First of all let me be the first to welcome all Westerners that are lucky enough to make it to the beautiful and exotic county known as Mauritania. I would also like to take this opportunity to inform you all of the slight, but sometimes overwhelming cultural differences between most Western Counties and most African Countries especially Mauritania. Although it may be harsh to the senses when you first step off the air-conditioned airplane you will learn to appreciate its subtle and underlying beauty. Mauritania is like no other place on earth… it is barren to the naked eye yet it is exotic… you just have to see it as Mauritanians do. It can be a bit constricting to your nature, but I assure you that if give it a chance it will grow on you. The people more than make up for the lack of traditional beauty one may be use to. They are hospitable and the most beautiful attribute of this country.

• That being said let us take a look at the local restaurants and attractions around Nouakchott. Please keep in mind that customer service doesn't mean the same thing here, hence, you will not have the same level of service that you are accustomed to expecting in the states or other Western countries.
• All taxi fairs should be 200um no more if you're a good haggler then you could get it for 100 to 150um.

Hotel/Restaurant's/Discotheques
The Mercure Marahaba	The Halima Hotel
The Monotel Hotel	Hotel/Restaurant/Bar/ Discotheque Le Casablanca
Restaurants and more
La Palmeraie	L'Oiseau de Paradis
Club B	Fiesta
Eden	The Select
Restaurant Beijing Chine aka Chez-vous	Café Restaurant El Bahja
Il Capriccio	Pizza Lina
Le Palmier	Mon Grill
Welcome Burger Hawaii	Palma Burger, Naf Café, Naf Burger, Relax Salon, Tapaz
Prince, Alibaba, Snack Iraq Pizza Hot	Horizon
Markets/Local attractions
Marché Capital	Marché Cinquième
The French Embassy	Cinéma Galaxy

Hotel/Restaurant's/Discotheques

The Mercure Marahaba
Located just 5 minutes away from the airport, at the heart of the city; the hotel offers comfortable and air-conditioned rooms and a restaurant overlooking the swimming pool. It is by far the most elegant and westernized of all the hotels in Nouakchott. The restaurant is spacious and features very modern African style artwork. Prices range from 1,200um to 2,200um. They also have a very nice bar where drinks are a little pricier, if you don't mind paying extra it could be worth it, however, most volunteers will choose to go some place not so pricey. (Just say take me to the Mercure Hotel.)
#529-5050

The Halima Hotel
Located about 2 minutes from the U.S. Embassy. Its clean and has a westernized feel to it with a nice bar and restaurant. It offers suites at 35,000um, doubles at 17,000um and singles at 15,000um per night. The restaurant prices range from 1,100um to 6,500um. Alcoholic drinks are sold here at around the same price range as the Mercure. (Just say take me to the Halima Hotel.)

The Monotel Hotel
It has decent rooms. They offer a nice lounge area, restaurant and swimming pool. Prices start at 36,540um for suites, 18,200um doubles and 15,300um for singles per night. Restaurant prices range from 1,200um to 3000um. Alcoholic drinks are served and cost the same as at the Mercure. They also have a very nice discotheque they do, however, have a cover charge. It is rumored that they have "ladies night" where women get in free. (Just say take me to Monotel Hotel.)
#525-3526

Hotel/Restaurant/Bar/Discotheque Le Casablanca
It has long been known as the Peace Corps rendez-vous spot in Nouakchott. You will usually run into fellow volunteers and much of the "expat " community here. The hotel is moderate and quaint and prices start at 12,000um a night. The prices for the restaurant range from 1,200um to 3000um. In the discotheque drink prices range from 800um to 1500um. (Just say take me to the Casa.) #525-5965

Restaurants and more

La Palmeraie is one of the more upscale establishments known to the "expat" and Peace Corps community. It is a patisserie/restaurant with a French influence. Where one can enjoy indoor, and outdoor dining. They have a terrace where one can enjoy music videos projected onto a ten-foot wall. Prices range from 1,200um to 2,000um. (Say it's past the French Embassy and you'll see it on the corner to your right.)

L'Oiseau de Paradis is a Chinese Restaurant that is also well known to the "expat" community. Prices range from 1,500um to 3,000um. They offer combo meals for 3,000um, which includes the appetizer, your meal, drink and dessert. It is spacious and has a real oriental feel to it. Alcohol is served. (Say it's behind the Egyptian Embassy, although, PCV 's could walk there from the Maison de Passage.)
#525-5752

Club B is another hot spot in Nouakchott. It has a nice quaint bar where alcoholic drinks range from 800um to 1200um and the French cuisine is great. Prices range from 1,200um to 3,200um, but you can enjoy a bottle of wine with your meal. (Just say take me to Club B, of course, PCV's can walk from the Maison de Passage.)
#649-1092

Fiesta says it all. It's our very own Tex-Mex Restaurant right here in Noukchott. It offers indoor and outdoor dining and an all you can eat buffet on Fridays for 2,000um. Prices regularly range from 1,200um to 2,800um. Sorry no rita's or any alcohol sold here.L (Say you want to go to Las Palmas past the Elf gas station and you will see their sign surrounded by lights.)
#529-3328

Eden offers traditional European cuisine specializing in Russian and Moroccan dishes. The have indoor and outdoor dining and serve alcoholic beverages. Their prices range from 1,200um to 3,600um. (Just say it's by the stadium and you'll see a sign of the side of the road and its to the left the property is lit up with white Christmas lights.)
#630-7996

The Select also offers European cuisine and they have excellent shakes. They offer indoor and outdoor dining and serve alcohol. Prices range from 1,200um to 3,600um. (Just say it's in front of the Palace de Congress.) # 529-2085

Restaurant Beijing Chine or better known as Chez-vous offers Chinese cuisine with a nice quiet relaxed atmosphere. They serve alcohol and their prices range from 1,000um to 2,000um. (Just say you want to go to the Chinese restaurant past Club B.)
#635-5254

Café Restaurant El Bahja is the place you want to try if you are looking for something a little more authentic. It offers indoor and outdoor dining and prices range from 1,100um to 2,200um. (Just say it’s a little past the Church.)

Il Capriccio …Italian anyone? It's Italian cuisine and has indoor and outdoor dining and does serve alcohol. Prices range from 1,200um to 6000um. (Just say it's past the Le Palmeraie.) # 529-3955

Pizza Lina is not just a pizza joint it's much more. It offers Italian cuisine and indoor and outdoor dining. Prices range from 1,200 to 3,000um. (Just say it's on the road where Monotel is located and you'll see it on the strip.)
# 525-8662

Le Palmier offers good French cuisine and is more moderately priced. It offers outdoor dining only and prices range from 1,000um to 1,600um.

Mon Grill offers western cuisine with a Mauritanian twist. It has indoor and outdoor dining available and prices range from 500um to 2000um. (Just say its in front of Gallery Tata.)

There are also many moderately priced establishments to choose from on two main roads. But first lets take a look at what's right outside our front door (Maison de Passage) Welcome Burger and Internet place, just down the road you'll run into Hawaii. Prices range from 300um to 1,500um.

On the road where Monotel is you will see Palma Burger, Naf Café, Naf Burger, Relax Salon, Tapaz and many more. Prices range from 400um to 1,500um.

If you say take me to Prince you will run into quite a few other establishments. The Prince, Alibaba, Snack Iraq and a few others. Pizza Hot is not too far from Le Palmier and they have great pizzas. Sorry no delivery. L Prices range from 150um to 1,500um.

If you need to cash a check, you can, for less than what you'd get on the black market, but it's better than nothing. Horizon is opened from 10am to 3pm and is located off the road where the block to Marché Capital is.

Now on to Markets/Local attractions

Marché Capital

When you walk into the market you'll run into a colorful sea of malafas and other items being sold on little stand and blankets right from the floor. You'll see vendors selling western style shoes, malafas, jewelry and some Mauritanian crafts. Although, all vendor sell just about the same items. You can find a line of fabric stores and tailors to choose from. (Just say take me to Capital. You should always haggle a little and never pay the first price they offer you).

Marché Cinquième
You'll see rows of colorful rugs rolled up and standing at least 10 feet high. You could get lost here because it's at least twice as big as Capital. It has more of a black African vibe to it. You can buy everything from rugs, matlas, malafas, fabric, jewelry and house hold items. If you see a vendor with a moving cart stop and take a look the items are usually just 100um each. (Just say you want to go to 5'eme).

The French Embassy
Has many different events going on every month. You could get a membership to the library for about 3,000um a year. Although, you will usually still have to pay the entrance fee for most of the events they offer. Such as French movies, music concerts, artistic dance performances and guest speakers discussing a variety of different topics.

Cinéma Galaxy
Yes we do have a movie theatre, which shows American films. Although, most of the time they are dubbed in French you could get lucky and catch one in English. The schedule for the week runs from Thursday to Wednesday and movie choices usually change each week. Usually late afternoon and evening showings. Cost is 1,000um.
# 638-4166

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