The best restaurants Congo Brazzaville

There is a boats that offers 5 or 6 day dishes, classic grilled fish or fish, but also chicken/beans. It is fresh, good, at competitive prices in downtown: a lunch for the price of an espresso.

District ornament, salads, meat broths that Evelyn prepares and serves with great attention. Small terrace and adjoining room.

The restaurant on the beach and on the stilts of this area created on a landscaped mangrove. You can access it by a pontoon by entering the Mazra Club or by the beach, at the fresh fish menu grill.

Hotel Villa Lys's restaurant is located on the top floor of a glass structure. On the plate, Italian and French specialities, and some of the less expensive Congolese dishes, closer to a bistro kitchen or room service than that of a full restaurant. This is an insignificant service, long service to have a good and fresh dish, but without any originality to justify such high prices. It is possible to get there just a drink: This is the best choice for this original restaurant, illuminated in the evening. 

The Mukiwa Beach Club restaurant, or rather "chez Xavier", is set high up with a lovely view of the beach. It offers excellent cuisine with a wide choice of well-presented dishes. The lobsters are succulent. Here, all dishes are chalked on a large blackboard and change according to the catch of the day. The number of dishes is limited, so be sure to come early even if it means enjoying the ocean. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, with oil terminal workers, families and groups of friends.

The best way to get to Ile Faignond and to eat there is to go through Maman Mado. At the time of our report, the place was on the verge of being taken over, but Maman Mado was still welcoming customers by reservation. She offers good-quality local cuisine, with grilled meat and fish on the menu. The setting is exotic and charming. You'll feel right at home here for a peaceful lunch, just a stone's throw from Brazzaville. The price for the pirogue defies all competition. Friendly welcome.

One of the best restaurants in the capital! Founded in 2016 by a young, experienced chef, Olivia Bumba, the establishment has since forged its reputation. The setting is elegant and romantic, especially its flower-filled covered terrace. Chef Olivia offers inventive dishes based on Franco-African fusion cuisine, with a menu that changes frequently. Gourmets will appreciate the regular brunches and tea times. Inventive and explosive cocktails. Friendly, attentive staff. An address not to be missed!

In the heart of an exceptional setting, the restaurant invites you to take a gustatory journey through tasty European, Congolese and Indian cuisine. On the first floor, overlooking the swimming pool, the restaurant offers a tempting menu of salads, pastas, grills, pizzas, daily specials and carpaccios. On the second floor, your taste buds will be tantalized by the spicy flavors of India. Romantic ambience at sunset. Children's pool and games.

With its feet in the sand, La Brasserie de la Mer has been a Pointe-Noire institution since 2009! Run by Pascal, a bon vivant from Toulon with over 50 years' cooking experience behind him, this relaxing beach hut is the perfect place to enjoy the freshest seafood. You can even choose your own lobster to grill in the fish tank! It's also a lively place, with pétanque afternoons, karaoke, entertainment and soccer and rugby matches. Games and a small swimming pool for children. A very convivial place.

Close to the Caisse Nationale de la Sécurité Sociale, this restaurant is popular with locals for its friendly setting, pleasant garden out of sight and good grilled meats. The menu is straightforward, offering meat kebabs, grilled entrecôte, wood-smoked chicken and broiled Toulouse sausage, plus a small selection of classic side dishes. Also special dishes for children. Delicious house cocktails. Outdoor billiards and children's games. Family atmosphere and a warm welcome from the staff.

Under a large, sheltered terrace, Valentine serves Congolese dishes as well as Cameroonian ones, such as DG chicken. The plates are copious and tasty, as are the prices, which are very affordable. Don't be in a hurry, though: the wait can be long and the welcome seriously lacking in warmth. But with friends, it's always a warm and friendly place, especially during soccer matches, when the atmosphere is at its best!

Close to the Institut français du Congo, near the Saint-François church, this bar-restaurant invites you to take an exotic break in the heart of a lush garden with a lovely pond. It's the perfect place to enjoy a drink, dine on gourmet dishes from African and European cuisine, or simply nibble on tapas with friends. The dynamic establishment offers salsa, bachata and kizomba evenings, as well as karaoke and theme nights. Smiling staff. An exotic escape in the heart of the capital.

Right in the center of town, this small, unassuming restaurant is a good option for lunch on the go. The menu, which hangs on the wall, features local specialties such as salted fish or wild broth, with side dishes such as fried bananas or manioc. The plates are tasty, although they take a long time to serve. Here's a tip to avoid the wait: order in advance and come back an hour later to enjoy your meal.

Overlooking the Congo River, this unpretentious nganda offers breathtaking views of Kinshasa and Brazzaville, with its majestic cable-stayed bridge dating from August 15, 1960 adjacent to the establishment. The setting is particularly magical at sunset, when the two capitals take on the colorful hues of twilight. As well as enjoying an aperitif, you can also dine on local dishes such as antelope broth, mayo chicken and salted fish. Side dishes can be ordered separately: manioc, sorrel, saka-saka, fried bananas... Good value for money.

At the mouth of the Congo and Djoué rivers, opposite the Île des Amoureux, Bantu Beach is popular with the Congolese, especially in the dry season, for its barbecues with feet in the water, to the rhythm of Bantu dances. In addition to barbecues on the sand, concerts and a traditional village sometimes enliven the place. The atmosphere is quieter in the rainy season, when the water covers the beach. However, you can still enjoy local specialities, grilled meat or fish, under a large straw hut overlooking a superb landscape. Worth a visit!

On the edge of the corniche, this restaurant offers a pleasant setting and good value for money. It's best to sit on one of the raised terraces to enjoy the panoramic view of the neighboring capital, Kinshasa. The menu offers a wide range of choices, from burgers and pizzas to salads and African specialties. The range of drinks is just as wide, with cocktails with or without alcohol, spirits, juices and numerous beers. Live music is sometimes organized on the stage at the entrance to the site. Parking.

This is Pointe-Noire's trendy new spot, attracting a cosmopolitan clientele who come to enjoy bistro cuisine with an African twist. Try the frog legs, stuffed crab, duck breast with Congolese honey or beef steak with one of the house sauces. The friendly owners, Laurence and Pierre-Yves, take great care of their customers, and are always ready to say hello. From djembé classes to concerts, they have plenty of ideas to make this establishment an institution.

Congolese chef Ivana Armand Ulrich, after making a name for herself by word-of-mouth, has opened a small fast-food outlet in the center of Pointe-Noire. Her specialty? Taco with a Congolese twist. You can order tacos with turkey, smoked mutton or even bushmeat. Thanks to its app, you can compose your own taco online, then come and taste it on the spot or have it delivered. Also burgers, chicken wings with different sauces and club sandwiches. Local juices, homemade bread and sauces.

Nestling on the edge of a pond, this restaurant enjoys a privileged natural setting. The menu features Niari specialties such as missalas, the region's typical large shrimp, freshwater fish such as catfish, and bushmeat, depending on the day's hunt. European dishes such as lasagne and pizza are also available. Menus can be ordered in advance. Adjacent to the restaurant, the villa, which can be fully rented, has three fully-equipped bedrooms. Fishing, fireside evenings, sightseeing...

Located behind the main post office, this fast-food restaurant, one of the first in the capital, attracts Congolese families and young people with its original vintage decor, relaxed atmosphere and hearty homemade burgers. The menu isn't exhaustive, but the choice is varied, from the dozen or so burgers to the chicken wings and side dishes (fries, fried bananas and crudités). It's also a great place for a snack of crêpes and a tasty milkshake. Service can sometimes be a little slow, but the quality is there.

This small neighborhood restaurant is located on the outskirts of Mère Yvet's plot. This smiling Congolese woman serves home cooking, simmered with love. Local specialties include fish and meat broths, saka-saka and salted fish with eggplant. All served with manioc, bananas or rice. Also good grilled meat and fish. Generous portions and a warm welcome. For those not passing through Owando, Mère Yvet has opened another restaurant, in Brazzaville, near the Hotel Marina.

Close to the Base Hospital, this restaurant is sheltered but entirely open onto a small garden, adorned with a few plants. The wooden architecture and decor are elegant, right down to the beautifully upholstered chairs. It's one of the meeting places of the town's notables, who gather around hearty plates and a nice cold beer. The menu is well-stocked with top-quality Congolese and European cuisine. Everything you need to have a good time. Breakfast available. Friendly staff.

Next to the little harbor, thatched-roof wooden paillotes are scattered around a flowery garden, some overlooking the Kouyou River. The setting is very pleasant and makes you feel right at home. Maman Elise serves local and river cuisine according to the daily market. Good grilled meat and fish dishes are also available. The portions are generous and the prices very attractive. Maman Elise runs her little troupe of boys like a whip, guaranteeing a warm family atmosphere. A peaceful and friendly lunch stop.

Behind this enigmatic name lies a grocery store selling pastis and clothing, and behind it, a vast plot of land planted with various trees and dotted with thatched huts. This would be a remarkable place in itself, but as you move on, you come to a breathtaking panorama where you can sit and enjoy local dishes. Mr. Mpinonty-Ngokia, the owner, has been working on the site for a long time to give it shape.

Close to the stadium, this restaurant is a good option for lunch on the go. It's renowned for its generous cuisine and lively, authentic atmosphere. People come here to eat and relax with friends. The cuisine is local and the specialties on offer are, of course, missalas and freshwater fish or meat broths. It's also not uncommon to find bushmeat on the menu, as hunters come and offer it directly to the restaurateur. For the more adventurous, it's an opportunity to try new flavors.

After the death of the ever-popular Mère Gina in 2012, her sister, Madame Caroline, took over. This modest straw hut still serves maboké (fish or meat, wrapped in wild leaves), undoubtedly the best in the region. You can also feast on bushmeat and a delicious homemade broth. This place, where Gina's presence and the smells of her cooking still linger, is one of the city's best surprises.

Set on the beach on the wild coast, this local restaurant offers a superb, relaxing setting, to the rhythm of the waves crashing on the sand. Meat or fish, grilled dishes are the house specialty. From sea bass and beef kebabs to barbecued lobster, get ready to lick your lips! The menu also includes tapas, pizzas and gourmet salads. Enjoy breakfast with your feet in the sand, or sip delicious house cocktails as the sun sets. Concerts enliven the place. A charming address.

Also known as Chez Reda, after the French chef of Algerian origin, this restaurant will delight the taste buds of meat lovers. Angus beef fillet, grilled zebra aiguillettes, pan-fried ostrich medallions, crocodile carpaccio... You won't know which way to turn! The meats are of the highest quality, all from South Africa. And the prices reflect this. Nice wine cellar with wines from South Africa, Australia and France. Few options for vegetarians. Very good home-made desserts. Elegant setting with subdued lighting. Pleasant garden.

Both a restaurant and a lounge bar, this establishment is appreciated by Congolese and expatriates alike for its local specialties, served generously. The menu, which changes according to new arrivals, features some mouth-watering dishes and well-prepared grills, accompanied by fresh vegetables or rice. You'll also love the excellent house cocktails, served on high stools on the outdoor terrace or indoors in the air-conditioned dining room. Concerts and soccer match evenings are regularly organized. Atmosphere guaranteed!

This Franco-Congolese restaurant specializes in seafood, with excellent fish and well-prepared gambas, accompanied by Congolese dishes: saka-saka, a local specialty, is very good, as is sorrel, which goes well with seafood. Please note that fish is sold by weight, so beware of surprises on the bill. The restaurant features a bar, a straw hut and an indoor dining room. The setting is pleasant and the welcome warm. However, service can be slow, so don't be in a hurry.

This nganda has no signpost, so ask for Maman Annie and we'll show you her home. Maman Annie has built her little restaurant right next door. Neighborhood atmosphere guaranteed. She offers very local cuisine, such as meat and fish broths, which she concocts in her kitchen with love and passion. Everyone knows everyone here, and the restaurant attracts local workers who come for lunch and to enjoy themselves in the evenings and at weekends. It won't take you long to make friends!

A steep, narrow staircase leads up to a pleasant, airy terrace overlooking the Rue de la Paix: an ideal vantage point for observing the avenue's incessant hustle and bustle. As its name suggests, the restaurant focuses on Senegalese cuisine. The menu features dishes such as mafé, yassa and thiep, as well as couscous and other Congolese grills. An address to discover without hesitation.

In this popular capital institution, open for over 30 years, African specialties take pride of place: hearty yassa, thieps with various sauces, as well as couscous, stews and broths. The menu also includes fine grills, European dishes such as sole meunière and grilled beef, pizzas and fresh salads. You can sit under a roadside straw hut, in the small garden out of sight, or in the air-conditioned dining room. Continuous, attentive service: an address to be recommended.

At first, it was a simple container on the side of the road. This is how many restaurants and ngandas start out in the Congo. Then the establishment gradually grew: a tiled terrace, adjoining dining room and second terrace. Today, it's a restaurant with a classic menu: chicken, meatballs, broths, fish... Home-cooked dishes are served in generous quantities for a modest sum. The welcome is friendly, but service can sometimes be late, so don't be in a hurry.

Hidden from view, a small villa houses a traditional French restaurant with a hint of local exoticism. The chef is Michel Perron, who worked for ten years at La Galiote and then at Phare du Large, a gourmet restaurant in Libreville. A regular at the table of heads of state, it's only natural that high society should flock here to sample his bistronomic cuisine based on fresh produce, with a variable à la carte menu and flexible suggestions. Even if the bill is a little steep, it's still a tasty experience.

On the ^30th floor of the new twin towers, this restaurant offers a unique experience in the Congo, combining top-flight gourmet cuisine with incredible panoramic views over the capital and Kinshasa. What makes it special? Throughout the meal, the restaurant rotates 360º, revealing superb panoramic views. The menu features inventive fusion cuisine, concocted with the country's finest local produce. Prices may be high, but the experience is well worth the detour.

This Asian restaurant will delight vegans and should not displease carnivores, who will discover new flavors in their mouths. From summer rolls to fried noodles, eggplant tofu and vegan steak, all ingredients are carefully selected to offer customers healthy, tasty cuisine. The setting is pleasant and well thought-out, both inside and out. Ideal for lunchtime, if you want to eat light and something other than Congolese. The cakes are good. The team is particularly smiling.

Apache is a brightly-colored canteen where you can eat chicken beans or salted fish in a local atmosphere. Back in the day, it was known for its strategic location between Avenue Kibangou and Matsoua, two of the city's hottest nightspots. Today, this little restaurant is less lively, but the neighborhood atmosphere is typical, and the manager will welcome you warmly with a big smile. It's also a great place to meet and chat with the locals. A pleasant stopover during the day.

Every cab driver knows Irène Banda, and you'll have no trouble finding this restaurant, which is isolated from the hustle and bustle of the avenue by a wide wall concealing a vast terrace, or a more discreet, airy room. No à la carte menu, just a few dishes that change daily, such as a wild eggplant broth or grilled meats whose scent will tickle your nostrils all meal long. Of particular note are the fast service and the original presentation of the dishes. Everything is good and cooked fresh daily. An authentic address that we highly recommend.

The restaurant enjoys a privileged location on the banks of the majestic Congo River. The view of the rapids and the city of Kinshasa in the distance is breathtaking. Guests come here for an afternoon or evening, to enjoy typical Congolese cuisine (fish, chicken, saka saka) and relax with a cold beer, in a green and peaceful setting. Service depends a little on the day, but with a bit of luck it'll be quick. A must for all those who want to contemplate the beauty of the river away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Set back from the road, opposite the bustling Square Charles de Gaulle, Kojack is a Bacongo classic: it's good, it's reliable, and the menu is varied, with the focus on opulent, delicious broths and grilled fish. The grilled meats are just as good, as are the homemade hamburgers. You can choose to dine on the airy terrace or in one of the two small, reddish-orange rooms. Fast but attentive service, a mixed clientele and a very pleasant atmosphere.

Only a small sign on the street indicates this nganda. Located in an inner courtyard, away from the hustle and bustle of the big market, it consists mainly of a large straw hut. Senegalese-Congolese cuisine, with hearty dishes such as tiep, mafé and chicken yassa. To quench your thirst, bissap and ginger juices are recommended. A warm welcome and a very local atmosphere make this the place to be for local workers. Perfect for an affordable lunch. Remember to arrive early, as the restaurant is very popular.

The terrace, set right on the sidewalk, offers one of the best braised chicken dishes in the capital. The menu doesn't stop there: Loïc offers kebabs and fish, with different accompaniments (French fries, rice, manioc), as well as several homemade sauces, often spicy. The plates are tasty and generous, and the prices are modest. Staying at Loïc's for a meal means enjoying the lively atmosphere of the Bacongo district. The ngandas next door can provide the beer to accompany your lunch or dinner.

The setting is charming and relaxing, both outside on the leafy terrace and inside in the air-conditioned dining room. You'll enjoy well-executed bistro-style cuisine. The menu is tempting, from gourmet tapas to homemade hamburgers, pizzas and dishes with flavours from here and abroad. The chef's suggestions are just as appetizing. Service could be a little warmer. Games are available for children. Parking facilities.

Opened in 2017, this Italian restaurant is renowned in the capital for its excellent wood-fired pizzas. The air-conditioned dining room is decorated in modern Italian colors, with tables made from recycled pallets. The menu offers a wide choice of pizzas, with a crème fraîche or tomato sauce base, as well as vegetarian pizzas and calzones. Try the 4 fromaggi, the Carnivora or the Capricciosa, all very popular with customers. The service is fast and the welcome pleasant.

Typical little restaurant tucked away at the end of an alley. The neighborhood atmosphere is pleasant and friendly. In the evening, the restaurant is lit by small loupiotes. The food is very good, and the chicken yassa and kidneys are delicious. Auntie Clara is a friendly lady who knows how to build customer loyalty. Don't hesitate to order in advance, as the wait can be long. For an authentic experience and mouth-watering home cooking!

Formerly located in the Bacongo district, this restaurant specializing in Afro-Caribbean dishes has relocated near the French Institute. The menu is tempting: colombo, acras, West Indian black pudding, as well as more classic Congolese dishes such as salted fish. Service can be long, but the flavor of the products is well worth the wait. The welcome is pleasant, and the plates are copious and very good value for money. A few rum and fruit cocktails are on the menu. A highly recommendable address.

Patou has been running this neighborhood restaurant since 1983. The red-and-black decor is meticulous, and the atmosphere warm. Patou's good humor is contagious. In the evenings, this guinguette brings together the local notables, with jokes flying and laughter heard from afar. The Congolese-style cuisine is delicious. The menu features dishes such as braised rib, yassa chicken and braised fish. New specialties are added to the menu every month. A very good address with generous dishes and low prices.

As its name suggests, this restaurant is 100% Italian. The specialty: pasta, of course, but also tiramisu and panna cotta... As in Italy, the plates are copious! The suggestion menu changes regularly, and some Italian and Portuguese wines are available. The restaurant is a little hidden away, close to the station. The setting is not ostentatious, but pleasant, and the service is very good. On-site store to stock up on sausages and cheeses.

Hosted by Pascale and Olivier, this is a place where you'll feel right at home, with tennis, padel and pétanque courts, as well as a quiet swimming pool and adjoining bar. In the kitchen, Pascale works hard every day to offer refined French cuisine at affordable prices, not forgetting local specialities and homemade ice creams. A tapas menu is available all day long. Events take place regularly at Derrick, including jazz concerts. A must in Pointe-Noire!