Burkina Faso

(By Kevin Ray of Mali) In Ougadougou I would suggest the outdoor grilled chicken spots on the main Boulevard leading south of the center. Also, there's a nice beer garden (Ouaga has lots) directly across from the airport entrance. Lots of people show up there, the prices are rock bottom, and there's no better way to relax before catching your night flight to Europe.

Another Ougadougou restaurant, Zaka, has been recommended as a favorite by Michel Cottereau of France. From 8.30 pm to 12.00 you eat with genuine african live music (for free...). Besides bar and restaurant, Zaka has a Beauty Salon and a Cybercafe. Opposite photo of Zaka taken January 2002.

Cote d'Ivoire

(By Kevin Ray of Mali) Last summer I was put up by Air Afrique at the Hotel Ivoire in Cocody, Abidjan. The hotel is of course completely jet set but they had an excellent "all you can eat" lunch buffet that is mostly African foods. Acheke, plus of course Poulet Yassa and other regional specialties. An excellent view over the water in Abidjan. Price about 14,000 cfa.

Ghana

Chopsticks in Kumasi is a good spot for dinner.

Labadi Beach is not a proper restaurant but a dreamlike spot situated 10 minutes out of Accra (on the road to Tema). There you can have lunch and drink and swim and rest!

Thanks to Michel Cottereau for the information and photos.

Mali

(By Kevin Ray of Mali) In Sevare, Mali (near the famed Pays Dogon), there's a good Senegalese restaurant across from the Customs yard. Prices are more or less 1500-3000 cfa. The capitaine (Nile perch) brochettes are great. Ambience: it's outdoor, so the best time is the evening. Africando music pretty much guaranteed.

In nearby Mopti, the same Senegalese family runs the Bar Bozo, which looks out onto the Niger River and the Mopti Port. Same menu, best time to go is sunset.

In San, (2/3 of the way from BKO to Mopti), there's a good restaurant in the old Bamabus terminal at the intersection turning south from the center of town. San is part of the Bobo ethnic area - so if the risk of eating dog meat isn't appealing, you can avoid the "beef" dishes. They taste great, though.

In Segou, I would eat at the luxury-bus oriented "Tanty, J'ai Faim" restaurant, just so you can amuse yourself when ordering...TJF is becoming somewhat of a national chain, at least in name. I'm waiting for the pharmacy next door to rename itself "Tonton J'ai Mal au Ventre..."

Madagascar

Chez Maggie Hotel and Restaurant is a romantic hide-away in a secluded garden setting. Chez Maggie is a luxury beach front resort in Morondava. "The Sunshine" Restaurant & Bar serves the finest local cuisine in a large, thatched roof setting where you can enjoy a sunset over the Mozambique Channel while you eat. The menu includes "Fruits of the Sea" delivered by the local fishermen, as well as flavorful fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses of the country. A full service bar is on the premises.
Chez Maggie
P.O. Box 73, Morondava, Madagascar
Phone: In Madagascar: 95 523 47, International: + 261.20.95.523.47

Togo

(By Kevin Ray of Mali) Whenever in Lomé, direct yourself towards "50-50", an outdoor café on the Western end of the Boulevard circular in the Kodjoviakope neighborhood. Say "50-50" in English - if you say "Cinquante-cinquante" no one understands. Excellent grilled chicken, acheke, and amazing salads. And of course the mandatory BB Pils, Lager or Eku range of beers. I'd recommend a large bottle of each to appreciate the full perspective of the cheapest and best beer in the region. Guiness (for strength) is also available. Avoid a dark beer called "Awoyo" - tastes terrible and will give you a bad headache.

(from www.africanchop.com)