Must-see restaurants in Zambia

  • Sugarbush Cafe

    Lusaka

    This picture-postcard idyllic cafe is worth every kwacha of the journey it takes to get here. Chill out for an afternoon at one of the picnic tables…

  • Courtyard Cafe

    Zambia

    A part of the boutique Mukwa Lodge, this attached restaurant is hands down Kitwe's best place to eat. Its menu is split between Portuguese and Indian, and…

  • Da Canton

    Livingstone

    While all the Italian food here is tasty and authentic, it's the homemade gelato that has locals raving. The Italian owner makes all 18 flavours,…

  • Cafe Zambezi

    Livingstone

    Head straight through to the courtyard, sunny by day and candlelit by night. Bursting with local flavour, the broad menu covers local favourites of goat…

  • Olga's Italian Corner

    Livingstone

    Olga’s does authentic wood-fired thin-crust pizzas, as well as delicious homemade pasta classics all served under a large thatched roof. Great options for…

  • Deli

    Lusaka

    Boasting the best barista in Lusaka (the winner of an international competition) as well as an enviable garden setting, the Deli is a good place to plant…

  • Luangwa Bridge Camp

    Zambia

    A great place to break up the drive between Lusaka and Chipata, Luangwa Bridge Camp offers a good menu and drinks list, and scenic spot overlooking the…

  • ZigZag

    Livingstone

    ZigZag does drool-inducing homemade muffins, excellent Zambian coffee and smoothies using fresh fruit from the garden. Its changing menu of comfort food…

  • Latitude 15 Degrees

    Lusaka

    Lusaka's trendiest restaurant is a part of this designer-boutique hotel art-gallery, Latitude 15. Grab a seat on its outdoor terrace overlooking the lawn…

  • Golden Leaf

    Livingstone

    As soon as those aromas hit you upon arrival you'll realise Golden Leaf is the real deal when it comes to authentic Indian food. It's a good option for…

  • Zam Mex

    Livingstone

    Set up by a Spanish NGO, this no-frills restaurant/bar caters to locals and tourists alike. Unfortunately though the food isn't a fusion of Zambian and…

  • The Horse Shoe

    Lusaka

    One of Lusaka's best restaurants, this tasteful steakhouse is set in a large, open-air space under an enormous thatch roof overlooking a huge, well-kept…

  • Casa Portico

    Lusaka

    Italian owned and operated, this garden restaurant offers as authentic cuisine as you'll get outside Italy. There's homemade pastas (go the tagliatelle…

  • Oriental Garden Restaurant

    Lusaka

    Forget the name, this Indian restaurant is authentic as they come. There's a good choice of tandoori and North Indian creamy curries, and paneer dishes…

  • Mint Lounge

    Lusaka

    A popular cafe with a small, stylish dining room and pleasant outdoor seating. There's an impressive selection of Western-style creations such as pastrami…

  • Zambean Coffee

    Lusaka

    Run by a couple of friendly Zimbabwean expats, this lovely little garden cafe is a great spot to grab a well-made Zambian coffee, a quality breakfast and…

  • Kubu Cafe

    Livingstone

    A smart, Western-style cafe located in the shopping strip along the main road, this place is popular for excellent breakfasts, real Zambian coffee and…

  • New Choma Hotel

    Zambia

    Easily the best place for a meal in town, this Indian restaurant is set within an open-air thatched structure in an attractive garden at the rear of the…

  • Culture Cafe

    Livingstone

    Culture Cafe is a wonderful spot to sample traditional Zambian food. It's a basic, yet colourful little eatery, where you can take your pick from charcoal…

  • Marlin

    Lusaka

    Housed in the colonial-era Lusaka Club with decor that probably hasn't been touched since the '60s, this wood-panelled favourite serves some of the best…

  • Michelangelo

    Zambia

    Long regarded as one of Ndola's best restaurants, this Italian cafe-terrace under a designer awning does thin-crust pizzas, pastas and Western mains…

  • Fig Tree Cafe

    Zambia

    Providing a welcome break from the road, the Fig Tree Cafe, set in manicured gardens, has breezy outdoor benches or comfy indoor seating. It does burgers,…

  • Pantry Food Shoppe

    Lusaka

    This artisan deli is worth a stop for its range of gourmet biltong, baked breads, pastries and preserves made by local producers in the area. You can grab…

  • Rhapsody's

    Lusaka

    It can take a while to get used to fine dining Zambian-style – in a shopping centre with a nice view of the parking lot. But don’t let that bother you, as…

  • Danny's Restaurant

    Zambia

    From its authentic menu and wafting aromas to Bollywood films on the telly, Danny's genuinely feels like India. There's excellent vegetarian options as…

  • Chang Thai

    Lusaka

    With its all-Thai chef team, this popular restaurant does an extensive menu of authentic, aromatic Thai salads, curries and stir-fries. The crispy 'angry…

  • Il Portico

    Lusaka

    The new location for this successful Italian-owned pizzeria is a little bit out of town, but worth it for one of the city's best thin-crust wood-fire…

  • Waterfront Bar

    Zambia

    Living up to its name, this bar is plonked directly on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. The food menu is limited to grilled meats on the braai, but a full…

  • Lusaka Garden Club

    Lusaka

    A lovely little garden oasis within the Showgrounds that's a nice to spot to relax with a filter coffee, an Aussie lamington, sandwich, or heartier meat…

  • Gigibontà

    Lusaka

    Around the back of Foxdale Court shopping centre, this small outlet makes delicious homemade gelato using fresh ingredients, with 26 flavours to choose…

  • Sichuan

    Lusaka

    One of the better Chinese restaurants in Lusaka, bizarrely situated at the back of a warehouse at the Showgrounds. Despite this, there's a nice ambience…

  • Africanza

    Zambia

    This popular Pakistani-owned restaurant features subcontinental curries, steaks and Western mains. The food is good, but it's not cheap, plus you'll need…

  • Dorphil Restaurant

    Zambia

    Highly recommended by area expats and one of the few places to eat in the village of Mfuwe is friendly Dorphil Restaurant. The owner/chef Dorika prepares…

  • Nchanga Golf Club

    Zambia

    A relaxed spot for lunch where you can enjoy an unhurried steak and chips on a terrace overlooking green surrounds. There's also a bar. Entry is from…

  • JB Hotel

    Zambia

    The JB Hotel has an OK restaurant at the rear which serves local dishes such as nshima and chicken as well as more exotic dishes like sea bream curry and…

  • CIMs Restaurant

    Zambia

    Along the main street of the 'new' town is this large restaurant doing meat pies, nshima, chips and pork, beef or chicken. There's a cake stall in the…

  • Nalu's Restaurant

    Zambia

    Run by a friendly owner, Nalu's does over 20 different varieties of woodfired pizzas, as well as homemade pastas and grilled meat dishes.

  • Town Centre Market

    Lusaka

    The various food stalls in the market are a good option for local meals.

  • Wonderbake

    Livingstone

    There's nothing fancy about this bakery cafeteria, but it has a good local flavour, sells cheap pies and has free wi-fi.

  • Shoprite

    Livingstone

    The place for self-caterers, as well as ready to go meals, alcohol and a decent bakery.

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