National Classics

• Peanut Stew (Caldo de Mancarra): A rich stew made with a peanut sauce base, served with chicken or beef, tomatoes, and chili, ladled over rice—this is a staple dish found nationwide.
• Grilled Fish with Rice: Freshly caught fish seasoned and grilled over charcoal, served with fried plantains or rice. The cheapest and freshest options are often found at street stalls near markets.
• Cashews and Cashew Juice: As one of the world’s top cashew producers, raw and roasted cashews are widely available, and fresh cashew juice is sweet and tangy—definitely worth trying.
• Fried Plantains and Cassava Balls: Popular street breakfast staples, often served with spicy sauces or bean paste.

Creole and Portuguese Influences

• Portuguese-Style Fish Soup and Seafood Rice: Colonial-era dishes with a local twist, available at a few restaurants in Bissau.
• Palm Wine (Palm Wine): Sweet, freshly tapped palm sap that naturally ferments into a mildly alcoholic drink after a few hours—essential for a fishing village experience.
• Spicy Sauces and Herbs: Each table typically has a jar of homemade hot sauce, with varying flavors—proceed with caution, as they can be surprisingly potent.
• Festival Pastries: Fried dough and coconut sweets enjoyed during Carnival and Independence Day celebrations.

Prices and Where to Eat

• Street Stalls: A grilled fish and rice meal costs around 1,500–3,000 West African CFA francs; main dishes at foreigner-friendly restaurants range from 8,000–15,000 CFA francs.
• In Bissau, the best dining spots are clustered around the Central Market, Avenida Cabral, and the fishing port. On the islands, seafood dominates, with the evening grilled fish stalls at Bubaque Dock being especially lively.
• While seafood is abundant, stick to cooked and hot dishes. Raw or salad items should be approached cautiously in the tropics, and only order drinks with ice if you’re certain it’s made from purified water.
• Cashew season (April–June) brings the freshest nuts to market, with the best prices and bargaining opportunities. Buying raw cashews to roast at home is the best way to enjoy them.
• Breakfast typically follows a European style—bread with coffee or tea. There are several good Portuguese-style bakeries in Bissau’s Old Town, perfect for a pre-island-hopping snack.