What to eat Congo Brazzaville? culinary specialties and gastronomy

Many restaurants offer round-the-clock service, sometimes as early as 8 am and often well into the night. Many establishments take Sundays off, especially in downtown Pointe-Noire.

From street stalls to ngandas and gourmet restaurants, you can eat on any budget in the Congo. Street stalls offer grilled meats, delicious mabokés and, of course, the indispensable manioc. Expect to pay between 500 and 1,500 FCFA per dish. However, be careful if you have a weak stomach. In the ngandas, you'll find the great classics of Congolese cuisine: broths, saka-saka, braised meat or fish. Expect to pay between 1,000 and 4,000 FCFA per dish. Chic restaurants, or those of international hotels frequented by the Congolese elite and expatriates, offer Congolese, international and French cuisine, sometimes with original specialties. Expect to pay between 7,000 and 15,000 FCFA per dish.

If you enjoyed your meal and the service, don't hesitate to leave a small tip - around 10% of the bill.

The Congolese love grilled caterpillars and crickets. On the way to the Lésio-Louna reserve, you can buy them, alive or cooked, at the roadside from women or children.

As in many African countries, tap water is to be avoided. So be sure to carry a bottle of water with you at all times. Avoid ice cubes in makeshift restaurants, as well as salads and raw vegetables, which are often washed with tap water.

Cafés are open early in the morning, from 6:30am, and all day long, usually until 8-10pm. Atmospheric bars open from 4pm-5pm until late at night. Some bars offer happy hours, especially in larger cities.

Expect to pay around 500 FCFA for a local beer in the ngandas, and double in the fancier establishments.

As in France and many African countries, alcohol consumption is authorized from the age of majority, i.e. 18.

Ngok is the Congolese's most popular beer, closely followed by Class, also a lager. Palm wine is another local favorite. Rarely found in bars, it's more likely to be found on the roadside, where you can stop for a drink with the locals or buy a bottle to enjoy later.