Zanzibar Town
Contemporary food in a contemporary setting. Glass walls and vast picture windows provide views of the ocean or the establishment's impressive wine…
Must-see restaurants in East Africa
Diani Beach
This roadside crowd-pleaser is your one-stop shop for anything from good coffee and banoffee pie to daily specials such as baked oysters and BBQ pork ribs…
Southeastern Tanzania
Simple, delicious and generously portioned meals of grilled fish or chicken and chips, plus cold drinks. It's in a peaceful garden setting just back from…
Zanzibar Town
On a dusty courtyard just off Kenyatta Rd, this relaxed place serves lunch and dinner, offering curries, fresh juices, burgers, chapati wraps, salads,…
Diani Beach
Want to give the overpriced tourist restaurants a miss? Want to eat where the locals eat? Coast Dishes ticks both of these boxes and, if you’re sensible,…
Mwanza
Don't expect Italian-class fare, but this is a relaxed and popular place for pizzas and snack-style food (omelettes, sandwiches and breads) with a good…
Dar es Salaam
Burgers, steaks, a salad bar, birthday celebrations, yummy desserts, fast service and a children's play area with video games make this place a favourite…
Kampala
Serving an extensive menu of northern and southern Indian cuisine, this casual garden restaurant delivers. There's sufficient spice and great value in the…
Masai Mara
Just 400m from the Sekenani Gate, this casual roadside shack has a few tables out the back where they serve up breakfasts, home-baked bread, vegetables…
Southwestern Uganda
This cute little deli offers all-day breakfast, Turkish coffee and healthy wraps featuring hummus, spinach and avocado or falafel. Don't skip the fresh…
Arusha
Part of the Njiro Hill Shopping Complex southeast of the centre, this place is one of Arusha's best-stocked supermarkets. There's a decent open-air food…
Central Tanzania
Tasty Italian food, including one of Tanzania’s better pizzas, served in the shadow of Lion Rock. You can try local wines or play it safe with a European…
Laikipia Plateau
To eat with the locals, head here and unleash your inner carnivore as you chow down a 1kg plate of nyama choma. The food isn't the quickest, so bring a…
Pemba
A step up from the standard basic eating house, the Times' menu promises pizza and chicken curry, as well as staples like fish and rice. If you plan to…
Kigali
This homely restaurant set in a villa surrounded by an enticing garden offers a great opportunity to sample Rwandan food at its finest in a congenial…
Southeastern Tanzania
Tasty Indian cuisine (plus some Chinese food) is served inside or on a pleasant, shaded streetside porch. Service is prompt and meals – including a good…
Lake Victoria
A couple of tables outside the airport's terminal 1 make for a perfect casual spot to chat with locals, have a beer with some fried pork or potatoes, and…
Dar es Salaam
This bright courtyard-style place serves well-prepared crêpes, burgers, pasta and other light meals. It's worth checking its Facebook page for…
Arusha
Great coffee is why this place exists, but try the chocolate croissant, or fill up with sandwiches, salads and wraps. There's also an internet cafe …
Jinja
Jinja's best Indian food comes from this cavernous restaurant with a large downstairs dining room. The ambience is dull but the food isn't. Enjoy spicy…
Nanyuki
This family-run hip and artsy place across from Barclays offers a large variety of milkshakes and smoothies, along with the essential burgers and Kenyan…
Western Tanzania
This long-standing establishment is a clean and almost artistic spot for wali maharagwe (rice and beans) and other local meals. There’s also chicken…
Zanzibar Town
Amore Mio has well-prepared pasta dishes and other light meals, paninis, good coffee and fantastic views of the ocean. At the time of research, new owners…
Arusha
Tasty baked goods, shakes and smoothies, salads and baguette sandwiches, plus an intriguing array of main dishes – all served in a bright, clean dining…
Lake Victoria
The beach seating makes this a popular gathering spot. The grilled tilapia, pizzas and curries are good, but it's the view that makes it worth it. If…
Zanzibar Town
For no-nonsense food at budget prices, it's worth searching out this place in the small side streets off Malawi Rd. Expect pilau and biryani, plus chicken…
Kampala
To pack a gourmet picnic or just hang out, visit this fashionable foodie enclave, home to Quality Cuts Butchery for meat and cheese, the superb La…
Arusha
A bigger-than-average selection of simple but hearty local food, with chicken curry, beef pilau and ugali (a maize or cassava-flour staple) roast beef…
Mombasa
The legendary, decades-old Moi Ave eatery has migrated to a new location, but the shish kebabs are as flavourful as ever. The coconut prawns and fruit…
Mwanza
This odd time warp serves some of Mwanza’s best Indian food, though oriental decorations and menu items are holdovers from its previous incarnation as a…
Dar es Salaam
This French-run bakery-cafe has a tempting selection of freshly baked breads, pastries, light lunches, paninis, banana crêpes and Middle Eastern dishes,…
Zanzibar Town
This genuine Italian place just off Shangani St serves pizza and homemade pasta, as well as cakes and ice cream in traditional and local flavours like…
Southern Highlands
The Boma museum cafe makes a great daytime spot for a speciality coffee, and it serves filling European mains and snacks: pizza, quiches, meatballs and…
Lamu Island
This craft-shop-cum-cafe serves the tastiest samosas in Lamu – spicy, flavourful triangles with vegetable, prawn or meat filling. Wash them down with a…
Rwanda
Hands-down the trendiest spot in Musanze, Migano serves up salads, burgers, pasta, chicken dishes and pizzas, as well as excellent breakfasts and luscious…
Moshi
Delicious Chinese food, including many veg options, plus tranquil garden seating and a friendly, helpful proprietor make this a recommended spot for a…
Rwanda
Mmm, the homemade ice creams! Oh, the damn addictive banana cake! Also serves up omelettes (RFr2000), palate-pleasing salads (RFr1500), cookies and…
Zanzibar Island
Serving up Lebanese and Zanzibari meals in neat but simple surroundings, this place is on the dirt road that runs behind the hotels at the southern end of…
Dar es Salaam
This small, informal place, next to the well-signposted Wonder Workshop, has delicious, reasonably priced Ethiopian cuisine.
Dar es Salaam
This efficient local-style eatery has tasty grilled fish, rice, ugali and other standards. Service is fast, and there is pleasant outdoor seating under…
