What Food To Try in Antananarivo and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Antananarivo for 2025.
National currency: Malagasy Ariary, symbol — (international currency code MGA).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Antananarivo cafes and restaurants
$3.1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $2.3
$12.8
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $6.39
$3.2
Combo Meal
Starting from $2.56
What to Try in Antananarivo
Must-try Dishes
Ravitoto - Vegetable Mash (pork and cassava leaves) - A rich mash made from ground cassava leaves cooked with pieces of pork. It's often served with rice at family gatherings, bringing everyone together to enjoy a hearty meal.MOFO GASY - Malagasy Pancakes - A delightful breakfast option, these pancakes are made from rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, resulting in a slightly sweet treat. Locals typically enjoy them hot on the street, often paired with coffee for a simple morning start.
Romazava - Beef Stew - A comforting stew made from tender beef, leafy greens, and assorted spices, slow-cooked to perfection. Commonly eaten during dinner, it's a staple at festive gatherings and family meals.
Traiteur - Local Specialty Dish - This dish varies widely but usually features grilled meats marinated in local spices, served with rice and a tangy sauce. It's popular among locals for lunch, often enjoyed at roadside stalls for its fresh ingredients.
Mofogasy - Surprising Combination (savory pancake with fillings) - This street food serves a thick pancake stuffed with an array of fillings, from spicy minced beef to a sweet banana mix. It's common to find these being eaten as a fast, filling option on the go.
Varanga - Seasonal Fish Dish - A preparation of local fish marinated in citrus juices and seasoned, typically grilled or fried. Best enjoyed during the fishing season, it’s often served with a side of fresh vegetables.
Akondro - Unexpected Cooking Style (banana dish) - This dish features bananas grilled to caramelized perfection, served warm and often with a sprinkle of spices. It's a surprisingly popular option at casual dinners, showcasing the unique way fruits are used in savory meals.
Desserts & Drinks
Ranovola - Ranovola (brown rice water) - A soothing beverage made from toasted brown rice boiled in water and strained, resulting in a nutty, slightly sweet drink. Often enjoyed chilled during hot afternoons and often paired with local snacks for a refreshing pick-me-up.Ravimbomanga - Ravimbomanga (hot herbal tea) - A comforting infusion of wild herbs and leaves, typically brewed with ginger and lemongrass, resulting in a fragrant and soothing drink. Commonly consumed during social gatherings or family visits, especially when there's a chill in the air.
Toaka Gasy - Toaka Gasy (local rum) - A potent spirit distilled from sugarcane, often enjoyed neat or in locally crafted cocktails with tropical fruits. It's a popular drink for celebrations, and locals love to toast with it during family events, often served in rustic glassware.
Mofo Gasy - Mofo Gasy (rice flour cake) - A delightful sweet cake made with rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, often steamed in small round molds for a chewy texture. These are usually sold by street vendors and are a popular snack during morning market strolls, best enjoyed warm.
By the way, Lychee is in peak season around mid-summer, so make sure to look for this exotic flavor!
Food and Groceries in Antananarivo
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.59 |
| Oranges | $0.88 |
| Potatoes | $0.49 |
| Apples | $0.98 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.52 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.77 |
| Imported Beer | $1.12 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $2.56 |
Various Groceries
| Chicken | $4.47 |
| Cigarettes | $3.51 |
| Rice | $0.51 |
| Local Cheese | $11.29 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The rhythm of Antananarivo's dining scene flows against the usual patterns of fast-paced city life. If you’re accustomed to quick lunches in a bustling cafe or a grab-and-go vibe, prepare to reset your expectations. Here, lunch typically starts around noon and can run long, often stretching until 2 PM or later. The locals savor their meals, turning lunchtime into a social occasion, where lingering over food and conversation is the norm. You might even spot families dining out together, children included, sharing plates of steaming rice with varied accompaniments.
What you can get for a reasonable price might surprise you too. Take, for instance, a meal at a local eatery—you can enjoy a generous plate of rice with zebu meat and a side of vegetable stew for about MGA 15,000. Just a few blocks away at a fancier place, you might end up paying double for a similar dish. It's fascinating how the price can vary so much based on location and ambiance.
One thing to keep in mind is the payment customs. Cash is often the preferred method, and many smaller vendors may not even accept cards. Plus, tipping isn't obligatory, but rounding up your bill or leaving a small tip, like MGA 1,000-2,000, is appreciated, showing gratitude for the excellent service.
One authentic local eating habit is the practice of sharing food. You’ll see this during meals where families order multiple dishes for the table, inviting everyone to taste a bit of everything. It's a wonderful way to experience the diversity of flavors in Malagasy cuisine. However, a common tourist mistake is ordering too much food for oneself, thinking that's how locals eat. Remember, sharing is the way to go here!
Navigating Antananarivo's dining scene is all about timing as well. Best to avoid the lunch rush between 12 PM and 2 PM when local offices spill into the restaurants. If you manage to arrive early, you might get your food faster and enjoy a calmer vibe.
Oh, and before I forget, if you’re keen on enjoying a proper dinner at a popular restaurant, reservations are a smart move, especially on weekends. Many places fill up quickly as families unwind together with good food.
As I wander through Antananarivo, I can’t help but notice how the local food culture is evolving. Young chefs are putting their spin on traditional dishes, blending modern techniques with age-old recipes. It’s exciting to see how tomorrow’s food scene is shaping up right now—blending tradition with innovation amid delightful chaos.
What you can get for a reasonable price might surprise you too. Take, for instance, a meal at a local eatery—you can enjoy a generous plate of rice with zebu meat and a side of vegetable stew for about MGA 15,000. Just a few blocks away at a fancier place, you might end up paying double for a similar dish. It's fascinating how the price can vary so much based on location and ambiance.
One thing to keep in mind is the payment customs. Cash is often the preferred method, and many smaller vendors may not even accept cards. Plus, tipping isn't obligatory, but rounding up your bill or leaving a small tip, like MGA 1,000-2,000, is appreciated, showing gratitude for the excellent service.
One authentic local eating habit is the practice of sharing food. You’ll see this during meals where families order multiple dishes for the table, inviting everyone to taste a bit of everything. It's a wonderful way to experience the diversity of flavors in Malagasy cuisine. However, a common tourist mistake is ordering too much food for oneself, thinking that's how locals eat. Remember, sharing is the way to go here!
Navigating Antananarivo's dining scene is all about timing as well. Best to avoid the lunch rush between 12 PM and 2 PM when local offices spill into the restaurants. If you manage to arrive early, you might get your food faster and enjoy a calmer vibe.
Oh, and before I forget, if you’re keen on enjoying a proper dinner at a popular restaurant, reservations are a smart move, especially on weekends. Many places fill up quickly as families unwind together with good food.
As I wander through Antananarivo, I can’t help but notice how the local food culture is evolving. Young chefs are putting their spin on traditional dishes, blending modern techniques with age-old recipes. It’s exciting to see how tomorrow’s food scene is shaping up right now—blending tradition with innovation amid delightful chaos.