Bight of Benin

Bight of Benin takes its name from the curve of the West African coast in the Gulf of Guinea, and its kitchen draws on the countries around it, from Cameroon to Cote d'Ivoire and beyond. In a city where most international restaurants are Indian, Italian or Asian, it is the place to go for West African food, and it presents its cooking as fine dining rather than street food.

The cooking is rich and often spicy, as West African food tends to be, and vegan and vegetarian choices are offered. The full menu is published on the restaurant's website with prices in Ugandan shillings, so you can check what is on before you go. If West African food is new to you, ask the staff to suggest a starter, a main and a side to share, and say how much heat you like.

The space is one of the restaurant's strengths. There is a fine-dining room, a smaller indoor area, a covered veranda, a thatched gazebo with its own bar, background music and screens, and a large front lawn. For families, the lawn and children's playground are a real advantage, and high chairs are available for small children. There is also secure parking and space for private functions and events.

It suits a long lunch with children, a relaxed dinner with friends, or a group celebration on the lawn. The gazebo bar is a good spot for a drink before dinner, and its screens make it lively during big matches; the veranda is pleasant when it rains. The website also has an events page and posts the kitchen's current specials, so it is worth a look before you book. Book ahead for larger groups and events using the phone numbers or the bookings email, which the restaurant publishes on its website.

Kyadondo Road runs across Nakasero Hill, the area of hotels, embassies and offices just above the city centre, so Bight of Benin is an easy taxi ride from most central hotels. Yujo Izakaya is further along the same road, and the Kampala Serena Hotel and the National Theatre are close by.