Whereas pristine white sand seashores, coral gardens, and luxurious resorts are its important points of interest, don’t miss the possibility to discover eating places in Watamu for a very memorable culinary expertise.
The small city on the northern coast of Kenya is residence to numerous 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 its gorgeous seashores excellent for leisure, a Marine Park for watersports, nice lodging choices, and welcoming locals, Watamu is one in every of 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, for those who’re planning a go to and questioning what meals to attempt or the place to eat in Watamu, you’re in the proper place. On this article, I’ll introduce you to a number of the best eating places in Watamu; detailing what they provide and their areas.
15 Finest Eating places in Watamu
Listed below 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 record is predicated on my private experiences and evaluations shared by different vacationers on platforms akin 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 best native eating places in Watamu, because of its pleasant employees and nice location overlooking the gorgeous creek. You possibly can anticipate 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 making an attempt 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. It’s also possible to hire a canoe or be a part of a tour to discover the creek and close by islands.
Crab Shack Dabaso Data
Handle: MX3Q+VH Crab Shack, Dabaso, Watamu
Telephone: +254 725 315 562
Working Hours: Each 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 Value: $2-$5 per starter, $11-$44 per important, $2-$4 for desserts
Web site: dabasocreek.wixsite.com
2. Amandina (Finest for Advantageous Eating in Watamu)
Situated on the Median Palms Lodge alongside the alluring Turtle Bay Seaside, Amandina Restaurant gives reasonably priced eating matched with distinctive service and a stunning ambiance. Their menu consists of African, European, and Mediterranean cuisines in addition to vegan choices.
In case you’re in search of a comfortable spot excellent for romantic, nice eating in Watamu, I like to recommend Amandina. The restaurant gives 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 embrace the combined grilled seafood platter and hen biryani. Additionally they supply a scrumptious collection of important programs together with pizzas, steaks, and pasta, and welcoming desserts akin to ice lotions and cheesecakes – be sure to go away room for these!
Their wine record options spectacular selections, together with Pecan Stream Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and La Bollina Gavi from Italy.
Amandina Restaurant Data
Handle: Medina Palms Lodge, off Turtle Bay Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 114 128 477
Working Hours: Each day from 7 am to 9 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Beef tenderloin, combined grill seafood platter, Swahili hen biryani
Common Value: $3-$7 per starter, $11-$19 per important, $3-$5 for desserts
Web site: medinapalms.com
3. Sundown Seaside (Finest for Pizza and Cocktails in Watamu)
Sundown Seaside stands out as one of many best locations for pizzas and cocktails in Watamu. Located alongside Watamu Seaside, 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 various 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 Seaside Restaurant Data
Handle: J2VC+C3 Watamu
Telephone: +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 Value: $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 nice environment, distinctive service, and a tempting collection of cocktails.
The menu options quite a lot 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 completely happy hour from 5 pm to 7 pm. It’s the proper alternative to get pleasure from one in every of their cocktails whereas taking within the scenic view of the mangrove bushes and the enchanting sundown over Turtle Bay Creek.
Pilipan Restaurant Data
Handle: JXHV+WW, Turtle Bay Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 713 993 776
Working Hours: Each day from 11 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Rooster curry, barbecued snapper, tuna carpaccio
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $8-$11 per important, $3-$5 for cocktails
Web site: @pilipanwatamu
5. Lichthaus by Temple Level (Finest for Pub Meals in Watamu)
Lichthaus by Temple Level Resort is without doubt one of the greatest bars and eating places in Watamu with a view. It encompasses a raised terrace and comfy hammocks the place you possibly can unwind with a chilly beer or cocktail, all whereas having fun with lovely views of Mida Creek.
The bar boasts welcoming employees, a comfortable ambiance, and serves scrumptious meals. Their important 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
Handle: JX7C+X7, Mida Creek, Watamu
Telephone: +254 740 768 412
Working Hours: Each day from 12 pm to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Grilled garlic beef, pineapple octopus, home salad
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $11-$18 per important
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 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 contemporary produce from close by markets and seafood sourced from native fishermen.
Their numerous menu options quite a lot of choices together with Italian pizzas, grilled seafood, Karoo lamb, beef steaks, sandwiches, wraps, and attractive pastries and gelatos. To cap off your night, the Hemingways Bar awaits, providing a beneficiant collection of wines, spirits, and tropical cocktails for a soothing post-dinner expertise.
Gede Espresso Gardens Data
Handle: J2P3+G2Q Watamu
Telephone: +254 709 188 000
Working Hours: Each 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 Value: $3-$8 per starter, $11-$59 per important, $4-$6 for desserts
Web site: hemingways-collection.com
7. Kokomo Seaside Bar (Finest for Lebanese Meals in Watamu)
Kokomo Seaside Bar and Restaurant, situated on the fringe of Mapango Bay (Watamu Seaside), is my go-to selection 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, gourmand and vegetarian burgers, grilled hen, beef fillet, and fish. It’s also possible to take pleasure in pleasant desserts like tarts and cheesecakes and discover quite a lot of salads, akin to tabouleh and fattoush, together with appetizers together with seared tuna and shrimp provençal.
Kokomo Seaside Bar & Restaurant Data
Handle: J2VC+37 Mapango Seaside, Watamu
Telephone: +254 759 954 462
Working Hours: Each day from midday to midnight
Should-Attempt Meals: Lebanese mezze, vegetarian burgers, grilled beef fillet
Common Value: $13-$25 per important, $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 Seaside, 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
Handle: J2VC+G9, Watamu Seaside Street
Telephone: +254 711 867 275
Working Hours: Each day from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Pizza Margherita, pasta, spaghetti with tuna
Common Value: $2-$4 per starter, $7-$13 per important, $2-$5 for desserts
Web site: @hosteriaromanawatamu
9. Tamu (One of many Most Romantic Eating places in Watamu)
Tamu Seaside Bar and Restaurant, conveniently situated close to Papa Remo Seaside, gives wonderful service, pleasant employees, and scrumptious meals. Whether or not you’re looking for a comfortable indoor eating expertise surrounded by rustic white interiors, ideally suited for a romantic dinner, or a beachfront setting for household outings, Tamu has you coated.
Their important menu options quite a lot of delectable choices akin to carpaccios, salads, queen prawns, vegetable fajitas, lobster medallion, and sushi sashimi. In the meantime, the children’ menu consists of favorites like tomato spaghetti, fried fish fingers, and fried hen with spiral chips. Save house to take pleasure in pleasant desserts, wines, fruit juices, and smoothies.
Tamu Seaside Bar & Restaurant Data
Handle: M22G+48 Watamu Seaside Street
Telephone: +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 Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per important, $2-$4 for desserts
Web site: tamurestaurant.com
10. Willy Seaside (Finest for Seafood and Low-cost Eats in Watamu)
In case you’re in search of an reasonably priced beachfront spot to dine and chill out in Watamu, head to Willy Seaside Restaurant. Situated on the southern finish of Papa Remo Seaside (Love Bay), this eatery serves grilled seafood akin to lobsters, shrimp, crab, and octopus. It additionally gives native dishes akin to pilau, hen, and beef stew with ugali and kachumbari.
Along with the meals, Willy Seaside Restaurant has a collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. These embrace juices, tea, espresso, beers, wines, pictures, and cocktails. Check out the prickly pineapple or the vodka lemon cocktails.
Willy Seaside Watamu Data
Handle: J2XF+8P Watamu
Telephone: +254 705 959 994
Working Hours: Each day from 8:30 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Seafood platter, linguini with combined greens, calamari salad
Common Value: $4-$7 per starter, $10-$15 per important, $2-$3 for desserts
Web site: @willybeachwatamu
11. Papa Remo (Finest for Lunch and Partying in Watamu)
Papa Remo is one in every of my favourite seaside eating places in Watamu for leisure, nice meals, and a energetic environment. It gives 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 improbable views of the Indian Ocean and close by islets (seven islands). Each Saturday from 11 pm, they host a seaside celebration that includes improbable music by native DJs – an expertise I cherish and eagerly await on my subsequent Watamu go to.
Papa Remo Seaside Restaurant Data
Handle: M23J+9X Jacaranda Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 707 010 527
Working Hours: Each day from 9 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Contemporary seafood, pizza, grilled hen with chips
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per important, $3-$9 for drinks
Web site: paparemobeach.com
12. Marafiki (One of many Finest Seaside Eating places in Watamu)
Marafiki, which implies “buddies” in Swahili, is an enthralling seaside bar and restaurant on Watamu’s northern facet alongside Jacaranda Bay Seaside. You possibly can relish delectable meals and drinks right here whereas having fun with spectacular ocean views.
Their numerous menu boasts quite a lot of choices together with seafood, Swahili, and Italian dishes akin to grilled calamari, pizzas, nyama choma (grilled or roast meat), samaki wa nazi (conventional fish curry with coconut cream), and gelatos.
Marafiki Seaside Bar & Restaurant Data
Handle: M3MP+Q2V Jacaranda Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 711 738 524
Working Hours: Each 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 Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$14 per important
Web site: marafikibeachrestaurant.com
13. Safina Seaside Bar (Restaurant in Watamu with a Sea View)
This seaside bar and restaurant is located alongside the magnificent Jacaranda Bay Seaside. In addition to providing scrumptious meals, it gives a collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and gives superb 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 looking for aquatic adventures, the clear waters supply alternatives for swimming and snorkeling, the place you possibly can observe colourful fish and different marine species under the floor.
Safina Seaside Bar & Restaurant Data
Handle: M3MP+V5, Spiaggia Jacaranda, Kanani Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 719 214 521
Working Hours: Each day from 8 am to 9 am
Should-Attempt Meals: Grilled hen with ugali – click on to see the total menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $7-$13 per important
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 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 best piadinas (flatbread) in Watamu. You possibly can indulge of their piadina romagnola, which may be stuffed with quite a lot of scrumptious components akin 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 Data
Handle: 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-Attempt Meals: Pizzas – click on right here to see the total 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 outlets.
To verify off all the above, I extremely advocate a go to to Non Solo Gelato, an Italian restaurant common for its number of candy treats, espresso, and sandwiches. Right here, you possibly can get pleasure from contemporary juices, croissants, gelatos, truffles, and varied dessert choices.
Non Solo Gelato is a superb selection 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 Data
Handle: J2V6+F9 Watamu
Telephone: +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 Value: $3-$9 for ice lotions/gelatos, $3-$6 for desserts
Web site: @nonsologelatobyanna
Should-Attempt Meals in Watamu
If you’re in Watamu, you possibly can’t miss the possibility 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 usually embrace 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, 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 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 contemporary components and native flavors. I like to recommend making an attempt Mamiy’s Marinara, Margherita, or Napoli pizzas.
Contemporary Seafood Platter
Being a coastal city, Watamu is without doubt one of 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 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 incessantly served with ugali or rice (wali).
☞ SEE ALSO: Meals in Kenya – 15 Should-Attempt Dishes in Kenya
Watamu Eating places: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to incessantly requested questions on the perfect 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 usually noticed between 7 pm and 9 pm. Nevertheless, some locations could have prolonged lunch hours, so it is best to 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 will differ relying on every eatery, lodge, or resort.
Tipping in Watamu just isn’t a should, however is actually appreciated. Tipping round 10-15% of the invoice is mostly really helpful for those who’re happy with the restaurant’s service, meals high quality, and general ambiance.
Though Watamu isn’t well-known for conventional pub meals, you’ll find informal pub-style dishes at many beachfront bars and eating places. These could embrace choices like nyama choma, burgers, beef fry, and seafood. To expertise such dishes, think about visiting eating places akin to Tamu, Papa Remo, Kokomo, Sundown, Safina, and Marafiki.
Eating places with the perfect views in Watamu embrace Lichthaus by Temple Level, Kokomo Seaside 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 will help you resolve the place to eat. This coastal haven’s numerous 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 world delicacies, Watamu has the proper eating spot to please your preferences.
As you discover this coastal paradise, I like to recommend in search of further locations to eat. You’ll be pleasantly shocked 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.
