Guidebook for Kigali
Food Scene
Very small menu (granola and yogurt or grilled cheese) plus baked goods, but everything is done so intentionally. One of the few places in East Africa where you can find a true cortado or flat white. Connected to a great bookshop. Has gluten free options and an amazing wine and cheese evening on Fridays.
15 locals recommend
Inzora Rooftop Café
13 KG 5 AveVery small menu (granola and yogurt or grilled cheese) plus baked goods, but everything is done so intentionally. One of the few places in East Africa where you can find a true cortado or flat white. Connected to a great bookshop. Has gluten free options and an amazing wine and cheese evening on Fridays.
Great place to watch football and serves brochettes (classic Rwandan meat-on-a-stick) and Nyoma Choma (Kenyan grilled meats) in a dimly lit outdoor space.
7 locals recommend
Royal Car Wash
KN 7 RoadGreat place to watch football and serves brochettes (classic Rwandan meat-on-a-stick) and Nyoma Choma (Kenyan grilled meats) in a dimly lit outdoor space.
A true hole in the wall Indian place (don't be daunted by the fact that it is down an alley--which may or may not smell a bit at the entrance--the actual restaurant is amazing and clean. It is BYOB (also bring your own wine opener), and you can always ask the owner about what they have that night.
Preet Fast Food
A true hole in the wall Indian place (don't be daunted by the fact that it is down an alley--which may or may not smell a bit at the entrance--the actual restaurant is amazing and clean. It is BYOB (also bring your own wine opener), and you can always ask the owner about what they have that night.
Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant
10 KG 617 StBest Ethiopian in Kigali, only a 3 min walk from our house!
The Hut
KG 646 StreetHas amazing ribs and great options for vegetarians, too!
Has great Thai food and is probably the best place for vegetarians or gluten free folks. I love their Pad Thai but you really can't go wrong here.
Asian Kitchen
KN 5 RoadHas great Thai food and is probably the best place for vegetarians or gluten free folks. I love their Pad Thai but you really can't go wrong here.
They have amazing pastries and eclairs. Good coffee, excellent wifi, and their burger isn't half bad either.
7 locals recommend
Baso Pâtissier
16 KN 47 StThey have amazing pastries and eclairs. Good coffee, excellent wifi, and their burger isn't half bad either.
Don't be fooled by the deserted garden, this place is great. Bibimbap, the grilled pork (that they cook up right in front of you with huge chunks of garlic), and jap chae are all delicious.
Monmartsé Korean Restaurant
KG 220 StreetDon't be fooled by the deserted garden, this place is great. Bibimbap, the grilled pork (that they cook up right in front of you with huge chunks of garlic), and jap chae are all delicious.
Pasha (the restaurant attached to Aberdeen) has a beautiful garden and great food. I typically go for their breakfast for two (eggs, cheeses, meat, and flat bread) but their dinner menu is also extensive. At night, lounge with a hookah by their outdoor fire place.
Aberdeen House Boutique Hotel
KG 14 AvenuePasha (the restaurant attached to Aberdeen) has a beautiful garden and great food. I typically go for their breakfast for two (eggs, cheeses, meat, and flat bread) but their dinner menu is also extensive. At night, lounge with a hookah by their outdoor fire place.
Poivre Noir is Kigali's best known fine dining spot. Their burgers and reknown and sliced steak served with truffle oil potatoes is amazing.
20 locals recommend
Poivre Noir
KG 670 StreetPoivre Noir is Kigali's best known fine dining spot. Their burgers and reknown and sliced steak served with truffle oil potatoes is amazing.
No frills burgers and fried chicken sandwiches served in a basket with chips and slaw. Beers are cold, and they only have outdoor seating.
8 locals recommend
Mr Chips
31 KG 12 AvenueNo frills burgers and fried chicken sandwiches served in a basket with chips and slaw. Beers are cold, and they only have outdoor seating.
Essentials
Simba Supermarket Gishushu
KN 5 RoadSuper close and walking distance.
It is a little far, but generally considered the best spa in Kigali. Call ahead to make reservations. It can be counter intuitive to find because it is located in a subdivision. Ask the guards at the entrance to show you the way. Come here for manicures, facials, etc. Very clean and they even dip your feet in wax, which seems fancy!
Sunset Spa
KG 19 AvenueIt is a little far, but generally considered the best spa in Kigali. Call ahead to make reservations. It can be counter intuitive to find because it is located in a subdivision. Ask the guards at the entrance to show you the way. Come here for manicures, facials, etc. Very clean and they even dip your feet in wax, which seems fancy!
This unassuming hotel has perhaps the best massages in Kigali. Less expensive and less busy than Sunset, you likely won't need to call ahead. Their set, though in a basement, is clean. And both masseuses on staff are excellent. It is also practically next door!
Grazia Apartments
KG 624 StreetThis unassuming hotel has perhaps the best massages in Kigali. Less expensive and less busy than Sunset, you likely won't need to call ahead. Their set, though in a basement, is clean. And both masseuses on staff are excellent. It is also practically next door!
Shopping
Biggest outdoor market in Kigali. Has tons of fabric, tailors, local crafts, food, and anything else you can imagine.
28 locals recommend
Kimironko Market
Biggest outdoor market in Kigali. Has tons of fabric, tailors, local crafts, food, and anything else you can imagine.
Drinks & Nightlife
Super busy on Fridays. Turns into a night club late, and has a decent mix of expats and Rwandans.
23 locals recommend
Sundowner
KG 625 StreetSuper busy on Fridays. Turns into a night club late, and has a decent mix of expats and Rwandans.
This is an arts center (that also has yoga classes) but turns into the place to be Thursday nights. You can bet half of Kigali heads here after work. Sometimes has live music, and happy hour before 7.
23 locals recommend
Inema Art Center
KG 563 StreetThis is an arts center (that also has yoga classes) but turns into the place to be Thursday nights. You can bet half of Kigali heads here after work. Sometimes has live music, and happy hour before 7.
Everything Else
Jumia Food Rwanda
This is a food delivery app, and most restaurants in Kigali use it.