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Whereas pristine white sand seashores, coral gardens, and luxurious resorts are its essential points of interest, don’t miss the prospect to discover eating places in Watamu for a very memorable culinary expertise.
The small city on the northern coast of Kenya is house to varied communities, primarily locals and Italian expatriates and residents. It’s additionally a well-known place to go to in Kenya amongst vacationers, making its delicacies numerous and catering to everybody who stops by.
Because of this, you’ll uncover varied eating choices, from native eateries and seaside bars to seafood spots and quite a few pizzerias.
With Watamu’s gorgeous seashores good for rest, a Marine Park for watersports, nice lodging choices, and welcoming locals, Watamu is considered one of my favourite vacation locations in Kenya. I just lately returned for per week and found extra issues to do and locations to eat on this coastal paradise.
So, if you happen to’re planning a go to and questioning what meals to strive or the place to eat in Watamu, you’re in the appropriate place. On this article, I’ll introduce you to a number of the most interesting eating places in Watamu; detailing what they provide and their places.
Finest Eating places in Watamu
Listed below are a number of the greatest locations to eat in Watamu. You’ll discover a wide range of cuisines at these eating places, together with Swahili dishes, Italian meals, and recent seafood.
The listing is predicated on my private experiences and evaluations shared by different vacationers on platforms similar to Journey Advisor and Google Enterprise.
1. Crab Shack Dabaso (Finest Restaurant in Watamu Total)
Crab Shack Dabaso is a novel seafood restaurant set amongst thick mangroves, providing a memorable eating expertise. This restaurant is community-run and was established by a native conservation group to supply delicious meals and promote eco-activities within the Mida Creek ecosystem.
It’s top-of-the-line native eating places in Watamu, due to its pleasant workers and nice location overlooking the attractive creek. You’ll be able to count on a menu that options an array of choices, together with fish, octopus, oysters, lobster, crabs, and prawns, together with an assortment of recent juices, bottled beers, cocktails, and wines.
I extremely suggest attempting the large Mida crab, the combined seafood grill, and the crab samosa. Moreover, Crab Shack is a perfect spot for birdwatching, taking strolls alongside a mangrove boardwalk, and catching breathtaking sunsets. You may also hire a canoe or be part of a tour to discover the creek and close by islands.
Crab Shack Dabaso Info
Deal with: MX3Q+VH Crab Shack, Dabaso, Watamu
Telephone: +254 725 315 562
Working Hours: Day by day from 8 am to 9 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Grilled seafood, Jumbo prawns, crab samosa – click on right here to see the complete menu
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $11-$44 per essential, $2-$4 for desserts
Web site: dabasocreek.wixsite.com
2. Amandina (Finest for Superb Eating in Watamu)
Positioned on the Median Palms Resort alongside the alluring Turtle Bay Seashore, Amandina Restaurant gives inexpensive eating matched with distinctive service and a stunning ambiance. Their menu consists of African, European, and Mediterranean cuisines in addition to vegan choices.
When you’re on the lookout for a comfortable spot good for romantic, advantageous eating in Watamu, I like to recommend Amandina. The restaurant offers a relaxed environment with outside seating providing breathtaking ocean views. Right here, you possibly can get pleasure from varied meals and beverage choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
My favourite dishes at Amandina embody the combined grilled seafood platter and hen biryani. Additionally they provide a scrumptious collection of essential programs together with pizzas, steaks, and pasta, and alluring desserts similar to ice lotions and cheesecakes – ensure you go away room for these!
Their wine listing options spectacular decisions, together with Pecan Stream Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and La Bollina Gavi from Italy.
Amandina Restaurant Info
Deal with: Medina Palms Resort, off Turtle Bay Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 114 128 477
Working Hours: Day by day from 7 am to 9 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Beef tenderloin, combined grill seafood platter, Swahili hen biryani
Common Value: $3-$7 per starter, $11-$19 per essential, $3-$5 for desserts
Web site: medinapalms.com
3. Sundown Seashore (Finest for Pizza and Cocktails in Watamu)
Sundown Seashore stands out as one of many most interesting locations for pizzas and cocktails in Watamu. Located alongside Watamu Seashore, it boasts a barely elevated deck, offering the proper setting to get pleasure from occasional stay music, spectacular sunsets, and night seaside actions.
Whereas they provide different dishes like roast hen and chips, their specialty is the traditional wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza. My favourite amongst their choices is the Diavola pizza, comprising mozzarella, tomato sauce, spicy salami, aromatic basil, and oil.
Sundown Seashore Restaurant Info
Deal with: J2VC+C3 Watamu
Telephone: +254 793 858 165
Working Hours: Wed-Mon (12:30 pm to 11 pm), Tue (closed)
Should-Strive Meals: Pizzas – click on right here to see the complete menu
Common Value: $11-$14 per pizza, $5-$9 for cocktails
Web site: sunsetbeachwatamu.com
4. Pilipan (Finest for Seafood and Gorgeous Sunsets)
Pilipan ranks among the many prime eating places in Watamu offering delicious delicacies, a nice environment, distinctive service, and a tempting collection of cocktails.
The menu options a wide range of dishes together with prawns, fish, and hen in coconut curry, barbecue snapper, seafood skewers, chili paneer, and prawn cocktails.
Plan your go to round their Saturday joyful hour from 5 pm to 7 pm. It’s the proper alternative to get pleasure from considered one of their cocktails whereas taking within the scenic view of the mangrove bushes and the enchanting sundown over Turtle Bay Creek.
Pilipan Restaurant Info
Deal with: JXHV+WW, Turtle Bay Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 713 993 776
Working Hours: Day by day from 11 am to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Hen curry, barbecued snapper, tuna carpaccio
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $8-$11 per essential, $3-$5 for cocktails
Web site: @pilipanwatamu
5. Lichthaus by Temple Level (Finest for Pub Meals in Watamu)
Lichthaus by Temple Level Resort is likely one of the greatest bars and eating places in Watamu with a view. It contains a raised terrace and comfy hammocks the place you possibly can unwind with a chilly beer or cocktail, all whereas having fun with stunning views of Mida Creek.
The bar boasts welcoming workers, a comfortable ambiance, and serves scrumptious meals. Their essential course dishes embody choices like pineapple octopus, garlic-grilled beef, succulent pork leg skewers, and a wide range of recent fish plates. Moreover, they provide refreshing salads ready with tomatoes, cucumbers, guacamole, and recent greens.
Lichthaus by Temple Level Info
Deal with: JX7C+X7, Mida Creek, Watamu
Telephone: +254 740 768 412
Working Hours: Day by day from 12 pm to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Grilled garlic beef, pineapple octopus, home salad
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $11-$18 per essential
Web site: templepointresort.com
6. Gede Espresso Gardens (Finest for Lunch and Dinner in Watamu)
Gede Espresso Gardens at Hemingways Resort is the final word outside eating expertise in Watamu. I’ve had dinner there many occasions and it’s a magical spot with ocean views, a cool breeze, and starry skies. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ready utilizing recent produce from close by markets and seafood sourced from native fishermen.
Their numerous menu options a wide range of choices together with Italian pizzas, grilled seafood, Karoo lamb, beef steaks, sandwiches, wraps, and engaging pastries and gelatos. To cap off your night, the Hemingways Bar awaits, providing a beneficiant collection of wines, spirits, and tropical cocktails for a calming post-dinner expertise.
Gede Espresso Gardens Info
Deal with: J2P3+G2Q Watamu
Telephone: +254 709 188 000
Working Hours: Day by day from 10 am to 9 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Jumbo prawns, beef fillet, pizza – click on right here to see the complete menu
Common Value: $3-$8 per starter, $11-$59 per essential, $4-$6 for desserts
Web site: hemingways-collection.com
7. Kokomo Seashore Bar (Finest for Lebanese Meals in Watamu)
Kokomo Seashore Bar and Restaurant, situated on the fringe of Mapango Bay (Watamu Seashore), is my go-to alternative for a memorable night. Right here, you possibly can relish breathtaking ocean views because the solar units whereas having fun with a refreshing tropical cocktail or a chilly native beer.
Their numerous menu consists of lamb kebabs, Lebanese mezze, connoisseur and vegetarian burgers, grilled hen, beef fillet, and fish. You may also bask in pleasant desserts like tarts and cheesecakes and discover a wide range of salads, similar to tabouleh and fattoush, together with appetizers together with seared tuna and shrimp provençal.
Kokomo Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Deal with: J2VC+37 Mapango Seashore, Watamu
Telephone: +254 759 954 462
Working Hours: Day by day from midday to midnight
Should-Strive Meals: Lebanese mezze, vegetarian burgers, grilled beef fillet
Common Value: $13-$25 per essential, $7-$14 for cocktails, $6-$11 for desserts
Web site: @kokomobeachbarandrestaurant
8. Hosteria Romana (Finest for Italian Meals in Watamu)
Hosteria Romana is a modest and charming restaurant in Watamu village, only a stone’s throw from the seaside. The restaurant is known for its genuine Italian dishes, which embody pizza, pasta, spaghetti, and gnocchi.
Whereas their specialty is Italian delicacies, their menu additionally caters to different tastes together with seafood and vegetarian-friendly worldwide choices, that includes recent fish catches, crabs, lobsters, and prawns.
If you’re visiting or staying close to Watamu Seashore, don’t miss the chance to dine at this restaurant. Check out their recent salmon carpaccio or carbonara (spaghetti, eggs, bacon, pecorino cheese, olive oil), and savor it with a glass of home wine.
Hosteria Romana Info
Deal with: J2VC+G9, Watamu Seashore Street
Telephone: +254 711 867 275
Working Hours: Day by day from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Pizza Margherita, pasta, spaghetti with tuna
Common Value: $2-$4 per starter, $7-$13 per essential, $2-$5 for desserts
Web site: @hosteriaromanawatamu
9. Tamu (One of many Most Romantic Eating places in Watamu)
Tamu Seashore Bar and Restaurant, conveniently situated close to Papa Remo Seashore, gives wonderful service, pleasant workers, and scrumptious meals. Whether or not you’re searching for a comfortable indoor eating expertise surrounded by rustic white interiors, preferrred for a romantic dinner, or a beachfront setting for household outings, Tamu has you lined.
Their essential menu options a wide range of delectable choices similar to carpaccios, salads, queen prawns, vegetable fajitas, lobster medallion, and sushi sashimi. In the meantime, the youngsters’ menu consists of favorites like tomato spaghetti, fried fish fingers, and fried hen with spiral chips. Save house to bask in pleasant desserts, wines, fruit juices, and smoothies.
Tamu Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Deal with: M22G+48 Watamu Seashore Street
Telephone: +254 703 707 038
Working Hours: Tue-Solar (10 am to 10 pm), Mon (closed)
Should-Strive Meals: Octopus carpaccio, prawns salad – click on right here to see the complete menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per essential, $2-$4 for desserts
Web site: tamurestaurant.com
10. Willy Seashore (Finest for Seafood and Low cost Eats in Watamu)
When you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive beachfront spot to dine and loosen up in Watamu, head to Willy Seashore Restaurant. Positioned on the southern finish of Papa Remo Seashore (Love Bay), this eatery serves grilled seafood similar to lobsters, shrimp, crab, and octopus. It additionally gives native dishes similar to pilau, hen, and beef stew with ugali and kachumbari.
Along with the meals, Willy Seashore Restaurant has a collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. These embody juices, tea, espresso, beers, wines, pictures, and cocktails. Check out the prickly pineapple or the vodka lemon cocktails.
Willy Seashore Watamu Info
Deal with: J2XF+8P Watamu
Telephone: +254 705 959 994
Working Hours: Day by day from 8:30 am to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Seafood platter, linguini with combined greens, calamari salad
Common Value: $4-$7 per starter, $10-$15 per essential, $2-$3 for desserts
Web site: @willybeachwatamu
11. Papa Remo (Finest for Lunch and Partying in Watamu)
Papa Remo is considered one of my favourite seaside eating places in Watamu for rest, nice meals, and a full of life environment. It offers indoor and outside eating choices with a multi-cuisine menu together with Italian pizzas, grilled beef and hen, seafood, and varied refreshing drinks.
The restaurant is located alongside Love Bay, a shocking seaside in Watamu with solar loungers providing unbelievable views of the Indian Ocean and close by islets (seven islands). Each Saturday from 11 pm, they host a seaside get together that includes unbelievable music by native DJs – an expertise I cherish and eagerly await on my subsequent Watamu go to.
Papa Remo Seashore Restaurant Info
Deal with: M23J+9X Jacaranda Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 707 010 527
Working Hours: Day by day from 9 am to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Contemporary seafood, pizza, grilled hen with chips
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per essential, $3-$9 for drinks
Web site: paparemobeach.com
12. Marafiki (One of many Finest Seashore Eating places in Watamu)
Marafiki, which implies “mates” in Swahili, is a captivating seaside bar and restaurant on Watamu’s northern facet alongside Jacaranda Bay Seashore. You’ll be able to relish delectable meals and drinks right here whereas having fun with spectacular ocean views.
Their numerous menu boasts a wide range of choices together with seafood, Swahili, and Italian dishes similar to grilled calamari, pizzas, nyama choma (grilled or roast meat), samaki wa nazi (conventional fish curry with coconut cream), and gelatos.
Marafiki Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Deal with: M3MP+Q2V Jacaranda Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 711 738 524
Working Hours: Day by day from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Beef fillet, squid fish, samosa – click on to see the complete menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$14 per essential
Web site: marafikibeachrestaurant.com
13. Safina Seashore Bar (Restaurant in Watamu with a Sea View)
This seaside bar and restaurant is located alongside the magnificent Jacaranda Bay Seashore. In addition to providing scrumptious meals, it offers a collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and offers wonderful views of the Indian Ocean.
Like many seaside bars in Watamu, Safina’s menu options native dishes, pizzas, panini, grilled meats, seafood, beers, and cocktails. Following your meal, you possibly can unwind on solar loungers and swing beds below gazebos, take a seaside stroll, or go kitesurfing.
For these searching for aquatic adventures, the clear waters provide alternatives for swimming and snorkeling, the place you possibly can observe colourful fish and different marine species beneath the floor.
Safina Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Deal with: M3MP+V5, Spiaggia Jacaranda, Kanani Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 719 214 521
Working Hours: Day by day from 8 am to 9 am
Should-Strive Meals: Grilled hen with ugali – click on to see the complete menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $7-$13 per essential
Web site: safinabeachrestaurant.com
14. Mamiy’s Pizza (Finest for Pizza and Piadina in Watamu)
Every time I go to Watamu, Mamiy’s is my best choice for pizza. This charming pizzeria, located on Watamu-Gede Street, gives a heat environment and fast service.
Their pizza choice is numerous, that includes varied kinds and toppings together with choices like Mamiy’s particular, Margherita, Napoli, Hawaii, Vegetariana, and my private favourite, Italia (topped with recent mozzarella, tomatoes, onion, olives, and oregano).
In addition to the pizzas, Mamiy’s additionally serves a number of the most interesting piadinas (flatbread) in Watamu. You’ll be able to indulge of their piadina romagnola, which could be stuffed with a wide range of scrumptious elements similar to mozzarella, ham, tomato, hen cubes, and grilled zucchini. Alongside these choices, you possibly can order a spread of drinks, desserts, and snacks.
Mamiy’s Pizza Info
Deal with: J2X7+R8C, Gede Watamu Rd, Watamu
Telephone: +254 795 214 014
Working Hours: Wed-Sat (12 to 2 pm), Mon-Tue (closed), Solar (5 pm to 10:30 pm)
Should-Strive Meals: Pizzas – click on right here to see the complete menu
Common Value: $6-$10 per pizza, $2-$5 for desserts
Web site: @mamiyspizza
15. Non Solo Gelato (Finest for Gelatos and Desserts)
When you have a candy tooth, your culinary journey in Watamu would solely be full by exploring its gelatos, ice cream parlors, and pastry retailers.
To examine off the entire above, I extremely suggest a go to to Non Solo Gelato, an Italian restaurant widespread for its number of candy treats, espresso, and sandwiches. Right here, you possibly can get pleasure from recent juices, croissants, gelatos, desserts, and varied dessert choices.
Non Solo Gelato is a superb alternative for breakfast, brunch, or lunch in Watamu. Aside from their candy choices, in addition they serve genuine Italian delicacies, that includes dishes like lasagna, pasta, and panini. Personally, I can’t get sufficient of their cannoli stuffed with almonds and Nutella.
Non Solo Gelato Restaurant Info
Deal with: J2V6+F9 Watamu
Telephone: +254 794 600 128
Working Hours: Mon-Sat (7 am to eight pm), Solar (closed)
Should-Strive Meals: Roche ice cream, black cherry, piadina sandwich
Common Value: $3-$9 for ice lotions/gelatos, $3-$6 for desserts
Web site: @nonsologelatobyanna
Should-Strive Meals in Watamu
Once you’re in Watamu, you possibly can’t miss the prospect to bask in its culinary delights. To present you some concepts, listed here are my favourite must-try meals in Watamu, together with recent grilled seafood, tasty Italian dishes, and scrumptious Swahili meals:
Swahili Rice Dishes
Rice dishes are widespread in Watamu and different cities alongside the Swahili coast. These dishes usually embody fragrant rice cooked with spices, greens, and meat (beef, hen, or mutton). My favorites are biryani hen and beef pilau.
Native Breakfast
Earlier than you begin your day’s adventures in Watamu, ensure you benefit from the Swahili breakfast. It normally contains Kenyan chai or espresso, together with samosas, boiled or fried eggs, and pastries like mahamri (a dough flavored with coconut milk and deep-fried right into a triangular, golden-brown pastry).
Wooden-Fired Pizza
Watamu’s Italian affect shines by means of in its wood-fired pizzas. There are a number of seaside eating places and pizzerias to get pleasure from a crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with recent elements and native flavors. I like to recommend attempting Mamiy’s Marinara, Margherita, or Napoli pizzas.
Contemporary Seafood Platter
Being a coastal city, Watamu is likely one of the greatest locations for recent seafood. Whereas right here, strive a seafood platter with grilled prawns, lobster, crabs, and octopus, all expertly ready and seasoned. Fried fish with ugali can be a must-try.
Samaki wa Nazi
Fish in Swahili is samaki, whereas nazi means coconut. Samaki wa nazi interprets to “fish in a coconut curry,” a preferred Swahili dish alongside the East African coast. This flavorful dish is normally created with recent fish cooked in a creamy coconut sauce, seasoned with spices like garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chili, and is regularly served with ugali or rice (wali).
☞ SEE ALSO: Meals in Kenya – 15 Should-Strive Dishes in Kenya
Watamu Eating places: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to regularly requested questions on one of the best locations to eat in Watamu:
Watamu eating places are distinctive, and every gives one thing for various tastes and preferences. My favorites embody Mamiy’s for pizza, Crab Shack for seafood and sunsets, Amandina for an ocean view, Tamu for native dishes, Kokomo for a seaside expertise, and Non Solo Gelato for ice lotions.
Dinner hours in Watamu are usually noticed between 7 pm and 9 pm. Nonetheless, some locations could have prolonged lunch hours, so you need to verify with the restaurant of your alternative earlier than visiting.
Lunchtime in Watamu normally begins round midday and lasts till 2 pm or later. Once more, checking with particular person eating places for his or her particular lunch hours is suggested.
As in most of Kenya, breakfast in Watamu is often served from 7 am to 10 am, though this may fluctuate relying on every eatery, lodge, or resort.
Tipping in Watamu isn’t a should, however is definitely appreciated. Tipping round 10-15% of the invoice is mostly really useful if you happen to’re glad with the restaurant’s service, meals high quality, and general ambiance.
Though Watamu isn’t well-known for conventional pub meals, you will discover informal pub-style dishes at many beachfront bars and eating places. These could embody choices like nyama choma, burgers, beef fry, and seafood. To expertise such dishes, think about visiting eating places similar to Tamu, Papa Remo, Kokomo, Sundown, Safina, and Marafiki.
Eating places with one of the best views in Watamu embody Lichthaus by Temple Level, Kokomo Seashore Restaurant, Crab Shack Dabaso, and the Amandina Restaurant.
In Conclusion
There are various eating places in Watamu, however the above are only a handful that can assist you determine the place to eat. This coastal haven’s numerous eating decisions and choices cater to the tastes of locals and guests alike.
So, whether or not you crave the wealthy aroma of Swahili biryani, some mouthwatering seafood choices like grilled octopus, or the familiarity of Italian pizzas and world delicacies, Watamu has the proper eating spot to please your preferences.
As you discover this coastal paradise, I like to recommend on the lookout for further locations to eat. You’ll be pleasantly stunned by the abundance of stylish cafes, tempting gelaterias, charming eating places, and breezy seaside bars that grace Watamu – my favourite journey vacation spot alongside Kenya’s gorgeous shoreline.
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