Eating Out in The Gambia
Posted on April 12, 2012 by under
Eating out in The Gambia
Eating out in Gambia has got to be one of the best and the easiest experiences you will ever have, with a massive choice of restaurants both in and out of the hotels, you will be spoilt for choice. As well as typical Gambian produce and meals, the larger resorts have attracted a number of international chefs including English, Italian, Lebanese, Chinese and Indian, so the variety is huge.
The mountains of fresh produce you would see in daily markets are evidence of a robust local cuisine, the base to Gambian cuisine is definitely rice or couscous, a rich sauce and plenty of meat or fish. Local fish is caught daily and includes lady fish, barracuda, captain fish, snapper, butterfish and lobster and also huge Atlantic prawns. Lamb, pork and beef are plentiful, as are goats who wander freely around the villages. You often see a whole goat on a spit in a restaurant and are always served up in a local celebration. Chickens are another popular dish and plentiful too, and all meat bought from butchers will be Halal Meat (Killed to Islamic Law).
It is completely normal and seen regularly to eat with your hands, however the Gambians are only allowed to eat with their right hand, as the left hand is considered dirty, so if you do get invited to a Gambians home for dinner, only use your right hand for holding and taking food.
Here are some of the most recommended restaurants to try whilst in The Gambia…..
The Clay Oven – Popular Indian restaurant
Shiraz – Home cooked Lebanese food
El Sol – Mexican tapas restaurant
Ngala Lodge – Fine dining on a roof top terrace
Boss Lady – Open air Gambian style restaurant
Captain’s Table – International cuisine in Kotu
Tao restaurant – fine Asian restaurant in Kololi
Scala – A family run restaurant with international and great steaks
There are a great many snack bars and cafés offering a fabulous choice on the menu, also you will have no problem finding a pizzeria or two in the main resorts.
Although the Gambians don’t actually drink alcohol, Gambia does have its own domestic brewery, Julbrew, a very drinkable lager, and this brewery also brews Guinness under license. There are also many liqueurs made locally and the usual spirits, i.e. whiskey, gin and vodka. Tea is the main drink in Gambian homes and the making of tea is a time honoured tradition and enjoyable to watch.
There is nothing that the Gambians wont try to make for you or provide for you, they cater extremely well for vegetarians and if they don’t have it on the menu, just ask, they will always try to oblige.
About Joanna Baker
23 years and counting which included 2 years YTS with Team Travel, 3 years in Crete as a rep for LTS/Sunworld. 11 years in Lincoln/TUI (6 years self-employed)
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