The Somali National News Agency cited the Aamin ambulance service for the death toll, AP reported.
Police spokesman Sadiq Ali Adan blamed the attack on the local al-Shabab terrorist group, which is linked to al-Qaeda and often targets Mogadishu with bombings.
The Luul Yamani restaurant also was attacked last year.
Some houses near the restaurant collapsed after the dinnertime blast, and police said that caused a number of deaths.
Security in Mogadishu had been especially heavy, with thousands of government forces deployed in anticipation of a planned demonstration on Saturday by an alliance of opposition leaders over the country’s delayed national election. The demonstration was later postponed.