Top 10 restaurants in Cotonou, Benin

March 18, 2018 Tynisha Seiler

Home to many diplomatic services and the largest population in the country, Cotonou is the de facto capital of Benin, although not the official one. Its location at the crossroads between numerous neighboring countries makes it a commercial hub, instrumental in opening trade to the African interior. From Cotonou travelers may depart for tours of the outlying regions. The nearby stilted village of Ganvie is a short day trip from the bustle of Boulevard St. Michel and the Dan Topka market.
Things to do in Cotonou

Cotonou, Benin Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Reservations Bar, European, Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Excellent
18%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
6%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 209 reviews

Livingstone

Reviewed By WandaSer - London, United Kingdom

Very very tasty food. Even ratatouille was exceptionally good :). You might need to wait a bit and in the evening it gets quite busy. On the main restaurants street in Cotonou. Recommended

2. HOTEL DU LAC

Akpakpa Dodomeh, Cotonou BP 184, Benin Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol French, European Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +229 21 33 19 19
Excellent
28%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 73 reviews

HOTEL DU LAC

Reviewed By Roonishere - Malaysia

It's nice to have a grilled fish and see the lovely sea, nice place with good food but in Africa the service is so slow in general, it's part of the culture there, clean food they serve which is rare too.

3. Hai King

Route de Lome, Haie Vive | Cadjéhoun, en Face de L'église Bon Pasteur, Cotonou, Benin Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Takeout Asian, Chinese Lunch, Dinner +229 21 30 60 08
Excellent
26%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 26 reviews

Hai King

Reviewed By Serginho1970 - Bonn

When staying in Cotonou, I ate there numerous times. the service is excellent, the food exquisite. You can sit on a terrace/balcony away from the noise and smog, enjoy a draft beer and eat real good food. The menu is good and quite extensive. However, some of the seafood is not always available.
The staff is polite, attentive and efficient. One of my favourites in Cotonou. it also is very conveniently located. I will definitely come again.

4. Le Sorrento

Blvd St Michel, Zongo, Cotonou, Benin Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff European, Mediterranean Lunch, Dinner +229 21 30 37 79
Excellent
22%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 83 reviews

Le Sorrento

Reviewed By MTolik - Toronto, Canada

Expensive, with small portions. The worst- unfriendly, slow staff.
Interior- ok, the taste of food- fine.
However, I am upset with overall situation with this place. Must be improved in order to be visited. It has potential, but managed poorly. Wish you improvements and positive changes.

5. Pili Pili

Carre 342 quartier Zongo, Cotonou, Benin Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Reservations, Wheelchair Accessible African Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +229 21 31 29 32
Excellent
18%
Good
63%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 76 reviews

Pili Pili

Reviewed By ArynAjalaTravel - Lagos Nigeria

I can't help it. How can I visit Cotonou without lunch or dinner at Pili Pili. When worn begin... The fresh pineapple juice chilled to perfection or the native chicken or fish grilled with all kinds of herbs.
Eating in Cotonou isn't like going to a fast food restaurant it's real dining no matter what level the restaurant is. The French really enjoy their food and relish in eating it. Pili Pili is recommended. Just ask a taxi driver to take you there. It's that popular.

6. Maquis du Port

Rue du Port, Cotonou, Benin Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol African Lunch, Dinner HK$39 - HK$78
Excellent
15%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
24%
Poor
10%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 127 reviews

Maquis du Port

Reviewed By anuka9 - kigali

This isn't a fine dining place and the wine choices leave much to be desired but the seafood was delicious. Lots of locals and expats come here and it offers a nice, relaxed, friendly atmosphere (it is air conditioned :) ).

7. Bangkok Terrasse

Rue 449 | 01 B.p. 3463, Cotonou, Benin Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol Asian, Thai Lunch, Dinner HK$8 +229 21 30 37 86
Excellent
29%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 86 reviews

Bangkok Terrasse

Reviewed By 127Fred - London, United Kingdom

A nice grotto-like environment, a private security guard outside setting a friendly atmosphere: these are one of the few items that can rise eyebrows the positive way.
A Thai cashier, with the rest of the staff having no chance of pretending to be Thai, with clothing having nothing to do with Thailand, remind the client again that Thailand has drifted apart very far, some million years ago.
The food did not inspire much confidence in its digestibility for stomachs enjoying so little immunity. Hence the blandest dishes were chosen. These did pass through with no excess of difficulties.

8. Shamiana

Cocotier, Lot Q 5, A Cote Maep, Cotonou, Benin Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Indian, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Halal Lunch, Dinner +229 97 97 09 03
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 66 reviews

Shamiana

one of about two Indian restaurants in Cotonou... past a Ministry/government building

Reviewed By Elnok - Washington, DC

Excellent-tasting food, tables large enough to accommodate parties, very reasonable prices, very nice air conditioning, very friendly service. I've nothing negative (or even middling) to say about this place. (Except the picture, which is of take out from the restaurant, doesn't do the place justice.)

9. Le Prive

Quartier Ganhi | situe entre la tour misericorde et l'eglise Notre Dame, Cotonou, Benin Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol French, European, Vegetarian Friendly Dinner, Lunch +229 21 31 46 76
Excellent
49%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Le Prive

Reviewed By anuka9 - kigali

This is a beautifully decorated high end restaurant with very good food and a nice wine selection. It's pricier than most restaurants but well worth it. Has a very nice ambiance. There is a nice bar/lounge area attached to the restaurant. The foie gras was divine! Would definitely recommend this place and go again next time I'm there.

10. La cabane du pecheur

Fidjrosse plage , route du pecheur | Fiyegnon 2, Cotonou, Benin Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff Seafood, Bar, European Lunch, Dinner HK$39 - HK$196 +229 95 55 00 03
Excellent
44%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 78 reviews

La cabane du pecheur

Reviewed By magnif - London, United Kingdom

Went for a family lunch. Nice view from the rear deck overlooking the sea. Small play area for the kids.
Food was a bit lackluster. Frog legs were under seasoned and wife's salad featured rubbery prawns. Pizza was great. Would still go back for the ambience.

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