Poultry

I order chicken legs, wings, breasts and whole birds from Poulet Express. I order regularly and am continually impressed by the speed of the delivery (usually under an hour) and the freshness and cleanliness of the chicken – plus their prices are the best in town. The owner speaks English, so you can call and say, “English, please!”

Beef

I used to buy at Hypermarché. Never bought ‘bad’ meat there, but the smell has gotten so ick that I no longer buy there. Casino is more expensive, but until I find a new option, it’s worth it.

Tip: The best beef in Senegal comes from BeerSheba Project. They deliver ground beef to Dakar weekly.

Pork

I’ve heard that if you do, there’s a market in Grand Yoff that butchers pigs every Saturday and you can get any cut you want at a good price. I haven’t ventured there yet, so for now I stick with the occasional Casino pork chop and regularly buy ground pork for making sausages from there. Oh, and CDA has little hams we really like so I buy those and freeze them.

Seafood

I order filets de lotte and shrimp from Abdou, who delivers all over Dakar. Good prices, always fresh and very punctual.

Pantry items

For canned and baking goods, Hypermarché has a good selection, but more often, I go to City Dia. Casino is most expensive.

Be sure to check out your local buutik too!

Fruit & Veggies

Mr & Mme Ba come by each week selling from their car. They have all I need at good prices (and they sell all around Dakar). Or go to your nearest stand and get to know the vendors there. Frozen fruit is at larger grocery stores, CDA (cheapest strawberries), Patisen, Saprolait (blueberries!) and Passion Nature delivers frozen mango and organic strawberries.

Tip: If you’re new and want to know what’s available in Senegal, go to marché Kermel.

Dairy

I buy mozzarella in 2-kilos blocks at about half the price of the grocery stores from CDA. (But I don’t care for their grated mozzarella or their Gouda.) For lower-priced Gouda in bulk, Saprolait is the place to go. We buy Laitcran brand powdered whole and skim milk and prefer Ardo brand lait caillé (non-sucré). I use it to make ‘Greek yogurt’ and sour cream.

Bakery goods 

You probably already know about Eric Kayser bakery and that they also sell from Le Parcours. But beyond EK, Dakar has some amazing breads!

Daily bread that’s good enough to be special occasion bread: Sam’s Bread. Naturally leavened hearth breads made from 100% organic stoneground flours. We’re doing the subscription plan so get a fresh 1-kilo loaf delivered to our door each week!

Whole wheat sandwich bread, sliced: Shady Shack. It’s delicious and exactly what I want in a sandwich loaf. They also have white bread, if you prefer.

Everyday baguette: Ask for tapalapa at your local buutik. Freezes well, makes good sandwiches and great garlic bread.

Baked-to-order whole wheat tortillas, English muffins, pizza crusts, bagels, banana and apple breads… Marie’s Kitchen delivers. And I am so, so glad!

(See more here: 2014 Dakar Bread Reviews!)

Organic goodness 

Organic fruits & veggies, eggs, poultry, jams, amazing dairy products… all by delivery from Passion Nature / Keur Normand. Seriously. You need to try it.