Meza Malonga: Fine Afro-Fusion Dining in Kigali
If you only have time for one dinner in Kigali, make it Meza Malonga. We dined here on our first night in Kigali. Beating sleep from our early arrival from Johannesburg, I was particularly excited to visit after chancing upon an article about the restaurant in the BBC the week before. We immediately made a reservation.
The Basics
- Meza Malonga opens at 7pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
- Make sure to book in advance as there are just a few tables at the restaurant. Booking is done via email at dieuveilmalonga@gmail.com.
- Mention any food allergies or dietary requirements in advance over email. We requested a pescatarian meal.
- Plan for a 3-hour experience.
- Cost: RWF 80,000/ USD 80 for the 10 courses. The wine pairing (ft. South African Wines) will bring you to almost double at closer to USD 150 per person (with tip). Splurge if you want (like we did) but it’s not necessary.
- Cards are accepted.
The Meza Malonga Experience
Headed by Chef Dieuveil Malonga, this test kitchen-style fine dining experience will take you from the potato fields of Rwanda to the coast of Mozambique and all across the African continent. You are bound to come across something you’ve never tasted before.
It’s hard to choose a favorite dish. Each one is stunning. Chef Dieuveil personally explained a couple of the dishes to us as well, which was star stunning.
I have to give a shout-out to the palate cleanser: a sorbet tree tomato dish that gave rise to my new obsession with the fruit.
I loved the mushroom ravioli (made from plantain!) with mushroom air and jus. The sorghum bread was something I’d never had before and the lightly breaded and seared tuna was out of this world.
There is only a 10-course tasting menu available and true to the test kitchen experience, the dishes may change from visit to visit.
This is our new top favorite restaurant and the most exquisite food we’ve experienced the world over. You NEED to put this on your bucket list.
Travel tip: If you’re visiting Kigali like us and take a moto, you’ll have to help direct your driver with google maps. The restaurant is in a part of town that (in our experience) the drivers did know.
Find out what else there is to do in Kigali!
Got any questions about Meza Malonga? Let me know in the comments!