Things to do in Liberia
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Heartbreak Restaurant
A popular haunt, with a menu featuring everything from Lebanese appetisers to seafood, pasta and burgers, a Sunday lunch buffet and music and dancing on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
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Sapo National Park
Sapo, Liberia's only national park, is a lush 1808 sq km (698 sq mi) tract containing some of West Africa's last remaining primary rainforest, as well as forest elephants, pygmy hippos, chimpanzees, antelopes and other wildlife, although these populations suffered greatly during the final years of fighting.
Large swathes of nearby forest, as well as some forest areas within the park itself, were also felled.
With the recent eviction of the remaining squatters from Sapo, work is now getting started on rebuilding infrastructure, including park headquarters, and on enforcing its protected status.
If you are interested in visiting, the best contact for updated information is…
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Firestone Plantation
Firestone Plantation - the world's largest rubber plantation - is operating, although at greatly reduced capacity. There are no tours, but you may find employees who can show you around and explain the tapping process.
Stick to the beaten path, as Firestone is one of several areas in Liberia where land mines have been found. The powerful, oil corporation-like presence of Firestone was one of the reasons the US backed Liberia's dodgy rulers for decades. In the era of banana republics, this country was even known as the Firestone Republic.
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Silver Beach
There are some beautiful beaches stretching south and north of Monrovia, which fill up with locals and foreign residents on weekends; Silver Beach is one of the most popular. There's a restaurant here, small volleyball court, craft vendors, shower and toilet, and chairs and umbrellas for hire.
About 2km further south is Thinkers Beach, also with a small restaurant, shower and toilets. St Martin's Beach, just beyond Thinkers Beach, is quiet and isolated, with no facilities, and is good for getting away from the crowds.
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Masonic Temple
The now ruined Masonic Temple was once Monrovia's major landmark. Since most Masons were Americo-Liberian descendants of the original settlers, the Temple was a prominent symbol of previous regimes, and was vandalised after the 1980 coup when the Masonic Order was banned. A grand master's throne from the temple, once used by William Tubman, sits on dusty display at the National Museum.
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Diana Restaurant
This small, no-frills place favoured by Lebanese businessmen and expats is one of Monrovia's dining bargains. The menu features meat or chicken shwarma, felafel sandwiches, hummus, a large mixed grill platter and kofta, and there's also good pizza. It's between Carey and Broad Sts.
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La Pointe
This pleasant eatery overlooking the ocean offers a great-value daily lunch buffet featuring continental and Liberian cuisine, but arrive early, as appetizers and salads run out. The á la carte menu has chicken, meat, pasta and seafood dishes, plus some vegetarian selections.
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Aunty Nana
This upscale version of a chop house is a great place to get introduced to Liberian food, with everything from fufu soup and palm butter sauce to jollof rice and dumboy, plus inexpensive beers. It's between Ashmun and Front Sts.
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Mama Sheriff
For an earthier experience, try this local haunt, with heaping portions of cassava leaf, groundnut soup and other favourites at rock-bottom prices, all served up in small, medium or large ('special') portions.
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Bangkok Thai Restaurant
A recent addition to the Monrovia restaurant scene, with a large selection of Thai dishes, plus a separate vegetarian menu. Outdoor seating is best if you want to get away from the blaring TV.
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Bramante
The place to go for fine Italian dining, with everything from Parma ham to tagliatelle with shrimp. If you have room for more, the dessert menu includes tiramisu and chocolate mousse.
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Beirut
This Lebanese institution features meze, plus salads, pastas, chicken dishes, steaks, seafood (even lobster thermidor) and vegetarian platters. It's between Ashmun and Broad Sts.
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Taaj Indian Restaurant
The Taaj's extensive Indian and Chinese menu includes chicken, mutton, seafood and rice plates, plus vegetarian specialities, fruit shakes and mango lassis, and a Sunday buffet.
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Abi Jaoudi
Self-caterers can try the well-stocked Abi Jaoudi between Sekou Touré and Benson Sts, which sells everything from French cheese and croissants to wine and liquors.
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Sweet Finger
Just around the corner from Mama Sheriff, with a daily-changing menu featuring potato greens, palava sauce, dry rice with fish and other specialities.
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Waterside Market
The chaotic and colourful Waterside Market offers almost everything for sale, including some attractive textiles (which are sold by the lapa, or 2m).
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National Museum
The National Museum is only a shadow of its former self, with a handful of dusty masks, drums and paintings, accompanied by some interesting descriptions.
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Bamboo Bar
The rooftop restaurant and bar, Bamboo Bar, is a favourite at any hour, and has live music Saturday evenings.
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China Great Wall Restaurant
Monrovia's fanciest Chinese eatery with an authentic, if rather pricey, menu.
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Stop & Shop
Self-caterers can try Stop & Shop, with a range of US products.
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Porch
For a local flavour, try Porch.
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Waterside Market
The chaotic and colourful Waterside Market offers almost everything for sale, including some attractive textiles (which are sold by the lapa, or 2m).
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Upstairs Café
An unassuming place above Abi Jaoudi supermarket, and one of Monrovia's insider tips, with inexpensive Lebanese fare, plus omelettes, grilled platters, salads, pizzas and a Saturday afternoon buffet.
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Living Room
Monrovia's first sushi bar, with a gleaming sushi counter, and an appetising array of nigiri sushi, sashimi and more.
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New Jack Café & Bar
On the seafront opposite Mamba Point Hotel, with shaded huts and delicious grilled lobster, plus ribs and more.
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