Food & Drink

Although the traditional diet in Cote d'Ivoire is very similar to that of neighbouring countries in its reliance on grains and tubers, the Ivorians have a particular kind of unique, small, open-air restaurant known as a maquis.

Traditional dishes include kedjenou (chicken and vegetables sealed in banana leaves), and n'i'oufou (mashed bananas or yam mixed with palm oil and served with aubergine sauce), whilst Attiéké (grated cassava) is a popular Côte d'Ivoirian side dish. One of the tastiest street-vended foods is aloco, which is ripe banana in palm oil, spiced with steamed onions and chilli and eaten alone or with grilled fish. Bangui is a local palm wine.

Restaurants in main towns serve French, Italian, Lebanese and Vietnamese food.