Seafood in Mogadishu

Mogadishu sits on the Indian Ocean, and seafood is at the heart of its food culture. Small wooden boats land lobster, kingfish, tuna, snapper and prawns every morning at the old port below Hamar Weyne, and much of the catch ends up the same day on grills along the seafront.

The best-known place to eat it is the Lido Beach seafront in the Abdiaziz district, where restaurants and hotel terraces serve grilled fish and lobster with rice, sabaayad flatbread, fresh lime and spicy basbaas sauce, often with a view of the waves. Many also serve fresh fruit juices — mango, papaya and lime are favourites.

Visiting tips

• Go in the late afternoon and stay for sunset.
• Lobster and prawns are priced by size or weight — ask before you order.
• Combine dinner with a walk on Lido Beach.
• Visit the fish market at the old port early in the morning to see the day's catch.

Browse restaurants in Mogadishu.