What to eat Chad? culinary specialties and gastronomy

Small street restaurants open early but are usually closed by nightfall. More upscale restaurants, on the other hand, serve until late, especially on weekends. Since 2024, there has even been a home-delivery service in the capital, run by the owners of the Hermopolis café and the Hermocab VTC company. Don't hesitate to contact them if you don't feel up to going out for dinner.

Expect to pay around 5,000 FCFA for a meal in a small local restaurant, but expect to pay 20,000 FCFA per person if you're going to treat yourself in a more international restaurant, especially if you plan to drink wine.

As in all countries where labor is underpaid, tips are appreciated. Count on around 5% of the bill to satisfy those who have treated you well.

It's not uncommon to eat sitting on a mat, without using cutlery. Some traditional dishes, such as the famous boule de mil, cannot be eaten any other way.

As in all Muslim countries, avoid eating with the left hand, which is considered to be reserved for "impure" tasks. To avoid digestive problems, avoid drinks with ice cubes and avoid eating raw vegetables.

Children are always welcome in Chad. In the restaurant as elsewhere, they will always be received like little princes.

Smoking is not allowed in public places, but there's always a place to grab a smoke.

From 7.30am, you'll find many establishments open and offering exquisite delicacies, such as the Amandine or Epi de blé bakeries/pastry shops, which offer tables where you can relax for a moment while enjoying a good cup of coffee and a viennoiserie.

Happy hours are frequent in trendy establishments such as QG and Côté Jardin, which offer them on Tuesdays. Credit cards are widely accepted. Don't forget to tip! (5% recommended)

Consumption of alcohol by minors under the age of 18 is forbidden, although this law is little respected. Young people under the age of 16 are totally forbidden in drinking establishments, whose owners may be penalized for failing to comply with this rule.

Since Chadian society is very Muslim, sharing with friends is often done over a cup of tea.

Establishments serving alcohol are supposed to refuse access to young people under 16, even if this is sometimes impossible in hotels, for example.

Smoking is banned in bars and restaurants, but there's always a small smoking area, often outdoors.