Brazzaville

Understand

Brazzaville was a relatively well-developed and thriving city before the civil war began in 1997. Although there is still some fighting in the rural areas, it is a safe city to visit, but the infrastructure has been run down. Many of its restaurants and hotels are run by Lebanese immigrants.

Get around

You may use local green taxis, even if they are in a poor technical condition. Much as you would anywhere, take a security-first approach to taxis: refuse to hop into any car that has two or more people in it already. One trip anywhere in town is FCFA 1,000.

See

Markets of Moungali, Poto-Poto, Bacongo. L’Ecole de Peinture de Poto Poto – Poto Poto Painting School Les Rapides in Djoué, Ramsar site for endangered birds along the Congo River west of Brazzaville.

Eat

Eat at Mami Wata (great pizzas in the afternoon, enjoy the view of Kinshasa over the Congo River) or Nenuphar (great steaks). For Muslims there are very few places to go out for eating like La Mandarine, one of the Lebanese restaurants in the city. On the Avenue Foch are few restaurants and cafes where you can get coffee, snacks and dinner. Halal food can be found in all Lebanese restaurants.

There are several great restaurants in Brazzaville. Any taxi driver can take you to one of these nicer places (FCFA 5000-15000). Most places are closed on Sundays. Expect beers to be overpriced here (FCFA 1000 to 2000).

Le Jardin (French) soft bread, lovely t-bone, great outdoor ambiance, sometimes live music first class place Mami Wata (Continental) right on the Congo River, US$30 Sunday night buffet, pizza, seafood, pasta, and salad. Chef David (There are several in town. This is the best pizza in town, and the best one is near City Center.) They also do carry-out. La Mandarine (Lebanese: ice cream! the best patisserie in town. also a great brunch place) Noura I and II (Lebanese) Hotel de Ville area. Known for chicken shwarma. Le Renouveau at the corner across from the roundabout at Pharmacie Mavre. Serves local, fast food and some grilled dishes. Has a well-stocked small bar inside. L'Sympathique (French) down the street from Pharmacie Mavre. Good value, lunch and dinner.

Street food is mostly limited to beignets and manioc in the downtown area. Egg sandwiches, and avocado and sala…

Drink

Beer: Primus, N'Gok, Mutzig, Heineken, Guinness, Turbo King.

Ram Dam. This nightclub is at Plato next to Nanu Fer restaurant. Cover charge is FCFA 5,000 per person and includes one drink. All drinks, including water, are extremely expensive. Local, French and English music. Opens late.

Les Rapides is a bar that any taxi driver would know. It provides a great view of the river, and you can run around in the river if you want.

Buy

Brazzaville is a very very expensive city, as you will find all kinds of things but at almost four times the price as in developed countries. Try to bring as many of your personal needs with you as possible.

There is a huge market close to the Cathedral where one can buy decent African wear and bright colored materials - an adventure in itself.

Go next

Pointe-Noire — the country's second city and a beach resort, a 15-hour train ride or short flight away at the Atlantic Ocean. Kinshasa — the capital of DR Congo is just across the Congo river.