Food and Beverage
When it comes to eating out on holiday, you don’t want to waste time or money. To save you from making either mistake, we’ve pulled together a list of great places to eat in Victoria Falls. From top up-and-coming cuisine to some of the old favourites, these places don’t just offer fuel for your adventures, but are an experience in themselves.
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THE BOMA – DINNER & DRUM SHOW
If you’re up for some entertainment while you eat, the Boma is hard to beat. Your first problem will be choosing what to have, as the four-course meal includes a vast buffet featuring ostrich, kudu, buffalo, and a range of other local game, as well as more comfortable classics. Next, you’ll have to figure out how to eat while dancing, as participation in the drum show is actively encouraged. The Boma is open from 7 pm until 10 pm, and bookings are essential.
THE SMOKEHOUSE
A recent arrival, the Smokehouse combines hearty pub-style food with an incredible atmosphere, especially if you book in for a weekend dinner. That’s when the place comes alive as local bands take to the stage and set patrons on their feet dancing. Even better, it’s the home of the River Brewing Co, so you can book in a tour of the Brewery, taste locally made(and loved) beers, then finish off your evening with a dance under the stars. The Smokehouse is open from 12 pm until 10 pm daily, and stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
BAINES RESTAURANT
When you want to indulge all your senses while enjoying an al fresco meal, Baines Restaurant is the place to go. Set almost on the Devil’s Cataract, you’ll get to watch the river run by, hear the roar of the Falls, and feel its spray if the wind is blowing the right way. Add excellent cuisine and beautiful décor to the mix, and you’ve got all the right ingredients for an unforgettable dining experience. Baines Restaurant is open from 10 am until 9 pm Monday to Friday, and 8 am until 9 pm Saturday and Sunday.
STIMELA TRACKSIDE DINING
If you enjoy a dash of history as a side to your meal, then the most recent star to rise on Victoria Falls’ culinary circuit is Stimela. Eat in the intimate atmosphere of a beautifully restored train, with a three-course, high-end meal on offer. From its siding at the centre of Victoria Falls, you’ll be able to watch the smoke from the waterfall fade into the evening as night falls over the city. The Stimela experience is available Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 6.30 pm until 10.30 pm and reservations are essential.
GOAT – BAR AND EATERY
Inspired by the energy, fun and adventurous spirit of the greatest men and women to raft the Zambezi, GOAT is another up-and-comer, and an experience all of its own. You’ll find fusion food on offer, with anything from nachos to meat and ‘pap’ on the menu. And the décor is as good as the food. Images, stories and quotes from those who have conquered the Zambezi’s defiant rapids sit alongside local décor. From Thursday to Saturday, live township jazz is on offer. GOAT restaurant is open from 10 am until 11 pm daily.
DUSTY ROAD TOWNSHIP EXPERIENCE
A TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice for last year, Dusty Road is the perfect place to experience local African cuisine, amidst kaleidoscopically creative decor. You’ll be welcomed with a tour of the ingredients being used, then taken to your seat (watch out, it might be a repurposed bathtub). The three-course meal allows you to select just how adventurous you want to be, but no matter what you choose, you’ll be helping pay school fees for local children. Dusty Road is open from 12 pm until 10 pm, and bookings are essential.
ZULU BISTRO BAR
Another TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice last year, Brian Zulu and his team have pulled together a high-end local culinary experience. From goat curry to cow’s head stew, to biltong and boerewors, this is the place to go to try something new and get out of your comfort zone, although more familiar favourites are available. Come hungry, because the meals are generous. Zulu Bistro Bar is open from 10 am until 10 pm, and bookings are recommended.
THE LOOKOUT CAFÉ
Perched on the very edge of a 120m gorge, from which you can catch a peek of the world-famous Victoria Falls waterfall, this is eating-out with a view like no other. The Lookout Café offers a local twist on international favourites, with everything from light snacks to filling meals. The open-air layout means you don’t miss a moment of the magic, whether you’re wanting a moonlit dinner or a sun-drenched lunch. The Lookout Café is open from 8 am until 9.30 pm every day, and bookings are essential.
CITY SOCIAL
Another newcomer on the culinary scene, City Social opened its doors in the industrial area in July, offering an oasis of calm and green. With wide open spaces and plenty of specials throughout the week, as well as live sport and DJs, it hits all the right notes for a night out. City Social is open from 11 am until 11pm from Wednesday to Thursday, 11am until 12am Friday and Saturday, and from 10 am until 10 pm on Sunday.
LAST BITE
Perhaps the hardest part of dining in Victoria Falls isn’t choosing where to eat; it’s knowing when to stop. Every restaurant tells its own story, every chef adds a unique flavour, and every meal becomes another reason to fall in love with this extraordinary destination. The Victoria Falls may bring you here, but it’s the people, the flavours and the experiences around the table that will keep calling you back.