Golden Elephant Ushers in New Era of Luxury Dining in Abidjan
A new beacon of haute cuisine has emerged in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with the opening of the Golden Elephant restaurant on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The latest addition to the city’s burgeoning luxury dining scene, the Golden Elephant is located within the prestigious Sofitel Abidjan Barrière Casino Hotel Ivory and promises a unique culinary experience blending Mediterranean flavors with local Ivorian ingredients.
A Culinary Journey on the Ebrié Lagoon
The launch event, a well-attended dinner cocktail, showcased the talents of the restaurant’s culinary team, led by master chef Pierre Marie-Cécile. Guests were treated to a diverse array of small plates, including guacamole of avocado, olive tapenade toast, Greek salad verrines with feta, stuffed zucchini rolls, acidilet cream blinis, mini beef skewers, pissaladière, and marinated tuna tataki. The offerings represented “a real taste trip, through a colorful, generous kitchen and a lot of pronounced tastes,” according to attendees.
Pascal Rouillet, the director general of the Casino Barrière l’Elephant d’Or, emphasized the restaurant’s commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere centered around exceptional food. “My team wanted to create a friendly place, filled with delicacies and sharing with great discoveries,” he stated. “We want the Elephant d’Or is not just a restaurant but a place of life where customers will be able to taste tasty dishes prepared with fresh products.”
Mediterranean Flair with an Ivorian Heart
The Golden Elephant’s menu focuses on Mediterranean flavors skillfully combined with locally sourced products, aiming to delight connoisseurs of refined cuisine. Beyond the dining experience, Rouillet also announced that the Salle du Casino Barrière is now equipped to host a variety of events, including weddings, corporate meetings, and celebratory gatherings.
A Chef’s Journey to Culinary Excellence
At the heart of the Golden Elephant’s success is Pierre Marie-Cécile, a young chef of Ivoir-Guadeloupene heritage who has honed her skills at some of the world’s leading culinary institutions. Marie-Cécile described her approach as “quite generous cuisine with a lot of pronounced tastes on my own origins; A cuisine that tends to Africa and also to the Antilles.” She explained that her travels have informed a culinary signature that is both creative and deeply rooted in quality ingredients.
Marie-Cécile further elaborated on her dedication to her craft, stating, “Attached to the values of transmission, requirement and authenticity, I try to offer a cuisine that tells a story, that of my experience, my trips and my culinary meetings.” She aims to deliver a cuisine that is both generous and refined, meticulously crafted with attention to detail, aesthetics, and, above all, taste. The buffet, comprised of both sweet and savory bites, was “elaborated with love, generosity and all the quintessence of my kitchen.”
Guests departed the Casino Barrière, savoring not only the exquisite flavors of the Golden Elephant but also the stunning views of the Ebrié lagoon, marking a memorable debut for Abidjan’s newest culinary destination.
