L’Endroit

L'Endroit, simply 'the place', is a restaurant and pub on the VDN, the expressway running through Dakar's residential districts, on the edge of the Sicap Karack neighbourhood. It is a favourite of both Senegalese diners and expatriates who want home-style local cooking in a relaxed setting, and it works as well for a hearty dinner as for drinks and music later in the evening.

The cooking is straightforward Senegalese food in large portions. The business travel magazine Voyages d'Affaires highlighted its braised thiof, the white grouper prized across the country, while Selamta, the Ethiopian Airlines magazine, recommended a generous thiéboudienne with chunky vegetables and simple dishes such as boiled yams. It is a good place to try familiar staples cooked as they would be at home, rather than restaurant versions aimed at visitors. Thiof, a white grouper, is one of the most popular fish in Senegalese cooking, and braising suits its firm flesh, so it is the dish to choose if you only order one. Ask the staff what else is on that day, as dishes vary.

Music is the other half of the appeal. L'Endroit has a pub atmosphere with regular live music, with jazz a recurring theme, and earlier guides mention performances from Thursday to Sunday. Selamta notes that it stays open until around 03:00, so it is also an option for a late meal.

Prices are moderate. It suits groups of friends, couples looking for a lively evening and solo travellers who want to see where Dakarois go out locally. Check the programme before you go if you want live music, and expect the late evening to be noisier than the early dinner service. Dress is casual.

The VDN area is a residential and business zone between the city centre and the airport road, so you will need a taxi; give the driver the villa number and mention VDN Amitié 3. From here it is a short ride to Point E and the university area, where Just 4 U, another of Dakar's live music venues, is found on Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop, and to the Village des Arts on the Route de l'Aéroport.