Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 21351177; menelikhotel@intnet.dj; Pl du 27 Juin 1977; s/d incl breakfast
DFr15,500/ 20,200; )
It's hard to top the Menelik's location, smack-dab in the
centre. Service is acceptable and the rooms provide good levels of comfort and hygiene
but, to be honest, you pay for the location. Cash only.
Eating
If you've just come from Ethiopia (and you're weary of
injera
flatbread) or Somaliland
(and you've had your fill of goat meat), now's your chance to broaden your culinary ex-
periences. The city is endowed with a smattering of restaurants that will please most pal-
ates - a testimony to the French presence. No alcohol is served in the cheaper places.
EATING OUT ON A BUDGET
Some of the cheapest meals in town come from the food stands in front of La Terrasse and Blue Nile restaurants on
Rue d'Ethiopie. Fork out DFr500 for a good-sized sandwich or a kebab and you'll leave patting your tummy con-
tentedly. They open in the evenings only.
La Mer Rouge $$$
( 21340005;
www.lamerrougedj.com
; Rte Nelson Mandela, Ambouli; mains
DFr2500-4500; lunch & dinner Mon-Sat)
Seafood, seafood and seafood - that's all
that matters at the sleek La Mer Rouge, Djibouti City's premier address for crustaceans
and fish. The menu is a real sea-sourced smorgasbord, and revolves around whatever hap-
pens to flop onto the quayside. If they're on offer, plump for the
gambas feta
(king prawns
with feta cheese), oysters or crab - or splash out on a supersized seafood platter. Make
sure you leave space for dessert: the homemade
fondue au chocolat
(melted chocolate) is
sheer ambrosia. The only drawback is the out-of-the-way location, near the airport -
you'll need to get here by taxi.
SEAFOOD
La Terrasse $
( 21350227; Rue d'Ethiopie; mains DFr800-1500; dinner)
Bargain! This place has
plenty of character and serves up good Ethiopian food as well as pasta and sandwiches at
ETHIOPIAN
