Paje, on the southeast lagoon, is the east coast's cafe and beach-bar hub, built around the kite and remote-worker crowd: smoothie bowls, wood-fired pizza and beach bars that run late by island standards. Good for younger travellers, digital nomads and anyone who wants food with a scene around it.
al Casbah is a rare North African option in Paje, an Algerian and Moroccan kitchen that makes a change from the usual beach grill, so it suits anyone after something different for dinner.
Chamu is a relaxed, well-rated Paje spot for seafood and Swahili cooking - grilled octopus, octopus curry, calamari and lobster, with vegetarian curries too - in a laptop-friendly, hang-around setting. Rated 4.8/5 across about 729 Google reviews, it is one of Paje's best-scored kitchens for a long, easy meal.
Hello Capitano is one of Paje's busiest all-day spots, a beachside coffee shop and cafe known for smoothie bowls, acai, coffee and healthy plates, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. It suits a mixed crowd - kitesurfers refuelling, remote workers and couples.
The Garten is a laid-back garden restaurant in Paje, an easy all-day spot for a relaxed meal and a drink out of the sun. The kitchen leans international, the varied kind of menu that suits most groups rather than one cuisine.
Lecker Lecker is a small, well-liked Paje restaurant whose German name simply means delicious.
Mapacha Food Court gathers several kitchens under one roof in Paje, so a group that can never agree on one cuisine can all eat what they want. Expect a spread of casual, budget-friendly plates ordered stall by stall rather than a single fixed menu. It suits families, big groups and anyone after a quick, cheap bite.
Rainbow Restaurant does what its name promises, BBQ and seafood alongside a wide mix of African, Asian and Italian dishes with clear vegetarian options.
Mr. Kahawa is a relaxed cafe and restaurant right on Paje Beach, named for the Swahili word for coffee. Expect the easy all-day format you want between kite sessions: coffee, breakfast and light meals by the sand. It works better for a slow morning or a casual lunch than a big night out.
