Indira Gandhi and Amsterdam in Tanzania!

I met her in the flight from Nairobi to Dar-es-Salaam. I am usually not much of a talker but I was curious to talk to her as I was very keen to learn more about Dar, and I somehow guessed that she was from there.

As we got talking, I was mildly surprised when she asked me where I was from. I asked her to guess and she couldn't! However, she really surprised me when she told me her name was Indira Gandhi when I mentioned that I was from India. Basically her dad was so inspired and impressed by our famous Prime Minister that she named his daughter after her :) Quite a story, eh! She was certainly the first Indira I met in Africa on this visit, but not the last. I met another lady whose dad was super impressed with Indira Gandhi and named her Indira in Malawi. This is also rather odd, because I am yet to meet an Indira here in India (its not an uncommon name here though) :)

The entrance to Amsterdam Treat

Anyway, Indira told me she runs a restaurant in Da-es-Salaam and invited me to meet her there, and I decided to visit my first Tanzanian friend over the weekend for a meal :) On Saturday evening after spending time on the beach, the crafts market and the cafes, I got hungry for a sumptuous meal and so decided to go to the restaurant with Musa, my driver. Indira had already given me the address and her phone number so was not very difficult to locate.

She wasn't there when we reached but joined soon after looking absolutely fabulous despite the jet lag! We had a fantastic meal of Calamari and rice with vegetables and beer. Of course, being a vegetarian I could not finished all the sea-food on my plate, and both my new friends helped me out :)

The seating downstairs 

The Restaurant

Amsterdam Treat is beautiful restaurant made completely with wood, located a little outside the city near the beach, and is quite popular hangout joint with the locals. In fact I saw many who were regulars who come there for watching football and drinking beer - it was all super fun! Unfortunately I saw very few expats or tourists, and that's when I decided to write about the place to help make it more popular.

The seating is semi open with a level above also which is a little more secluded and private. However, I preferred the seating below with great breeze from the beach and great football to watch on the TV.

What to eat?

We had Calamari with rice and beer and it was really good, especially for seafood lovers. But more than food, I really enjoyed the ambience of the place - its lively and fun filled. Also with football playing on big TV screens, you are never likely to get bored :)

So next time you are in Dar-es-Salaam, head outside the city to this awesome plea for beer, football and food. And if its weekend, head out to the night clubs close by for even more fun. The place is not yet listed on Google maps, but its not difficult to reach.

The combination of Chango with Ugali also looked delicious. Ugali is made of maize flour and is a staple diet in Tanzania, you will find it every food shop and everyone absolutely loves it. It took me a while to like it, but I quite enjoyed it in the end. In fact, I plan to make some at home for my mom and M also.

How to reach?

Follow the address below to reach here. If you are in a cab, the driver would know the area well, otherwise stop by and ask the locals. The best time to visit would be early evening, when the sun is just setting. If you are particularly prone to mosquito bites, carry a mosquito repellant spray. I never had any problems there despite the open seating.

Amsterdam Treat
Mbezi Beach
Along Mwai Kibaki Road
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania

My favourite beer in Tanzania

Indira Gandhi!