Whereas pristine white sand seashores, coral gardens, and luxurious resorts are its primary points of interest, don’t miss the prospect to discover eating places in Watamu for a really memorable culinary expertise.
The small city on the northern coast of Kenya is house to varied communities, primarily locals and Italian expatriates and residents. It’s additionally a well-known place to go to in Kenya amongst vacationers, making its delicacies numerous and catering to everybody who stops by.
In consequence, you’ll uncover numerous eating choices, from native eateries and seashore bars to seafood spots and quite a few pizzerias.
With its beautiful seashores good for rest, a Marine Park for watersports, nice lodging choices, and welcoming locals, Watamu is one in all my favourite vacation locations in Kenya. I just lately returned for every week and found extra issues to do and locations to eat on this coastal paradise.
So, if you happen to’re planning a go to and questioning what meals to strive or the place to eat in Watamu, you’re in the correct place. On this article, I’ll introduce you to among the most interesting eating places in Watamu; detailing what they provide and their places.
15 Greatest Eating places in Watamu
Listed here 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 checklist relies on my private experiences and evaluations shared by different vacationers on platforms similar to Journey Advisor and Google Enterprise.
1. Crab Shack Dabaso (Greatest Restaurant in Watamu Total)
Crab Shack Dabaso is a singular seafood restaurant set amongst thick mangroves, providing a memorable eating expertise. This restaurant is community-run and was established by a native conservation group to supply delicious meals and promote eco-activities within the Mida Creek ecosystem.
It’s probably the greatest native eating places in Watamu, due to its pleasant employees and nice location overlooking the gorgeous creek. You’ll be able to anticipate 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 attempting the enormous Mida crab, the combined 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 can too hire a canoe or be part of a tour to discover the creek and close by islands.
Crab Shack Dabaso Info
Deal with: MX3Q+VH Crab Shack, Dabaso, Watamu
Telephone: +254 725 315 562
Working Hours: Every day from 8 am to 9 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Grilled seafood, Jumbo prawns, crab samosa – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $11-$44 per primary, $2-$4 for desserts
Web site: dabasocreek.wixsite.com
2. Amandina (Greatest for Nice Eating in Watamu)
Positioned on the Median Palms Resort alongside the alluring Turtle Bay Seashore, Amandina Restaurant gives reasonably priced eating matched with distinctive service and a beautiful ambiance. Their menu contains African, European, and Mediterranean cuisines in addition to vegan choices.
If you happen to’re searching for a comfy spot good for romantic, superb 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 get pleasure from numerous meals and beverage choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
My favourite dishes at Amandina embrace the combined grilled seafood platter and hen biryani. Additionally they provide a scrumptious choice of primary programs together with pizzas, steaks, and pasta, and welcoming desserts similar to ice lotions and cheesecakes – be sure you go away room for these!
Their wine checklist options spectacular decisions, together with Pecan Stream Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and La Bollina Gavi from Italy.
Amandina Restaurant Info
Deal with: Medina Palms Resort, off Turtle Bay Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 114 128 477
Working Hours: Every day from 7 am to 9 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Beef tenderloin, combined grill seafood platter, Swahili hen biryani
Common Value: $3-$7 per starter, $11-$19 per primary, $3-$5 for desserts
Web site: medinapalms.com
3. Sundown Seashore (Greatest for Pizza and Cocktails in Watamu)
Sundown Seashore stands out as one of many most interesting locations for pizzas and cocktails in Watamu. Located alongside Watamu Seashore, it boasts a barely elevated deck, offering the right setting to get pleasure from occasional dwell music, spectacular sunsets, and night seashore actions.
Whereas they provide various dishes like roast hen and chips, their specialty is the traditional 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
Deal with: J2VC+C3 Watamu
Telephone: +254 793 858 165
Working Hours: Wed-Mon (12:30 pm to 11 pm), Tue (closed)
Should-Strive Meals: Pizzas – click on right here to see the total 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 high eating places in Watamu offering delicious delicacies, a pleasing environment, distinctive service, and a tempting choice 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 completely happy hour from 5 pm to 7 pm. It’s the right alternative to get pleasure from 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
Deal with: JXHV+WW, Turtle Bay Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 713 993 776
Working Hours: Every day from 11 am to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Hen curry, barbecued snapper, tuna carpaccio
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $8-$11 per primary, $3-$5 for cocktails
Web site: @pilipanwatamu
5. Lichthaus by Temple Level (Greatest for Pub Meals in Watamu)
Lichthaus by Temple Level Resort is among the greatest bars and eating places in Watamu with a view. It contains 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 primary course dishes embrace 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
Deal with: JX7C+X7, Mida Creek, Watamu
Telephone: +254 740 768 412
Working Hours: Every day from 12 pm to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Grilled garlic beef, pineapple octopus, home salad
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $11-$18 per primary
Web site: templepointresort.com
6. Gede Espresso Gardens (Greatest for Lunch and Dinner in Watamu)
Gede Espresso Gardens at Hemingways Resort is the final 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 choice of wines, spirits, and tropical cocktails for a calming post-dinner expertise.
Gede Espresso Gardens Info
Deal with: J2P3+G2Q Watamu
Telephone: +254 709 188 000
Working Hours: Every day from 10 am to 9 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Jumbo prawns, beef fillet, pizza – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Value: $3-$8 per starter, $11-$59 per primary, $4-$6 for desserts
Web site: hemingways-collection.com
7. Kokomo Seashore Bar (Greatest for Lebanese Meals in Watamu)
Kokomo Seashore Bar and Restaurant, positioned on the fringe of Mapango Bay (Watamu Seashore), is my go-to alternative 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 contains lamb kebabs, Lebanese mezze, gourmand and vegetarian burgers, grilled hen, beef fillet, and fish. You can too bask in pleasant desserts like tarts and cheesecakes and discover a wide range of salads, similar to tabouleh and fattoush, together with appetizers together with seared tuna and shrimp provençal.
Kokomo Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Deal with: J2VC+37 Mapango Seashore, Watamu
Telephone: +254 759 954 462
Working Hours: Every day from midday to midnight
Should-Strive Meals: Lebanese mezze, vegetarian burgers, grilled beef fillet
Common Value: $13-$25 per primary, $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 seashore. The restaurant is known for its genuine Italian dishes, which embrace 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.
If you’re 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
Deal with: J2VC+G9, Watamu Seashore Street
Telephone: +254 711 867 275
Working Hours: Every day from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Pizza Margherita, pasta, spaghetti with tuna
Common Value: $2-$4 per starter, $7-$13 per primary, $2-$5 for desserts
Web site: @hosteriaromanawatamu
9. Tamu (One of many Most Romantic Eating places in Watamu)
Tamu Seashore Bar and Restaurant, conveniently positioned close to Papa Remo Seashore, gives glorious service, pleasant employees, and scrumptious meals. Whether or not you’re looking for a comfy indoor eating expertise surrounded by rustic white interiors, excellent for a romantic dinner, or a beachfront setting for household outings, Tamu has you lined.
Their primary menu options a wide range of delectable choices similar to carpaccios, salads, queen prawns, vegetable fajitas, lobster medallion, and sushi sashimi. In the meantime, the youngsters’ menu contains favorites like tomato spaghetti, fried fish fingers, and fried hen with spiral chips. Save area to bask in pleasant desserts, wines, fruit juices, and smoothies.
Tamu Seashore Bar & Restaurant Info
Deal with: M22G+48 Watamu Seashore Street
Telephone: +254 703 707 038
Working Hours: Tue-Solar (10 am to 10 pm), Mon (closed)
Should-Strive Meals: Octopus carpaccio, prawns salad – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per primary, $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 searching for an reasonably priced beachfront spot to dine and chill out in Watamu, head to Willy Seashore Restaurant. Positioned on the southern finish of Papa Remo Seashore (Love Bay), this eatery serves grilled seafood similar to lobsters, shrimp, crab, and octopus. It additionally gives native dishes similar to pilau, hen, and beef stew with ugali and kachumbari.
Along with the meals, Willy Seashore Restaurant has a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. These embrace juices, tea, espresso, beers, wines, pictures, and cocktails. Check out the prickly pineapple or the vodka lemon cocktails.
Willy Seashore Watamu Info
Deal with: J2XF+8P Watamu
Telephone: +254 705 959 994
Working Hours: Every day from 8:30 am to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Seafood platter, linguini with combined greens, calamari salad
Common Value: $4-$7 per starter, $10-$15 per primary, $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 seashore eating places in Watamu for rest, 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 shocking seashore in Watamu with solar loungers providing implausible views of the Indian Ocean and close by islets (seven islands). Each Saturday from 11 pm, they host a seashore social gathering that includes implausible music by native DJs – an expertise I cherish and eagerly await on my subsequent Watamu go to.
Papa Remo Seashore Restaurant Info
Deal with: M23J+9X Jacaranda Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 707 010 527
Working Hours: Every day from 9 am to 10 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Recent seafood, pizza, grilled hen with chips
Common Value: $2-$5 per starter, $9-$16 per primary, $3-$9 for drinks
Web site: paparemobeach.com
12. Marafiki (One of many Greatest Seashore Eating places in Watamu)
Marafiki, which implies “buddies” in Swahili, is a captivating seashore bar and restaurant on Watamu’s northern facet alongside Jacaranda Bay Seashore. 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 similar 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
Deal with: M3MP+Q2V Jacaranda Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 711 738 524
Working Hours: Every day from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Should-Strive Meals: Beef fillet, squid fish, samosa – click on to see the total menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $9-$14 per primary
Web site: marafikibeachrestaurant.com
13. Safina Seashore Bar (Restaurant in Watamu with a Sea View)
This seashore bar and restaurant is located alongside the magnificent Jacaranda Bay Seashore. Apart from providing scrumptious meals, it offers a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and offers superb views of the Indian Ocean.
Like many seashore 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 seashore stroll, or go kitesurfing.
For these looking for aquatic adventures, the clear waters provide 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
Deal with: M3MP+V5, Spiaggia Jacaranda, Kanani Street, Watamu
Telephone: +254 719 214 521
Working Hours: Every day from 8 am to 9 am
Should-Strive Meals: Grilled hen with ugali – click on to see the total menu
Common Value: $3-$5 per starter, $7-$13 per primary
Web site: safinabeachrestaurant.com
14. Mamiy’s Pizza (Greatest for Pizza and Piadina in Watamu)
Every time I go to Watamu, Mamiy’s is my best choice for pizza. This charming pizzeria, located on Watamu-Gede Street, gives a heat environment and fast service.
Their pizza choice is numerous, that includes numerous kinds 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).
Apart from the pizzas, Mamiy’s additionally serves among the most interesting piadinas (flatbread) in Watamu. You’ll be able to indulge of their piadina romagnola, which will be stuffed with a wide range of scrumptious elements similar 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
Deal with: J2X7+R8C, Gede Watamu Rd, Watamu
Telephone: +254 795 214 014
Working Hours: Wed-Sat (12 to 2 pm), Mon-Tue (closed), Solar (5 pm to 10:30 pm)
Should-Strive Meals: Pizzas – click on right here to see the total menu
Common Value: $6-$10 per pizza, $2-$5 for desserts
Web site: @mamiyspizza
15. Non Solo Gelato (Greatest for Gelatos and Desserts)
When you’ve got a candy tooth, your culinary journey in Watamu would solely be full by exploring its gelatos, ice cream parlors, and pastry outlets.
To test off all the above, I extremely suggest a go to to Non Solo Gelato, an Italian restaurant well-liked for its number of candy treats, espresso, and sandwiches. Right here, you’ll be able to get pleasure from recent juices, croissants, gelatos, muffins, and numerous dessert choices.
Non Solo Gelato is a superb alternative 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
Deal with: J2V6+F9 Watamu
Telephone: +254 794 600 128
Working Hours: Mon-Sat (7 am to eight pm), Solar (closed)
Should-Strive Meals: Roche ice cream, black cherry, piadina sandwich
Common Value: $3-$9 for ice lotions/gelatos, $3-$6 for desserts
Web site: @nonsologelatobyanna
Should-Strive Meals in Watamu
While you’re in Watamu, you’ll be able to’t miss the prospect to bask in its culinary delights. To provide you some concepts, listed here 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 widespread in Watamu and different cities alongside the Swahili coast. These dishes usually embrace 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 you 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 by in its wood-fired pizzas. There are a number of seashore eating places and pizzerias to get pleasure from a crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with recent elements and native flavors. I like to recommend attempting Mamiy’s Marinara, Margherita, or Napoli pizzas.
Recent Seafood Platter
Being a coastal city, Watamu is among 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 preferred 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: Meals in Kenya – 15 Should-Strive Dishes in Kenya
Watamu Eating places: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to steadily requested questions on the most effective locations to eat in Watamu:
Watamu eating places are distinctive, and every gives one thing for various tastes and preferences. My favorites embrace Mamiy’s for pizza, Crab Shack for seafood and sunsets, Amandina for an ocean view, Tamu for native dishes, Kokomo for a seashore expertise, and Non Solo Gelato for ice lotions.
Dinner hours in Watamu are usually noticed between 7 pm and 9 pm. Nonetheless, some locations might have prolonged lunch hours, so it is best to verify with the restaurant of your alternative 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 usually served from 7 am to 10 am, though this may fluctuate relying on every eatery, lodge, or resort.
Tipping in Watamu is just not a should, however is actually appreciated. Tipping round 10-15% of the invoice is mostly really helpful if you happen to’re happy with the restaurant’s service, meals high quality, and total ambiance.
Though Watamu isn’t well-known for conventional pub meals, you’ll find informal pub-style dishes at many beachfront bars and eating places. These might embrace choices like nyama choma, burgers, beef fry, and seafood. To expertise such dishes, take into account visiting eating places similar to Tamu, Papa Remo, Kokomo, Sundown, Safina, and Marafiki.
Eating places with the most effective views in Watamu embrace Lichthaus by Temple Level, Kokomo Seashore Restaurant, Crab Shack Dabaso, and the Amandina Restaurant.
In Conclusion
There are lots of eating places in Watamu, however the above are only a handful that can assist you determine 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 world delicacies, Watamu has the right eating spot to please your preferences.
As you discover this coastal paradise, I like to recommend searching for extra locations to eat. You’ll be pleasantly shocked by the abundance of elegant cafes, tempting gelaterias, charming eating places, and breezy seashore bars that grace Watamu – my favourite journey vacation spot alongside Kenya’s beautiful shoreline.
