Niamey

Amandine Cakes

Lattes, goat cheese soup, pain de chocolat, pain des epinards, salads, sandwiches, Lebanese specialties, and many other good things. Bright, clean, and modern, it is a very popular favorite amongst anyone who enters its doors. Taxi to “Score” (by Petite Marché), and it’s right across the street.

Bellissimo’s

A swanky rooftop escape overlooking Rond Point Maorey. Go up there for drinks, dinner, dancing late, pedicures, watching the world go by. Have a beer and watch the rond point for accidents and near misses.

Cathedral de Maorey

The largest place of worship for the city's minority (but still sizable) Christian population, the cathedral mixes local and European architecture & décor. This cathedral is very lively during sermons and churchgoers are finely dressed. Services are offered in French & Hausa, inquire at the Catholic mission (+227 20 733259).

Centre Culturel Franco-Nigerien (CCFN)

Across the street from the Musée Nationale, they have an extensive library (all in French), a bar, a cybercafe, and offer French and Nigerien language courses, and have a great activities schedule featuring musical acts, debates, films, plays, etc. Pick up their performance guide and plan your trips into Niamey around some great concerts and events. Even if nothing is scheduled, the library and bar are good places to meet expats and locals who are interested in learning and meeting new people.

Centre Culturel Oumarou Ganda

Oumarou Ganda Cultural Centre

Like the CCFN, this cultural centre has a 5,000-spectator amphitheatre, a bar and a large library containing lots of French-language books & magazines.

Grande Marché

The largest market in Niger and the country's commercial centre, this colourful and vibrant site contains over 5000 stalls (1500 of which are enclosed). See below (under "Buy")

Grande Mosquée

You can tour the Grande Mosquée, a gift to Niger from Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi. Just walk up to the main doors of the Grande Mosque and the guardian will greet you and give you a tour. Or arrange with him ahead of time: his name is Issaka and his number is 96.30.24.27. You pay “whatever you think is appropriate” but be aware that you will have to pay three separate times: the first time is a donation to support the upkeep of the mosque and their charitable activities; the second time is a small donation for the women’s room of the mosque, and then a tip for the guide at the end. So, you might pay CFA 1000/400/1000 per person but exact amounts are up to you. As part of the tour you can climb the minaret and take pictures. Tours are in French, Hausa, or Zarma. Not open around prayer time, Fridays, and Muslim holidays. He likes to rush you through, but take your time and enjoy it. You might need to “remind” him about the minaret. Dress conservatively; women must wear a head scarf.

La Cloche

Pool-playing and casual atmosphere, though it's definitely for wealthy locals and expats. Lebanese and Western fare and great cocktails.

Musée National Boubou-Hama and Zoo

This complex was built in 1959 by the colonial French government as the L'Institute Francais d'Afrique Noire (French Institute of Black Africa), although the original museum was largely destroyed by fire in 1980. The museum is fairly small and run down. There are some Hausa-styled pavilions containing displays on Nigerien history & customs and exhibitions focusing on such things as traditional instruments, palaeontology/archaeology, costumes & uranium mining. The national zoo is depressing, mostly Sahelian animals. Other sites on the campus include traditionally-built dwellings, a small bar, and many handicrafts sellers. Bring water or buy it outside, as it is expensive inside. The exhibits and boutiques are closed in the afternoon 12:00-15:00 although during that time you can still see the animals and artisans. Entry costs CFA 1,000, a photography permit is CFA 1,000, and a guided tour (in French) costs CFA 2,500. There are two entrances: one on Rue du Musee and another opposite the Palais du Congres.

The Hippodrome

Go out for an afternoon at the races at the hippodrome. A race is held Saturday afternoons around 17:00 or so, and it's free to get in. Go for the ambience, the pageantry, and if you like, make a bet.

Baobab Senegalese Restaurant

Favourites include sauce d’arachide (peanut sauce) for CFA 800 including beef (more for chicken or fish), yassa (onion-based Senegalese specialty with veggies and meat) for CFA 800 including beef (more for chicken or fish) and spaghetti-poisson (spaghetti and fish) for CFA 2,000. They also have good bisap (sweetened hibiscus leave drink) for CFA 200 a small bottle. By some accounts, the best Senegalese food in Niamey. Good place to go if you are in the neighbourhood of either Grande Marché or Petite Marché.

Opens at 12:30, but the food arrives at 14:00. At night food is served from 19:00

Byblos

Lebanese Cuisine. Take a taxi to "Pharmacie Yantala." This inviting restaurant offers the best in Lebanese fare. The mezzé is the meal to order: it’s a sampler platter of taboulé, hummus, baba ganouj, meat pies and other Lebanese delicacies for CFA 10,000: split it between 2-3 people. The falafels and chawermas are also very tasty. Service is friendly and efficient.

Opens at 19:30

Chez Chin’s

Chinese. Good food and extremely popular. Has fresh noodles and hot pot (order one day in advance). Good date place because of its romantic atmosphere. Great for family meals because the service is fast and the kids can roam in the garden, look at the menagerie of animals or play on the swings and monkey bars. Located on Tillaberi Road, not far from Pharmacie Yantala. Taxi to OMS and it's across the street.

Lunch 10:30-14:00, dinner 17:30–23:00

Dragon D’Or

Chinese. Dine al fresco or indoors. Air-con. Run by a Chinese family. The food is excellent. Can’t go wrong with this choice. Off the rondpoint Grand Hotel; look for the Christmas lights. Friday nights has Karaoke.

lunch 12:09-14:00, dinner 19:00-00:00

Fast Food de L’Année

Delicious hamburgers for CFA 800 or teazburgers (cheeseburgers) for CFA 1,400. Probably the best burgers (stuffed with fries) in town. They also have egg burgers for the vegetarians, fries, omelettes, tuna burgers and lots of other stuff including soft drinks. There are two locations: 1) Take a taxi to “Centre Cultural Oumarou Ganda”, north of the Grande Mosquée. From there, walk north towards the yellow Sonitrav sign and look for their shop on corner of the next crossroads; 2) Take a taxi to Rond Point Grand Hotel and they are on the west side of the round point on the road that heads down to the Kennedy Bridge.

Ghanaian Restaurant

Try the fufu, delicious at CFA 500/bowl, generous meat portions are extra. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, try the bonkou which is fermented corn dumplings with sauce. They also have soft drinks, PureWater, etc. Owners prefer to speak English. If you want a spoon you have to ask for it. Good place to go if you are in the neighbourhood of Grande Marché.

Open for lunch (around 12:30) or dinner, but usually closed Sundays.

Grand Hotel Terrace

The Grand Hotel has also houses a popular bar with an amazing river view, which is especially good around sunset. Jazz and happy hour brochettes on Thursday and Sunday nights.

Grande Marché Hide-away

From Grande Marché’s Porte Principal (main entrance), head away from the marché. On your left, tucked in amongst other shops and hidden behind a bunch of street vendors, you’ll see a yellow-painted building with the Flag beer sign. Once you go in they have an enclosed shaded courtyard with wooden booths and tables. They have beer and cokes, and plenty of street food sellers are outside for various food options.

Idrissa Nems

Cheap and good Chinese food. Tell the taxi Pharmacy Chateau Un. They will also deliver but you have to pay for the service and it is often a wait, so order early.

Ile de Gorée Senegalese Restaurant

In Chateau 1 one can also have quality Senegalese food. Slightly higher prices than the other Senagalese places but still good. From the main Chateau 1 intersection, take the eastern road and it is just down a little way on the left.

Food is served from 12:30 until it runs out, and again in the evenings from around 19:00

La Casbah

North African Cuisine. Coming from Tillaberi, turn onto Maurice Delens toward Mali Bero and then take the very first left. You’ll see the sign immediately. This delightful and attractively decorated restaurant serves delicious couscous dishes and traditional Algerian tadjines. Try the Salad Casbah as an appetizer with its variety of tomato, aubergine (eggplant) and green peppers. For the carnivore, try the Couscous Royale, which has a good portion of chicken, mutton and sausage brochettes. They also have a fine selection of cocktails including daiquiris. Service is first rate.

Opens at 19:30

La Diamangou

French and African cuisine. On the Corniche Gamkalley. Dine on a boat. Sunday lunch by reservation only. Very slow service, but good food. Good for a change in atmosphere. It’s also possible to rent the boat and have your meal while cruising the Niger.

Serves lunch and dinner, but call ahead for times as it changes·CFA 30,000 per person, minimum of 10 people

La Legone

A bar for the locals. It has a great feel and is tucked away in the Nouveau Marché neighbourhood. The beer is cold and they have great fare for lunch and dinner if you are interested in local food. Well worth the trip to a local bar in a non-expat area.

La Pizzeria

Pizza and pasta. Take away or eat-in. A wide selection of pizza toppings, and the service is quick. Good, thin crusted pizza in a comfortable setting. Also great calzones. Great for children as they can watch the cook make the pizza. Near Rue de Combat, by Croissant d’Or on Rue du Commerce. Tell the taxi "Siege BIA", and it is just down the street on the right.

Tue-Sun lunch 11:30 - 13:30, dinner 18:30 - 22:30

Le Bar Snob

Delicious and cheap food. Run by a woman of Asian descent. Call ahead the day before and order the Chinese soup (20.73.24.83). Ask a taxi for “Pharmacie Inikwara” and then walk north for half a block. Look for the big cement swan planters out front.

Le Damsi Continental

Breakfast, lunch and dinner. A favourite among the expats because of its extensive and varied menu, including everything from burgers and pseudo-milkshakes to decent Chinese and even Japanese food. Try the pizza. Sonara I Building (same building as Air France) on Rue du Souvenir.

Le Djinkounme

Great atmosphere, with dining outside or in a small hut. Food from all over western Africa. The menu has good descriptions, and the waitress helps you with your order to make sure you’ll like your meal. Excellent brochettes. Off Chateau Un on the same road as the BraNiger outlet, heading north.

Tue-Sun lunch from 12:30– 14:30, dinner 18:30–23:00

Le Gawlo senegalese restaurant

Serves excellent senegalese dishes (not the fatty, oil-saturated dishes that you often find) for CFA 1,500, They also offer a range of natural juices like bissap, jus de baobab and ginger for CFA 250 a glass.

The restaurant opens during the day

Le Gourmet

Another highly rated Lebanese restaurant tucked away in Chateau 1. Off the main road that turns into Maurice Delens. Look for the plaque, on the same side of the street as ChouBoy and Jojo Market.

Le Pilier

Italian. Another expat favourite, especially for their desserts and their meals. Homemade pastas, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. They even have cappuccino and tiramisu. Everything on the menu is good. Located on Rue de la Tapoa.

Lunch 12:30-14:00, dinner from 18:30 – 23:30