"Kigali's gallery restaurant — chef Billy McCormick's seven-course tasting opens with a private art tour and ends at the garden bonfire, for an occasion."
About Choose Kigali
Choose Kigali is a contemporary fine-dining room set inside a four-floor contemporary-art gallery on KN 43 St in the Kiyovu district of Kigali. Opened in 2023, it pairs a reservation-only seven-course tasting menu with the gallery itself: dinner begins with welcome drinks and a private tour of the art, then runs through the courses, and finishes with a digestif around the garden bonfire. Head chef Billy McCormick, who spent more than two decades cooking in the United States, leads the kitchen, which also offers an Italian à la carte menu. It is the most ambitious fine-dining table in the city.
For Kigali's other notable kitchens, compare the African test-kitchen cooking at Meza Malonga, the rooftop dining at Heaven or the modern plates at Nyurah.
The Kitchen
Head chef Billy McCormick builds the evening around a set seven-course tasting menu rather than à la carte choice, changing the dishes with what is available and with the kitchen's mood that week. The format is deliberate: welcome drinks, a private gallery tour, then the courses paced across the night, closing with a digestif at the garden bonfire. A separate Italian à la carte menu runs alongside for guests who prefer to order plate by plate, and there is a sommelier-led wine and cocktail list. This is premium, set-menu cooking with a small number of covers each night, so the bill sits at the top of Kigali's range; come for the full experience rather than a quick supper.
The Room
The setting is the gallery: four floors of contemporary art with views over the city, where tables share the building with the works on the walls. Seating is kept small on purpose to keep the evening intimate and unhurried, and there is a private dining area for groups of up to six. The pace is slow and ceremonial — gallery tour, courses, bonfire — and dress leans smart. Because covers are limited and the experience is built around the tour, this is a book-ahead room rather than a walk-in, and it rewards an evening set aside for it rather than a meal squeezed between other plans.
Best for Anniversary
A private gallery tour, a slow seven-course menu and a garden bonfire make Choose Kigali one of the city's best anniversary rooms, and a memorable setting for a proposal. The small private room also suits a table set to impress clients.
Not for
Not for a casual walk-in or a quick weeknight bite — Choose Kigali is a reservation-only, set-menu evening at the top of the city's price range, built for an occasion.
Frequently Asked
What is Choose Kigali known for?
Choose Kigali is a contemporary fine-dining restaurant and four-floor art gallery in the Kiyovu district of Kigali. It is known for a reservation-only seven-course tasting menu that opens with welcome drinks and a private gallery tour and ends with a digestif around the garden bonfire. Head chef Billy McCormick, who cooked for over two decades in the United States, leads the kitchen.
Where is Choose Kigali located?
Choose Kigali is on KN 43 St in Kiyovu, the historic central district of Kigali, Rwanda. The restaurant occupies a building with four floors of contemporary art and views over the city. Seating is limited, so you must book in advance; there is also a private dining area for groups of up to six guests.
What should I expect on the tasting menu at Choose Kigali?
Dinner is a set seven-course tasting menu rather than à la carte, beginning with welcome drinks and a private tour of the gallery, then the courses paced across the evening, and finishing with an after-dinner digestif at the garden bonfire. The dishes change with the season. An Italian à la carte menu is also available for guests who prefer to order individually.
Do I need a reservation for Choose Kigali?
Yes. Seating is deliberately limited to keep the evening intimate, and the experience is built around a private gallery tour, so Choose Kigali takes bookings in advance rather than walk-ins. A private dining area is available for groups of up to six. Reserve early for weekends, and set aside a full evening for the tour and the courses.
Is Choose Kigali good for a special occasion?
Yes — it is one of the best occasion rooms in Kigali. The private gallery tour, the slow seven-course menu and the garden-bonfire finish make it suited to an anniversary, proposal or milestone. Tell them you are celebrating when you book. For other options across the city, see our Kigali dining guide.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Choose Kigali
Reservation-only; book ahead for weekends, and set aside a full evening for the gallery tour and courses.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressKN 43 St, Kiyovu, Kigali
NeighbourhoodKiyovu
CuisineContemporary Fine Dining
PriceSeven-course set tasting menu; premium pricing
Dress CodeSmart
SeatingGallery dining rooms across four floors; private room for six
ReservationRequired
