Restaurants in Medina, Point E and Fann: eating near the YOG venues

Between the Iba Mar Diop Complex in Medina and the Tour de l'Œuf Complex in Point E, food is never far away: Senegalese lunch dishes, grilled meat, sandwiches, tacos and fast food. This guide helps you pick the right option for your schedule and budget during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, held from 31 October to 13 November. You can also browse our full list of restaurants in Dakar.

Eating in Medina, around the Iba Mar Diop Complex

Medina, a busy working class neighborhood, is great for eating well on a small budget. Around Iba Mar Diop (athletics, boxing, futsal, rugby sevens), expect:

• gargotes, small canteens serving the dish of the day (thiéboudienne, yassa, mafé, soupou kandja), usually 1,500 to 3,000 FCFA;
• dibiteries, where grilled lamb is served in the evening;
• street vendors selling fataya, doughnuts and accara fritters for a few hundred francs;
• bakeries and snack bars for a quick sandwich.

A local tip: Senegalese dishes are cooked for lunch and sell out fast. If your event finishes around 2 pm, you may only find sandwiches left. The nearby streets of Gueule Tapée and Fass have plenty of alternatives too.

Point E and Fann: snacks, fast food and international food

Point E, home to the Tour de l'Œuf Complex (3x3 basketball, Baseball5, breaking, swimming, skateboarding), is a residential and student area right next to Cheikh Anta Diop University and Fann. Choice here is wider:

• fast food: burgers, tacos, shawarma and pizza, roughly 2,500 to 6,000 FCFA per meal;
• modern Senegalese restaurants and cafés for a proper sit-down lunch;
• Lebanese, African and international cuisine, pricier, often 6,000 to 15,000 FCFA per person.

In Fann, students keep many cheap snack bars busy. For a quieter dinner, Mermoz and Sacré-Cœur are a short taxi ride away. We also have a dedicated guide to the best restaurants in Point E.

Quick meals between events

Families following athletes from session to session should:

• Order early: the lunch rush, especially between 1 pm and 3 pm, can mean long waits near the venues.
• Stay hydrated: late October and early November are still hot and humid in Dakar. Water sachets and bottles are sold in every corner shop.
• Carry a snack: fruit, roasted peanuts or a filled baguette will get you through a double header.
• Delivery apps work well in Point E and Medina, but allow extra time on busy competition days.

Check session times on the organizing committee's official website or app and plan your meals around them.

Budget and payment tips

Realistic price ranges per person in these neighborhoods:

• shoestring: 500 to 2,000 FCFA (doughnuts, fataya, sandwich, café Touba);
• mid range: 2,000 to 5,000 FCFA (dish of the day, fast food meal, local juice);
• comfortable sit-down meal: 6,000 to 15,000 FCFA and up.

Visa cards are the most widely accepted foreign cards, including in many Dakar restaurants, hotels and supermarkets. In Medina canteens and with street vendors, however, cash in FCFA is essential. ATMs are the easiest way to get it; bureaux de change are mostly at the airport and in central Dakar. Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Yango and Heetch are paid in cash or through Wave and Orange Money, which require a Senegalese SIM card and ID. Most short-stay visitors simply keep small notes and coins on hand.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• Ge'eza : restaurant in Point E
• Restaurant BUUMY Dakar : restaurant in Point E
• Tacos de Lyon Point E : fast food in Point E
• Restaurant Le Thiof : restaurant in Sicap Baobab
• FOODLY SAHM : food outlet in Medina
• La Brioche Dorée Médina : bakery and snack bar in Medina

Want more options? See all addresses in this category or explore the Dakar directory.

Useful tools

• SeneFinder Dakar 2026 page: venues, neighborhoods and tips for the Games.
• Route planner to get between Medina, Point E and your accommodation.
• FCFA currency converter to keep track of spending.
• Practical guide: SOS numbers (police 17, fire 18), transport and everyday info.
• Also worth reading: our guide to traditional Senegalese restaurants in Dakar.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I eat cheaply near the Iba Mar Diop Complex?

Medina is full of canteens, grill spots and street vendors where a dish of the day usually costs 1,500 to 3,000 FCFA. Go at lunchtime to get Senegalese dishes before they run out.

Can I pay by card in restaurants in Point E and Medina?

Visa cards are accepted in many Dakar restaurants, especially sit-down places. For canteens, street food and taxis, always carry cash in FCFA.

How much time should I allow for lunch between events?

Allow 20 to 30 minutes for a sandwich or fast food, and at least an hour for a sit-down meal.