Kotu and Kololi offer a quieter atmosphere for a more relaxed holiday, fewer bars and restaurants more modest entertainment with a couple of bars with live music playing tracks from the 60s, 70s and 80s, and Karaoke Nights.
Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta House: is located on Palma Rima Rd, Kotu Beach. Renowned for it‘s “Good Food” the menu has a wide selection of Italian and British food. Set on 2 floors, the second floor balcony offers a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the sea. It‘s a great place to watch the sun go down! and on the ground floor is an ideal place for families offering kids menu and play area. Open all day from 8am serving full English breakfast, lunch and evening meals till 11.30pm. Kids meals D125 The Senegambia is the busiest area offering many bars, restaurants and night
clubs. It is one of the best places for people looking for an exciting night life. “The
Senegambia Strip” really comes to life after dark with an array of bars playing live music, karaoke, big screen sports TV and many fast food outlets.
Cheerz offers a great friendly atmosphere with all that you would expect from a family run business, situated at the top of Senegambia Strip on the High Rd. There are a number of night clubs in the area which play ear-splitting modern music as well as reggae sounds. They normally get going after midnight; the entrance fees are reasonable at all the nightclubs, charging D100/D250 entrance fee.
The cheaper night clubs are frequented by (Bumpsters) locals youths looking to make “a friend” and tag along, so do go along with someone you know. For the “night owl” Quality Catering are open 24 hours on the corner of the Senegambia Junction for a quick snack after dancing the night away. Always clean and freshly made while you wait!
Local foods are worth trying. A word of warning, be prepared to eat a bit more than “just a little spice” – Gambians like their food hot! The food is a melting pot for all the nations and tribes from the sub-regions who live in harmony and enjoy sharing food from all cultures. If you interact with local people don‘t be surprised to be invited to a compound to share a meal as the Gambian culture is very friendly and hospitable.
Food is always shared, normally a group will eat from one bowl. As a guest you will be offered a spoon and sometimes your own plate! It is said you will not argue with someone you share a bowl of food with! Fish plays a major part in Gambian cuisine due to the variety of fish available in both river and sea. Oysters fresh from the creeks make a quick and easy stew, Ebeh is made from an amazing array of ingredients including smoked fish, crabs, oysters and fish eggs amongst other things. Benachin meaning “one pot” is the equivalent of an Italian risotto or a Spanish paella. The beach bars are the best place to find many of the local tasty dishes. Some are better than others so choose wisely. Some bars don’t have electricity or running water, so keep this in mind when ordering food!
Nefertiti Beach Bar, Banjul offers a great location with a fresh menu local food and snacks daily and Kotu Point Beach Bar, Kotu offers a B-B-Q every Saturday lunch time, join in the fun, come Jamming with Lamin and try your hand at drumming!
Local Drinks
The most popular are Wonjo and Baobab. Wonjo juice is made from the dried red flowers of the Sorrel, which are boiled with sugar to make a refreshing, sweet drink full of Vitamin C. Baobab juice is made from the fruit of the Baobab tree. The fruit is soaked in water, sieved and the seeds extracted. The pulp is then mixed with a little sugar to make the base juice. Other ingredients can be added according to taste; the most popular are milk and coconut, but it is also tasty with mango, papaya or banana – making a thick natural smoothie. Both Wonjo and Baobab are very nutritious, healthy and with a unique flavour. They also make a wonderful cocktail when mixed together.
Locally people use these drinks as regular source of nutrition, in Europe it had been forgotten. During World War 2 it was given to soldiers in bread to prevent scurvy. Recently rediscovered it is being branded as a super food of the future. It has been clinically proven that it is a pro-biotic with 5 times more vitamin C than an orange and twice as much more calcium than a glass off milk as well as containing antioxidants and Omega 3-6-9.
Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
