🇸🇳 Dakar, Senegal
Café de Rome
📍 30, Avenue de la République, Rue J. Gomis, Dakar, 10000
Photo: official website
Your stay — Café de Rome
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Dakar.
The Property — Café de Rome
Café de Rome is a straightforward three-star hotel in central Dakar, a short walk from the Place de l'Indépendance. The lobby is tiled and functional, with a small café that actually serves good espresso and pastries — hence the name — but don't expect much beyond a clean bed and efficient check-in. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a no-frills base near the city's business and shopping hub. The vibe is workaday urban rather than atmospheric: you're here to sleep, not to linger.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar grew from a small Lebu fishing village into the capital of French West Africa by the early 20th century, its deep natural harbour driving trade. The colonial core, the Plateau, was laid out on a grid by French engineers in the 1850s, and still holds pastel-coloured administrative buildings and the presidential palace. After independence in 1960, Dakar became a cultural crossroads, known for the Dakar Biennale of contemporary African art and its lively music scene. Today it is a fast-growing city of over three million, gritty and vibrant, balancing skyscrapers with sprawling markets like Sandaga and Kermel.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
November to March: dry season with cooling Harmattan winds, average highs of 28 °C and low humidity. Good for city exploration without sapping heat.
Peak / festival surge
December to February is peak tourist season, driven by European winter sun-seekers and the Dakar Biennale (held even-numbered years, next up 2026). Hotel prices jump 30-50% and the city feels busier, especially on the Corniche.
Budget shoulder season
April, May and October: you'll find discounts of up to 25% on room rates. Weather is still mostly dry and pleasant, but with fewer crowds and easier booking.
Weather & packing
Dakar's coastal climate means sudden sea breezes even on hot days, and July falls in the rainy season — expect heavy, short downpours. Pack a light rain jacket, a thin long-sleeve for evenings, and sturdy walking shoes for wet streets.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- Dakar's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line launched in early 2025, running along the main thoroughfare from the Plateau to Guédiawaye — check for temporary stops near the hotel during July.
- The Dakar Biennale (Dak'Art) is not held in 2026 (it's biennial, with the next edition in May 2028), so the city will lack that specific arts crowd but also the accommodation squeeze.
- Road construction on the Corniche Est extension continues into mid-2026, potentially causing traffic delays near the hotel; allow extra time for airport transfers.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Café de Rome, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the inner courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and the lift, and the upper floors give better airflow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing Avenue de la République — traffic noise and street-level bustle are constant here, and the restaurant's kitchen exhaust vents near the rear of these floors.
Best views
Street-side rooms on floors 3–5 give a clear view of the Independence Square and the presidential palace park. The top floor's balcony rooms catch the sea breeze from the west, though the sea itself isn't visible.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5. The hotel has 5 floors; the top two sit above the restaurant and bar noise, and are far enough from the street to muffle traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenue de la République is a main dual-carriageway with heavy traffic from 7am to 10pm. Taxis and mopeds honk regularly. The hotel bar on the ground floor sometimes has live music until 11pm, audible in rooms above the entrance. Service deliveries arrive at the side alley on Rue J. Gomis around 6am.
Insider tips
1. Parking is in a guarded lot behind the hotel on Rue J. Gomis — ask reception to open the gate rather than parking on the street. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs for the 6am delivery truck reverse beeps, even on higher floors.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Café de Rome
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (20 Mbps) available at CFA 5,000 per 24 hours
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access at reception; no physical newspapers
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 CFA 10,000 until 15:00, after 15:00 charged a full night
Free for same-day check-in/out; storage beyond 24 hours costs CFA 3,000 per day
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no adapted rooms or grab bars in bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 20 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park at Place de l'Indépendance, CFA 1,000 per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CFA 1,500 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 100% of first night due at booking; CFA 20,000 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Grande Mosquée de Dakar (971 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Cathédrale du Souvenir africain (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée du Port (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée El Hadji Oumar Kane (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centre commercial Touba Sandaga — 660 m · ~8 min walk
Place de l’Indépendance — 996 m · ~12 min walk
Musée des Civilisations Noires — 400 m · ~5 min walk
Grand Théâtre National de Dakar — 631 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 624 m · ~8 min walk
Pharmacie Avicenne — 110 m · ~1 min walk
dakar express — 689 m · ~9 min walk
Gare de Dakar — 426 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; airport and hotel bureaux offer poor rates. Avoid street changers.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels, upscale shops, and some restaurants; cash is king for taxis, markets, and small boutiques.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service not included. Taxis: round up fare. Hotel staff: 500-2000 XOF per bag or per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side Nescafé with condensed milk from a 'dibiterie' or small kiosk: about 300-400 XOF.
Plate of thieboudienne (fish & rice) or yassa from a neighborhood maquis: around 1500-2500 XOF.
Grilled fish or chicken with sides in a local 'dibiterie': main dish from 2000-3500 XOF.
Colobane market and nearby streets have grilled meats, fataya (pastries), and fruit. Also try the Corniche for evening street food stalls.
Citydia and Score are common budget supermarkets in this area; also smaller shops for basics.
Sandaga market (15 min away) for affordable second-hand and new clothing; also Sandaga and Tilène markets for textiles.
Shared taxi (car rapide) or minibus: 150-300 XOF per ride. From airport, take a 'car rapide' to the city centre for about 500 XOF, or a shared taxi for 1500-2500 XOF. No day pass system.
Eat at maquis (local eateries) for cheap meals; buy water in bulk from shops; negotiate prices in markets — start at half the asking price.
Emergency Contacts
DakarTourist Police: 33 889 46 58. For non-urgent medical help, call the US Embassy: 33 879 40 00. Keep a local SIM or use hotel front desk for dialling.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Dakar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Café de Rome
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 624 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Avicenne — 110 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Hôtel Faidherbe, Plateau
💡 Use the official prepaid booth just outside arrivals. Ignore touts. Pay in local CFA, not euros. For return, ask your hotel to call a reliable driver—street hail can double the price.
Hôtel Faidherbe, Plateau → Anywhere in Dakar (e.g., Médina, Almadies)
💡 Download Orange Taxi in advance—it shows a fixed price and avoids haggling. Works best on Plateau. At rush hour, be prepared for surge pricing. Not for airport trips because drivers often refuse long hauls.
Hôtel Faidherbe (stop: Avenue du Président Lamine Guèye) → Marché Kermel / Sandaga / Médina
💡 Hop on going west for Marché Kermel, east for Sandaga. Wave it down clearly. Stops are unmarked—tell the driver 'hôtel' as you near your drop. Women: sit in the front section; men usually fill the back.
Airport (stop: Aéroport) → Place de l'Indépendance (10 min walk to hotel)
💡 Cramped and very hot. Only do this with a small backpack. Have exact change—the conductor won't break notes. The bus terminates at Place de l'Indépendance; walk south on Avenue Pasteur for Hôtel Faidherbe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Café de Rome?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the inner courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and the lift, and the upper floors give better airflow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Café de Rome?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing Avenue de la République — traffic noise and street-level bustle are constant here, and the restaurant's kitchen exhaust vents near the rear of these floors.
Is Café de Rome noisy?
Avenue de la République is a main dual-carriageway with heavy traffic from 7am to 10pm. Taxis and mopeds honk regularly. The hotel bar on the ground floor sometimes has live music until 11pm, audible in rooms above the entrance. Service deliveries arrive at the side alley on Rue J. Gomis around 6am.
Which rooms have the best views at Café de Rome?
Street-side rooms on floors 3–5 give a clear view of the Independence Square and the presidential palace park. The top floor's balcony rooms catch the sea breeze from the west, though the sea itself isn't visible.
What are insider tips for staying at Café de Rome?
1. Parking is in a guarded lot behind the hotel on Rue J. Gomis — ask reception to open the gate rather than parking on the street. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs for the 6am delivery truck reverse beeps, even on higher floors.
What time is check-in at Café de Rome?
Check-in at Café de Rome is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Café de Rome have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (20 Mbps) available at CFA 5,000 per 24 hours
Is there a city or tourist tax at Café de Rome?
CFA 1,500 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Café de Rome?
Plate of thieboudienne (fish & rice) or yassa from a neighborhood maquis: around 1500-2500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Café de Rome?
Shared taxi (car rapide) or minibus: 150-300 XOF per ride. From airport, take a 'car rapide' to the city centre for about 500 XOF, or a shared taxi for 1500-2500 XOF. No day pass system.
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
November to March: dry season with cooling Harmattan winds, average highs of 28 °C and low humidity. Good for city exploration without sapping heat.
Top Attractions in Dakar
💡 Free entry applies to the main exhibition hall only. Check if temporary shows have separate pricing. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
💡 Arrive by 10am to see the most activity. Come with cash if you want to buy — fish is cheap but you'll need to cook it yourself. Avoid touching anything unless buying.
💡 The boat costs about 500 CFA round trip. Bring water and snacks — the island has few facilities. Best on weekdays when locals are at work.
💡 Go late afternoon to avoid the heat and catch sunset views over the city and Atlantic. The escalator up the hill costs extra but saves a steep walk.
💡 Entry is 500 CFA. The zoo portion is extra and run-down — skip it and stick to the forest trails. Bring insect repellent.