Discover The Gambia's food scene

The Gambia's tourist strip, where beach bars meet fine dining.

Kololi is where most visitors first taste The Gambia. The Senegambia Strip buzzes with open-air restaurants serving everything from Lebanese shawarma to smoky afra. Walk five minutes off the strip and you'll find local chop shops doing benachin for a fraction of the tourist-facing price.

The commercial heart — big portions, honest prices.

Serrekunda is the largest city in The Gambia and where everyday Gambians eat. The market area is dense with cook shops turning out domoda, supakanja, and plasas before noon. This is where you eat what Gambians eat, at prices Gambians pay.

Upscale neighbourhood dining and hidden garden restaurants.

Fajara sits between the Atlantic coast and the main highway, home to embassies, expat compounds, and some of the country's most refined restaurants. Expect Italian, Indian, and inventive Gambian fusion at slightly higher price points.

Old-school fishing town flavour, fresh off the boat.

Bakau's fish market sets the tone — everything here is fresh. The Cape Point area has long-standing restaurants with loyal followings. This is where to find the best yassa poisson and grilled barracuda, often served with a view of the mangroves.

The capital, quiet but full of character and cook shops.

Banjul is smaller and slower than Serrekunda, but the Albert Market area has some of the most authentic Gambian street food. Government workers keep the lunch spots alive, and there's a growing cluster of juice bars and cafes near the arch.

Coastal village vibes with surprisingly good restaurants.

Brufut is quieter than Kololi but has attracted a handful of excellent restaurants. The beach-side spots serve grilled fish straight from the pirogues, and the village interior has a growing food scene fuelled by the new residential developments.