Typical food in Angola: What and where to eat?

Angolan cuisine is a clear fusion of the different cultural influences that have passed through this beautiful country. So, we will find similarities with Portuguese, African, or Brazilian cuisine. The result is a combination of flavors and culinary techniques that turns the typical food of Angola into a varied and tasty cuisine. However, the basis of Angolan gastronomy includes its own ingredients such as palm oil, rice, cassava, fish and meats.

When you go on a trip to Angola we recommend you to take the opportunity to taste all the delicious delicacies of the typical food of Angola. But first, in this post, we will explain in detail what dishes and desserts you should try on your stay. In addition, we will even tell you which are the best restaurants in each city. What are you waiting for? Read us carefully and plan your gastronomic visit well thanks to Passporter.

What are the typical dishes of Angola?

1. Muamba

Muamba is not only a typical food of Angola, but also of many other African countries. Although we recommend that you take advantage of your trip to Angola to taste it. Since the one in this country is especially delicious. The muamba has chicken as its main ingredient. A tasty stew of tomato, onion, salt, garlic, pumpkin, lemon and palm oil is is added to it. In addition, it is accompanied with gingungo, a typical Angolan chili pepper. However, it is not too spicy because this dish reflects a perfect harmony thanks to the sweeter ingredients. You will love it!

2. Caruru

The caruru is the typical food of Angola, so you can not leave this country under any circumstances without trying it. First of all, to elaborate the caruru, the okra is cooked and the fish broth is prepared with manioc flour. The shrimps are sautéed with garlic and onion and then mixed with the leftover paste and the okra. The end result is a real treat. In addition, it should be noted that sometimes this dish can also have prawns or peanuts in order to play with the textures of the dish.

3. Funge

The funge itself is often used as an accompaniment to meats and fish, or served alongside multiple vegetables. In fact, as it is a very economical typical Angolan food. You’ll find it on every table in the country as if it were a single dish. It is a cassava flour base to which porridge or other vegetables are added. Although it can be a bit laborious to cook, it is a classic of Angolan gastronomy because of its smoothness.

4. Feijao

Everyone loves black beans, and it’s a common enough ingredient in many universally known dishes. But interestingly, the taste for black beans was born in Africa, which is why it’s a typical food in Angola as well. In this country you will see that they are usually cooked with salt, paprika, onion and manioc flour. And besides being super healthy, feijao is delicious! We recommend you try it during your trip, there’s no margin for error.

5. Chicken piri piri

Chicken piri piri is another staple Angolan food that absolutely every tourist loves. Why? Because its taste is not too foreign to the average Western palate either. It is a stew of chicken meat marinated with hot peppers and then cooked on the grill. In fact, “piri piri” is the name the locals use to refer to the famous hot bell pepper. Can you imagine how good it tastes? To top it all off, they usually add paprika, coriander, parsley and a little lemon or wine. Simply wow!

6. Calulu

Calulu is a rather thick soup that is full of delicious ingredients. It especially carries various types of green leaves, which gives it that unmistakable look. The term calulu is used to refer to the leaves and stems of some plants that are used to make this soup. Several pieces of chicken or hen are also usually added to calulu. This typical Angolan dish is usually served with cassava flour dumplings, so don’t leave without trying it!

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What are the typical sweet dishes of Angola?

1. Angolan cocada

It should be noted, that within the typical Angolan food, desserts do not usually enjoy a great prominence because normally this position in the meals is occupied by a good fresh fruit. For this reason, the few desserts that do exist are a great treat. The Angolan cocada is undoubtedly very important in the local gastronomy. It is a dessert cooked with coconut pulp, egg yolks, sugar, ground cinnamon and cloves. Sometimes they also use a little lemon or orange to give a citric touch to the sweetness of the cocada.

2. Banana bowl

The bowl of banana is also one of the richest typical desserts of Angola, and even the best known within its cuisine. It is a cake that is made with flour, eggs and, clearly, many bananas. The banana bowl is famous for a very sweet taste and a very soft and doughy texture. It is unmistakable, and we have no doubt that you will love it.

Where to eat in Angola

These are some of our favorite restaurants in Luanda:

• La Vigia: In this nice restaurant you can taste the best fresh grilled fish in the city. It is an informal place but very nice at the same time. You will eat deluxe!
• Churrascaria Nandinhos: At Churrascaria Nandinhos you can eat the best roast chicken in Luanda. It is a fairly simple and cheap restaurant. But be aware that it’s also very busy, so you’d better get there early if you want to get a table.
• Cafe del Mar: This restaurant is more of an upscale one and enjoys exceptional views of Luanda beach. In this place they specialize in international cuisine and the price ranges between 20€ and 80€.

When you go to Malanje, you must try the typical Angolan food at:

• Restaurant Triângulo: This modern and sophisticated restaurant offers an ideal fusion between Angolan and European cuisine. Triângulo Restaurant is also renowned for its fresh seafood dishes and cozy atmosphere. You’re going to love it!
• Restaurant O Quintal: This place is located in the heart of the city center of Melanje. O Quintal offers a wide variety of Angolan dishes, seafood and meats. It should be noted that this restaurant is usually quite busy, you should try to go early.

In Benguela we encourage you to try the local gastronomy in some of our favorite restaurants in the city:

• Morena Beach Restaurant: This is a nice restaurant that also offers incredible sea views. In Morena Beach Restaurant you can taste the local cuisine for less than 10€.
• Tudo na Brasa: This place is a very good option to eat well, fast and cheap. The restaurant is simple but they serve very abundant grilled meat dishes. We recommend you to try the suckling pig or the chops.
• Restaurant Ferro Velho: The Ferro Velho Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in the city of Benguela. The atmosphere is very cozy and the service is very attentive and friendly. The food is simple, but beware, everyone who goes there repeats.

Angola travel tips

• The Angolan Kwanza is the official currency of Angola. However, US dollars are generally accepted in the same manner.
• The documentation required for travel to Angola is the passport (which must have at least six months validity when you enter the country), visa (except for people who have Portuguese nationality, as they will be exempt from this requirement as it is a former colony), and international vaccination certificate.
• The international vaccination certificate is very important when traveling to Angola. It must include the vaccination against yellow fever. However, it is also advisable to have received other vaccinations such as hepatitis, tetanus, typhoid, polio and meningitis C, although these are not mandatory.
• Hedge yourself against possible risks: travel insured. The Angolan health system leaves much to be desired, and in case of an accident you will need to go to a private clinic. With a good insurance you will travel with peace of mind and you will be fully covered in case of emergencies.
• Do not drink water from the tap, but always drink bottled water.
• Travel with plenty of cash because with the exception of a few hotels and restaurants, credit cards are not commonly used nor are there many reliable ATM machines.
• The best time to travel to Angola is at any time of the year, as it always has a temperature of between 26º and 31º. However, the rainy season is between November and April, and although infrequent, intense storms can occur and cause problems.
• Angola is relatively safe but you should take some precautions: it is recommended to avoid moving around on foot, going out at night or visiting troubled areas.
• Book hotels well in advance to avoid exorbitant prices.

How to prepare what to see on your trip and discover Angola’s typical dishes

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• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the typical food in Angola.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about typical food in Angola