Eat · Haie Vive
Poulet bicyclette grill, Haie ViveGrillade de poulet bicyclette
Grilled free-range chicken, a Benin favourite: lean, firm and best with pâte or fried plantain; order it whole for two.
Key facts
- Per person
- XOF 5,000–7,000
- Beninese
- Hours
- unknown
- Walk in
- 12:00–14:30
- easiest window
- Seating
- chairs
- Card
- no
- carry cash
- Getting there
- By car to a roadside grill in Haie Vive
- 5 min walk
Go now?
Open?
Hours not published
Easiest walk-in
12:00–14:30
Reservations
Walk-in, no reservation
Paying
Cash only
Per person
XOF 5,000–7,0002026 estimate · check
- Free-range chicken
- Grilled over coals
- Order for two
- Order: Grilled free-range chicken
- Table seating
- Walk-in window: 12:00–14:30
- Cash only
- Menu with prices on Voykit
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
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- Cotonou ↗Cards work in a few hotels and supermarkets only: carry XOF in small notes and change money at banks or hotel desks.
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Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay
Walk-in windows
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
How to order here
The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.
No shared language? Point at the dish or a photo of it. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.
What to say
| In English | Say or show | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | C'est combien ? | seh kom-byen |
| It is too expensive | C'est trop cher | seh troh shair |
| Not spicy, please | Pas pimenté, s'il vous plaît | pah pee-mon-tay, seel voo pleh |
| Grilled fish, please | Du poisson braisé, s'il vous plaît | dew pwah-son breh-zay, seel voo pleh |
| Hello | Bonjour | bohn-zhoor |
| Thank you | Merci | mehr-see |
Portions and sharing
- Poulet bicyclette, grilled (whole): Serves two with sides.
Extras, condiments and what costs extra
- Extra sides: Charged per plate — Confirm sides when you order.
Paying and tipping
Unlike in the US, no tip is expected here.
- Fix the price before it goes on the fire.
- Agree the price of a whole fish or chicken before it is cooked, and keep the receipt.
At the table
- Eat where turnover is fast and the food is hot; a busy stall is a safer bet than an empty one.
- Bottled water only, with the cap seal checked; ice is a risk if you do not know the source.
Paying
The reliable method.
Diet and allergies
Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.
- Vegetarianno
A grill; sides only.
Show: Je ne mange pas de viande.
- Halalask
No certification.
Who it suits, booking, closures
- How to book
- Walk in or call.
- How far ahead
- Not needed
- Dress code
- Casual.
On the ground
Hygiene and comfort
- Seating
- Chairs at tables
- Kids
- stroller: ok · Easy for children who eat chicken
- Access
- step-free: partial
Hygiene
- Make sure the chicken is cooked through and served hot.
- Bottled water only.
Facts
- Reservations
- Not taken — Walk-in; call ahead for a group.
- Capabilities
- food · seated_rest
- Getting there
- By car to a roadside grill in Haie Vive · ~5 min walk
Cons
- Free-range chicken is tougher than farm chicken and takes time.
- Cash only; the grill may need a call for the price.
Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check
Dish glossary
| On the menu | What it is | Order it how |
|---|---|---|
| Poulet bicyclette | Free-range chicken. | Ask for it "bien cuit" and give it time. |
Price check
- locals pay
- A whole bird runs about XOF 5,000–7,000.
- tourist price
- Visitors may be quoted XOF 8,000+.
- rule
- Fix the price before it goes on the fire.
| Extra on the table | Typical charge | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Extra sides | Charged per plate | Confirm sides when you order. |
Deep dive
Questions, nearby food and sources
Questions and answers
How long does it take?
Allow 30–40 minutes; order first, then wait.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
What is poulet bicyclette?
A local free-range chicken, leaner and chewier than a farm bird, usually grilled over coals.
Nearby alternatives
If it is closed or the line is too long
Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h3 mph.
All places to eat in Cotonou, with filters →
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Used as a seated rest node in Cotonou in 4 days.
Sources
- officialUK FCDO foreign travel advice: Benin
- secondaryWikivoyage — Cotonou