Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 034 01 998 04, 033 03 388 19;
www.lasurprisebetsileo.com
;
Rue Pasteur; mains from
Ar12,000) On the main road up to Old Town, this new addition is the stylish dining ex-
perience Fianar has been waiting for. The Italian owner has elegantly restored a 19th-cen-
tury colonial villa and converted it into a sophisticated restaurant offering an interesting
melange of Italian and Malagasy cooking. There are only eight tables, so book ahead.
Chez Ninie
MALAGASY €
(RueRondriantsilanizakaJoseph;mainsAr3000-5000)Don'tbefooledbythefacade:lurk-
ing out back is open-porch dining with an extensive, inexpensive and very tasty Malagasy
menu that keeps this place very popular. Dirt cheep beer (Ar1900), too.
Chez Dom
FAST FOOD €
(Rue Ranamana; mains from Ar6500; ) A small, smoky cafe offering local rum and a
quick menu. Frequented by backpackers, French expats and tourists. Local guides may try
to find you here.
Panda Restaurant
CHINESE €€
( 75 505 69; Rue Ranamana; mains from Ar12,000; Mon-Sat) If your ultimate
fantasy involves dining on sautéed bat while staring at murals of copulating pandas painted
on a restaurant wall, fulfil it here. Definitely a top contender for Madagascar's most eclect-
ic eating establishment, Panda offers bat, pigeon, frog and wild duck. It also does excellent
Chinese. Ring ahead if you're absolutely craving crocodile, as they are not always avail-
able.
Supermarché 3000
SUPERMARKET
(Rue Printsy Ramaharo) Supermarché 3000, in Basse-Ville, is the best-stocked place for
self-caterers.
ENTERTAINMENT
Besides La Suite/Soafia Dance, other weekend options include
Le Moulin Rouge
, at the
northeastern end of town, which plays everything from Malagasy hits to Europop, and
Chez Tantine
, by the taxi-brousse station, which attracts a lively local crowd.
La Suite/Soafia Dance
DJ
(admission Ar4000; 9pm-late Tue & Thu-Sat) This is the best dance club in town.
Located at the Hôtel Soafia, it has a bare-bones interior but plays great Euro/American mu-
