Discover the Best Restaurants in Kigali: THE HUT’s Ultimate Guide to the City’s Culinary Treasures

At THE HUT, we’ve spent years savoring Kigali’s vibrant food scene alongside our guests and staff. From candlelit tasting menus to bustling street food stalls, this guide unlocks the best restaurants in Kigali – complete with insider tips, must-try dishes, and the stories behind the chefs. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned foodie, let’s dive into the flavors that make Rwanda’s capital unforgettable.  

Fine Dining in Kigali: Where Luxury Meets African Innovation

For special occasions or a night of culinary theater, these best restaurants in Kigali redefine luxury with creativity and flair.

1. Meza Malonga

   • Chef/Owner: Dieuveil Malonga, a trailblazer in modern African cuisine and Top Chef France alum.
   • Tasting Menu Highlight: The $75 nine-course journey features smoked plantain ravioli with wild mushroom foam and coffee-rubbed Nyama Choma (grilled beef) paired with Rwandan Arabica reductions.
   • Why We Love It: A celebration of Pan-African ingredients, sourced from local farmers and foragers. Book weeks ahead—this spot is a pilgrimage for foodies.

2. Fusion Restaurant

   • Location: Nestled in The Retreat by Heaven, a boutique hotel owned by philanthropist Alissa Ruxin.
   • Must-Try: Lobster tail with passionfruit glaze or the Rwandan coffee-ripped beef tenderloin ($65), served with plantain gnocchi.
   • Ambiance: Sleek, minimalist décor with an open kitchen—ideal for impressing a date or sealing a business deal.

3. Poivre Noir

   • Signature Dish: Filet mignon de porc flambé au whisky ($40), a French-Rwandan fusion masterpiece.
   • Budget: $$–$$$ (mains 25–50).
   • Perfect For: Intimate dinners under crystal chandeliers, with a wine list curated for oenophiles.

Casual & Global Flavors: Best Restaurants in Kigali for Everyday Magic

Kigali’s laid-back gems prove that great food doesn’t need white tablecloths.

1. Khana Khazana

   • Owner: Chef Rajiv, a Mumbai native who brought his grandmother’s recipes to Rwanda.
   • Must-Try: Butter chicken ($12) simmered for hours in tomato-cream gravy, paired with garlic naan baked in a clay tandoor.
   • Why Guests Rave: Generous portions, fiery vindaloo, and a rainbow of vegetarian curries.

2. Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant

   • Star Dish: Doro Wat ($15)—succulent chicken in berbere-spiced stew, served on injera (spongy sourdough flatbread).
   • Experience: Share platters family-style, then sip traditional jebena coffee during a ceremonial roast.
   • Budget: $$ ($\text{<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif;">10–20).</span>}$

3. Buruk Restaurant

   • Hidden Gem: A leafy garden terrace run by a Rwandan-Jordanian couple.
   • Must-Order: Grilled lamb skewers ($18) glazed with urwagwa (banana beer) and served with spiced couscous.
   • Vibe: Rustic charm meets Middle Eastern hospitality—a staff favorite for Sunday lunches.

Date Night Gold: Romantic Best Restaurants in Kigali

From rooftop sunsets to flickering candlelight, these spots spark romance.

1. THE HUT

   • Our Signature Experience: A 5-course tasting menu ($60) on our panoramic rooftop. Highlights include grilled tilapia in banana leaf with lemongrass salsa and passionfruit crème brûlée.
   • Ambiance: Fire pits, twinkling fairy lights, and live acoustic music on weekends.
   • Proposal-Worthy: Ask us to arrange rose petals, champagne, and a private chef’s table.

2. Boriska Restaurant

   • Cuisine: European-Rwandan fusion in a 1920s colonial villa.
   • Star Dish: Beef bourguignon ($30) slow-cooked with local mushrooms and served with irish potato mash.
   • Why Couples Adore It: Candlelit tables in a secret garden draped in bougainvillea.
3. Inzora Rooftop Café
   • Must-Try: Goat cheese salad ($12) with honey-drizzled walnuts and a glass of South African Chenin Blanc.
   • Vibe: Breezy, bohemian-chic with 360° views of Kigali’s rolling hills.

Tasting Menus & Culinary Adventures

For foodies craving curated journeys, these best restaurants in Kigali deliver:

• Meza Malonga: The $85 “African Terroir” menu pairs dishes like Ugandan grasshopper tartare with Rwandan sorghum beer.
• THE HUT: Our Chef’s Surprise Tasting ($55) changes weekly but always features seasonal stars like jackfruit tacos or coffee-rubbed quail.
• Kimchi: Opt for the Korean BBQ Feast ($35 pp)—grill bulgogi, kimchi pancakes, and bibimbap tableside with friends.

Hidden Gems: Underrated Best Restaurants in Kigali

Skip the tourist trails and savor these local secrets.

1. Afrika Bite

   • Specialty: Isombe ($3)—cassava leaf stew with smoked fish, served with ugali (cornmeal).
   • Why Visit: A no-frills canteen where taxi drivers and chefs rub shoulders.

2. Camellia Tea House

   • Must-Try: Ginger-honey tea ( $2)and\ast chapatiwraps\ast stuffedwithspicedlentils($  $2)and\ast chapatiwraps\ast stuffedwithspicedlentils($5).
   • Vibe: A zen garden oasis with woven baskets and panoramic city views.

3. Repub Lounge

   • Local Favorite: Brochettes (grilled skewers) of goat, beef, or Nile perch ($8), paired with ikigage (banana beer).
   • Nightlife: Live bands on Fridays—dance off dinner with Kigali’s friendly crowd.

Global Bites: From Sushi to Wood-Fired Pizza

1. Japanda

   • Why It Shines: Kigali’s top spot for spicy tuna rolls ( $15)and\ast tonkotsuramen\ast \; (<span\; style="font-family:\; Georgia,\; \text{'}Times\; New\; Roman\text{'},\; \text{'}Bitstream\; Charter\text{'},\; Times,\; serif;">15)\; and\; \ast <span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">t</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">o</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">nk</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">o</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">t</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">s</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">u</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">r</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">am</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">e</span><span\; class="mord\; mathnormal">n</span><span\; class="mspace"></span><span\; class="mbin">\ast </span>(12)\; with\; house-made\; noodles.</span>$
   • Staff Pick: The sashimi platter ($25), flown in fresh weekly from Dar es Salaam.

2. Sole Luna

   • Pizza Perfection: Thin-crust Margherita ( $10)withbuffalomozzarellaorthe∗Tropicale∗(10)withbuffalomozzarellaorthe∗Tropicale∗ (14) with pineapple and smoked ham.$
   • Owners: An Italian duo who imported their wood-fired oven from Naples.

3. Brachetto

   • Chef’s Secret: Truffle risotto ($22) with locally foraged mushrooms and Parmigiano shavings.
   • Dessert Alert: Dark chocolate mousse ($8) sprinkled with Rwandan coffee beans.

THE HUT’s Final Tips for Food Lovers

1. Book Ahead: Fine dining spots like Meza Malonga fill up fast—reserve via WhatsApp.
2. Street Food Safaris: Try Rolex (egg-stuffed chapati) at Kigali Car Free Zone—just $1!
3. Ask Us: THE HUT’s staff loves tailoring food itineraries—whether you crave vegan feasts or BBQ nights.

Kigali’s dining scene is a tapestry of tradition, innovation, and heart. From $5 street eats to $$$ tasting menus, every meal here tells a story. Come hungry, leave inspired—and don’t forget to share your favorites with us at through THIS FORM.