What to eat Togo? culinary specialties and gastronomy

The restaurants serve from noon to 3pm and from 7pm to 10pm, or even 11pm. Some are closed on Mondays, others are only open in the evening.

There is something for every taste and color, one might say, but also for every budget. One can eat in the street or in a maquis (between 1,000 and 2,000 FCFA) as well as treat oneself to a gourmet meal in a good restaurant. The maquis and cafeterias offer very simple dishes: braised chicken or peanut sauce, spaghetti, kidneys and "rice sauce": tomato sauce, peanuts, palm nuts. The atmosphere of the maquis is very hot. The sound systems play the latest Ivorian or Congolese hits and conversations become animated after a few beers. Near some bars, you can eat meat skewers or portions of mutton for a handful of CFA francs. These cheap eateries are often a good opportunity to meet the local population and make friends. Small restaurants offer African and European cuisine, in addition to these cheap eateries. In Lomé, a few gourmet restaurants prepare excellent French cuisine. Gourmets will not be outdone. Fish and shellfish lovers will also be delighted. It is advisable, outside the big cities, to always ask what is on the menu rather than to consult it. Indeed, it is not uncommon to be told when you order: "there is not".

In Togo, we like to be rewarded with a small tip. If you were satisfied with the service, a few coins or a bill will make the staff happy.

In the street, mothers prepare local dishes in their large pots. They offer pasta, fufu or veyi accompanied by different sauces, usually hot. The dishes are served in earthenware plates or bowls, made in the north of the country. Before eating, people bring a basin of water and soap (omo) to wash their hands. It is indeed rare to have cutlery, generally we eat with our fingers. We sit on benches, one next to the other, because meals are taken in common.

Tap water should be avoided, as it is often not drinkable. Prefer bottled water and sweetened drinks. Some street cafes are not recommended, trust the frequency of the place.

Since 2010, it is no longer possible to smoke in restaurants, under penalty of a fine ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 FCFA. Some establishments have set up areas for smokers.

Bars and cafés are generally open all day from 8 or 9 am, until 11 pm, or even 1 am for some. At cocktail time, some establishments offer happy hours. In the big cities, like Lomé, Kpalimé or Sokodé, some bars organize concerts of local bands.

In the maquis, count around 600 FCFA for a local beer. In the more westernized bars, you will have to pay between 1,200 and 5,000 FCFA, depending on the brand of beer. For a cocktail, count around 5,000 FCFA.

Night bars are open to people over the age of 18. In some cases, you will be required to show identification.

In the markets, especially in the north of Togo, you can taste the tchoukoutou, a local beer made of millet or sorghum served in a calabash. In bars and cafés, Pils is the most popular national beer in Togo. It is produced by the BB Lomé brewery.

It is forbidden to smoke in cafés and bars. However, most of them have terraces where you can smoke your cigarette.