6 Best Restaurants in Madagascar

Huge grilled lobsters are the draw at this beach paradise, but the menu offers more. An array of fresh seafood is available fried and grilled. Also find salads, vegetables, pasta dishes and grilled meats, including exotic selections like skewered crocodile. Couples love the terrace seating overlooking the unbelievably blue sea.

Large French pastries are the main attraction, and a chocolate-filled croissant is certainly a fine accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea. The hot cocoa here is rich enough to be a meal in itself. The range of sweets includes cake and ice cream. Real life is right outside the door—be wary of panhandlers in the street.

This large patio dining room known for its seafood is right on the beach, and the colorful blue or orange runners on white tablecloths add to the cheery atmosphere. Artistic touches distinguish the plating of classic seafood dishes—stuffed whole lobster, crab cakes, and seafood terrine are favorites. Ginger sauce might zest grouper filets and black sesame sometimes plays on swordfish. The restaurant is part of a hotel complex of rooms and bungalows that get high marks from guests.

Clean and reasonably priced, this restaurant has fantastic terrace views of the big three: Nosy Tanikely Bay, Russes Bay, and d'Andavokotoko Bay. Malagasy dishes are available along with some traditional French and Italian offerings, including pasta and pizzas. Don’t miss the grilled shrimp skewers. Lobster and coconut-sauced seafood with rice are other options. It's also worth considering the terrace for a quick snack.

This super-casual eatery may look like a dive, but it can’t be judged by outward appearances. The lawn seating is actually charming, and once food arrives everything becomes more agreeable. The menu leans toward French bistro, with lamb chops alongside green beans, and tripe stew is made with calvados, as would be done in northern France. Grilled lobster and pan-seared tuna have a more local feel. Oysters are flown in weekly from Fort Dauphin.

With so many Italians—notoriously fussy about their food—visiting Madagascar, restaurant owners here strive to please with good pizza and pasta. The garden setting of this restaurant pleases them as much as the menu, which features hand-rolled cannelloni, penne arrabiata, tagliatelle Bolognese, steaks, pizzas, and an assortment of antipasti—all of which may be paired with a number of good wines.