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 dwelling 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 various and catering to everybody who stops by.
Consequently, you’ll uncover varied eating choices, from native eateries and seaside bars to seafood spots and quite a few pizzerias.
With its gorgeous seashores excellent for rest, a Marine Park for watersports, nice lodging choices, and welcoming locals, Watamu is one among my favourite vacation locations in Kenya. I just lately returned for every week and found extra issues to do and locations to eat on this coastal paradise.
So, should you’re planning a go to and questioning what meals to attempt or the place to eat in Watamu, you’re in the precise 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 areas.
15 Finest Eating places in Watamu
Listed here are a number of the greatest locations to eat in Watamu. You’ll discover quite a lot of cuisines at these eating places, together with Swahili dishes, Italian meals, and contemporary seafood.
The checklist relies on my private experiences and evaluations shared by different vacationers on platforms comparable to Journey Advisor and Google Enterprise.
1. Crab Shack Dabaso (Finest Restaurant in Watamu General)
Crab Shack Dabaso is a singular 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 among the finest native eating places in Watamu, due to its pleasant workers and nice location overlooking the gorgeous 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 contemporary juices, bottled beers, cocktails, and wines.
I extremely advocate 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 too can hire a canoe or be part of a tour to discover the creek and close by islands.
Crab Shack Dabaso Data
Tackle: MX3Q+VH Crab Shack, Dabaso, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 725 315 562
Working Hours: Day by day from 8 am to 9 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Grilled seafood, Jumbo prawns, crab samosa – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Price: $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 Lodge alongside the alluring Turtle Bay Seashore, Amandina Restaurant gives reasonably priced eating matched with distinctive service and a stunning ambiance. Their menu contains African, European, and Mediterranean cuisines in addition to vegan choices.
If you happen to’re in search of a comfortable spot excellent for romantic, superb eating in Watamu, I like to recommend Amandina. The restaurant supplies a relaxed ambiance with out of doors seating providing breathtaking ocean views. Right here, you’ll be able to take pleasure in varied meals and beverage choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
My favourite dishes at Amandina embrace the combined grilled seafood platter and rooster biryani. In addition they provide a scrumptious choice of essential programs together with pizzas, steaks, and pasta, and welcoming desserts comparable to ice lotions and cheesecakes – be sure to go away room for these!
Their wine checklist options spectacular selections, together with Pecan Stream Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and La Bollina Gavi from Italy.
Amandina Restaurant Data
Tackle: Medina Palms Lodge, off Turtle Bay Highway, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 114 128 477
Working Hours: Day by day from 7 am to 9 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Beef tenderloin, combined grill seafood platter, Swahili rooster biryani
Common Price: $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 take pleasure in occasional reside music, spectacular sunsets, and night seaside actions.
Whereas they provide different dishes like roast rooster 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 Data
Tackle: J2VC+C3 Watamu
Cellphone: +254 793 858 165
Working Hours: Wed-Mon (12:30 pm to 11 pm), Tue (closed)
Should-Attempt Meals: Pizzas – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Price: $11-$14 per pizza, $5-$9 for cocktails
Web site: sunsetbeachwatamu.com
4. Pilipan (Finest for Seafood and Beautiful Sunsets)
Pilipan ranks among the many prime eating places in Watamu offering delicious delicacies, a pleasing ambiance, distinctive service, and a tempting choice of cocktails.
The menu options quite a lot of dishes together with prawns, fish, and rooster in coconut curry, barbecue snapper, seafood skewers, chili paneer, and prawn cocktails.
Plan your go to round their Saturday blissful hour from 5 pm to 7 pm. It’s the proper alternative to take pleasure in one among their cocktails whereas taking within the scenic view of the mangrove bushes and the enchanting sundown over Turtle Bay Creek.
Pilipan Restaurant Data
Tackle: JXHV+WW, Turtle Bay Highway, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 713 993 776
Working Hours: Day by day from 11 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Rooster curry, barbecued snapper, tuna carpaccio
Common Price: $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 among the greatest bars and eating places in Watamu with a view. It includes a raised terrace and comfy hammocks the place you’ll be able to 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 embrace choices like pineapple octopus, garlic-grilled beef, succulent pork leg skewers, and quite a lot of contemporary fish plates. Moreover, they provide refreshing salads ready with tomatoes, cucumbers, guacamole, and contemporary greens.
Lichthaus by Temple Level Data
Tackle: JX7C+X7, Mida Creek, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 740 768 412
Working Hours: Day by day from 12 pm to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Grilled garlic beef, pineapple octopus, home salad
Common Price: $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 Lodge is the last word out of doors 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 contemporary produce from close by markets and seafood sourced from native fishermen.
Their various menu options quite a lot 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 choice of wines, spirits, and tropical cocktails for a soothing post-dinner expertise.
Gede Espresso Gardens Data
Tackle: J2P3+G2Q Watamu
Cellphone: +254 709 188 000
Working Hours: Day by day from 10 am to 9 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Jumbo prawns, beef fillet, pizza – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Price: $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, positioned on the fringe of Mapango Bay (Watamu Seashore), is my go-to selection for a memorable night. Right here, you’ll be able to relish breathtaking ocean views because the solar units whereas having fun with a refreshing tropical cocktail or a chilly native beer.
Their various menu contains lamb kebabs, Lebanese mezze, gourmand and vegetarian burgers, grilled rooster, beef fillet, and fish. You too can take pleasure in pleasant desserts like tarts and cheesecakes and discover quite a lot of salads, comparable to tabouleh and fattoush, together with appetizers together with seared tuna and shrimp provençal.
Kokomo Seashore Bar & Restaurant Data
Tackle: J2VC+37 Mapango Seashore, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 759 954 462
Working Hours: Day by day from midday to midnight
Should-Attempt Meals: Lebanese mezze, vegetarian burgers, grilled beef fillet
Common Price: $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 embrace 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 contemporary fish catches, crabs, lobsters, and prawns.
In case you are visiting or staying close to Watamu Seashore, don’t miss the chance to dine at this restaurant. Check out their contemporary salmon carpaccio or carbonara (spaghetti, eggs, bacon, pecorino cheese, olive oil), and savor it with a glass of home wine.
Hosteria Romana Data
Tackle: J2VC+G9, Watamu Seashore Highway
Cellphone: +254 711 867 275
Working Hours: Day by day from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Pizza Margherita, pasta, spaghetti with tuna
Common Price: $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 positioned close to Papa Remo Seashore, gives glorious service, pleasant workers, and scrumptious meals. Whether or not you’re in search of a comfortable indoor eating expertise surrounded by rustic white interiors, perfect for a romantic dinner, or a beachfront setting for household outings, Tamu has you lined.
Their essential menu options quite a lot of delectable choices comparable to carpaccios, salads, queen prawns, vegetable fajitas, lobster medallion, and sushi sashimi. In the meantime, the children’ menu contains favorites like tomato spaghetti, fried fish fingers, and fried rooster with spiral chips. Save house to take pleasure in pleasant desserts, wines, fruit juices, and smoothies.
Tamu Seashore Bar & Restaurant Data
Tackle: M22G+48 Watamu Seashore Highway
Cellphone: +254 703 707 038
Working Hours: Tue-Solar (10 am to 10 pm), Mon (closed)
Should-Attempt Meals: Octopus carpaccio, prawns salad – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Price: $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)
If you happen to’re in search of an reasonably priced beachfront spot to dine and chill out in Watamu, head to Willy Seashore Restaurant. Positioned on the southern finish of Papa Remo Seashore (Love Bay), this eatery serves grilled seafood comparable to lobsters, shrimp, crab, and octopus. It additionally gives native dishes comparable to pilau, rooster, and beef stew with ugali and kachumbari.
Along with the meals, Willy Seashore Restaurant has a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. These embrace juices, tea, espresso, beers, wines, photographs, and cocktails. Check out the prickly pineapple or the vodka lemon cocktails.
Willy Seashore Watamu Data
Tackle: J2XF+8P Watamu
Cellphone: +254 705 959 994
Working Hours: Day by day from 8:30 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Seafood platter, linguini with combined greens, calamari salad
Common Price: $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 one among my favourite seaside eating places in Watamu for rest, nice meals, and a full of life ambiance. It supplies indoor and out of doors eating choices with a multi-cuisine menu together with Italian pizzas, grilled beef and rooster, seafood, and varied refreshing drinks.
The restaurant is located alongside Love Bay, a shocking seaside in Watamu with solar loungers providing improbable views of the Indian Ocean and close by islets (seven islands). Each Saturday from 11 pm, they host a seaside occasion that includes improbable music by native DJs – an expertise I cherish and eagerly await on my subsequent Watamu go to.
Papa Remo Seashore Restaurant Data
Tackle: M23J+9X Jacaranda Highway, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 707 010 527
Working Hours: Day by day from 9 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Contemporary seafood, pizza, grilled rooster with chips
Common Price: $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 various menu boasts quite a lot of choices together with seafood, Swahili, and Italian dishes comparable 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 Data
Tackle: M3MP+Q2V Jacaranda Highway, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 711 738 524
Working Hours: Day by day from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Beef fillet, squid fish, samosa – click on to see the total menu
Common Price: $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 supplies a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and supplies 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’ll be able to unwind on solar loungers and swing beds below gazebos, take a seaside stroll, or go kitesurfing.
For these in search of aquatic adventures, the clear waters provide alternatives for swimming and snorkeling, the place you’ll be able to observe colourful fish and different marine species beneath the floor.
Safina Seashore Bar & Restaurant Data
Tackle: M3MP+V5, Spiaggia Jacaranda, Kanani Highway, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 719 214 521
Working Hours: Day by day from 8 am to 9 am
Should-Attempt Meals: Grilled rooster with ugali – click on to see the total menu
Common Price: $3-$5 per starter, $7-$13 per essential
Web site: safinabeachrestaurant.com
14. Mamiy’s Pizza (Finest for Pizza and Piadina in Watamu)
Each time I go to Watamu, Mamiy’s is my best choice for pizza. This charming pizzeria, located on Watamu-Gede Highway, gives a heat ambiance and fast service.
Their pizza choice is various, that includes varied types and toppings together with choices like Mamiy’s particular, Margherita, Napoli, Hawaii, Vegetariana, and my private favourite, Italia (topped with contemporary 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 full of quite a lot of scrumptious elements comparable to mozzarella, ham, tomato, rooster cubes, and grilled zucchini. Alongside these choices, you’ll be able to order a spread of drinks, desserts, and snacks.
Mamiy’s Pizza Data
Tackle: J2X7+R8C, Gede Watamu Rd, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 795 214 014
Working Hours: Wed-Sat (12 to 2 pm), Mon-Tue (closed), Solar (5 pm to 10:30 pm)
Should-Attempt Meals: Pizzas – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Price: $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 advocate a go to to Non Solo Gelato, an Italian restaurant in style for its number of candy treats, espresso, and sandwiches. Right here, you’ll be able to take pleasure in contemporary juices, croissants, gelatos, muffins, and varied dessert choices.
Non Solo Gelato is a wonderful selection for breakfast, brunch, or lunch in Watamu. Other than 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 full of almonds and Nutella.
Non Solo Gelato Restaurant Data
Tackle: J2V6+F9 Watamu
Cellphone: +254 794 600 128
Working Hours: Mon-Sat (7 am to eight pm), Solar (closed)
Should-Attempt Meals: Roche ice cream, black cherry, piadina sandwich
Common Price: $3-$9 for ice lotions/gelatos, $3-$6 for desserts
Web site: @nonsologelatobyanna
Should-Attempt Meals in Watamu
If you’re in Watamu, you’ll be able to’t miss the prospect to take pleasure in its culinary delights. To offer you some concepts, listed below are my favourite must-try meals in Watamu, together with contemporary 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 sometimes embrace fragrant rice cooked with spices, greens, and meat (beef, rooster, or mutton). My favorites are biryani rooster and beef pilau.
Native Breakfast
Earlier than you begin your day’s adventures in Watamu, be sure to 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 via in its wood-fired pizzas. There are a number of seaside eating places and pizzerias to take pleasure in a crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with contemporary 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 among the greatest locations for contemporary seafood. Whereas right here, attempt a seafood platter with grilled prawns, lobster, crabs, and octopus, all expertly ready and seasoned. Fried fish with ugali can also 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 contemporary fish cooked in a creamy coconut sauce, seasoned with spices like garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chili, and is often served with ugali or rice (wali).
☞ SEE ALSO: Meals in Kenya – 15 Should-Attempt Dishes in Kenya
Watamu Eating places: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to often requested questions on the most effective locations to eat in Watamu:
Watamu eating places are distinctive, and every gives one thing for various tastes and preferences. My favorites embrace 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 sometimes noticed between 7 pm and 9 pm. Nonetheless, some locations might have prolonged lunch hours, so you must affirm with the restaurant of your selection 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 usually served from 7 am to 10 am, though this may range relying on every eatery, lodge, or resort.
Tipping in Watamu shouldn’t be a should, however is definitely appreciated. Tipping round 10-15% of the invoice is usually beneficial should you’re happy with the restaurant’s service, meals high quality, and general ambiance.
Though Watamu isn’t well-known for conventional pub meals, you could find informal pub-style dishes at many beachfront bars and eating places. These might embrace choices like nyama choma, burgers, beef fry, and seafood. To expertise such dishes, take into account visiting eating places comparable to Tamu, Papa Remo, Kokomo, Sundown, Safina, and Marafiki.
Eating places with the most effective views in Watamu embrace Lichthaus by Temple Level, Kokomo Seashore Restaurant, Crab Shack Dabaso, and the Amandina Restaurant.
In Conclusion
There are numerous eating places in Watamu, however the above are only a handful that will help you resolve the place to eat. This coastal haven’s various eating selections 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 international delicacies, Watamu has the proper eating spot to please your preferences.
As you discover this coastal paradise, I like to recommend in search of extra locations to eat. You’ll be pleasantly stunned by the abundance of elegant cafes, tempting gelaterias, charming eating places, and breezy seaside bars that grace Watamu – my favourite journey vacation spot alongside Kenya’s gorgeous shoreline.
