What to Eat & Drink in Africa

Africa's food and drink reflect its many cultures. Since every country in Africa is comprised of many different ethnic groups, there are plenty of local specialties to choose from.

Food in North Africa is generally Mediterranean with lots of olives, figs, couscous, chickpeas, salads and lamb. If you are traveling in East Africa you can get some truly delicious coconut fish curries along the coast. Ethiopian food is in a class all to itself, delicious and spicy. Local food in Southern Africa can be a little stodgy especially in areas where maize is the staple. But the side dishes are often very tasty and ground peanuts add a lot of flavor. And then there's South Africa with its world class restaurants offering incredible Thai, Malaysian, Indian and local fare.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous you can also enjoy some rat kebabs or fried flying ants. The latter was a favorite in my dorm at school in Malawi during the first rains in December. They're a lot of fun to catch and pack quite a protein crunch.

See my collection of links for recipes and more about food and drink in Africa. If you have any good recipes or would like to share your African culinary experiences please post on the forum or email me.