Mamboz Corner BBQ

Mamboz Corner BBQ is one of Dar es Salaam's best-known places for grilled meat, an evening barbecue on the corner of Morogoro Road and Libya Street in the city centre; some listings give the address as 3 Libya Street. It has been recommended by travel guides for more than a decade as a good-value introduction to the city's street food culture, and Fodor's currently lists it as a Fodor's Choice, praising its mix of local and Indian flavours.

The draw is charcoal-grilled chicken and nyama choma, the roast meat eaten across East Africa, marinated in spicy sauces that show the strong Indian influence on Dar es Salaam's cooking. Fodor's picks out the Gajjar spicy chicken, and the grills turn out a steady supply of skewers and roast meat through the evening. Instead of beer, order pressed sugarcane juice with fresh ginger, which suits the heat and the spice. Vendors have been known to sell mango, watermelon and pineapple beside the tables.

Mamboz does not sell alcohol, which suits families and anyone who prefers an alcohol-free evening, and takeaway is available if you would rather eat back at your hotel. Seating is simple and partly on the pavement, and the experience is as much about the street life around you as the food. Over the years some of the seating has moved indoors, but the open-air atmosphere remains part of its appeal.

It opens in the evening, from around 18:00, and is closed on Tuesdays. Arrive early if you want a seat at peak times, especially at weekends, and be ready to wait a little when the grills are busy. Prices are low, so carry cash in small notes. Ask for a milder marinade if you are not used to chilli heat.

Libya Street is in the busy central district, within walking distance of many city centre hotels. As with any evening outing downtown, keep valuables out of sight and use a taxi or ride-hailing car if you are going further afield afterwards. It pairs well with an early evening walk along the Kivukoni waterfront or a drink at a rooftop bar before dinner.