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Best Restaurants in Victoria Falls

Best Restaurants in Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Southern Province, Zambia Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Cultural & Historical Context:

Local cuisine within each of Zimbabwe and Zambia bases itself on staple starches served with relishes. These stews meat, fish, or vegetables. Impact from Southern African cooking are strong.

The growth of visiting introduced a wider array of dining on foreign dishes options. Traditional cuisine a significant part of daily life for locals.

Ingredients & Flavors:

  • Staple: Sadza/Nshima is a thick porridge from maize meal. Main carbohydrate, often replacing rice or potatoes.
  • Meats: Beef, goat, chicken are common. Sometimes game meat. Often slow-cooked or grilled ("braai").
  • Fish: Bream (Tilapia) a popular choice from local rivers, near the Zambezi.
  • Vegetables: Leafy greens, pumpkin leaves, okra frequently used. Foods commonly savory with tomatoes, onions, mild spices.

Regional Variations:

Cuisine Similarity

Broadly similar across the border. Access to fresh fish from Zambezi a local feature.

Tourist Catering

Tourist establishments international palates, a mix of local and Western dishes.

Authentic Local Food

Find more authentic local dishes in markets or smaller, local eateries.

Dining Customs & Etiquette:

  • Eating with Hands: Classic dishes often eaten with hands, a small ball of sadza or nshima to scoop relish.
  • Cutlery Standard: In tourist settings, cutlery is standard.
  • Respect Elders: Polite to wait for elders to start eating.
  • Small Gift: If invited to a home, bringing a small gift customary, appreciation for hospitality.

Must-Try Dishes

Signature Dishes:

Sadza/Nshima with Relish

The staple food. Stiff porridge served hot with various stews like beef (nyama), chicken, or vegetable greens (muriwo).

Found at local eateries or lodges with cultural experiences.

Kapenta & Bream

Kapenta: small dried fish, sardine-like, made with tomatoes and onions. Bream: fish from rivers and lakes from Zambezi, grilled or fried.

Kapenta at local markets. Bream at river-side restaurants.

Game Meat

Some restaurants game meat like warthog, kudu, or crocodile.

Check responsible sourcing practices.

Street Food & Beverages:

  • Street Food: Limited formal street food. Look for roasted maize cobs, local snacks around markets.
  • Millet/Sorghum Beer: Traditional brewed beer, opaque, slightly sour. Found in local bars ("shebeens").
  • Clear Lagers: Mainstream beers like Zambezi Lager (Zimbabwe) or Mosi Lager (Zambia) widely available.
  • Local Soft Drinks: Locally brewed soft drinks or cordials sometimes available.

Iconic Snacks & Desserts:

Mandazi/Fat Cakes

Fried dough snacks, similar to doughnuts.

Roasted Groundnuts

A common and straightforward snack.

Dining Options

Fine Dining Establishments

High-high-end accommodations and lodges. The Livingstone Room at The The Falls on the zambezi river Hotel or luxury river lodges. International cuisine with local influences.

  • Refined dining experience.
  • Exclusive settings.
  • Premium service.

Mid-Range Restaurants

Numerous alternatives can be found in both Mosi-oa-tunya town and Livingstone. Cater to tourists with international menus.

  • Pizza, pasta, grills
  • Some local dishes
  • Examples: Three Monkeys (Vic Falls), Zest (Livingstone)

Budget Eateries & Street Food

Local takeaways or small cafes, usually near markets or residential areas, sadza/nshima cheaply.

  • Authentic local taste
  • Varying hygiene standards
  • Exercise caution

International Cuisine & Markets:

International Cuisine

Most tourist restaurants international dishes. Italian, Indian, and standard grill/steakhouse options common.

Familiar choices for those seeking them.

Markets & Food Halls

Local markets (Livingstone town) fresh produce, sometimes cooked local food.

More for local shopping than a specific tourist dining experience.

Meal Times and Structures:

Breakfast

Typically a lighter meal.

Lunch

Can be a substantial meal, or a quicker affair.

Dinner

The main meal, often eaten later in the evening.

Beverages

Bottled water and international soft drinks widely available.

Special Dietary Considerations

Vegetarian & Vegan:

  • Availability: Available, but limited outside of tourist restaurants.
  • Local Dishes: Local vegetable relishes often cooked with oil, check for meat/fish broth.
  • Tourist Restaurants: Accustomed to catering; inform your server.
  • Planning Ahead: Research restaurants in advance or contact accommodation.

Allergen Awareness:

Gluten-Free & Allergens

Awareness limited outside higher-end establishments. Communicate needs clearly.

Sadza/Nshima is gluten-free (maize).

Self-Catering

Supermarkets in town stock basic provisions. Self-catering control over ingredients.

No specific halal/kosher restaurants.

Halal & Kosher:

Availability: Not widely available. Travelers with these requirements plan accordingly, potentially self-catering or bringing own food.
Restricted Selections
Self-Catering Recommended
Specialized Butchers Rare
Plan Ahead
Communicate Clearly
Supermarket Provisions
Dietary Resources:

Find out about dining places in advance. Contact your lodging for guidance.

  • Supermarkets in town stock basic provisions for self-catering.
  • Ask hotel staff for recommendations.
  • Look for international restaurants which accommodate diverse diets.
Fresh Produce:

Local markets sometimes offer fresh fruits and vegetables.

Availability by season may influence choices.

Traditional Beverages Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic:

Clear Lagers
  • Mainstream beers
  • Zambezi Lager (Zimbabwe)
  • Mosi Lager (Zambia)
  • Widely available
Non-Alcoholic
  • Bottled water
  • International soft drinks
  • Locally brewed cordials
  • Fresh fruit (seasonal)

Culinary Experiences

Cooking Classes & Tours:

Cooking Demonstrations

Some lodges or local operators authentic cuisine demonstrations or classes.

Hands-on learning | Local cuisine insight
Cultural Village Visits

Food tours can be incorporated into cultural village visits, insight into local food preparation.

Cultural immersion
Farm Visits

Less common as mainstream visitor activity. Possible in agricultural areas using specialized tours.

Local farming practices

Cultural Events:

  • Food Festivals: Not a major feature of the visitor sector calendar.
  • Traditional Ceremonies: Generally not public tourist events, some smaller community events might occur.
  • Inquire Locally: Check with guides for unique local insights.
  • Local Markets: Fresh produce and local snacks.

Unique Dining Concepts:

Zambezi Dinner Cruises

Unique setting to enjoy a meal while watching sunset over the river, with wildlife viewing.

Scenic views, seeing wildlife

Boma Dinner Zimbabwe

Deep cultural experience with traditional food, music, and dance. A vibrant evening with local entertainment.

African cuisine buffet

Important Considerations:

Dining Tips

Dining out The Largest waterfall in the world an enjoyable a portion of your trip. Try local flavors like sadza and bream for a real feel.

Booking Advice

Book fine dining restaurants in advance, especially during peak season. Explore dinner cruises for an unique evening on the Zambezi.

Dietary Needs

Exercise caution with street food regarding hygiene. Inform restaurants about any dietary restrictions when you reserve or ordering.

Additional Dining Information

Beyond the main tourist spots, a culinary adventure through local eateries and markets reveals the authentic flavors of The Falls on the zambezi river.

  • Always ask about ingredients if you have allergies.
  • Bottled water is always advisable.
  • Tipping is customary for good service.
  • Dress code is generally casual, but dressy casual for fine dining.
  • Enjoy the diverse and authentic dining experiences.