6 Best Restaurants in Uganda

This stylish, modern restaurant in the heart of buzzing Kisementi delivers accomplished fusion cuisine with considerable flair, transforming effortlessly from convivial café by day to happening eatery by night. Customers love the laid-back atmosphere of the Bistro's shaded terrace, while inside, statement decor and white-linen tablecloths create a more formal dining experience. First-class service has long been a hallmark, as has the eclectic menu: crowd-pleasers such as burgers, salads, and grills are presented alongside more exotic noodles, curries, and tapas. It doesn't stop there: all-day breakfast, a vegan menu (jackfruit curry, cassava fries), gluten-free options, yummy desserts, and creamy shakes; quaffable wine; and expertly mixed cocktails complete the panoply of choice.

A lively choice for Entebbe nights out, and handy for diners en route to the airport, Faze 3 boasts a mind-boggling menu that encompasses a wide range of cuisines: from starters and snacks, light salads, pita pockets, and sandwiches to Continental classics and authentic Indian curries. Well-trained staff provide snappy service. Sit on the vast terrace overlooking the lake to enjoy the cool breezes and views. Large groups should book a table in advance, especially on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons when live music dials up the party vibe.

The only restaurant in Kampala with a license to serve game—the meat is sourced from registered South African game ranches—the Lawns unashamedly celebrates the wildest cuts of meat including buffalo meatballs, Uganda kob osso buco, and whole crocodile tail (the latter is not on the menu and must be preordered 2–3 hours ahead). A multilevel wooden deck overlooks the golf course. More domesticated grilled meats are available for traditionalists; options for vegans and gluten-free diets are also available.   Happy Hour is Monday to Thursday, 5 to 8 pm.

Bight of Benin offers authentic West African cuisine from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. Homemade highlights include smoky jollof rice, egusi soup with fufu (a classic West African pairing), and the famous hot pepper soup, but vegetarian options are also available. Service at this owner-managed venue is friendly but unhurried; weekend reservations are recommended. Despite its central location, it has a lawn, playground, and grass-thatched gazebo. Stop in for happy hour, Friday 6–8 pm.

A cold beer, crisp pizza, and curling your toes in the sand are a few of life's simple pleasures. Enjoy all three simultaneously at Goretti's Beachside Pizzeria, a popular haunt for tourists and locals alike. Diners sit in plastic chairs at tables placed among swaying palms on the tiny strip of beach; the location makes up for sometimes slow service. Because of the views (and the greater possibility of insects after dusk), lunchtime is the best time to appreciate this simple restaurant shack. Grilled meat or fish is available, but wood-fired pizza is what they do best. Just be sure to allow a couple of hours to gaze out over Lake Victoria while availing yourself of their uncomplicated drinks menu: local beers, soft drinks, the usual spirits, and boxed South African wine by the glass. 

Kampala's Mediterraneo serves up world-class Italian and Mediterranean dishes to a fashionable crowd. The pretty gardens and glass-roofed interior create an intimate ambience, decorated with vintage bric-a-brac, made even more magical by (unobtrusive) live music on weekends. An expert kitchen team turns out simple food using fresh local produce and specialist ingredients, such as fresh seafood. Their wood-fired pizzas are famous; steaks are expertly grilled, and scrumptious desserts include tiramisu and New York cheesecake. The pasta in their ravioli, agnolotti, or pappardelle dishes is made from scratch, and a Chef's Special menu is switched up regularly, keeping things fresh. The well-curated wine list includes French, South African, and (of course) Italian labels. Limited parking, occasional long wait times for food, and high corkage fees detract from otherwise consistent service.