, this restaurant and wine bar ticks many boxes. There are snacks, grills, pizza and pasta, but the real stars are the Spanish…
