Lomé
The name gives it away: this is a fantastic seafood place where you'll enjoy fish fillet a la plancha (cooked on a griddle) and skewered gambas (prawns)…
Must-see restaurants in West Africa
Brazzaville
The open-for-all restaurant of the Hotel Hippocampe serves good Vietnamese dishes and, on Friday and Saturday evenings, they put on a very popular and…
Guinea
Locals will rightly tell you that this friendly place, which is a proper restaurant rather than just a market stall, is the best place in town to eat…
Nouakchott
Known for its well-prepared seafood which you can hand-pick from a tank (lobster runs around UM6000) in a sunny, slightly tattered dining room. Live music…
Yaoundé
Well located near the Afriland First Bank, in a gated enclosure with a terrace enclosed by greenery. Sweet and savoury pancakes are a speciality, as well…
Republic of Congo
This casual place on Ouesso's main drag offers a very high standard of cooking – try the excellent river-fish dishes. There's a pleasant saloon-style…
Bissau
There's no better meeting place than this casual eatery with alfresco dining on the city's central roundabout. Hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza and the like…
Cameroon
Right on the roundabout in the thick of things, Le Moulin is the best eating option in Limbe's town centre. The menu encompasses ndole, chicken and beef…
Bissau
Like most restaurants in the city, it doesn't look like much from the outside, and service is slow. However, the fish and beef brochets can be recommended…
Lagos
Lagosians claim the best suya in town can be found at the stall outside the Ikoyi Hotel. Not just beef and goat, but chicken, liver and kidney, plus some…
Cotonou
This long-standing no-frills canteen off Blvd St Michel has a large selection of West African dishes scooped from steaming pots. There's no decor except…
Yaoundé
One of Yaoundé's older Chinese restaurants, this one has nice tables set under a wide porch, and a comprehensive menu. It's good if you're ready for a…
Conakry
Classy, expat-popular, American-style diner serving oversized burgers stuffed with cheddar cheese, pickles and salads. It also does fish 'n' chips and…
Lagos
Well-presented Nigerian dishes in swish surroundings. It's carried off well, with tasty dishes in reasonable portions and good service – a great way to…
Brazzaville
Classic French dishes such as confit de canard and steak and chips are the lifeblood of this classy city-centre dining option. You can eat out on the…
Yaoundé
Fresh and well-prepared Turkish food is served up swiftly at this smart terrace restaurant (with an even smarter inside dining room complete with white…
Lomé
You'll find no cheaper place for a sit-down meal in the centre. It's very much a canteen, but a good one, with friendly service and copious African dishes…
Bissau
The Portuguese owner has created a relatively serene space, far from the centre on the way out to the airport. Food quality tends to vary. Popular with…
Cabo Verde
Locals flock to this simple Portuguese-run restaurant for the amazing grilled tuna belly (barriga de atum), skewered and served with potatoes on a…
Libreville
This is a pleasant place for breakfast, serving coffee, croissants and cakes. It's large inside, and has a few tables and bar stools outside, too. The…
Cameroon
This market at Kribi's marina grills the day's catch over coals. From crab and lobster to massive barracuda, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better and…
Cameroon
The best and most stylish takeaway patisserie and boulangerie (bakery) in town, founded 1968. The wood-lined interior is decorated with carnival masks…
Monrovia
Celebrated by expats for its transcendent tuna salad, Monrovia's top sushi bar feels very glamorous with smart leather chairs, sleek black tables and a…
Conakry
Le Gentilhommière Plus doesn't look all that much from the outside, but the bamboo, thatch and calabash interior invites you to stick around a while, as…
Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts
Aside from its cultural offerings, the restaurant of the Alliance Française does cheap, tasty meals of the day. For coffee or a drink, the bar stays open…
São Tomé & Príncipe
Run by the former chef at Bom Bom resort, this humble gem punches well above its weight. The very clean kitchen turns out a dinner menu each night. Also…
Cameroon
This cute little shack in Nkwen Nkwen, Bamenda, with red tablecloths and friendly service, serves up simple Cameroonian fare such as fried chicken and…
Lagos
A lovely little cafe-pub which also sells arts and crafts. It does good coffee and snacks, and the laid-back arty vibe is a nice contrast to the bland…
Boa Vista
Grab a table in the back-room restaurant of this friendly traditional spot on the northeast side of Sal Rei's plaza for a simple and inexpensive meal of…
São Tomé
Across the road from the sea, the outdoor patio of this ever-popular cafe is the place to be for beautiful morning seaviews, and for breakfast any time…
Cotonou
This fine establishment serves delicate French cuisine and features an extensive wine list. The old colonial dining room is the perfect setting for a…
Cabo Verde
On the main street leading up from Nova Sintra's square, this restaurant with a terrace serves decent fish and meat dishes off a picture menu. There's…
Cameroon
A central breakfast spot serving fresh juices, pastries, omelettes and coffees. There's an ice-cream counter, a gilded zebra-patterned screen and a…
Santo Antão
A down-home place near the main plaza with a courtyard (and partial mountain views). Come for pork cutlets, fried fish, spaghetti and good-value lunch…
Monrovia
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…
Lomé
Welcoming, reliable and in a good location at the Kodjoviakopé end of the Blvd Circulaire, this place offers a great selection of steamed dumplings and…
São Tomé
The best of the many restaurant shacks lining Parque Popular, this simple thatched hut packs an enormous punch with its fish of the day, as its many…
Guinea-Bissau
Authentic wood-oven pizza and other Italian dishes served up in a nice al fresco dining area by the gracious Spanish owner/chef. A short walk up from the…
Nouakchott
Located northeast of the centre, not exactly convenient for the short term traveller, Atac is the largest, most comprehensive grocery store in Nouakchott.
Senegal
A simple sit-down eatery with a limited menu of good home-cooking, usually along the lines of poulet yassa and grilled fish of the day.
