Restaurants serve Arab, Chinese, French and Vietnamese local specialities.

National specialities:
• Lentils, fried meat and unleavened bread are all popular.
• Fish from the Red Sea.

National drinks:
• Drinking is not a social activity and alcohol is not widely available.

Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually added to bills. Tipping is rare and never requested. Not usual for taxi drivers. A tariff is normally set but visitors will be charged at a higher rate.

Lively and colourful local markets selling crafts and artefacts are well worth visiting.

Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0730-1200 and 1600-1900.

Friday is a holiday for offices and government institutions. Djibouti observes all Islamic feasts and holidays.