Senegalese food is considered among the best in Africa, with an unmistakable influence from French cuisine. The basis of many dishes is chicken or fish, but peanuts infuse a distinctive taste to local dishes. This food is served in many restaurants in Dakar, while provincial rest houses serve less sophisticated but delicious variations. There are bars in some hotels and clubs. Senegal is predominantly a Muslim country, and while there is a conspicuous absence of pork from menus, alcohol is available.

National specialities:
• Chicken au yassa (barbecued chicken in an onion and lemon sauce).
• Tiebou dienne (herb-stuffed fishcakes with rice).
• Maffé (any West African meat in a peanut sauce).
• Dem à la St Louis (stuffed mullet).
• Avocat au Crevettes (avocado stuffed with shrimp).

National drinks:
• Toufam (a kind of yoghurt thinned with sugared water).
• Mint tea, the first cup drunk slightly bitter, the second with more sugar and the third very sweet.
• Palm wine, which is drunk either fresh or fermented.
• Home-roasted coffee with pimento.

Tipping: A service charge of 10 to 15% is included in all hotel and restaurant bills.

Dakar is one of the best cities in the region to check out some live music. There are several nightclubs and music venues playing mbalakh (the local modern music). There are many cinemas showing the latest French films. The Daniel Sorano National Theatre in the Boulevard de la Republique is a popular venue for theatre, concerts and other arts performances. Dakar is host to traditional Senegalese wrestling matches on weekends.

Visitors to Senegal should go to some of the many colourful markets. They are abundant with a range of bargains from food to handmade crafts and electronics. Most markets and centres sell wooden carvings, traditional fabric, embroidery, pottery, necklaces of clay beads and costume jewellery of wood or various seeds. There is a craft village at Soumbe-dionne, on the Corniche de Fann, where the visitor can watch craftspeople at work and buy their handicrafts. Purchases include woodcarving in the form of African gaming boards, masks and statues; musical instruments; and metalwork, including copper pendants, bowls and statuettes.

Shopping hours: Generally Mon-Sat 0830-1230 and 1530-1930. Some shops open Sunday morning, others are closed Monday.