Khartoum Restaurant Tips by BorneoGrrl Top 5 Page for this destination

Dabanga Cafe: More coffee and souvenirs

The coffee culture is picking up in Khartoum and Babanga Cafe is another place where you can enjoy hot & cold espresso drinks & cakes while hanging out with friends or spending some time alone. There's also cold fruit blend drinks if you want to avoid the caffeine.

The decor is influenced by local tribal designs whereby some items can be purchased from the shop in the same building. The arts store next door also sells some souvenirs from South Africa & Kenya

Favorite Dish: Try the coffee and also ice blended drinks

Address: Str 15 Amarat, Khartoum

Comparison: about average

Directions: Just opposite of Solitaire Cafe in Amarat

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Coffeehouse

Ozone: Fresh Italian gelato & lovely pastries

On a hot summers day (in Khartoum's case, summer nights included), there is nothing more lovely than some sweet cold Italian gelato. A good place to have gelato is at Ozone where they also serve brewed coffee and pastries. There are tables and chairs ready for patrons to sit as water mist is sprayed in the surroundings to cool the environment.

Be aware that Ozone is packed during weekends so if you just want to enjoy your gelato quietly, come on weekdays. You can see the elite group of Sudanese and expatriates hanging around here for the environment

This is one of the major hangout spots in Khartoum

Favorite Dish: I come here to buy freshly baked bread and pastries every weekend. However, the prices have rocketed since

Address: Khartoum 2

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Ice Cream

Lucky Restaurant: Chinese food & Karaoke

Lucky Restaurant is hidden away in an apartment building so don't expect a big signage to guide you there. Better luck with contacting a local. The food served is mainly chinese food served in a courses. They can arrange private dinner functions and expect to pay USD30 per person. There is also a karaoke room where guests can try their singing talents after a full stomach

Note: I believe this restaurant has since stopped operating

Favorite Dish: The spring roles, cold dish and chicken dishes are pretty good

Address: Manshia Area near Aspawa Restaurant

Comparison: most expensive

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 3

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Solitaire Cafe / La Pergola: Starbucks of Sudan

Solitaire Cafe & Restaurant is a little gem located in Amarat area. From the outside, you will have no idea how it looks inside because once you're inside, you're welcomed by a sight more familiar is a more developed country. There are 3 levels to sit, a counter with snacks & cakes to choose from and many people socializing or surfing the net on their laptops via free wifi. Very cool

Oh yes, Solitaire also serves very good food like sandwiches, steaks and coffee. Their motto is "Come hungry, leave happy" and "Big city variety, small town price". The latter isn't true, imagine a chicken salad for USD10. Still, the atmosphere is a nice escape from the heat & dust. The place is always full, especially with expatriates and the upper class Sudanese, so come early to get a table. The price of items has gone up since this place has become a popular haunt not just for the expatriates but for trendy & young locals.

There are now 2 Solitaire outlets, the one in Amarat Str 15 and the other is in Riyad, which is much bigger with a smoking & non-smoking section.

Favorite Dish: 9 out 10 times I'd order their lemon juice & mint drink which is actually a lime + mint blended with ice & sugar. Also, their club sandwich is also another favorite

On weekends, I like to order their hearty 'Solitaire breakfast' and sit in the garden or 'La Pergola'

Address: 15 street, Amarat and in Riyad area

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://solitairecafe.com

Panda Restaurant: I like the Crispy Duck

The entrance of this Chinese restaurant is a little odd because you have to walk through an alley to get to the stairs and walk up before you see the sign. The place is a little dirty looking and the staff are not friendly. However, if you've had enough of lamb and beans, it's a good idea to switch to fried noodles and something other than, well, lamb & beans. The prices are quite steep (US$10 for a plate of fried noodles) but at least the portions are huge.

Favorite Dish: The cripsy duck is a must!!

Address: Khartoum 2

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Little India: Indian & Thai cuisine

Little India restaurant serves not only Indian, but also some Thai/Chinese cuisine. As you walk through the thatch roof entrance, you are welcomed by a cozy sight of the outdoor & indoor restaurant. You can choose to eat in the garden or private rooms which have been decorated with colorful walls & eastern furnishings.

The choice of food is a mix on Indian & Thai, so you can order just about anything from tandoori to tom yam. Service & selection are good, prices are higher than average but it is a nice escape from the rest of Khartoum

Address: 47 Khartoum 2

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 83-466149

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Indian

Little Asia: More Asian food

Little Asia serves a variety of food from where else but Asia. From the menu, you can choose from Indian, Thai and some Chinese food, depending on your taste. You have a choice to dine outdoors in a quaint little garden or indoors (in case of sandstorm or rain)

Be aware that the prices are pretty high.

Favorite Dish: Grilled lambchops with spices
Laban (yoghurt) drinks
Indian bread (Cheese Naan & Garlic Naan)
Cheese & Spinach (Palak Paneer)
Chicken Tandoori

Address: Riyad area

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Al-Waha Restaurant: Delicious grilled sheep (kharouf)

One of the best things to eat in Khartoum is of course the Sudanese sheep or Kharouf. This animal is similar to a goat and sheep but it has a long, fat tail. Kharouf meat is quite lean and is lower in fat, plus it does not have that strong smell & taste. Actually it tastes very good, especially when grilled.

A favorite place for grilled kharouf is the Al-Waha Restaurant in Khartoum 2. They serve grilled kharouf meat by weight and by the sections of the animal, whereby the better sections are more expensive. Expect to pay SDG28+ (USD14) a kilo of the delicious ribs. One problem is that it takes a long time to get your order, sometimes over an hour so don't arrive hungry!!

Favorite Dish: I like the grilled kharouf ribs and meat only, served with a local hot sauce with raw vegetables & bread. Wash down with a refreshing glass of mango or grapefruit juice. For dessert, they serve freshly made creme caramel

Address: Khartoum 2

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Amwaj Restaurant: Yummy grilled meats

Amwaj or Waves restaurant is one of the cleanest places to eat in Khartoum. It's a 3-storey building and is always busy with people from all walks. The patrons are mostly foreigners and the well-to-do Sudanese or the occasional locals.

The service is OK and the portions of food is quite large (for me). You can order from a variety of meat dishes e.g grilled, roasted or steamed and you will get it with soup and a side of vegetables. Other than that you can order chicken, beef or lamb burgers. The prices are on the high side, SDG20 (US$10) for roast lamb and more for chicken. Quality wise, it is consistent and good

Favorite Dish: The dish I would often order from here is roasted chicken, steamed lamb and lots of mango juice

Address: Located on the corner of Street 15, Africa Road

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Along the road to the airport, near Steers restaurant

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Universal Cafe: Italian food in Khartoum

This is a quaint outdoor cafe popular with foreigners, expatriates and the rich locals. Located in Amarat, this establishment serves a selection of Italian favorites e.g prosciutto, Bruschetta, pasta and pizzas. There is also a choice of coffee, juices and non-alcoholic beer (I know, where's the fun in that??) available. Part of the cafe has a gallery and gift shop.

Prices are expected, more higher than average because of the assumption that foreigners can afford it. Being an outdoor cafe, the environment is quite pleasant, you can sit in the garden under the trees, talk and eat.

Address: Street 27 Amarat Khartoum

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: (0)183468243

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 3

Theme: Italian