Eat like a local

• There’s a lot to do locally all around us! Step out and enjoy a variety of food offerings, cocktail spots and luxury resort settings to indulge your holiday urges.

“You have to taste a culture to understand it.”

There is quite a diversity of restaurants and cultural influences to make eating out an exciting and fun-filled experience… A strong Swahili influence in local dishes, and a big Italian presence is very obvious in the selection of foodstuffs at supermarkets, delis, bakeries and restaurants. The choice is varied and there is something to delight all tastebuds.

Food in Watamu is a melting pot of cultural influences that have been blended with the readily available bounty of fruits, spices and ocean-fresh seafood. Here are our top picks of places for you to experience and enjoy.

TAMU BEACH BAR & RESTAURANT

This absolutely gorgeous restaurant is located on the beautiful shores of Watamu Beach.  You have the options of relaxing on the private beach or enjoying a meal.  The views are breathtaking and we suggest arriving before sunset to enjoy a freshly made cocktail on the beach, whilst the day slowly changes to night, followed by an evening indulging in the delicacies of their a la carte restaurant.

This is our favourite spot for a fabulous evening out.

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: 10:00-22:00 

PILIPAN RESTAURANT

This iconic sunset spot is located on Mida creek and is a firm favorite for Saturday ‘Happy Hour’ cocktails. This creekside restaurant serves up some delicious food – try the Crab Tacos or Tuna Tartare with Prawn crackers, which are really good. They are also well known for their signature Camembert Samosas.

Make this a definite at least once during your stay…

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday: 8:00-17:00 | Closed Sunday

OCEAN SPORTS RESORT

One of the most popular spots with both locals & tourists, the beachfront bar & restaurant is a place to chill, with a super relaxed vibe. Drinks and Pizza or maybe some Sushi, whilst looking out over the ocean and enjoying the sea breeze. They have delicious Poke Bowls if you feel like something on the healthier side. Awesome, friendly staff and a great place to meet up at any time of the day.

Opening hours:

Everyday till late

LICHTHAUS – TEMPLE POINT RESORT

Laze about on an ‘over the creek’ hammock, and enjoy some of the delicious, freshly grilled skewers served with a choice of salads – totally Yum! Sip on a cocktail or glass of wine and watch that sun sink into the creek.

You do need to sit on cushions on the floor, but this adds to the experience – they have added a few tables with chairs but ideally you would want to catch the sun setting, whilst laying on one of those hammocks. The view is spectacular!

This is a fun, vibey cocktail spot and is highly recommended for a great evening out.

Opening hours:

Everyday 12:00pm to 10:00pm

THE CRAB SHACK

A must-visit is THE CRAB SHACK situated on Mida Creek.

This unique spot, set amongst the mangrove forest, is accessed via a 200 metre boardwalk. It is perfect for a romantic meal, or a get-together with friends and family. You can enjoy amazing sunsets over the creek whilst sipping on a cocktail and cracking open a crab or two…

The locally sourced menu includes fresh fish, prawns, and several delicious crab dishes prepared by trained chefs. You have to try their delicious crab samosas – it’s part of what makes this destination so special.

Opening hours:

Everyday 12:00pm to 10:00pm

KOBE SUITE RESORT

Kobe Suite Resort is located on the famous Garoda Beach.  They offer a truly gorgeous beach bar & restaurant – simply walk along the beach and pop in for a cocktail.  If you are keen to have dinner then you will need to make an advance booking as they are often full with just their guests, depending on the season. They have an extensive menu of fish & meat dishes, Mediterranean dishes, and local specialties.

It’s a magical beach paradise and a very beautiful setting to enjoy.

Opening hours:

Everyday 10:00am to 11:00pm

Just remember there are so many more super places to visit  whilst here… There are too many to mention all, but do try to at least enjoy a few of them so you get to appreciate all that Watamu has to offer – It is a place you will always want to come back to!