People often ask for restaurant recommendations in Dakar. 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 readers to give their opinions as well. If you’d be willing to participate, please email me!.

Today we’re hearing from Bill, a consultant who moved to Dakar with his family in 2013.

Favorite pizza:
Sam’s Pizza is the tastiest, but for favorite I go with Sao Brasil, especially now that they got rid of the scary bats in their trees.

Favorite burgers and fries:
Classic Burger. Murica!

Favorite ice cream:
I ❤ Gelato is pretty good though walking through all of the Talibe children in the parking lot makes you think of the unfairness of this life.

Favorite ethnic restaurant:
Jardin Thailandais in Point E.

Favorite Senegalese restaurant and/or meal:
“La Plage du Djip Samba” in Almadies. If you go at 1pm, they always have some delicious Senegalese food ready to eat for 1500 CFA.

Favorite breakfast or brunch:
Sunugal in Ngor. It doesn’t look like anything from the outside, but it’s a pretty bomb brunch and kids can play in the shallow lagoon without fear of them getting pulled out to sea. Sometimes they have old colonial types who look disturbed by noisy kids, but whatevs.

Favorite little beach restaurant:
Probably the first place I went to in Dakar was Cabane du Surfeurs, I said then “Life doesn’t suck too badly” and still stand by it.

Favorite old standby:
Egg Sandwich Ladies all around Dakar.

Favorite splurge:
The Lamantin in Saly was pretty incredible. I’ve heard the food at Collines de Niassam is even more.

Favorite place to enjoy a good coffee:
Layu is chill.

If I were stranded on a deserted island and could have only one of Dakar’s restaurants, it would be:
Mr. Pascal Min of Shabat Restaraunt. The man is Macgyver. I also would like Shady from Shady Shack to forage around the island to make his garlic sauce.

What is missing from the Dakar food scene?
Mexican.

Thanks, Bill!