Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 21 30 56 69;
www.accorhotels.com
;
Blvd de la Marina; Novotel r CFA95,000, Ibis s/d CFA60,000/66,000;
)
The Accor chain has two hotels on the same property. Both lack charm, but
rooms are spotless and well equipped. If you want water views, opt for the Novotel
Orisha. The beautiful swimming pool is a great perk.
Eating
Most places to stay have an on-site restaurant.
Maman Aimé
OPEN-AIR RESTAURANT
$
( 97 64 16 49; off Pl de Bulgarie; mains CFA1200; 11.30am-10pm daily)
This is a super atmospheric
Beninese
maquis
(rustic open-air restaurant) with little more than a few wooden benches
and tables under a corrugated-iron roof. Here you'll get a blob of
pâte
(starch staple, often
made from millet, corn, plantains, manioc or yams) and a ladle of sauce for next to noth-
in'. And yes, you'll eat with your fingers. There's no signboard; it's in a
von
(alleyway)
off Pl de Bulgarie.
Chez Maman Bénin
AFRICAN
$
( 21 32 33 38; Rue 201A; meals CFA1000-3000; 11.30am-11pm daily)
This long-standing no-frills
canteen off Blvd St Michel has a large selection of West African dishes scooped from
steaming pots. There's no decor except for a couple of blaring TVs showing the latest
football action.
Maquis du Port
AFRICAN
$$
( 21 31 14 15; Blvd de la Marina; mains CFA2000-6000; lunch & dinner daily)
Great-value local food.
More an upmarket African eatery than a
maquis
, this hugely popular venture serves a
good mix of local classics like
ndole
(a stew made of leaves and nuts), salads, braised fish
and meat stews. It's in a multistorey building overlooking the fishing harbour.
Pili Pili
AFRICAN
$$
