20 Best Places to Eat in Cameroon: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Cameroonian gastronomy is widely regarded as one of the richest and most diverse cuisines in Central Africa. Blending staple tubers, plantains, fresh Atlantic seafood, aromatic indigenous spices, and peanut sauces with French culinary techniques, dining in Cameroon is an exciting culinary adventure.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

During your travels across Cameroon, make sure to savor these iconic national dishes:

Ndolé: Cameroon's famous national dish made from bitterleaf greens, ground peanuts, fresh crayfish, shrimp, and tender beef.
Poulet DG (Directeur Général): A delicious stir-fry dish of fried chicken, sweet plantains, carrots, bell peppers, and rich tomato gravy.
Koki Beans: Savory steamed cake made from black-eyed peas, palm oil, and chili wrapped in banana leaves.
Poisson Braisé: Fresh ocean or river fish marinating in wild ginger, white pepper, garlic, and slow-grilled over charcoal embers.
Eru: A traditional forest green stew made from shredded eru leaves, waterleaf, palm oil, crayfish, and smoked meat served with water fufu.

20 Best Places to Eat in Cameroon

1. Le Safoutier Restaurant

Cuisine: Fine Dining African & International
Location: Hilton Yaoundé, Boulevard du 20 Mai
Must-Try Dish: Royal Ndolé with Jumbo Prawns
About the Place: Located inside the Hilton Hotel, Le Safoutier offers an elegant buffet and à la carte menu highlighting refined Cameroonian specialties and international cuisine.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Le Safoutier Restaurant

2. Restaurant Le Colisée

Cuisine: Fine Dining French & Cameroonian
Location: Bastos, Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Lobster with Kampot-style Cameroonian White Pepper
About the Place: Set in the upscale diplomatic quarter of Bastos, Le Colisée serves gourmet French dishes fused with fresh local Cameroonian produce in a sophisticated garden villa setting.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Restaurant Le Colisée

3. Boukarou Lounge

Cuisine: Authentic Cameroonian & Grill
Location: Rue De Narvik, Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Charcoal Poisson Braisé with Fried Plantains
About the Place: A popular open-air lounge offering traditional thatched boukarou seating where guests enjoy authentic Cameroonian grilled fish and cold beverages.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Boukarou Lounge

4. Restaurant Kajazoma

Cuisine: African Fusion & Art Gallery Dining
Location: Bastos, Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Gourmet Poulet DG
About the Place: A stunning venue combining an African contemporary art gallery with fine dining, serving creative Cameroonian fusion plates amidst sculptures and paintings.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Restaurant Kajazoma

5. L'Ovalie

Cuisine: Gastronomic French & Seafood
Location: Bonanjo, Douala
Must-Try Dish: Pan-Seared Atlantic Captain Fish with Penja Pepper
About the Place: An institution in Douala's historic Bonanjo business district, L'Ovalie delivers refined French bistro classics and fresh coastal seafood in an intimate atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to L'Ovalie

6. Le Moulin de France

Cuisine: French Bakery & Bistro
Location: Yaoundé & Douala
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Croissants & Quiche Lorraine
About the Place: A chic bakery cafe famous throughout Cameroon for fresh artisan baguettes, delicate pastries, light bistro lunches, and espresso.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Le Moulin de France

7. Restaurant Le Paquebot

Cuisine: Fresh Seafood & Grill
Location: Ocean Beachfront, Kribi
Must-Try Dish: Charcoal-Grilled Ocean Prawns with Spicy Garlic Butter
About the Place: Perched over the Atlantic oceanfront in Kribi, Le Paquebot serves freshly caught barracuda, prawns, and crabs with panoramic ocean waves.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Restaurant Le Paquebot

8. Tchop et Yamo

Cuisine: Fast-Casual Cameroonian Street Food
Location: Yaoundé & Douala Branches
Must-Try Dish: Beignets-Haricots-Bouillie (BHB)
About the Place: A vibrant home-grown modern fast-food chain that elevates iconic Cameroonian street foods like fried puff beignets, beans, and grilled skewers into clean, modern eateries.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Tchop et Yamo

9. Saga Africa

Cuisine: Authentic Pan-African
Location: Akwa, Douala
Must-Try Dish: Smoked Fish Ndolé with Fried Yams
About the Place: Situated in commercial Douala, Saga Africa serves classic regional dishes from across Central and West Africa in a warm, music-filled atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Saga Africa

10. Maison Blanche

Cuisine: Local Cameroonian & Grill
Location: Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Soya Beef Skewers
About the Place: A popular local dining spot in Yaoundé known for delicious spicy soya meat skewers, grilled plantains, and icy cold local beverages.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Maison Blanche

11. Istanbul Turkish Restaurant

Cuisine: Authentic Turkish & Mediterranean
Location: Rue Joseph Mballa Eloumden, Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Adana Kebab & Fresh Baklava
About the Place: A top-rated Mediterranean dining establishment in Yaoundé offering authentic Turkish wood-fired flatbreads, grilled kebabs, and baklava.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Istanbul Turkish Restaurant

12. Le Boj

Cuisine: Contemporary African Bistro
Location: Bonapriso, Douala
Must-Try Dish: Braised Pork Belly with Plantain Purée
About the Place: Located in chic Bonapriso, Le Boj serves modern Cameroonian comfort food alongside international cocktails in a trendy lounge environment.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Le Boj

13. La Salsa Restaurant

Cuisine: Latin & International Grill
Location: Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter
About the Place: Known for its lively atmosphere, La Salsa serves generous grilled steak portions, fresh salads, and tapas in central Yaoundé.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Salsa Restaurant

14. Restaurant La Fourchette

Cuisine: European Fine Dining
Location: Akwa, Douala
Must-Try Dish: Seafood Risotto with Local Langoustines
About the Place: An upscale culinary landmark in Douala renowned for classic European gastronomy, extensive wine lists, and elegant table service.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Restaurant La Fourchette

15. Socrat Restaurant

Cuisine: Mediterranean & Seafood
Location: Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Mixed Seafood Grill Platter
About the Place: Socrat serves flavorful Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes including hummus, grilled lamb skewers, and fresh fish platters.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Socrat Restaurant

16. Chez Wou

Cuisine: Authentic Chinese
Location: Bastos, Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Peking Duck & Spicy Dumplings
About the Place: A long-standing favorite Chinese restaurant in Yaoundé's diplomatic district, famous for authentic Asian dishes served in family-style dining rooms.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Chez Wou

17. La Pizzeria Yaoundé

Cuisine: Wood-fired Italian
Location: Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Wood-Fired Diavola Pizza
About the Place: Acclaimed for serving the best wood-fired thin-crust pizzas in Yaoundé along with classic Italian pastas and gelato.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Pizzeria Yaoundé

18. La Paillote

Cuisine: Coastal Seafood & African Grill
Location: Douala & Kribi
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Captain Fish with Spicy Tomato Sauce
About the Place: A charming open-air restaurant decorated in traditional straw hut style, serving fresh fish and local meats over wood fires.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Paillote

19. Rond-Point Deido Soya Stalls

Cuisine: Authentic Street Food
Location: Deido Roundabout, Douala
Must-Try Dish: Spicy Beef Soya Skewers with Chili Powder
About the Place: Douala's most iconic night street-food hub, where dozens of master grill vendors smoke tender beef skewers over open coals into the early hours.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Rond-Point Deido Soya Stalls

20. Le Glacier Moderne

Cuisine: Desserts, Ice Cream & Light Meals
Location: Douala & Yaoundé
Must-Try Dish: Tropical Mango Gelato Sundae
About the Place: A beloved bakery and ice cream salon offering artisan gelato, fruit sorbets, fresh crepes, and light sandwiches across Cameroon.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Le Glacier Moderne

Featured Image

Traditional Cameroonian Ndolé Dish