Take a culinary journey with us from Cote D’Ivoire’s capital city of Abidjan to Yamoussoukro, Grand Bassam and San Pedro and discover of a foodies’ paradise along West Africa’s Atlantic coast.
Cote d’Ivoire is a country of gastronomical choices…with the French African influence, coupled with one of West Africa’s earliest cosmopolitan cities, there are a plethora of dining options to choose. Though Cote d’Ivoire has many interesting cities to choose, Abidjan, Yamousoukkro, Grand Bassam and San Pedro offers great opportunities for dining experiences. When the menu boasts warm Chocolate Tart Raspberry Coulis And Cocoa Brandy Sorbet, you know you must be in the world’s number one producer of cocoa territory.
The Ivorian diet is based on tubers, grains, pig, chicken, seafood, fish, fresh fruits, vegetables and spices. It is very similar to that of neighboring countries in West Africa. Common staple foods include grains and tubers.
Cassava and plantains are significant parts of Ivorian cuisine. A corn paste called aitiu is used to prepare corn balls, and peanuts are widely used in dishes. Attiéké is a popular side dish in Côte d’Ivoire made with grated cassava and is very similar in taste and consistency to couscous. A common street-vended food is alloco, which is ripe plantain banana fried in palm oil, spiced with a spicy sauce made of onions and chili. It can be eaten alone as a snack or often with a hard-boiled egg, as well as a side dish.
Grilled fish and grilled chicken are the most popular non-vegetarian foods. Lean, low-fat Guinea fowl, which is popular in the region, is commonly referred as poulet bicyclette. Seafood includes tuna, sardines, shrimp and bonito. Smoked fish is also common, as it is all over West Africa.
Maafe (pronounced “mafeh”) is a common dish consisting of meat in a peanut sauce.
Slow-simmered stews with various ingredients are another common food staple in Côte d’Ivoire. Kedjenou is a spicy stew consisting of chicken and vegetables that are slow-cooked in a sealed pot with little or no added liquid. This concentrates the flavors of the chicken and vegetables and tenderizes the chicken. It’s usually cooked in a pottery jar called a canari, over a low fire, or cooked in an oven.
ABIDJAN
Le Montparnasse Restaurant
This Art Deco and dimly lit restaurant served as the setting for the film Les Rayures du Zèbre with Benoît Poelvoorde in 2013. Le Montparnasse is frequented by expatriates and the local bourgeoisie. The Italian trattoria offers a divine risotto with foie gras and oyster mushrooms and a homemade tiramisu to die for. On the French brasserie side, various seafood specialties and iodized platters are recommended, as are the meats (Chateaubriand steak, pork knuckle…). Heartwarming welcome.
Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Opens 7:30PM
Phone: +225 27 21 5 19739
Le Jardin Gourmand
A gastronomic reference in Abidjan, Le Jardin gourmand is run by Jacques Lainé, a Burgundian restaurateur who ran Les Trois Mousquetaires, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Cotonou (Benin). Here, the intimate setting in the large living room, the veranda and the private garden offers “haute couture” cuisine: sweetbreads with truffles; crab millefeuille; Roasted scallops, revered black rice, Stewed Pig’s Head , Warm Chocolate Tart Raspberry Coulis And Cocoa Brandy Sorbet, Thin Warm Tart With Calvados Sorbet Apples, Veal Sweetbreads With Truffles, Small Legs ff Frogs Garlic Mousse Parsley Coulis, Poached Eggs in Meurette A la Bourguignonne and more. … Efficient and discreet staff, delicate presentation, exquisite flavors on the palate and prices accordingly. Exceptional cellar featuring 250 different wines carefully selected by the master of the place.
Marcory Zone 4C, 16, Rue du Docteur Blanchard Abidjan.
+225 27 21 25 06 03
Jardyland
Located in the heart of Cocody, Jardyland welcomes you in a natural, relaxed and chic setting. Excellent food featuring a selection of delectables from fish, shellfish, grills, salads, desserts, to pizza. Enjoy delicious cocktails that have made the reputation of Jardyland for more than 20 years now.
Always the same but so different, there are three menus for lunch and dinner at this informal and cheerful dining hotspot.
2 plateaux-Vallon, Rue du commissariat du 12éme. ardt.Abidian
+225 27 22 41 68 76/ +225 01 51 81 56 30
Email: info@restaurantjardyland.com
La Croisette
The chic La Croisette stands tall when it comes to the great French and European classics and n the clientele (ministers and politicians and big bosses…). The cuisine, Belle Epoque decor, the service, and the designation of the dishes, are meant to be refined. The VIP side is part of the game. Recommended for business meals, particularly for lunch, but which opens up to another public in the evening during live concerts (rumba…), games, karaoke, etc.
Boulevard Botreau Roussel, Plateau Abidjan
+ 225 27 20 21 27 86
Restaurant Kajazoma
Kajazoma is a house with an air-conditioned hall, an apatam restaurant-gallery and lounges built around an elegant little swimming pool. In the decor, everything is for sale: paintings, Ashanti stools, masks, statues, lamps and designer furniture, created by Jeanine Zogo, the owner.
The cuisine mixes Ivorian, Cameroonian and European influences: fish en papillote, filet de Ferké, avocado-mango gambas, “kajazauces” (Cameroonian ndolé). Original and good, but the waiting time is a bit long. The Kajazoma experience remains a must-try in Abidjan.
Situated in a quiet location, Kajazoma restaurant modern designs features a beautiful terrace and courtyard.
+225 27 22 4 17862
Cocody Deux Plateaux, Boulevard Latrille (et rue K6) Abidjan
Restaurant Regina Margherita
This authentic Neapolitan culinary getaway has a spacious, elegant and bright setting with high ceilings. One appreciates the personalized welcome of Peppe who asks about his clients’ satisfaction. In the plate, a festival of flavours that has nothing to envy to the restaurants of La Botte, including the best pizzas of Abidjan, prepared in the Neapolitan tradition, but also excellent mixed salads, fresh pasta and tasty risottos or melting tagliatta di tonno. Tutto bene! Superb wine and liquor cellar.
+225 22 52 30 26
Cocody Deux Plateaux, L 2 (et rue J49) Abidjan
Le toit d’Abidjan
In a classy setting with a panoramic view, located on the 23rd floor of the mythical Sofitel Ivoire tower, Chef Jérôme Cartailler handles the great classics of French gastronomy sublimated with Ivorian sauce, and sprinkled with Asian touches. Pan-fried foie gras, smoked salmon, pan-fried beef fillet tournedos with porcini mushrooms; old-fashioned demi-glace yam gratin; tenderloin and rack of lamb in an almond crust; tian of vegetables and cumin juice; fennel and lobster salad with avocado compote, or beetroot carpaccio with wasabi butter… Great style cuisine.
Cocody Ambassades, Boulevard Hassan II, Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire Abidjan
+225 27 22 48 26 26
Chez RICHARD’S
Richard is the boss of this grand arty style brasserie, with its pretty lights and paintings. On the menu, fine seafood (oysters, scallops, tuna, lobster, crayfish), and tasty meats, sometimes Angus. We can cite the memorable fillets of scorpion fish with chorizo and asparagus, the stuffed roast suckling pig, the beef cheek and its grandmother’s mash… and fusion dishes such as sea bream or Thai tuna ceviche, beef roll…. For dessert, the Paris-Abidjan (sorry: the Paris-Brest) is “badly sweet” as they say!
Marcory Zone 4A, Rue Clément Ader (et Thomas Edison) Abidjan
+225 07 77 01 00 29
Le Grand Large
Here is one of the best gastronomic tables in Abidjan, offering market cuisine. The star of the menu: fish, but also Aubrac meat, truffle or foie gras. A la carte, only high-flying products: carpaccios and tartars, foie gras ravioli with morel mushrooms, Saint-Pierre with beans, saffron king prawns on a bed of leeks, scallops, lamb confit parmentier, risotto of the woods, sweet banana tart flambéed with rum and chocolate, dome or timbale Valrhona… A festival. Beautiful selection of distinguished wines.
Marcory Zone 4B, 149, Boulevard de Marseille (rue Thomas Edison) Abidjan
+ 225 21 24 21 13
Le Mechoui
Le Méchoui in a distinguished setting with rooms just renovated and trendy lines, features above all a garden with terrace, swimming pool and an unobstructed view of the lagoon. It is the quality of the welcome and that of the delicious Lebanese cuisine that have made this restaurant one of the most popular in Abidjan. Grilled over a wood fire and classic specialties from the Pays du Cèdre: cold, hot, flambéed mezes, etc. The new bar is also a marvel since its renovation. A place to test urgently.
Marcory Biétry, Boulevard de Marseille bord de lagune (à l’Athletic Club) Abidjan
+225 27 21 24 68 93
Pasta e Pizza
An upscale restaurant with a post-industrial decor, Pasta e Pizza has a brigade of Italians in the kitchen. Eduardo, a talented sommelier, uses ingredients imported from Italy. The open kitchen inspires confidence, and the menu goes straight to the point with thin, crispy pizzas. The Tartuffo (mascarpone, truffle oil, arugula, parmesan) is a big hit. Our suggestions? Tuna tartar, burrata salad, bresaola pizza, shrimp risotto, and for dessert, panna cotta and tiramisu. Tutto a posto!
Plateau, Avenue Chardy Abidjan
+225 07 79 79 60 60
Di Sorrento
A historic address, open since 1965, Di Sorrento is set in the beautiful, lush garden of a villa. It consists of a central straw hut-bar, tables nestled under private ventilated apatams, their privacy carefully preserved by green hedges. In addition to the courteous welcome and diligent service, the plates are generous and the products very fresh. Our recommendations: pizzas – of course! -carpaccio, seafood mix-grill, lasagne, osso buco. La dolce vita à l’ivoirienne.
Marcory Zone 4B, Boulevard de Marseille – bord de lagune Abidjan
+225 21 35 57 75
le Che Café
The Che Café is a nice bar in the Zone. The setting, Graffiti style requires, includes a vintage Chrysler built into the walls, a solid wood bar and leather armchairs, both on the ground floor and upstairs. On the walls, wrought iron sconces and shots of the libertadore, embellished with a breathtaking view of the wine cellar, to be enjoyed with a delicious plancha of meat. Cuban bonus: a good choice of cigars. Note that Le Che Café is the meeting place for bikers from Abidjan, the Elephant’s Bikers, Quito the owner being himself a biker.
Marcory Zone 4C, rue du 7 Décembre (et rue G64) Abidjan
+225 07 07 98 49 60
La Maison de la Crepe
Wash down a bowl of cider with buckwheat pancakes such as Saint-Brieuc (leek and scallop fondue) or Lorientaise (goat cheese, honey, walnuts, salad). The unique and delectable pancakes inlcude original creations like the Druide (pineapple, salted butter caramel, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream). Dine in the beautiful garden setting with a wooded area where tables and lounges are spread around a pond, or in the dining room with Celtic music.
Marcory Biétry, Boulevard de Marseille (pas loin de Notre-Dame d’Afrique) Abidjan
+225 07 47 34 93 99
La Taverne Romaine
A VIP tavern, but a tavern all the same, this Italian house offers a lively and friendly atmosphere, like a family and business canteen (especially at lunchtime), but a bit cramped. The menu relies on mastered Italian classics such as gnocchi, lasagna and homemade ravioli, focaccia, Angus rib steak, truffle pizza… It is enriched every Wednesday with a royal couscous, and on Fridays and Sundays with a paella. The setting is bright, the service well run. We like: the amuse-bouche, the neat Italian desserts and the house digestives.
Plateau, Rue Paris Village (entre Bd de Gaule et Avenue Chardy) Abidjan
+225 27 20 21 89 51
La Pagode
Great classic of Vietnamese cuisine in Abidjan, La Pagode executes to perfection hu tieu sautéed duck, lacquered chicken, lobster (depending on arrival) in sweet and sour or spicy sauce, delicious bo bun and rice casserole at the top, and of course the traditional variation of preparations based on meat, poultry, fish and seafood. Finesse of flavours, cooking and textures, lightness of cooking and prices. Finally, the small room (often full, better to reserve), with its oriental boudoir decoration, exudes a soothing atmosphere.
Boulevard Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (et rue G14) Abidjan
+225 21 35 62 71
Norima
Christelle and Franck, owners of the brand, have a sense of concept, hospitality and gastronomy. Norima is a nice bar doubled as an excellent restaurant. Nourished by the culinary influences of Texas, North Carolina and Georgia where they lived, these two young Ivorians sublimate the flavors made in the USA with local ingredients. The menu offers pasta, Tex-Mex assortments, mixed salads, burgers (including the amazing Catfish and Camembert Burgers), delicious Cajun specialties… It’s good and well presented, elegant like the place.
Cocody Deux Plateaux, Rue J81 (et rue J50) Abidjan
+225 27 22 51 03 14
Villa THOANNYD
Villa Thoannyd is a new space in Cocody centered on art, food and African culture in general. From the architecture of Tiébélé to Afrofuturism, the villa declines an aestheticism pushed in a pretty patio centered on a beautiful swimming pool. There is an oriental lounge area with poufs and sofa and tables on the restaurant side. On the menu, gourmet dishes, for example, banana and yam akpessi as a starter, caramelized pork ribs with Korhogo honey or grouper skewers with pesto as a main course. Appetizing, no? Nice selection of wines and cocktails.
Cocody Angré, Rue L169 et rue L40 – 7eme Tranche Abidjan
+225 76 76 88 58
Aboussouan
Aboussouan, in agni (Akan language), means “family”. At this restaurant, the warm welcome since 1978 has kept patrons coming back. The canopy foliage of greenery under the arcades of the building, the ornate wooden doors invite you on a wonderful gastronomic journey with mutton from Banfora, guinea fowl from Ferké, agouti from the savannah, porcupine from Toumoudi, lobster from Grand-Béréby, carp from Fresco… Aboussouan also has a cellar (rne) of Ali Baba, L’Esprit du vigne, full of good vintages. A safe bet.
Treichville Appolo, Bd Delafosse (et avenue 13) Abidjan
+225 27 21 24 13 09
Chez Hélène
This little find is a must. Hélène, a specialist in braises, offers a basic menu, consisting mainly of chicken, beef, fish and snails pricked or braised or even served on skewers, accompanied by fries, alloco, rice or attiéké and washed down with local beer. Try at least once (especially the braised chicken and the beef skewers), while taking the pulse of popular Ivorian nightlife.
Cocody Deux Plateaux, Allée de la pharmacie Comoé Abidjan
+225 07 07 61 83 01
Chez Chantal
Experience unique seafood with top quality ingredients. Chez Chantal is a great hangout for friends in a modest and comfortable setting, with the exceptional dishes.
Try the fisherman’s soup with (fish, shrimp, snails and carbs with red oil attiéké. A pure delight! You can choose from variety fish and seafood (machoiron, carp.) including crab, shrimp and snails. Select what you want in your soup and they cook it or place on the grill.
Rue des Caraibes, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
+225 57797072
Ô Feu De Bois
Experience this down-home African restaurant in the intimate setting, between the terrace of the villa or the cozy interior. The staff is attentive. O Feu De Bois feels like Mom’s cooking with an exciting menu including n’dolé, n’domba, smoked and braised chicken, squid and prawns with ginger, smoked chicken with chilli, partridge kédjénou, and Cameroonian allioko… served in generous quantities and more.
Marcory Zone 4C, Rue Paul Langevin (petit rue perpendiculaire) en face l’école des 7 nains Abidjan
+225 07 88 01 01 42
GRAND BASSAM
La Case Bleue
La Case bleue is one of the best restaurants in Grand-Bassam, at a reasonable price. The chic industrial-style decor highlights the ample volumes and high ceilings of the colonial building. You can set your sights on Ivorian flavors (kédjénous, gnangnan of guinea fowl, smoked rabbit soup, sautéed snails…) and French (hunter rabbit, beef bourguignon, grilled meats…) and Cameroonian specialties (DG chicken), and Caribbean (Creole stuffed crab, cod fritters, charred pork, etc.). Elegant cuisine, full of finesse and sensitivity.
+225 07 09 02 90 20
Assoyam, côté lagune Grand-Bassam
Les Moutons De La Pizza
This pizzeria run by Gaëtan Margarido, a friendly boss, mixes red and white gingham, woodwork and vintage oil lamps in its decor. The pizzas made from ultra-fresh products are cooked over a wood fire. In addition to the Italian classics, we taste here creative “badly sweet” pizzas, such as “Mister Billy: C’jha! (tomatoes and mozzarella, potato leaves, fresh fish, chilli), the “Adja: Dougou kady tchrouuu…” (tomatoes and mozzarella, chicken marinated in basil, shea butter), the “Mouton: Let’s only go” (fresh cream -mozza, marinated chicken, peanuts). To fall.
+225 07 89 38 39 86
Boulevard lagunaire, devant le Pont de la Victoire Grand-Bassam
Assoyam Beach
It is the best address in Bassam to stay by the sea. But it is often full! Located on a vast plot of land with its feet in the sand facing the ocean, this family hotel renovated in 2017 has 30 bungalows decorated with a nice mix of spaciousness, various types of wood and elegant design enhanced by local fabrics. Almost deserted during the week, it welcomes families on weekends to relax around the seawater pool or on the private beach lined with deck chairs. The bistronomic restaurant is a good place to try
+225 21 30 15 57
Route d’Azuretti, Quartier France Grand-Bassam
Le Quai
Small picturesque and friendly lagoon restaurant where the atmosphere smells good of pastis, OM and friends first. Christian, owner of Marseille, offers French regional cuisine, giving pride of place to butcher’s cuts (flank steak with shallots, fillet of beef with green pepper sauce…) and Ivorian specialties (grandpa soup, kédjénou), fish fresh (sea bass, captain, grouper, carp…) caught and delivered the same day and good pizzas cooked over a wood fire. Vast terrace on the lagoon, shaded by an extraordinary germinalia illuminated by lamps at night.
+225 07 07 69 69 75
Assoyam, Boulevard Lagunaire Grand-Bassam
La Taverne Bassamoise
From the entrance, a huge rubber inhabited by painted wooden monkeys and parrots welcomes visitors. The straw huts are planted in a vast garden of coconut palms. Masks, statuettes and works of art of all kinds adorn every corner of this hotel-museum which seems straight out of Tintin’s “Broken Ear”. Clean and comfortable rooms in vintage African rustic style (batiks, masks, bamboo furniture, rattan lamps, etc.), bar-restaurant on the terrace. Large swimming pool and pleasant private beach.
+225 21 30 10 62
Grand-Bassam
Coco Grill
This is the new bobo chic place adopted by the Abidjan people on weekends to eat well in Grand-Bassam. Besides, Sunday is yoga and brunch! On the menu, chicken with four spices, leg of lamb and its beautiful salad, Coco Grill sows a lot of freshness on its plates. Its main asset: a magnificent setting with a tropical bar on a large wooden terrace and under a hut. You can linger there all evening thanks to bright creative cocktails, well balanced and pretty to look at and a musical background orchestrated by a DJ.
+225 07 97 57 98 57
Quartier France, En face du dispensaire urbain Grand-Bassam
La Paillote
Located in the France district, La Paillote, opened in 1958, has become the “New” Paillote, but in reality, we are not going to lie to each other: the establishment has lived and would benefit from a makeover, in particular the rooms (bathrooms dilapidated baths, poorly regulated air conditioning, basic comfort, etc.). The undeniable assets of the place are its immense swimming pool with sea water overlooking the ocean, the spacious terrace and its small huts, the deckchairs under coconut trees, a clean and shaded private beach. Advice: it is better to have lunch there than to sleep there.
+225 21 30 10 76
Quartier France, Boulevard Treich-Laplène Grand-Bassam
YAMOUSSOUKRO
CHEZ MARIO
An excellent address, as much for its pleasant setting and its quality of welcome as for the flavors of an artistic cuisine, faithful to the passion of the Italians for preparing good dishes that smell of sunshine and freshness. Of course, the pizzas and the pasta are successful, but also the parmesan tripe, the rabbit hunter, the Livornese-style fish soup or the fillet of grouper with tomato basil sauce. On the Dolce side, the tiramisu, seasonal fruit panna cotta or mascarpone cream apple pie are to die for. We recommend.
+225 07 47 24 33 66
Quartier N’zuessi, Plein centre Yamoussou Kro
Restaurant la Brise
An institution on Yakro, for its setting (superb view of the lake and the basilica) and its food, hearty and of fairly good quality. The terrace concentrates the clientele, but there are also a few tables on the sidewalk (better view) or in the air-conditioned interior (a bit sad). Pleasant in the evening, during good concerts, the atmosphere is always good-natured, as long as you come across a karaoke-loving sapper. The reasonably priced menu mixes Ivorian specialties, French brasseries and more or less successful pizzas. Good welcome and solid service.
+225 27 30 64 21 82
Quartier Énergie, En bord de lac Yamoussou Kro
Bolikro Chez WOLF – Yamoussoukro
More authentic, you die! In order to recreate a village camp in the middle of the city, Wolfgang Bogou, known as Wolf, moved into this maquis with bamboo benches and chairs in a wood next to a lake. Speciality: kid in all its forms (sautéed, braised, in soup, in choukouya). The cuisine simmered over a wood fire is prepared as in the village, with red pepper (very spicy!). Also agoutis or chicken (braised, sautéed, etc.). As a drink: homemade palm wine (bandji), koutoukou, and the sacrosanct Valpierre wine, so dear to the Baoulés.
+225 07 09 24 33 80
Quartier N’Zuessi, Rue 10 Yamoussou Kro –
RESTAURANT Chez Chef EBY
Nothing can resist Chef Eby! In addition to being a bakery-ice cream parlor full of sweets, this allocodrome restaurant offers a potron-minet placali that goes well and good little local dishes. Among the specialties: the choukouya d’agouti, the fisherman’s pot, the chef’s pot, as well as dishes based on seafood, the sacrosanct alloco-egg at 4 p.m., and many other discoveries. Air-conditioned room and pretty garden with trees, staff who know their job. Generous and welcoming, an appointment not to be missed if you are passing through Yakro.
+225 07 48 96 5658
Quartier Millionnaire, Rue 10 Yamoussou Kro
Banian
An elegantly discreet atmosphere and subtle, refined cuisine for the restaurant’s little brother in Abidjan (Marcory Biétry), which lives up to its reputation for excellence. Constancy and remarkable quality of its culinary creations based on fresh products, offered in an original and varied menu, and artistically presented, is added to a friendly and considerate service, all in a beautiful green and nicely decorated setting, within a beautiful refurbished villa and its private garden. A must for lobsters, braised chickens and kedjenous.
+225 27 30 64 47 28
Quartier Énergie, Derrière la grande mosquée Yamoussou Kro
Restaurant Le ROI
A small restaurant offering a good choice of Middle Eastern and North African flavors. The establishment does not look like much, but you can eat well, cheaply and quickly. Various and varied pizzas, manaiches, sandwiches and “Lebanese foods”, chawarmas, grilled meats and even some local specialties are included, all well stocked and dosed at the right price. Very handy for a quick bite to eat before continuing your wanderings on Yakro or hitting the road again to look elsewhere if you are there.
+225 07 09 69 69 63
Quartier Energie, Avenue Houphouët-Boigny Yamoussou Kro
SAN PEDRO
La Paillote Gourmande
Dine with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean, where you can actually stick your feet in the sand as you savor grilled, African or European dishes. Enjoy dinner close to the sea in the warm and cozy atmosphere where the owners provide personalized service along with a friendly staff. The menu features dishes such grilled or sautéed prawns with rice, vegetarian dishes, braised fish and more.
Au Meme Coin
The restaurant is by the ocean. The menu is rich, with a very large selection of wood-fired pizzas. lovely decor added to the whole enjoyable experience. real italian pizza in a remote place. Ingredients of first quality, and in my oppinion, not so easy to enjoy a pizza with this level of quality on European cities. Again chef Stephano making the difference and a plus, in front the sea / beach.
