National Favorites

• Palm Nut Chicken (Poulet Nyembwe): Chicken cooked in a rich palm nut sauce, considered Gabon’s national dish, typically served with rice or cassava fufu.
• Cassava Leaf Stew: Finely chopped cassava leaves simmered with palm oil and peanuts, often paired with fish or meat for a hearty flavor.
• Grilled Fish and River Delicacies: The Ogooué River and Atlantic Ocean offer abundant seafood; grilled fish with spicy sauce and bananas is a common pairing.
• Bananas and Cassava Dishes: Fried bananas, cassava fufu, and steamed plantains are everyday staples—filling and affordable.

Snacks and Drinks

• Peanut Sauce Stew: A thick stew made with peanut butter, usually served with rice or cassava.
• Tropical Fruits: Mangoes, papayas, pineapples, and mangosteens are fresh and widely available.
• French Bread and Coffee: Influenced by France, bakeries and cafés are common in urban areas.
• Local Beer and Palm Wine: Palm wine is found in rural areas; drink it only in licensed venues.

Where to Eat & Prices

• In Libreville, restaurants and markets serve a wide range of Gabonese dishes, with a typical local meal costing around 3,000–8,000 Central African Francs (XAF) per person.
• Port-Gentil and inland towns focus on home-style cooking; opt for busier eateries for better quality.
• National park campsites mostly offer all-inclusive meals, which are simple—bring some snacks if needed.
• Gabon’s prices are relatively high; mid-to-high-end restaurants are close to European levels, so budget accordingly.

Dining Customs

In Gabon, people typically eat with their right hand. When sharing a communal dish, take portions from the side closest to you. Urban restaurants generally accept card payments, but cash is preferred in rural areas and campsites. Due to French influence, bread, coffee, and desserts are part of daily life—breakfast often includes bread and coffee. If invited to a local home, bringing fruit or a drink is a thoughtful gesture. Complimenting the host’s cooking makes the meal more enjoyable. Restaurants rarely add service charges—the bill is final.