Dining out in Africa is no longer the budget-friendly indulgence it once was. In 2025, the price of grabbing lunch or enjoying a night out at a nice restaurant has surged across the continent, driven by a cocktail of economic pressure, growing urban demand, and evolving lifestyles. At the top of the list? Cameroon—now officially the most expensive country in Africa for eating out.
This is according to the latest Numbeo Restaurant Price Index, a globally recognized cost-of-living tracker that compares restaurant prices around the world using New York City as its benchmark (with an index score of 100). In this year’s rankings, Cameroon scored 42.2—meaning dining out in cities like Douala and Yaoundé costs around 42% of what it would in NYC. That’s a significant jump, and a telling sign of how the urban dining scene has transformed.
Behind the Menu: What’s Driving Up the Cost?
It’s not just about inflation. The rising costs point to deeper shifts—urban expansion, a growing middle class, a booming tourism sector, and a rising taste for both local delicacies and global cuisine. In cities across Africa, from Maputo to Abidjan, locals are blending traditional meals with upscale dining experiences, and the prices reflect it.
Cameroon’s dining scene is buzzing, with hotspots like Boukarou Lounge serving modern twists on beloved dishes like ndolé and Poulet DG. In Mozambique, high-end seafood joints such as SALT in Maputo cater to tourists and locals willing to pay for quality. In Zimbabwe, cities like Harare are witnessing a culinary evolution, as fusion cuisine and gourmet experiences become more mainstream.
Here are Africa’s top 10 most expensive countries to dine out in 2025:
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Cameroon – 42.2
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Mozambique – 37.1
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Zimbabwe – 33.2
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Côte d’Ivoire – 32.2
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Ghana – 30.1
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Mauritius – 29.9
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South Africa – 29.3
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Namibia – 28.9
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Kenya – 25.0
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Botswana – 24.9
Surprisingly, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and home to megacities like Lagos and Abuja, sits at 17th place with a more modest score of 21.6. While eating out is still popular, it remains comparatively more affordable than in many other African nations.
Dining as a Measure of Economic Shift
Food is culture—but it’s also economics. The cost of a plate of grilled tilapia or a serving of garba can now tell us a lot about a country’s urban growth, purchasing power, tourism appeal, and lifestyle trends. For analysts, travellers, and even governments, restaurant prices are becoming a key barometer for understanding how African cities are evolving.
Whether it’s the lure of fine dining or a simple meal on the go, one thing is clear: eating out in Africa is changing fast—and it’s going to cost you more in 2025.
