Eating & Drinking Out

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EATING & DRINKING OUT IN THE GAMBIA

The Gambia has a wide variety of bars and restaurants. In the main resort areas of Fajara, Kololi and Kotu you will be spoilt for choice (Chinese, French, Italian, Indian, Lebanese, Thai etc.) and most hotels have their own a la carte restaurants too.

However, if you would prefer to try some of the local cuisine (which we love) then the following are most commonly found on the menu:-

Benachin: chicken, beef or fish cooked in a tomato-based sauce with garlic and peppers
Yassa: chicken served with fried onions and pepper
Domada: chicken served in a peanut, tomato and pepper sauce (not dissimilar in taste to satay sauce)
Afra: signifies barbecued food

(Recipes for the above can be found in the Culture section of http://www.africanculture.dk/gambia)

Alternatively, if you fancy catching your own dinner, then why not come fishing with us. See Gambia Fishing Trips for more information.

Most hotels and bars serve a selection of local and internationally branded drinks. The local beer is called Julbrew, which you seem to be able to drink in copious amounts with no discernible hangover the following day and only a touch of wind!

The cost of eating and drinking out varies depending on where you are. A meal can cost anything from 25 Dalasi for a plate of benachin or domada and rice from a street vendor, to over 500 Dalasi for a main meal at one of the more upmarket restaurants. And, as anywhere else in the world, the price you pay is no indication of the quality or quantity of food that you will be served.

Some of our 'less expensive' favourites include: -

MacDomara's (Bakau), Mr Bass Happy Corner (Cape Point), Francisco's (Fajara), Leybato (Fajara), Churchills (Palma Rima junction), and Paradiso Pizza Restaurant (Senegambia).

Calypso (Cape point) has a fantastic beach front location and is another of our favourite haunts, but prices have increased.

For something a bit more 'upmarket' we recommend The Butchers Shop on Kairaba Avenue, Fajara (beware the Sales Tax 'not included' in the evenings), the Clay Oven Indian Restaurant, Fajara or the Jade Kylin Chinese Restaurant, Senegambia.

And for something 'away from it all' try the little Italian restaurant on the banks of the Alahein river, after Kartung where you can sit and watch the dug out canoes ferrying passengers over to Southern Senegal.

(Please note that during the 'Off-Peak' Season of June - October opening hours are subject to change and some places close down entirely.)

A rough price guide for drinks (as at October 2007) is as follows:-

	Hotel	Local Bar	Shop
Bottled Julbrew	80 Dalasi	30 Dalasi	25 Dalasi
Imported Bottled Beer	100 Dalasi	50 Dalasi	30 Dalasi
Branded Spirits	80 Dalasi (shot)	50 Dalasi (shot)	500 Dalasi (bottle)
Wine	80 Dalasi (glass)	50 Dalasi (glass)	250 Dalasi (bottle)
Bottled Soft Drinks	40 Dalasi	20 Dalasi	12 Dalasi
Bottled Water 1.5l	50 Dalasi	30 Dalasi	25 Dalasi

Please note that the Dalasi has appreciated against all major currencies, and rates are fluctuating daily. we therefore suggest that you check out your local travel agent and/or bank plus http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic (select your currency, Gambia Dalasi and typical cash rate) for the current rate of exchange. For more information on changing money in The Gambia, please see our Money page.