Local Restaurants
To experience the most the country has to offer it is well
worth considering eating out in Gambia especially in and around the
resort areas of Kotu, Kololi, Bakau, Cape Point & other areas as that
is where the concentration of eateries is at its greatest. The local cuisine
served in these areas tends to be the 'real deal' as
opposed to some of the more bland options served in hotel restaurants. The capital
of Banjul only has a handful of places.
The first good reason
for eating out locally are that there are dozens of good quality
restaurants in the tourist resort areas so there is a wide variety of places to eat
serving genuine Gambian dishes as well as international cuisine such as Indian,
Chinese and Italian dishes. Secondly it helps put more
of your tourist money back
into the local economy.
Local Barbecues / Afra
The
other kind of dining available and much appreciated by the locals
particularly in the evenings are
the local barbecues or 'Afra' takeaways. They are normally located on
the roadside and you choose a meat joint of either chicken, lamb or goat
which is then tossed onto a very hot charcoal
grill and cooked with onions and / or a mustard sauce. However in
order to help avoid the dreaded 'Banjul Belly'
it is best to avoid the chicken option.
Beach Bars & Restaurants
There
are dozens of beach side restaurants which have sprung up over the
past few years as road access to the beaches has improved. The
ingredients used tends to be fresh and organic and there is the added
benefit of dining while appreciating great sea views. One great place
to try is Solomon's located on Kololi beach about 2 minutes walk from Palma Rima
Hotel. Their fish grills are second to none as they buy there food
directly from Tanji fish market.
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Types of Food
Most Gambian
cooking consists of rice served with a hot spicy sauce though if
your taste buds can't handle it local
restaurants
are well able to tone it down for you. The three favourite
culinary delights you should consider trying are 'Chicken
Yassa' (chicken cooked in plenty of onions), 'Domoda'
(beef, chicken or fish cooked in peanut butter) and Jollof Rice
or 'Benachin'
(rice cooked in sauce served with chicken, fish or beef and
vegetables).
For everyday meals:
Informal food stalls: Many Gambian women own small food stalls
near their compounds, from which they cook and sell very cheaply
priced sandwiches and Gambian dishes. The fare might include
chicken, steak sandwiches, fish ball sandwiches, cassava and
beans (nyambe nyebe), chips, etc.
Rhun Palm Restaurant, run by the President’s Award Scheme
(across the road from the Friendship Hotel complex) has
delicious and filling Gambian dishes. In the evening, there is a
full-service restaurant where you can get a sit down meal for
relatively low prices, but the best deal is the large portion of
delicious African food for less than a dollar, served from
afternoon to late evening. Sometimes food is available at the
asking, but it is best to stop over about 45 minutes to an hour
before you are hoping to eat. Chicken yassa is almost always
available; other dishes such as domoda or fish benachin make
appearances as well. About $1.25-$2.70 menu, $0.90 Gambian dish.
YMCA is an attractive option if you are in the MDI Road area for
classes. They make sandwiches, soup, and Gambian dishes for
Gambian prices; cold soft drinks are also available. About
$0.55-$1.25 menu, $0.70 Gambian dish. (79)
Safari Restaurant: Plates of African food in the afternoon,
cheap prices, local atmosphere. To the left of the Observer
Newspaper building. About $0.55-$0.70 for a plate.
More expensive:
McFadi’s: American, Lebanese, and Gambian dishes are sold at
this Kairaba Avenue restaurant. It looks like a fast food place,
and indeed the service is quick. Fare includes wraps, burgers,
and chicken wings. Located across the street from the U.S.
Embassy. About $1.80-$4.00. (55)
MacDamaro Pizza: Good brick oven pizza, outside dining, and
friendly service. A plain large pizza (more than enough for one
person) costs about $4.00. Located on Kairaba Avenue in Fajara,
between Garba Jahumpa Road and Badala Highway.
Leybato: Convenient location for a meal at the beach. They serve
a large variety of dishes (chicken, vegetable, seafood, etc)
including Gambian dishes, which vary daily but are often
“finished” by evening. Gambian dishes are cheapest at about
$1.80; other plates vary between about $2.20-$7.10, perhaps a
little more for meat. Soft drinks are about $0.70, Julbrews are
about $1.10. Located at Leybato Beach; follow the signs where
the end of Kairaba Avenue intersects with Atlantic Avenue. (1)
Bamboo Garden Chinese Food: Beautiful setting; the name is apt
for describing the outdoor seating. Good service, delicious
Chinese food. Located in Fajara, off Kairaba Avenue. Look for
the signs in between Garba Jahumpa Road and Atlantic Avenue (it
is closer to the Atlantic Avenue end). (28)
Luigi’s: Said to have the best pizza in The Gambia; also serve a
variety of Italian appetizers and plates. Nice setting, outdoor
seating in view of the ocean. You will have to take a town trip
to get here. Located before Senegambia, on Palma-Rima Road. Take
a right at the Palma-Rima Hotel; Luigi’s is on the left, close
to the end.
Malawi’s: A great place to hit on Friday night, when they offer
an all-you-can-eat buffet for about $5.70, which includes an
assortment of foods, bordering on American-like (think fried).
The desserts are to die for, cakes and pies and pudding. The
Sunday roast has also had good reviews, it’s a little cheaper
than the buffet at about $3.60 per person. Located on the road
behind Kairaba Avenue; the easiest way to reach it is to take
Faculty Building Road and make a right onto the last road before
Kairaba. Look for signs.
Shang-Hi: Good Chinese food at good prices at a good location,
next to St. Mary’s Food and Wine on Kairaba Avenue. About
$5.70-$7.10 per plate. (49)
King Burger: Convenient place to eat before a Thursday night
(9:00 pm) cultural performance at neighbouring Palma-Rima Hotel.
A bit pricey; expect to pay at least $5.70 a plate. Good
variety; baguettes and burgers are highly recommended.
Butcher Shop: This is more expensive option, but to put things
in perspective, you’d pay more for Applebee’s in the States than
for this luxurious experience in The Gambia. Fancy dining,
delicious cuisine, this place is highly recommended by both tour
books and my cohort of St. Mary’s students. At least $8.90 per
plate (though this is the price of most specials). Located in
Fajara, on Kairaba Avenue, between Garba Jahumpa Road and
Atlantic Avenue. (26)
Clay Oven: Very expensive but offers a unique dining experience.
Variety of Indian foods, and if you don’t understand the menu,
simply ask—the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Beautiful
atmosphere, attractive and tasty dishes. Expect to pay about
$18.00 at least if you play by the rules and order all three
courses; corners can be cut by sharing. Off of Atlantic
Road—look for the sign between the Medical Research Council
(MRC) and the intersection with Kairaba Avenue. (25)
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