Practical information : Eating out Djibouti
Timetable
Restaurants are generally open from 7am-9am to 11pm-00am. During Ramadan, hotel restaurants and some restaurants frequented mainly by foreigners remain open, as do department stores.
Budget & Tips
Depending on the restaurant, prices can vary from FDJ 1,500 to FDJ 5,000 for a main course. Payment is usually made in cash, but more and more establishments accept Visa and MasterCard.
What costs extra
Tipping in restaurants is not compulsory, but always welcome. Expect to pay around 500 FDJ.
The local way
Djiboutian cuisine is characterized by the abundant use of Indian spices. Turmeric, cumin, cardamom and others add their fragrance to many dishes, and especially to the fragrant red sauces that accompany meat, rice and pasta. The influence of neighboring countries is also very strong. In Djibouti-Ville, for example, people eat Djiboutian food, of course, but also Ethiopian, Yemeni and Somali. Stuffed cabri, served on festive occasions and cooked in an ancient earthenware oven, and Yemeni-style fish(makhbasa or moukbasa), covered in spices and cooked in a wood-fired oven, are a must in local cuisine.
To be avoided
Djibouti has a limited or non-existent wastewater treatment system. Tap water in Djibouti is not potable. We therefore advise you not to drink tap water, and to avoid swallowing it when brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Similarly, beware of cut fruit, cold milk, ice cream, ice cubes and raw vegetables in the street. As a general rule, we strongly recommend that you wash your hands often, before touching food and before eating. In the streets, various gargotes sell grilled meat and pasta. As far as meat is concerned, it's up to you to judge whether hygiene is to your liking, but you should be aware that it is always very well cooked, which reduces the risks.
Smokers
Some rare restaurants are non-smoking, but in most establishments, except for dedicated areas, there are no rules.