Things to do in Bamako
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African Grill
African Grill is a wonderful place to sample African specialties like foutou (sticky yam or plantain paste), kedjenou (slowly simmered chicken or fish with peppers and tomatoes) and poulet yassa (grilled chicken in onion and lemon sauce). There's a different plat du jour every day, a delightful oasis of a dining area, friendly service, and a steady stream of regulars. They also do sandwiches and have a branch restaurant in the Musée National.
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San Toro
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 appear, but are always worth the wait. There's no alcohol, but there are tasty fruit juices. In the evenings from around 20:00, there's live kora music.
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Marché de Medina
The charm of this market is that few tourists reach here, so you're unlikely to be hassled. It's also a good place to buy second-hand clothes and if you have a few hours spare, you can get your hair braided or your hands and feet decorated with henna in the 'beauty parlour' section.
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Musée National
The Musée National is small but nevertheless contains some beautiful ethnographic pieces from many of Mali's ethnic groups, including wooden masks, carvings, contemporary marionettes and ancient textiles. French and English-speaking guides can be arranged.
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Le Compagnard
Top marks for this place. High-quality French cooking, French wines and a switched-on ambience ensure plenty of regular customers among the expat community. The salad bar is a nice touch, and the wood-fired pizzas are as good as you'll find in Bamako.
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Starlight
Bamako is a city that comes into its own after dark, and on weekends it's a party town. Clubs don't get going before midnight and close around 06:00. Cover charges (US$9) usually include a drink, and after that drinks cost US$1.80 to US$5.40.
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Le Byblos
Bamako is a city that comes into its own after dark, and on weekends it's a party town. Clubs don't get going before midnight and close around 06:00. Cover charges (US$9) usually include a drink, and after that drinks cost US$1.80 to US$5.40.
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Montecristo
Bamako is a city that comes into its own after dark, and on weekends it's a party town. Clubs don't get going before midnight and close around 06:00. Cover charges (US$9) usually include a drink, and after that drinks cost US$1.80 to US$5.40.
reviewed
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Café Restaurant la Casa
In Bamako Coura, this is a fine, relaxed backpacker hang-out opposite the Mission Catholique; their spaghetti, couscous and ragout dishes contain the freshest ingredients, but if you want meat you'll need to order in advance.
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Bla Bla Bar
This is Mali's most sophisticated bar, and though regulars lament that it has lost something since being glassed in and blasted with air-con, it's still filled with the bold and the beautiful at weekends.
reviewed
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Mia Mali
Far and away the most innovative and stylish boutique in Mali, Mia Mali has eminently reasonable prices, and its commitment to working with over 175 artisans deserves to be supported.
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Soukhothai
Craving a pad thai? It's only around CFA6000 away. You won't find more authentic Thai cuisine in Africa, and expats swear by this place as one of Bamako's best restaurants.
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Maison des Artisans
Leather goods and woodcarvings are made and sold here, and there are several jewellers offering gold and silver objects that are sold by weight (watch out for gold-plated brass).
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Fetish Stalls
The Fetish Stalls, near the Maison des Artisans, are not for the faint-hearted, offering up a stomach-turning array of bones, skins, dried chameleons and rotting monkey heads.
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Éspace Bouna
Agreeable garden venue that sometimes hosts Toumani Diabaté, Djelimady Tounkara and the Super Rail Band; admission is US$4.50 if someone famous is playing.
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Appaloosa Restaurant
This is where Tex Mex meets Beirut with the merest nod to Bamako. There are many highlights, including Lebanese mezze, steaks and pizzas.
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Pâtisserie le Royaume des Gourmands
This air-con haven amid busy Bamako is the best patisserie in town, with good croissants, coffee and fresh orange juice served with a smile.
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Musée Muso Kunda
The Musée Muso Kunda is a homage to Mali's women with displays of traditional clothing and everyday household objects.
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Musée de Bamako
In the town centre, the Musée de Bamako has some ethnographic exhibits and enlarged postcards of colonial Bamako.
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Marché de N'Golonina
Marché de N'Golonina, between Niaréla and the city centre, is another fascinating local market to visit.
reviewed
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Wassulu Hôtel
When she's not in Paris, Oumou Sangare plays here at 21:00 on Saturdays.
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Terrace
Almost next door to Bla Bla Bar, Terrace attracts a similar clientele.
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