Kampala Restaurant Week is back.
Running from July 3 to 13, the 2025 edition brings together 30 restaurants and hangout spots, from longtime favorites like Yujo Izakaya, Mediterraneo, and The Lawns, to newcomers like Orexi, Brisk, The Choate and Tehila’s. For ten days, diners will get access to curated menus priced between UGX 20,000 and UGX 40,000.
It’s not just about the food, though.
“This is more than just a great dining deal,” said Isaac Langoli, from The Pearl Guide, the event’s organizer. “It’s our way of promoting Kampala as a rising culinary destination on the continent.”
Langoli said the team worked with a mix of “beloved staples and exciting new entrants” to craft menus that “push boundaries while celebrating our local identity.”
The event was officially launched with a tasting luncheon at Aldea Restaurant and Lounge, where journalists and food lovers previewed some of the dishes. The menu leaned into local influences with three main courses: cowboy-style cow heart in a sweet and sour sauce, roasted chicken breast on pumpkin mousse with bacon and a white wine malakwang sauce, and loaded bacon with sweet potato croquettes and red wine eshabwe-peppercorn sauce.
Dessert was no less ambitious — a tropical “Nganda medley” of roasted coconut, pineapple, mango mousse, honeycomb, and homemade coffee syrup, created by Chef Ernest Kayondo.
The event also introduces a Digital Foodie Passport, a reward program accessible through The Pearl Guide website. Diners can register, track visits, and win instant vouchers. It’s designed to get people moving — and eating — across the city.
The week’s timing isn’t accidental. Culinary travel is on the rise globally, and Langoli says Kampala is ready.
“Globally, travellers are seeking authentic, taste-driven experiences,” he said. “Kampala is well-positioned to deliver just that.”
The campaign is backed by Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda, Uganda Breweries Limited, and Stanbic Bank Uganda. Each is offering perks — from free drinks to cashback on Stanbic FlexiPay, the official payment platform.
Beyond the food and deals, organizers say the event reflects something deeper — a belief that food tells stories, and that Uganda’s story deserves to be heard on plates.
Events like this, they argue, also support local farms and businesses, promote sustainability, and build community. The emphasis on locally sourced ingredients reflects the region’s agricultural roots and future potential.
Restaurant Week has always been about more than the meals. This year, it’s making a case for Kampala as a serious food capital — one bite at a time.
