While beautiful white sand beaches, coral gardens, and high-end resorts are its piece de resistances, do not miss out on the opportunity to check out dining establishments in Watamu for a genuinely remarkable cooking experience.
The village on the northern coast of Kenya is home to different neighborhoods, mainly residents and Italian migrants and citizens. It’s likewise a well-known location to go to in Kenya amongst travelers, making its food varied and catering to everybody who comes by.
As an outcome, you’ll find different dining alternatives, from regional restaurants and beach bars to seafood areas and various pizzerias.
With its sensational beaches best for relaxation, a Marine Park for watersports, excellent lodging alternatives, and inviting residents, Watamu is among my preferred vacation destinations in Kenya. I just recently returned for a week and found more things to do and puts to consume in this seaside paradise.
So, if you’re questioning and preparing a see what food to try or where to consume in Watamu, you’re in the ideal location. In this short article, I’ll present you to a few of the finest dining establishments in Watamu; detailing what they provide and their places.
15 Best Restaurants in Watamu
Here are a few of the very best locations to consume in Watamu. You’ll discover a range of foods at these dining establishments, consisting of Swahili meals, Italian meals, and fresh seafood.
The list is based upon my individual experiences and evaluations shared by other tourists on platforms such as Trip Advisor and Google Business.
1. Crab Shack Dabaso (Best Restaurant in Watamu Overall)
Crab Shack Dabaso is a special seafood dining establishment set among thick mangroves, providing an unforgettable dining experience. This dining establishment is community-run and was developed by a local conservation group to provide mouth watering meals and promote eco-activities in the Mida Creek environment.
It’s one of the very best regional dining establishments in Watamu, thanks to its friendly personnel and excellent place ignoring the stunning creek. You can anticipate a menu that includes a selection of alternatives, consisting of fish, octopus, oysters, lobster, crabs, and prawns, in addition to a selection of fresh juices, bottled beers, mixed drinks, and red wines.
I extremely suggest attempting the huge Mida crab, the combined seafood grill, and the crab samosa. Furthermore, Crab Shack is a perfect area for birdwatching, taking walks along a mangrove boardwalk, and capturing awesome sundowns. You can likewise lease a canoe or join a tour to check out the creek and neighboring islands.
Crab Shack Dabaso Information
Address: MX3Q+VH Crab Shack, Dabaso, Watamu
Phone: +254 725 315 562
Operating Hours: Daily from 8 am to 9 pm
Must-Try Meals: Grilled seafood, Jumbo prawns, crab samosa– click here to see the full menu
Average Cost: $ 2-$ 5 per starter, $11-$ 44 per primary, $2-$ 4 for desserts
Website: dabasocreek.wixsite.com
2. Amandina (Best for Fine Dining in Watamu)
Located at the Median Palms Hotel along the appealing Turtle Bay Beach, Amandina Restaurant uses inexpensive dining matched with extraordinary service and a beautiful atmosphere. Their menu consists of African, European, and Mediterranean foods in addition to vegan alternatives.
If you’re trying to find a comfortable area best for romantic, great dining in Watamu, I suggest Amandina. The dining establishment supplies an unwinded environment with outside seating offering awesome ocean views. Here, you can delight in different food and drink alternatives for supper, lunch, and breakfast.
My preferred meals at Amandina consist of the combined grilled seafood plate and chicken biryani. They likewise provide a scrumptious choice of main dishes consisting of pizzas, steaks, and pasta, and welcoming desserts such as ice creams and cheesecakes– ensure you leave space for these!
Their red wine list includes excellent options, consisting of Pecan Stream Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and La Bollina Gavi from Italy.
Amandina Restaurant Information
Address: Medina Palms Hotel, off Turtle Bay Road, Watamu
Phone: +254 114 128 477
Operating Hours: Daily from 7 am to 9 pm
Must-Try Meals: Beef tenderloin, combined grill seafood plate, Swahili chicken biryani
Average Cost:$ 3-$ 7 per starter, $11-$ 19 per primary, $3-$ 5 for desserts
Website: medinapalms.com
3. Sundown Beach (Best for Pizza and Cocktails in Watamu)
Sunset Beach sticks out as one of the finest locations for pizzas and mixed drinks in Watamu. Located along with Watamu Beach, it boasts a somewhat raised deck, supplying the best setting to delight in periodic live music, incredible sundowns, and night beach activities.
While they provide alternative meals like roast chicken and chips, their specialized is the traditional wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza. My preferred amongst their offerings is the Diavola pizza, consisting of mozzarella, tomato sauce, spicy salami, aromatic basil, and oil.
Sunset Beach Restaurant Information
Address: J2VC+C3 Watamu
Phone: +254 793 858 165
Operating Hours: Wed-Mon (12:30 pm to 11 pm), Tue (closed)
Must-Try Meals: Pizzas– click here to see the full menu
Average Cost: $ 11-$ 14 per pizza, $5-$ 9 for mixed drinks
Website: sunsetbeachwatamu.com
4. Pilipan (Best for Seafood and Stunning Sunsets)
Pilipan ranks amongst the leading dining establishments in Watamu supplying mouth watering food, an enjoyable environment, extraordinary service, and an appealing choice of mixed drinks.
The menu includes a range of meals consisting of prawns, fish, and chicken in coconut curry, barbecue snapper, seafood skewers, chili paneer, and prawn mixed drinks.
Plan your go to around their Saturday pleased hour from 5 pm to 7 pm. It’s the best chance to delight in among their mixed drinks while taking in the panorama of the mangrove bushes and the bewitching sundown over Turtle Bay Creek.
Pilipan Restaurant Information
Address: JXHV+WW, Turtle Bay Road, Watamu
Phone: +254 713 993 776
Operating Hours: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm(* )Must-Try Meals:
Chicken curry, grilled snapper, tuna carpaccio Average Cost:
$ 2-$ 5 per starter, $8-$ 11 per primary, $3-$ 5 for mixed drinks Website:
5. Lichthaus by Temple Point (Best for Pub Food in Watamu) @pilipanwatamu
Lichthaus by
is among the very best bars and dining establishments in Watamu with a view. It includes a raised balcony and comfy hammocks where you can loosen up with a cold beer or mixed drink, all while delighting in stunning views of Mida Creek.Temple Point Resort The bar boasts inviting personnel, a comfortable atmosphere, and serves scrumptious food. Their main dish meals consist of alternatives like pineapple octopus, garlic-grilled beef, succulent pork leg skewers, and a range of fresh fish plates. In addition, they provide rejuvenating salads prepared with tomatoes, cucumbers, guacamole, and fresh veggies.
Lichthaus by Temple Point Information
Address:
Phone: JX7C+X7, Mida Creek, Watamu
+254 740 768 412 Operating Hours:
Daily from 12 pm to 10 pm Must-Try Meals:
Grilled garlic beef, pineapple octopus, home salad Average Cost:
$ 3-$ 5 per starter, $11-$ 18 per primary Website:
6. Gede Coffee Gardens (Best for Lunch and Dinner in Watamu) templepointresort.com
Gede Coffee Gardens at
is the supreme outside dining experience in Watamu. I’ve had supper there lot of times and it’s a wonderful area with ocean views, a cool breeze, and stellar skies. The dining establishment serves supper, lunch, and breakfast, prepared utilizing fresh fruit and vegetables from neighboring markets and seafood sourced from regional anglers.Hemingways Hotel Their varied menu includes a range of alternatives consisting of Italian pizzas, grilled seafood, Karoo lamb, beef steaks, sandwiches, covers, and delicious pastries and gelatos. To top off your night, the Hemingways Bar waits for, providing a generous choice of red wines, spirits, and tropical mixed drinks for a relaxing post-dinner experience.
Gede Coffee Gardens Information
Address:
Phone: J2P3+G2Q Watamu
+254 709 188 000 Operating Hours:
Daily from 10 am to 9 pm Must-Try Meals:
Jumbo prawns, beef fillet, pizza– Average Cost: click here to see the full menu
$ 3-$ 8 per starter, $11-$ 59 per primary, $4-$ 6 for desserts Website:
7. Kokomo Beach Bar (Best for Lebanese Food in Watamu) hemingways-collection.com
Kokomo Beach Bar and Restaurant, situated at the edge of Mapango Bay (
), is my go-to option for an unforgettable night. Here, you can enjoy awesome ocean deem the sun sets while delighting in a revitalizing tropical mixed drink or a cold regional beer.Watamu Beach Their varied menu consists of lamb kebabs, Lebanese mezze, premium and vegetarian hamburgers, grilled chicken, beef fillet, and fish. You can likewise delight in wonderful desserts like cheesecakes and tarts and check out a range of salads, such as tabouleh and fattoush, in addition to appetisers consisting of seared tuna and shrimp provençal.
Kokomo Beach Bar & & Restaurant Information
Address:
Phone: J2VC+37 Mapango Beach, Watamu
+254 759 954 462 Operating Hours:
Daily from midday to midnight Must-Try Meals:
Lebanese mezze, vegetarian hamburgers, grilled beef fillet(* )Average Cost:$ 13-$ 25 per primary, $7-$ 14 for mixed drinks, $6-$ 11 for desserts
Website: 8. Hosteria Romana (Best for Italian Food in Watamu)
Hosteria Romana is a lovely and modest dining establishment in Watamu town, simply a stone’s toss from the beach. The dining establishment is popular for its genuine Italian meals, that include pizza, pasta, spaghetti, and gnocchi. @kokomobeachbarandrestaurant
While their specialized is Italian food, their menu likewise deals with other tastes consisting of seafood and vegetarian-friendly worldwide alternatives, including fresh fish catches, lobsters, crabs, and prawns.
If you are remaining or going to near Watamu Beach, do not miss out on the chance to dine at this dining establishment. Experiment with their fresh salmon carpaccio or carbonara (spaghetti, eggs, bacon, pecorino cheese, olive oil), and relish it with a glass of home red wine.
Hosteria Romana Information
Address:
Phone:
+254 711 867 275J2VC+G9, Watamu Beach Road
Operating Hours: Daily from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Must-Try Meals: Pizza Margherita, pasta, spaghetti with tuna
Average Cost: $ 2-$ 4 per starter, $7-$ 13 per primary, $2-$ 5 for desserts
Website: 9. Tamu (One of one of the most Romantic Restaurants in Watamu)
Tamu Beach Bar and Restaurant, easily situated near @hosteriaromanawatamu
, uses outstanding service, friendly personnel, and scrumptious food. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable indoor dining experience surrounded by rustic white interiors, suitable for a romantic supper, or a beachfront setting for household trips, Tamu has you covered.
Their primary menu includes a range of delicious alternatives such as carpaccios, salads, queen prawns, veggie fajitas, lobster medallion, and sushi sashimi. The kids’ menu consists of favorites like tomato spaghetti, fried fish fingers, and fried chicken with spiral chips. Conserve area to delight in wonderful desserts, red wines, fruit juices, and healthy smoothies.Papa Remo Beach Tamu Beach Bar & & Restaurant Information
Address:
Phone:
+254 703 707 038M22G+48 Watamu Beach Road
Operating Hours: Tue-Sun (10 am to 10 pm), Mon (closed)
Must-Try Meals: Octopus carpaccio, prawns salad–
Average Cost: $ 3-$ 5 per starter, $9-$ 16 per primary, $2-$ 4 for dessertsclick here to see the full menu
Website: 10. Willy Beach (Best for Seafood and Cheap Eats in Watamu)
If you’re trying to find an inexpensive beachfront area to unwind and dine in Watamu, head to Willy Beach Restaurant. Found on the southern end of tamurestaurant.com
(Love Bay), this restaurant serves grilled seafood such as lobsters, crab, octopus, and shrimp. It likewise uses regional meals such as beef, chicken, and pilau stew with kachumbari and ugali.
In addition to the food, Willy Beach Restaurant has a choice of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. These consist of juices, tea, coffee, beers, shots, red wines, and mixed drinks. Experiment with the irritable pineapple or the vodka lemon mixed drinks.Papa Remo Beach Willy Beach Watamu Information
Address:
Phone:
+254 705 959 994J2XF+8P Watamu
Operating Hours: Daily from 8:30 am to 10 pm
Must-Try Meals: Seafood plate, linguini with combined veggies, calamari salad
Average Cost:$ 4-$ 7 per starter, $10-$ 15 per primary, $2-$ 3 for desserts
Website: 11. Papa Remo (Best for Lunch and Partying in Watamu)
Papa Remo is among my preferred beach dining establishments in Watamu for relaxation, excellent food, and a dynamic environment. It supplies outside and indoor dining alternatives with a multi-cuisine menu consisting of Italian pizzas, grilled beef and chicken, seafood, and different rejuvenating drinks. @willybeachwatamu
The dining establishment is located along Love Bay, a sensational
with sun loungers providing great views of the Indian Ocean and neighboring islets (7 islands). Every Saturday from 11 pm, they host a beach celebration including great music by regional DJs– an experience I value and excitedly wait for on my next Watamu go to.
Papa Remo Beach Restaurant Informationbeach in Watamu Address:
Phone:
+254 707 010 527M23J+9X Jacaranda Road, Watamu
Operating Hours: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm
Must-Try Meals: Fresh seafood, pizza, grilled chicken with chips
Average Cost: $ 2-$ 5 per starter, $9-$ 16 per primary, $3-$ 9 for beverages
Website: 12. Marafiki (One of the very best Beach Restaurants in Watamu)
Marafiki, which implies “good friends” in Swahili, is a lovely beach bar and dining establishment on Watamu’s northern side along paparemobeach.com
You can enjoy delicious food and drinks here while delighting in incredible ocean views.
Their varied menu boasts a range of alternatives consisting of seafood, Swahili, and Italian meals such as grilled calamari, pizzas, nyama choma (grilled or roast meat), samaki wa nazi (conventional fish curry with coconut cream), and gelatos.Jacaranda Bay Beach. Marafiki Beach Bar & & Restaurant Information
Address:
Phone:
+254 711 738 524M3MP+Q2V Jacaranda Road, Watamu
Operating Hours: Daily from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm(* )Must-Try Meals:
Beef fillet, squid fish, samosa– Average Cost:
$ 3-$ 5 per starter, $9-$ 14 per primary Website: click to see the full menu
13. Safina Beach Bar (Restaurant in Watamu with a Sea View) This beach bar and dining establishment is located along the spectacular
Besides providing scrumptious meals, it supplies a choice of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks and supplies fantastic views of the Indian Ocean. marafikibeachrestaurant.com
Like numerous beach bars in Watamu, Safina’s menu functions regional meals, pizzas, panini, grilled meats, seafood, beers, and mixed drinks. Following your meal, you can loosen up on sun loungers and swing beds under gazebos, take a beach walk, or go kitesurfing.
For those looking for water experiences, the clear waters provide chances for swimming and snorkeling, where you can observe vibrant fish and other marine types listed below the surface area.Jacaranda Bay Beach. Safina Beach Bar & & Restaurant Information
Address:
Phone:
+254 719 214 521
Operating Hours:M3MP+V5, Spiaggia Jacaranda, Kanani Road, Watamu
Daily from 8 am to 9 am Must-Try Meals:
Grilled chicken with ugali– Average Cost:
$ 3-$ 5 per starter, $7-$ 13 per primary Website: click to see the full menu
14. Mamiy’s Pizza (Best for Pizza and Piadina in Watamu) Whenever I go to Watamu, Mamiy’s is my leading option for pizza. This lovely pizzeria, located on Watamu-Gede Road, uses a warm environment and fast service.
Their pizza choice varies, including different designs and garnishes consisting of alternatives like Mamiy’s unique, Margherita, Napoli, Hawaii, Vegetariana, and my individual favorite, Italia (topped with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, onion, olives, and oregano). safinabeachrestaurant.com
Besides the pizzas, Mamiy’s likewise serves a few of the finest piadinas (flatbread) in Watamu. You can delight in their piadina romagnola, which can be filled with a range of scrumptious components such as mozzarella, ham, tomato, chicken cubes, and grilled zucchini. Along with these offerings, you can purchase a variety of treats, desserts, and drinks.
Mamiy’s Pizza Information
Address:
Phone:
+254 795 214 014
Operating Hours:J2X7+R8C, Gede Watamu Rd, Watamu
Wed-Sat (12 to 2 pm), Mon-Tue (closed), Sun (5 pm to 10:30 pm) Must-Try Meals:
Pizzas– Average Cost:
$ 6-$ 10 per pizza, $2-$ 5 for desserts Website: click here to see the full menu
15. Non Solo Gelato (Best for Gelatos and Desserts) If you have a craving for sweets, your cooking experience in Watamu would just be total by exploring its gelatos, ice cream parlors, and bakery.
To mark off all of the above, I extremely suggest a check out to Non Solo Gelato, an Italian dining establishment popular for its range of sweet deals with, coffee, and sandwiches. Here, you can delight in fresh juices, croissants, gelatos, cakes, and different dessert alternatives. @mamiyspizza
Non Solo Gelato is an outstanding option for breakfast, breakfast, or lunch in Watamu. Apart from their sweet offerings, they likewise serve genuine Italian food, including meals like lasagna, pasta, and panini. Personally, I can’t get enough of their cannoli filled with almonds and Nutella.
Non Solo Gelato Restaurant Information
Address:
Phone:
+254 794 600 128
Operating Hours:J2V6+F9 Watamu
Mon-Sat (7 am to 8 pm), Sun (closed) Must-Try Meals:
Roche ice cream, black cherry, piadina sandwich Average Cost:
$ 3-$ 9 for ice creams/gelatos, $3-$ 6 for desserts Website:
Must-Try Meals in Watamu When you’re in Watamu, you can’t miss out on the opportunity to delight in its cooking thrills. To offer you some concepts, here are my preferred must-try foods in Watamu, consisting of fresh grilled seafood, delicious Italian meals, and scrumptious Swahili food:
Swahili Rice Dishes @nonsologelatobyanna
Rice meals prevail in Watamu and other towns along the Swahili coast. These meals usually consist of fragrant rice prepared with spices, veggies, and meat (chicken, mutton, or beef). My favorites are biryani chicken and beef pilau.
Local Breakfast
Before you begin your day’s experiences in Watamu, ensure you delight in the Swahili breakfast. It generally makes up Kenyan chai or coffee, in addition to samosas, boiled or fried eggs, and pastries like mahamri (a dough seasoned with coconut milk and deep-fried into a triangular, golden-brown pastry).
Wood-Fired Pizza
Watamu’s Italian impact shines through in its wood-fired pizzas. There are a number of beach dining establishments and pizzerias to delight in a crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with regional tastes and fresh components. I suggest attempting Mamiy’s Marinara, Margherita, or Napoli pizzas.
Fresh Seafood Platter
Being a seaside town, Watamu is among the very best locations for fresh seafood. While here, attempt a seafood plate with grilled prawns, lobster, crabs, and octopus, all skilled and skillfully ready. Fried fish with ugali is likewise a must-try.
Samaki wa Nazi
Fish in Swahili is samaki, while nazi implies coconut. Samaki wa nazi equates to “fish in a coconut curry,” a popular Swahili meal along the East African coast. This tasty meal is generally developed with fresh fish prepared in a velvety coconut sauce, skilled with spices like garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chili, and is often served with ugali or rice (wali).
☞ SEE ALSO:
Watamu Restaurants: FAQs
Here are some responses to often asked concerns about the very best locations to consume in Watamu:
What are the very best dining establishments in Watamu?Food in Kenya – 15 Must-Try Dishes in Kenya
Watamu dining establishments are distinct, and each deals something for various tastes and choices. My favorites consist of Mamiy’s for pizza, Crab Shack for seafood and sundowns, Amandina for an ocean view, Tamu for regional meals, Kokomo for a beach experience, and Non Solo Gelato for ice creams.
What time is supper in Watamu?
What time is lunch in Watamu?
What time is breakfast in Watamu?
Do you tip in Watamu?
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What’s the very best dining establishment in Watamu with a sea view?
In Conclusion
So, whether you long for the abundant scent of Swahili biryani, some mouthwatering seafood alternatives like grilled octopus, or the familiarity of Italian pizzas and international food, Watamu has the best dining area to please your choices.
As you explore this seaside paradise, I suggest trying to find extra locations to consume. You’ll be happily amazed by the abundance of elegant coffee shops, appealing gelaterias, lovely dining establishments, and breezy beach bars that grace Watamu– my preferred travel location along Kenya’s sensational shoreline.
