My take on Kigali food scene
Food recommendations
Kigali with its young multicultural population has a wide range of restaurants to choose from. It is a heaven for a foodie as it not only has local favourite dishes but also a unique selection of restaurants from across the world.
This guide has my take on the Kigali food scene.
There are restaurants from cuisines originating from all over the world run mostly by the citizens of the cuisine.
Must-try local dishes would include whole grilled tilapia, Akabenzi, Mizuzu, Sambasa fry, Igisafuria, the chicken brochette sold on weekends from the container shop near Envy bar.
I have also included a good list of foreign cuisine restaurant that one could try.
Japanda is run by a Japanese family, they have very Authentic Japanese food. Highly recommended for lunch. Their Makunochi plate is my favourite.
Japanda
KG 586 StreetJapanda is run by a Japanese family, they have very Authentic Japanese food. Highly recommended for lunch. Their Makunochi plate is my favourite.
One of the best lunch buffets in town. Contemporary African cuisine. You must ask for their Mizuzu, it always finishes and they will refill if you ask. Misuzu is fried sweet plantain.
Chez John Restaurant
KN 50 StreetOne of the best lunch buffets in town. Contemporary African cuisine. You must ask for their Mizuzu, it always finishes and they will refill if you ask. Misuzu is fried sweet plantain.
Best West African restaurant in Kigali. Full grilled fish and ginger juice are must-try.
Restaurant YOPOUGON
KG 359 StreetBest West African restaurant in Kigali. Full grilled fish and ginger juice are must-try.
One of the best Akabenzi in town.
If you eat pork, you should not leave Kigali without trying Akabenzi. Akabenzi is the most famous pork dishes in Rwanda. Each restaurant has their own take on the Akabenzi. Inyenyir bar does one of the best versions in my opinion. You should ask them to add plantain to it.
It is a local bar and you should accept the nuances that come with such a setup.
The name has different stories, the one I like most, is about a restaurant in a village where you would always find a Benz car parked outside. The old man running the restaurant made the best-grilled pork. The car belonged to a local rich man who loved the pork and people started calling the disk Akabenzi as the restaurant had no name but always had the car outside.
They also have one of the best Igisafuriya, be warned the dish is huge and you should go with a big group to finish it.
Inyenyeri Bar and Restaurant
One of the best Akabenzi in town.
If you eat pork, you should not leave Kigali without trying Akabenzi. Akabenzi is the most famous pork dishes in Rwanda. Each restaurant has their own take on the Akabenzi. Inyenyir bar does one of the best versions in my opinion. You should ask them to add plantain to it.
It is a local bar and you should accept the nuances that come with such a setup.
The name has different stories, the one I like most, is about a restaurant in a village where you would always find a Benz car parked outside. The old man running the restaurant made the best-grilled pork. The car belonged to a local rich man who loved the pork and people started calling the disk Akabenzi as the restaurant had no name but always had the car outside.
They also have one of the best Igisafuriya, be warned the dish is huge and you should go with a big group to finish it.
Ethiopian restaurant run by an Ethiopian family. They have great Thebes. The coffee is served true Ethiopian style with incense and Tena'adam leaves.
Their mixed plates are also highly recommended. it is good for two people.
Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant
10 KG 617 StEthiopian restaurant run by an Ethiopian family. They have great Thebes. The coffee is served true Ethiopian style with incense and Tena'adam leaves.
Their mixed plates are also highly recommended. it is good for two people.
This is a south Indian restaurant run by a south Indian family. They server typical south Indian food.
The must-tries include thairuvadai, which is lentil based doughnut in spiced yoghurt.
Their filter coffee is served in typical style coffee is had in south India. It is different and I recommend trying it at least once to understand the diversity of how coffee is prepared around the world.
Paradise Rwanda Restobar
KG 550 StreetThis is a south Indian restaurant run by a south Indian family. They server typical south Indian food.
The must-tries include thairuvadai, which is lentil based doughnut in spiced yoghurt.
Their filter coffee is served in typical style coffee is had in south India. It is different and I recommend trying it at least once to understand the diversity of how coffee is prepared around the world.
Nice upmarket French restaurant run by a French chef.
The grilled duck with passion fruit reduction is out of the world.
I would also recommend the frog legs and snails in asparagus butter.
6 locals recommend
L'Épicurien
22 KG 674 StNice upmarket French restaurant run by a French chef.
The grilled duck with passion fruit reduction is out of the world.
I would also recommend the frog legs and snails in asparagus butter.
Another place that serves Akabenzi. Their Akabenzi is less spicy but still very tasty. The brochettes are decent too.
Burrows Bar & Restaurant
Another place that serves Akabenzi. Their Akabenzi is less spicy but still very tasty. The brochettes are decent too.
The best Korean restaurant. Their Dubu Kimchi, samgyeopsal, Jeyuk Deopbap are all nice.
I would highly recommend the samgyeopsal as it is very interactive and their sides are really nice.
The house cat is very friendly do not forget to give her a piece of pork.
Monmartsé Korean Restaurant
KG 220 StreetThe best Korean restaurant. Their Dubu Kimchi, samgyeopsal, Jeyuk Deopbap are all nice.
I would highly recommend the samgyeopsal as it is very interactive and their sides are really nice.
The house cat is very friendly do not forget to give her a piece of pork.
Try their lunch buffet. Mio Yamada who runs the restaurant is a nice lady. They do a lot for the community and I would go their just to find out what new community-based project is running.
They usually have local tailors who can stitch things for you in the compound.
Food is not as authentic as I would like it to be but I still recommend this place as they have a huge social commitment.
Kiseki Authentic Japanese Restaurant
Try their lunch buffet. Mio Yamada who runs the restaurant is a nice lady. They do a lot for the community and I would go their just to find out what new community-based project is running.
They usually have local tailors who can stitch things for you in the compound.
Food is not as authentic as I would like it to be but I still recommend this place as they have a huge social commitment.
Quick rolls, they use the best ingredients are open till late on weekends.
They have a yoghurt softie vendor on-premises do try it. The decor and vibe is also very nice.
Now Now Rolex
2 KG 2 AveQuick rolls, they use the best ingredients are open till late on weekends.
They have a yoghurt softie vendor on-premises do try it. The decor and vibe is also very nice.
Try their lunch buffet. You should ask for the beef Boilyo.
It gets quite busy during lunch so get there early before the buffet runs dry.
23 locals recommend
Sundowner
KG 625 StreetTry their lunch buffet. You should ask for the beef Boilyo.
It gets quite busy during lunch so get there early before the buffet runs dry.