Meza Malonga
Kigali, Rwanda
This trendy Kigali spot – located in the Remera neighbourhood of the Rwandan capital, with views across the city’s lush hills – is making waves thanks to its colourful, creative reimagining of pan-African cuisine. Infusing plates with the complexity and complementarity of the continent’s diverse food, 50 Best's Champions of Change award winner Dieuveil Malonga utilises a rich, lesser-known larder to narrate a tale of cross-border cooking, blending Maasai, Bantu and Zulu influences. Malonga, who was born in Congo-Brazzaville, later moved to Germany and competed in France’s Top Chef TV show, credits a two-year tour of 48 African countries as the spark that pushed him to open this debut.The result is an electrifying, 10-course menu that attracts gourmets eager to explore: expect to encounter peppery Nigerian uziza leaves, Cameroonian mbongo pepper, Mombasa shrimp and Tanzanian baobab. Mirorring what’s whipped up in the kitchen, interiors are minimalist but bold, with stark white walls juxtaposing jungle-like plants, vibrant paintings, and shelves decorated with woven baskets and earthen ceramics. There’s also an entire wall of seeds, spices and fermented fruits in glass jars for culinary experimentation purposes.
Key Information
- Tasting menu from $80
- Dinner: Wed – Sat
- 250 785146072
- Visit Meza Malonga's Website
Location
KG8 18, Avenue Kigali, Remera, Kigali,
