Nairobi
Love it or hate it, Carnivore serves up Kenya's most famous nyama choma (barbecued meat) – it's been an icon for tourists, expats and wealthier locals for…
Must-see restaurants in East Africa
Nairobi
This classy cafe-bar-restaurant remains fashionable with the Karen in-crowd and it rivals any of Kenya’s top eateries for imaginative international food…
Zanzibar Town
The top spot in Zanzibar for a serious cup of genuine East African Rift Valley coffee is undoubtedly this charming cafe. Alongside espressos and…
Southern Highlands
A brick homestead turned cafe serving big breakfasts, including granola and fresh coffee (Tsh10,000); wraps, burgers and toasties for lunch (from Tsh5000)…
Kenya
Inhabiting a marvellous fig tree overlooking the Burguret River, alongside colobus monkeys and tree hyraxes, this is one of the most original places to…
Nairobi
Out beyond Milimani in the west, Roadhouse Grill is widely touted by locals as the best place for nyama choma (barbecued meat). The meat (choose the goat)…
Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar's most photogenic restaurant is perched on a coral outcrop in a stunning location surrounded by sea. At low tide you can walk to it; at other…
Nairobi
The Coffee Garden offers diners five areas in which to enjoy its varied menu, including the plush L’Amour dining room, the historic 1901 Swedo House and…
Kigali
Run by an Italian chef, this upmarket venue wouldn’t be out of place in Milano, and gets top marks for its flawlessly prepared Italian specialties,…
Zanzibar Island
After a hard morning's kitesurfing, or maybe after a hard night's partying, this is the place for a top-notch espresso or cappuccino, accompanied by a…
Lake Naivasha
Farm-to-table sustainable cuisine is more exciting when there are giraffes and hippos to spy on in the distance. The signature eatery at Sanctuary Farm is…
Arusha
The pick of the garden restaurants that are a recurring theme in Arusha's east, the Blue Heron gets the tricky combination of lounge bar and family…
Western Tanzania
Tabora’s top dining spot has a mix of local and continental food, with pizza and Indian available during dinner. There’s dining indoors and in the outside…
Kigali
A highlight of the Kigali restaurant scene, Heaven has a relaxed, open-air deck bistro with a wide-ranging menu drawing from a variety of international…
Emerson Spice Rooftop Teahouse
Zanzibar Town
Perched on top of the Emerson Spice hotel, the 'teahouse' (open-sided room) offers 360-degree views and some of the finest food in Stone Town. Many guests…
Nairobi
Fish dominates the menu here: the whole fried tilapia from Lake Nakuru is the signature dish, especially when ordered with ugali (a maize or cassava-flour…
Southern Highlands
Located upstairs at Neema Crafts, this cafe is justifiably popular, with local coffees and teas, homemade cookies, excellent cinnamon buns, cakes, soups,…
Dar es Salaam
Addis in Dar is decorated with embroidered umbrella lampshades, hand-carved seats and woven tables where food is served communally. Try a combination meal…
South Coast
Without doubt the finest restaurant around Mombasa, Tamarind looks out over the harbour. Laced with high white arches, this refined restaurant has a…
Nairobi
Roast camel, fried goat and plenty of pilau rice dishes just like Somalis and like-minded Kenyans love them make this busy 1st-floor place a hit,…
Dar es Salaam
From the high sheen of the marble-tiled floors to the elegant Asian-inspired furnishings, gloved waiters and immaculate sushi bar, the Hyatt's gourmet…
Jinja
This industrial-chic deli and cafe is just the trick for homesick travellers. Tasty espresso drinks, brownies, lovely oversized salads, nachos and…
Entebbe
With a conscientious Thai owner, this restaurant more than delivers with fresh lemongrass in your coconut soup, a red curry both light and spicy, icy beer…
Lake Naivasha
Opened in 2014, Ranch House Bistro is easily the best of the lakeside eating options. The food is expertly prepared and ranges across pizzas from the clay…
Kampala
This upmarket open-air Italian restaurant occupies a sprawling wood deck in a tropical garden, lit at night with kerosene lamps. The Italian chef creates…
Nanyuki
This one-time Nairobi favourite has upped sticks and headed north to Nanyuki. The fare, overseen to every last detail by owner Maike Potgieter, is superb,…
Diani Beach
By far the most stylish place to eat in Diani, Sails is gorgeous: a canopy of billowing white canvas separates the restaurant from the stars, while…
Arusha
Delicious Indian food – including southern Indian specialities, plus some Punjabi and other dishes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian – is on offer here…
Arusha
This Arusha institution is an auto-spares shop by day (look for the Zubeda Auto Spares sign) and the best known of many earthy roadside barbecues around…
Lamu Island
We're still waxing lyrical about our last meal at this amazing restaurant. Choose between global offerings, such as tuna ceviche, Philly cheese steak…
Kampala
Regarded by many as the best Indian in town and even far beyond, classy Khazana is a great place to treat yourself. It features atmospheric Rajasthani…
Southern Rift Valley
A popular weekend activity, if you can call it that, is to charter a boat and hop across to Island Camp's sleek restaurant for lunch. The buffet includes…
Southern Highlands
If you have your own transport, this spot, 20km west of Mbeya, is the place to go for fine dining, with both a daily set menu and à la carte, and a bar…
Uganda
Gulu's hipsters flood this cute garden cafe serving wood-fired pizzas, burgers and Mexican fare. It's owned by a Portland native, which ensures quality…
Dar es Salaam
Chapan Bhog’s Gujurati dhoklas (savoury steamed chickpea cakes), South Indian dosas (fermented crêpes) and thalis are a vegetarian nirvana in a sea of…
Kisumu
Surrounded by colourful murals and potted palms, the Green Garden is an oasis of culinary delight set in an Italian-themed courtyard. As you would expect,…
Eastern Uganda
This popular Indian restaurant delivers delicious flavours from the tandoor. The chicken tikka masala is melt-in-your-mouth good, plus there's excellent…
Diani Beach
One of the best restaurants in Diani, Nomad benefits from stellar sea views from its terrace and a talented chef who cooks up such culinary magic as…
Zanzibar Town
Probably the best local restaurant for quality Zanzibari food. There's no menu: just make your way inside to the 1950s counter and see what's on offer…
Eldoret
This formal, dark and spicy Indian restaurant serves superb, real-deal curries. Portion sizes are decent and if you mop up all the gravy with a freshly…
