Are you passing through Madagascar but don’t know where to eat? Or simply, do you want to taste the delights of Malagasy specialties? Here is a list of restaurants, categorized by region, that you shouldn’t miss to discover the local and traditional flavors of Malagasy cuisine.
Malagasy Specialties in Antananarivo
Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, located in the center of the Great Island, is known for its typical dishes with a very original taste, combining tradition, culture, and know-how. Beef is also one of the essential ingredients in Malagasy specialties. These dishes, served as accompaniments to rice—the staple food of Malagasy people—are often prepared with grated coconut, shrimp, or ravitoto (pounded cassava leaves).
Here is a list of some recommended restaurants if you want to try these local specialties in Antananarivo:
| Restaurant Name | Malagasy Specialties | Address |
| La Varangue | Malagasy and European cuisine | 4, Rue du Prince Narainsamy, Antananarivo 101 |
| Nerone Ristorante Italiano | Italian and Malagasy dishes | Lot VE 28 Bis, Rue Rakotonirainy Lazaniaporofitra Alarobia, Antananarivo 101 |
| Restaurant Sakamanga | Malagasy and international cuisine | Lot VC 22 A – (Rue du Docteur Joseph Raseta, Antananarivo 101) |
| Kudeta | Malagasy specialties and international dishes | 5, Rue Père Sonnet, Antananarivo |
Malagasy Specialties in Toamasina
Toamasina, or Tamatave, is the largest city in eastern Madagascar. It is the primary economic hub of the Great Island and also a tourist destination.
In terms of cuisine, this region boasts exotic dishes that reflect the cultural diversity of the local population. Thanks to its rich seafood resources, Toamasina is renowned for having the best seafood recipes. Grilled seafood, seafood soup, fried fish, crab curry, seafood platters with saffron rice, tempura shrimp, and calamari are among the main dishes offered on menus.
Here are some notable restaurants serving Malagasy specialties in Toamasina:
| Restaurant Name | Address | Specialties | Ratings & Reviews |
| Le Bateau Ivre | Boulevard Joffre, Toamasina (Tamatave) 501 Madagascar | French and Malagasy cuisine | 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor |
| La Pirogue | 48 Rue Lieutenant Colonel Rabemananjara, Toamasina (Tamatave) 501 Madagascar | Seafood & Fish | 4/5 on Tripadvisor |
| Océan 501 | Boulevard Bazar Be, Toamasina (Tamatave) 501 Madagascar | French, international, and Malagasy cuisine | 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor |
| Le Kangourou | 1437 Boulevard Joffre, Toamasina (Tamatave) Madagascar | Malagasy specialties | Not available |
| Le Palais des Isles | Boulevard Philibert Tsiranana, Toamasina (Tamatave) 501 Madagascar | French and Malagasy cuisine | Not available |
Malagasy Specialties in Nosy Be
Located in the Mozambique Channel, Nosy Be is a coastal island of Madagascar and the country’s premier tourist destination.
Apart from its numerous natural and cultural sites, this part of Madagascar is also known for its hidden culinary talents. The island has implemented systems to revive traditional culinary know-how to delight its visitors repeatedly.
Thanks to the abundance of local resources and the expertise of its inhabitants, the Malagasy specialties served in Nosy Be are exceptionally delicious. Among the region’s culinary highlights, try the famous clear broth or romazava, lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and crustaceans, which have long contributed to the island’s reputation.
If you visit Nosy Be, consider dining at these restaurants:
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| Chez Mama | Nosy Be | Traditional Malagasy cuisine |
| Ankify Lodge et Restaurant | Ankify, Nosy Be | Seafood and Malagasy specialties |
| The Pily Pily Restaurant | Ambondrona, Nosy Be | Local and international cuisine |
| Chez Ernest, le roi de la langouste | Nosy Be | Lobster and seafood |
| Aviavy hôtel | Ampasikely, Nosy Be | Malagasy and international cuisine |
Malagasy Specialties in Sainte Marie
For Sainte Marie, Madagascar, here is the top 5:
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| Le Vanille | Ile Sainte Marie | Traditional Malagasy cuisine |
| Chez Nath | Ambodifotatra, Ile Sainte Marie | Seafood and Malagasy specialties |
| Restaurant Mora Mora | Ambodifotatra, Ile Sainte Marie | Local and international cuisine |
| Chez Nono | Île Sainte-Marie Sud | Local specialties and seafood |
| La Caz Pizza | Ambodifotatra, Ile Sainte Marie | Malagasy and Italian cuisine |
Malagasy Specialties in Antsirabe
The following information is based on a list of restaurants offering Malagasy specialties in Antsirabe, Madagascar. These restaurants provide the best variety of Malagasy culinary specialties.
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| Zandina | Antsirabe | Pizza and Malagasy cuisine |
| Croustipain | Antsirabe | Malagasy bread and pastries |
| Restaurant La Marmite | Antsirabe | Traditional Malagasy cuisine |
| Chez Jenny | Antsirabe | Seafood and Malagasy specialties |
| Pousse Pousse Restaurant | Antsirabe | Local and international cuisine |
Malagasy Specialties in Antsiranana (Diego Suarez)
Here is a table of the top 5 restaurants to enjoy Malagasy culinary specialties in Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Madagascar:
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| Melville | Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) | Traditional Malagasy cuisine |
| SUeGIU | Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) | Seafood and Malagasy specialties |
| Tsara Be | Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) | Local and international cuisine |
| Restaurant La Table | Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) | Malagasy and French cuisine |
| Le Jardin Exotique | Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) | Local specialties and seafood |
Malagasy Specialties in Majunga (Mahajanga)
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| Hôtel Restaurant Gourmand Coco Lodge | Majunga (Mahajanga) | Malagasy and international cuisine |
| La Petite Cour | Majunga (Mahajanga) | Seafood and Malagasy specialties |
| La Promenade | Majunga (Mahajanga) | Local and international cuisine |
| Baobab Café | Majunga (Mahajanga) | Traditional Malagasy cuisine |
| Le Karibu | Majunga (Mahajanga) | Local specialties and seafood |
Malagasy Specialties in Tuléar (Toliara)
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| L’Escale | Tuléar (Toliara) | Malagasy and international cuisine |
| Le Jardin de Giancarlo | Tuléar (Toliara) | Seafood and Malagasy specialties |
| La Pirogue | Tuléar (Toliara) | Local and international cuisine |
| Moringa Café | Tuléar (Toliara) | Traditional Malagasy cuisine |
| Chez Tonton Rico | Tuléar (Toliara) | Local specialties and seafood |
Malagasy Specialties in Fianarantsoa
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| L’Entrecôte du Zoma | Fianarantsoa | Malagasy, European, Asian, and Indian cuisine |
| La Bella Donna | Fianarantsoa | Malagasy and Italian cuisine |
| Istrot | Fianarantsoa | Traditional Malagasy cuisine |
| Chez Maman’ i Flavie | Fianarantsoa | Seasonal local specialties |
| Chez Gustave | Fianarantsoa | Malagasy and French cuisine |
Malagasy Specialties in Foulpointe
| Restaurant Name | Address or Location | Specialties |
| Le Récif | Foulpointe | Seafood and Malagasy cuisine |
| La Paillotte | Foulpointe | Pizza and Italian cuisine |
| Hôtel La Cigale | Foulpointe | Malagasy and local Provençal cuisine |
| Hôtel Le Lagon | Foulpointe | French, Chinese, and Malagasy cuisine |
| Hôtel Saint Georges | Foulpointe | Local cuisine |
Please note that all this information may change, and it is recommended to verify addresses and details before visiting these restaurants.
So, does a gourmet trip to Madagascar tempt you for your next vacation?