Eating and drinking in Watamu
Swahili coastal cooking is one of the joys of the trip. Here is what to try and where to look.
Dishes to try
- Samaki wa kupaka: grilled fish in a coconut and tamarind sauce.
- Pilau and biryani: fragrant spiced rice, best on Fridays and at celebrations.
- Mahamri and mbaazi: fried dough with pigeon peas in coconut, a classic breakfast.
- Fresh madafu (young coconut) straight from the seller on the beach.
- Grilled prawns and crab from the day's catch, often cooked to order.
Where to eat
Watamu village has small local cafes serving excellent, inexpensive Swahili food, while the beach road has a mix of Italian restaurants, seafood grills and hotel dining. Ask us for current favourites; they change, and we eat out too.
A note on alcohol
Watamu is a predominantly Muslim community. Alcohol is available in hotels and bars, but drinking in the village streets is not appropriate, and Ramadan is observed by many of the people who look after you.
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