Whereas pristine white sand seashores, coral gardens, and luxurious resorts are its essential sights, don’t miss the possibility to discover eating places in Watamu for a really 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 famous place to visit in Kenya amongst vacationers, making its delicacies numerous and catering to everybody who stops by.
Consequently, you’ll uncover numerous eating choices, from native eateries and seaside bars to seafood spots and quite a few pizzerias.
With Watamu’s stunning beaches excellent for leisure, a Marine Park for watersports, nice lodging choices, and welcoming locals, Watamu is one in all my favourite vacation destinations in Kenya. I just lately returned for per week and found extra things to do and locations to eat on this coastal paradise.
So, if you happen to’re planning a go to and questioning what food to try or the place to eat in Watamu, you’re in the precise place. On this article, I’ll introduce you to among the best eating places in Watamu; detailing what they provide and their areas.
Greatest Eating places in Watamu
Listed below are among the greatest locations to eat in Watamu. You’ll discover a wide range of cuisines at these eating places, together with Swahili dishes, Italian meals, and recent seafood.
The record is predicated on my private experiences and evaluations shared by different vacationers on platforms equivalent to Journey Advisor and Google Enterprise.
1. Crab Shack Dabaso (Greatest Restaurant in Watamu General)
Crab Shack Dabaso is a novel seafood restaurant set amongst thick mangroves, providing a memorable eating expertise. This restaurant is community-run and was established by a local conservation group to supply delicious meals and promote eco-activities within the Mida Creek ecosystem.
It’s among the finest native eating places in Watamu, due to its pleasant employees and nice location overlooking the gorgeous creek. You’ll be able to count on a menu that options an array of choices, together with fish, octopus, oysters, lobster, crabs, and prawns, together with an assortment of recent juices, bottled beers, cocktails, and wines.
I extremely suggest making an attempt the enormous Mida crab, the blended 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. You too can lease a canoe or join a tour to discover the creek and close by islands.
Crab Shack Dabaso Info
Tackle: MX3Q+VH Crab Shack, Dabaso, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 725 315 562
Working Hours: Every day from 8 am to 9 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Grilled seafood, Jumbo prawns, crab samosa – click here to see the full menu
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $11-$44 per essential, $2-$4 for desserts
Web site: dabasocreek.wixsite.com
2. Amandina (Greatest for Fantastic Eating in Watamu)
Situated on the Median Palms Hotel alongside the alluring Turtle Bay Seashore, Amandina Restaurant affords inexpensive eating matched with distinctive service and a beautiful ambiance. Their menu consists of African, European, and Mediterranean cuisines in addition to vegan choices.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a comfy spot excellent for romantic, effective eating in Watamu, I like to recommend Amandina. The restaurant offers a relaxed environment with out of doors seating providing breathtaking ocean views. Right here, you’ll be able to take pleasure in numerous meals and beverage choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
My favourite dishes at Amandina embody the blended grilled seafood platter and hen biryani. Additionally they supply a scrumptious collection of essential programs together with pizzas, steaks, and pasta, and alluring desserts equivalent to ice lotions and cheesecakes – be sure to depart room for these!
Their wine record options spectacular decisions, together with Pecan Stream Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and La Bollina Gavi from Italy.
Amandina Restaurant Info
Tackle: Medina Palms Hotel, off Turtle Bay Road, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 114 128 477
Working Hours: Every day from 7 am to 9 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Beef tenderloin, blended grill seafood platter, Swahili hen biryani
Common Value: $3-$7 per starter, $11-$19 per essential, $3-$5 for desserts
Web site: medinapalms.com
3. Sundown Seashore (Greatest for Pizza and Cocktails in Watamu)
Sunset Seashore stands out as one of many best locations for pizzas and cocktails in Watamu. Located alongside Watamu Beach, it boasts a barely elevated deck, offering the right setting to take pleasure in occasional stay music, spectacular sunsets, and night seaside actions.
Whereas they provide different dishes like roast hen and chips, their specialty is the basic 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 Seashore Restaurant Info
Tackle: J2VC+C3 Watamu
Cellphone: +254 793 858 165
Working Hours: Wed-Mon (12:30 pm to 11 pm), Tue (closed)
Should-Attempt Meals: Pizzas – click here to see the full menu
Common Value: $11-$14 per pizza, $5-$9 for cocktails
Web site: sunsetbeachwatamu.com
4. Pilipan (Greatest 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 a wide range 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 comfortable hour from 5 pm to 7 pm. It’s the right alternative to take pleasure in one in all their cocktails whereas taking within the scenic view of the mangrove bushes and the enchanting sundown over Turtle Bay Creek.
Pilipan Restaurant Info
Tackle: JXHV+WW, Turtle Bay Road, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 713 993 776
Working Hours: Every 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 essential, $3-$5 for cocktails
Web site: @pilipanwatamu
5. Lichthaus by Temple Level (Greatest for Pub Meals in Watamu)
Lichthaus by Temple Point 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’ll be able to unwind with a chilly beer or cocktail, all whereas having fun with stunning views of Mida Creek.
The bar boasts welcoming employees, a comfy ambiance, and serves scrumptious meals. Their essential course dishes embody choices like pineapple octopus, garlic-grilled beef, succulent pork leg skewers, and a wide range of recent fish plates. Moreover, they provide refreshing salads ready with tomatoes, cucumbers, guacamole, and recent greens.
Lichthaus by Temple Level Info
Tackle: JX7C+X7, Mida Creek, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 740 768 412
Working Hours: Every 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 essential
Web site: templepointresort.com
6. Gede Espresso Gardens (Greatest for Lunch and Dinner in Watamu)
Gede Espresso Gardens at Hemingways Hotel is the last word out of doors 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 recent produce from close by markets and seafood sourced from native fishermen.
Their numerous menu options a wide range of choices together with Italian pizzas, grilled seafood, Karoo lamb, beef steaks, sandwiches, wraps, and engaging 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 Info
Tackle: J2P3+G2Q Watamu
Cellphone: +254 709 188 000
Working Hours: Every day from 10 am to 9 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Jumbo prawns, beef fillet, pizza – click here to see the full menu
Common Value: $3-$8 per starter, $11-$59 per essential, $4-$6 for desserts
Web site: hemingways-collection.com
7. Kokomo Seashore Bar (Greatest for Lebanese Meals in Watamu)
Kokomo Seashore Bar and Restaurant, situated on the fringe of Mapango Bay (Watamu Beach), is my go-to selection for a memorable night. Right here, you’ll be able to 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. You too can take pleasure in pleasant desserts like tarts and cheesecakes and discover a wide range of salads, equivalent to tabouleh and fattoush, together with appetizers together with seared tuna and shrimp provençal.
Kokomo Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Tackle: J2VC+37 Mapango Beach, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 759 954 462
Working Hours: Every day from midday to midnight
Should-Attempt Meals: Lebanese mezze, vegetarian burgers, grilled beef fillet
Common Value: $13-$25 per essential, $7-$14 for cocktails, $6-$11 for desserts
Web site: @kokomobeachbarandrestaurant
8. Hosteria Romana (Greatest 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 embody 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 recent fish catches, crabs, lobsters, and prawns.
In case you are visiting or staying close to Watamu Seashore, don’t miss the chance to dine at this restaurant. Check out their recent salmon carpaccio or carbonara (spaghetti, eggs, bacon, pecorino cheese, olive oil), and savor it with a glass of home wine.
Hosteria Romana Info
Tackle: J2VC+G9, Watamu Beach Road
Cellphone: +254 711 867 275
Working Hours: Every 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 essential, $2-$5 for desserts
Web site: @hosteriaromanawatamu
9. Tamu (One of many Most Romantic Eating places in Watamu)
Tamu Seashore Bar and Restaurant, conveniently situated close to Papa Remo Beach, affords wonderful service, pleasant employees, and scrumptious meals. Whether or not you’re in search of a comfy indoor eating expertise surrounded by rustic white interiors, very best for a romantic dinner, or a beachfront setting for household outings, Tamu has you coated.
Their essential menu options a wide range of delectable choices equivalent 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 Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Tackle: M22G+48 Watamu Beach Road
Cellphone: +254 703 707 038
Working Hours: Tue-Solar (10 am to 10 pm), Mon (closed)
Should-Attempt Meals: Octopus carpaccio, prawns salad – click here to see the full menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per essential, $2-$4 for desserts
Web site: tamurestaurant.com
10. Willy Seashore (Greatest for Seafood and Low-cost Eats in Watamu)
If you happen to’re on the lookout for an inexpensive beachfront spot to dine and loosen up in Watamu, head to Willy Seashore Restaurant. Situated on the southern finish of Papa Remo Beach (Love Bay), this eatery serves grilled seafood equivalent to lobsters, shrimp, crab, and octopus. It additionally affords native dishes equivalent to pilau, hen, and beef stew with ugali and kachumbari.
Along with the meals, Willy Seashore Restaurant has a collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. These embody juices, tea, espresso, beers, wines, photographs, and cocktails. Check out the prickly pineapple or the vodka lemon cocktails.
Willy Seashore Watamu Info
Tackle: J2XF+8P Watamu
Cellphone: +254 705 959 994
Working Hours: Every day from 8:30 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Seafood platter, linguini with blended greens, calamari salad
Common Value: $4-$7 per starter, $10-$15 per essential, $2-$3 for desserts
Web site: @willybeachwatamu
11. Papa Remo (Greatest for Lunch and Partying in Watamu)
Papa Remo is one in all my favourite seaside eating places in Watamu for leisure, nice meals, and a energetic environment. It offers indoor and out of doors eating choices with a multi-cuisine menu together with Italian pizzas, grilled beef and hen, seafood, and numerous refreshing drinks.
The restaurant is located alongside Love Bay, a surprising beach in Watamu with solar loungers providing incredible views of the Indian Ocean and close by islets (seven islands). Each Saturday from 11 pm, they host a seaside get together that includes incredible music by native DJs – an expertise I cherish and eagerly await on my subsequent Watamu go to.
Papa Remo Seashore Restaurant Info
Tackle: M23J+9X Jacaranda Road, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 707 010 527
Working Hours: Every day from 9 am to 10 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Recent seafood, pizza, grilled hen with chips
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per essential, $3-$9 for drinks
Web site: paparemobeach.com
12. Marafiki (One of many Greatest Seashore Eating places in Watamu)
Marafiki, which suggests “mates” in Swahili, is a captivating seaside bar and restaurant on Watamu’s northern facet alongside Jacaranda Bay Beach. You’ll be able to relish delectable meals and drinks right here whereas having fun with spectacular ocean views.
Their numerous menu boasts a wide range of choices together with seafood, Swahili, and Italian dishes equivalent to grilled calamari, pizzas, nyama choma (grilled or roast meat), samaki wa nazi (conventional fish curry with coconut cream), and gelatos.
Marafiki Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Tackle: M3MP+Q2V Jacaranda Road, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 711 738 524
Working Hours: Every day from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Attempt Meals: Beef fillet, squid fish, samosa – click to see the full menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$14 per essential
Web site: marafikibeachrestaurant.com
13. Safina Seashore Bar (Restaurant in Watamu with a Sea View)
This seaside bar and restaurant is located alongside the magnificent Jacaranda Bay Beach. In addition to providing scrumptious meals, it offers a collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and offers wonderful 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’ll be able to unwind on solar loungers and swing beds beneath gazebos, take a seaside stroll, or go kitesurfing.
For these in search of aquatic adventures, the clear waters supply alternatives for swimming and snorkeling, the place you’ll be able to observe colourful fish and different marine species beneath the floor.
Safina Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Tackle: M3MP+V5, Spiaggia Jacaranda, Kanani Road, Watamu
Cellphone: +254 719 214 521
Working Hours: Every day from 8 am to 9 am
Should-Attempt Meals: Grilled hen with ugali – click to see the full menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $7-$13 per essential
Web site: safinabeachrestaurant.com
14. Mamiy’s Pizza (Greatest for Pizza and Piadina in Watamu)
Each time I go to Watamu, Mamiy’s is my best choice for pizza. This charming pizzeria, located on Watamu-Gede Street, affords a heat environment and fast service.
Their pizza choice is numerous, that includes numerous types and toppings together with choices like Mamiy’s particular, Margherita, Napoli, Hawaii, Vegetariana, and my private favourite, Italia (topped with recent mozzarella, tomatoes, onion, olives, and oregano).
In addition to the pizzas, Mamiy’s additionally serves among the best piadinas (flatbread) in Watamu. You’ll be able to indulge of their piadina romagnola, which could be stuffed with a wide range of scrumptious components equivalent to mozzarella, ham, tomato, hen cubes, and grilled zucchini. Alongside these choices, you’ll be able to order a spread of drinks, desserts, and snacks.
Mamiy’s Pizza Info
Tackle: J2X7+R8C, Gede Watamu Rd, Watamu
Cellphone: +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 here to see the full menu
Common Value: $6-$10 per pizza, $2-$5 for desserts
Web site: @mamiyspizza
15. Non Solo Gelato (Greatest for Gelatos and Desserts)
If in case you have a candy tooth, your culinary journey in Watamu would solely be full by exploring its gelatos, ice cream parlors, and pastry retailers.
To examine off the entire above, I extremely suggest a go to to Non Solo Gelato, an Italian restaurant in style for its number of candy treats, espresso, and sandwiches. Right here, you’ll be able to take pleasure in recent juices, croissants, gelatos, truffles, and numerous 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 Info
Tackle: J2V6+F9 Watamu
Cellphone: +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
While you’re in Watamu, you’ll be able to’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 recent grilled seafood, tasty Italian dishes, and scrumptious Swahili meals:
Swahili Rice Dishes
Rice dishes are frequent in Watamu and different cities alongside the Swahili coast. These dishes sometimes embody 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 often 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 via in its wood-fired pizzas. There are a number of seaside eating places and pizzerias to take pleasure in a crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with recent components and native flavors. I like to recommend making an attempt Mamiy’s Marinara, Margherita, or Napoli pizzas.
Recent Seafood Platter
Being a coastal city, Watamu is without doubt one of the greatest locations for recent seafood. Whereas right here, strive 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 well-liked Swahili dish alongside the East African coast. This flavorful dish is often created with recent fish cooked in a creamy coconut sauce, seasoned with spices like garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chili, and is steadily served with ugali or rice (wali).
☞ SEE ALSO: Food in Kenya – 15 Must-Try Dishes in Kenya
Watamu Eating places: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to steadily requested questions on one of the best locations to eat in Watamu:
Watamu eating places are distinctive, and every affords one thing for various tastes and preferences. My favorites embody 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 sometimes noticed between 7 pm and 9 pm. Nonetheless, some locations might have prolonged lunch hours, so you need to verify with the restaurant of your selection earlier than visiting.
Lunchtime in Watamu often 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 often served from 7 am to 10 am, though this could fluctuate relying on every eatery, resort, or resort.
Tipping in Watamu just isn’t a should, however is actually appreciated. Tipping round 10-15% of the invoice is mostly beneficial if you happen to’re happy with the restaurant’s service, meals high quality, and general ambiance.
Though Watamu isn’t well-known for conventional pub meals, you could find informal pub-style dishes at many beachfront bars and eating places. These might embody choices like nyama choma, burgers, beef fry, and seafood. To expertise such dishes, think about visiting eating places equivalent to Tamu, Papa Remo, Kokomo, Sundown, Safina, and Marafiki.
Eating places with one of the best views in Watamu embody Lichthaus by Temple Level, Kokomo Seashore Restaurant, Crab Shack Dabaso, and the Amandina Restaurant.
In Conclusion
There are a lot of eating places in Watamu, however the above are only a handful that can assist you resolve the place to eat. This coastal haven’s numerous eating decisions 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 international delicacies, Watamu has the right eating spot to please your preferences.
As you discover this coastal paradise, I like to recommend on the lookout for further locations to eat. You’ll be pleasantly shocked by the abundance of elegant cafes, tempting gelaterias, charming eating places, and breezy seaside bars that grace Watamu – my favourite journey vacation spot alongside Kenya’s gorgeous shoreline.
