Victoria Falls is one of the biggest tourist hot spots in Africa, and for good reason. The falls bring in tourists from around the world throughout the year, and there are plenty of nature and adventure opportunities in the area to satisfy them. But after a long day hiking around the falls or rafting the Zambezi, you’re going to have a big appetite. Fortunately, there are plenty of great restaurants in the area to satisfy any demanding diner. Here are our picks for the best restaurants in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Livingstone Room

For fantastic dining in a historical setting, the Livingstone Room inside the Victoria Falls Hotel is probably the best option in the city. The restaurant specializes in a fantastic 7 course degustation menu which includes game items like ostrich and warthog, along with an extensive wine list. Diners can also order a la carte items or enjoy a daily high tea service. The view from the dining room is also excellent and allows guests to see the Victoria Falls bridge and wildlife while enjoying their meals. One caveat about dining in such a restaurant is that it is rather formal — so be sure not to show up in jeans or your safari gear or you won’t be seated.

The Boma – Place Of Eating

A night at the Boma, which is located on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge grounds about a mile from town, is quite the experience. And while the entry price of US$44 per person initially seems steep, this is more than just an all-you-can-eat buffet. The majority of the fare on offer features a line-up of traditional Zimbabwean fare plus cooked to order game meat. The restaurant also features an interactive cultural experience that includes lessons in dance and drumming, roving traditional fortune-tellers and serenading singers. All said and done, it’s quite a sight to see so be sure to bring your camera. The Boma hosts three nightly seatings, but guests are never rushed out. If you come for the first seating and stay through the last, no one will object.

The Rainforest Cafe

Not to be confused with the popular chain restaurant, this restaurant located right off the path leading to the falls has a refreshing ambiance and lots of lush foliage to look at. The menu is pretty varied, and includes a line-up of regional favorites like Zambezi bream and steaks, but also includes a few pasta dishes and baguette sandwich options. The salads here are a favorite. They come in a number of different styles and are absolutely massive – very easily big enough to share. If you don’t feel like eating, there is an equally appealing drink menu that includes everything from milkshakes to shandies (a mix of beer and soda) to vanilla lattes and of course the regular alcoholic beverage players. The only caveat about this restaurant is that it’s located inside the Victoria Falls National Park gates, so you can’t eat here without paying the entrance fees to the falls.

MaKuwa-Kuwa

Located on the second floor of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, dinner at the upscale MaKuwa-Kuwa (MKK) Restaurant is a romantic affair, especially if you call ahead and reserve a table that fronts the water hole, which is lit at night and attracts a varied lot of thirsty animals. Regardless of where you are seated, the white linen clad tables, candles and knowledgeable and attentive servers make dining here an alluring experience that’s heightened further by the excellent food. Serving an international menu with Zimbabwean influences — think game meat and local fish — the food bursts with flavor and freshness. What kicks an MKK experience up a level, however, especially if you aren’t staying the Safari Lodge, is to arrive before dinner for sundowner drinks in the hotel’s first floor bar. Set outside and directly in front of the water hole, the sun literally sinks in front of you.

The Africa Cafe

Located in the Elephant Walk Shopping and Artist’s Village, this delightful little café churns out fresh, simple and positively tasty dishes for breakfast and lunch and also makes some of the best coffee you’ll taste in Victoria Falls – it’s actually grown in Zimbabwe. Look for the restaurant at the very back of the atrium, beyond the vendors selling Shona sculpture. The ambiance is super- casual — you order from the counter, and then the food is served at metal patio style tables in the courtyard surrounded by shops, which makes for some great people watching. The menu is quite varied, and changes with the seasons but always focuses on using organic, local ingredients when possible — most of the vegetable ingredients, for instance, are plucked daily from the garden behind the restaurant. Best of all, everything tastes delicious. Besides a range of breakfast entrees and pastries, the Africa Café does a mix of salads and sandwiches at lunch with many dishes inspired by traditional Zimbabwean fare but given an international twist.

Lola’s Tapas & Bar & Carnivore Restaurant

Set right off the main street in downtown Victoria Falls, but set back in a covered courtyard, Lola’s Tapas & Bar & Carnivore Restaurant is a good spot for lunch or dinner, especially if you’re traveling with a group. But don’t expect strictly traditional Spanish or Latin American tapas, although Lola’s does make a strong attempt and even gets Spanish clientele. This is still Zimbabwe after all, and the tastiest dishes tend to be the ones focusing on regional ingredients. Besides small plates, Lola’s has some traditional sized mains of the meat and fish variety, and daily specials are written in chalk on a large board. At night there is often live music, and people will get up and dance in the courtyard, making a meal here a lively way to end the day.

 

 

More from AFKTravel:

8 Great Ways To See Victoria Falls

Elegant Escapes: 10 Lodges In Zimbabwe That We Love

12 Reasons To Visit Victoria Falls

This article was originally published on August 13, 2015.

Want to discover the finer side of Africa? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.