Starbucks of Sudan and other Khartoum, Sudan Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Solitaire Cafe / La Pergola

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'

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 15 street, Amarat and in Riyad area
Website: http://solitairecafe.com

Restaurant Name: Amwaj Restaurant

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

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Located on the corner of Street 15, Africa Road
Directions: Along the road to the airport, near Steers restaurant

Restaurant Name: Ozone

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

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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Khartoum 2

Restaurant Name: Al-Waha Restaurant

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

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Khartoum 2

Restaurant Name: Little India

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


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Theme: Indian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 83-466149
Address: 47 Khartoum 2

Restaurant Name: Habesha Restaurant

Habesha is a 2 storey restaurant that serves authentic Ethiopian food. I chose to sit on the second floor because the weather was pretty warm & dusty outside. The interior is decorated with Ethiopian style furnishings and small tables designed to hold the bread. Dim lights lend a warm environment to the restaurant and sandalwood incense fills the air.

A female employee sits in the corner of the restaurant brewing the Ethiopian coffee which keeps you awake all night (I kid you not!).

Favorite Dish: I ordered the chicken dish and meal is served with a large tangy injera bread that covers the size of the small table. The idea is to tear the bread and eat it with the side dishes. The coffee is great but lethal and advised not to drink if you want to sleep in the next couple of hours

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Theme: African
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Directions: Taif / Arkaweet Area

Restaurant Name: Dabanga Cafe

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

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Str 15 Amarat, Khartoum
Directions: Just opposite of Solitaire Cafe in Amarat

Restaurant Name: Universal Cafe

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.


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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (0)183468243
Address: Street 27 Amarat Khartoum

Restaurant Name: Little Asia

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

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Riyad area

Restaurant Name: Delicious Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor

This restaurant and ice cream parlor is situated on the corner of Street 1, opposite the All Saints Cathedral. Locals know this places as Laziz Restaurant. Serves great meals and takeaway foods such as shawourmahs, beefburgers etc. at very reasonable prices. Open Saturday thru Thursday from 09:30 a.m. till late in the evenings. On Fridays open in the evening only from 6:30 p.m. till late. Delicous also has an Ice Cream Parlor in Riyadh near the McNimer pharmacy.

Favorite Dish: My favourite food here is the Laziz Pizza and sweet mango juice

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Amarat