Succulent Sierra Leone: Restaurants To Die For

One of the unexpected pleasures of Freetown is the excellent food served at a range of restaurants with locations and ambience distinctly different from one another. Here are some of our favorites . . .

Toma

Overlooking the Atlantic at the tip of the Western Peninsula in Freetown, this upscale restaurant is the crowning jewel of the city’s best boutique hotel. Browse the grounds for a glimpse of the largest private collection of Sierra Leone art and antiquities. And then savor dishes like Nusantara Indonesian noodles with prawns, Atlantic blue crab, coq au vin, or spicey tomato and coconut soup, with homemade ice cream for dessert.

58 Cape Rd, Freetown; tel +232 99 890798

Cole Street

Set inside an old house in historic Murray Town, this foodie oasis is the talk of the town. Chef Miatta Marke grew up in the neighborhood and returned in 2021 to launch a restaurant that’s already earning kudos at home and abroad. The menu resurrects recipes from Miatta’s childhood — like Boil Stew (lobster bisque), Huntu (steamed cornmeal, spring onion and prawn dumplings), and Acheke with red snapper, oysters, tiger prawns and plantains.

5 Cole St, Freetown; tel +232 78 169 930

Crown Bakery

This oldie-but-goodie in downtown Freetown complements its delicious cakes, cookies and pastries with hearty lunch and breakfast dishes like Jollof Rice with stew, Grilled Barracuda, Chicken Piri Piri and various curries.

5 Wilberforce St, Freetown; tel +232 22 223411

Leo

Panoramic beach and ocean views — and excellent seafood, West African and Eastern Mediterranean specialties — are the lure of this rooftop restaurant at the Sierra Palms Resort on Lumley Beach. Start with Triple Hummus and pita bread or the Heirloom Tomato & Feta Salad, and move on to Coconut Poached Fish, Banana Leaf Lamb or Okra Stew.

75 Lumley Beach Rd, Freetown; tel +232 31 536536

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