Must-Try Dishes

• Coconut Fish Stew: Fresh fish slow-cooked in coconut milk, tomatoes, and spices, served with rice—a staple home-cooked meal.
• Vanilla Lobster (Langouste à la vanille): Lobster seasoned with local vanilla, representing one of Comoros’ most iconic dishes.
• Mataba: Cassava leaves simmered into a stew, often served with rice or cassava-based staples.
• Grilled Meats & Curries: Influenced by Arab and Indian Ocean trade, kebabs and spicy curries are common at markets.

Staples & Snacks

• Rice, Cassava & Plantains: Everyday staples, usually paired with stews or beans.
• Samosas & Fried Snacks: Popular street food, great for a light afternoon bite.
• Tropical Fruits: Coconuts, mangoes, pineapples, and papayas are widely available.

Spices & Drinks

• Ylang-Ylang & Vanilla: Comoros is a key producer of ylang-ylang essential oil, and its vanilla and cloves are also renowned—great as souvenirs.
• Spiced Tea & Coffee: Local brews flavored with cloves, cardamom, and other spices offer a regional twist.
• Fresh Juices: Coconut water and tropical fruit juices are refreshing and cooling.

Where to Eat & Prices

Markets and street stalls in Moroni are ideal for sampling local flavors, while seaside restaurants highlight freshly caught seafood. Prices are moderate; street snacks range from $5–20, with seafood meals at restaurants costing more per person.

Dining Customs

Locals typically eat rice with stews and beans daily, while seafood is often reserved for celebrations and entertaining guests. As an Islamic country, pork is not served, and most restaurants close or offer only takeout during daylight hours in Ramadan—please be respectful. Street food is often made fresh, so choose stalls with higher customer traffic. Bottled water is the safer choice.