A couple people have asked for restaurant recommendations. I’m a bit hesitant to do so simply because if there’s one thing that’s consistent about the food scene in Dakar, it’s that it can be inconsistent. So in order to give a nice, well-rounded view of things, I’m asking five people to give their opinions as well. If you’d be willing to participate, please email me!. Thanks!
Favorite pizza: For American-style, Pizza Inn. (They have a Tuesday night special!) For European-style, anywhere that uses enough cheese!
Favorite ice cream: Gusto’s in Almadies. No question. CLOSED IN 2013
Favorite hamburgers: Times’ Café downtown, I guess.
Favorite Senegalese restaurant: For truly authentic, Chez Mamy on the airport road in Ouest/Nord Foire. For a bit nicer, Chez Loutcha downtown. Huge portions!
Favorite ethnic (which, in this case, means not Senegalese or American) restaurant: I’m going to say Jardin Thailiandais in Point E (Thai), the Lebanese menu at Shady Shack, the Turkish restaurant on route de Ouakam CLOSED IN 2013 and the Maison d’Italie on N’Gor Island. But I’d like to try the Sheherazade (Moroccan) in Mermoz and Zaika (Indian). Ooh, and the Brazilian restaurant! (Can someone give me the scoop on it?)
Favorite brunch: Eric Kayser downtown is delicious and low-key, but Terrou-bi (12,500cfa) is a wonderful treat.
Favorite old standby: Le Récife at the Almadies point.
Favorite splurge: Le Lodge in Almadies
Favorite little beach restaurant: Le Ngor in Almadies. Go for a drink or dessert and the waves, but not for the food.
If I were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one of Dakar’s restaurants: Shady Shack. If I had his hummus and garlic sauce, I’d pretty much have no have reason to ever try to leave the island. Especially if Céline at Gusto’s would fly in ice cream for me…
What is missing from the Dakar food scene: Tex-Mex. Good, US-style coffee shops. Fried chicken.
What do you think? Leave your comments below, or email to participate!
Dakar Eats 
Fuji, for great japanese food, 19 rue Victor Hugo, Plateau
La Parrilla, for great meat, Argentine grill, 6 rue Emile Zola, Plateau
Le Bideew, for great location, CCf garden, 89 rue J. Gomis, Plateau
Restaurant on the top of the Djoloff Hotel, for great view over Soumbedioune, great Tapas, 7 rue Nani, Fann Hock.
Agathe.
The Brazilian resto is our favorite restaurant in Dakar, but you must be a meat lover (although they do have a salad bar, fried bananas, French fries, and so on). We’ve found that it’s best when they’re busy (Sunday afternoons, for example).
Also, for pizza we like the pizza at the place next to N’ice Cream (Le palais something…??) and there’s a place called Le Piazza in front of the president’s palace that has really good pizza (and red couches, fun!). I REALLY want to try the Shady Shack!!
STILL have not made it to Gusto’s! Need to make that a priority soon. Also, more info on the Turkish resto please?