Until recently, all the good restaurants in Livingstone were located in the high-class hotels and lodges. Now, more restaurants have opened up, which serve speciality cuisines such as Indian, Chinese and seafood, and, of course, the local Zambian cuisine, with a wide range of dishes at comparatively cheaper prices. Even so, do not expect gourmet cuisine; the food served in Zambia tends to be very basic, and is somewhat like the common dishes served at pubs.

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Zambia's local dish is the 'nshima', which is porridge made from cooked and ground maize. It is a tasty dish, always served at the small restaurants in town and, if asked for, at the safari camps.

In the Livingstone restaurant guide below, you will find information about the best places for eating out in Livingstone. So sit back and experience the exotic food and cuisines in Zambia.

Food & Cuisine in Livingstone

Hotels, lodges and camps that cater to foreign tourists serve an international spread. In fact, the excellent quality of food, especially in the remotest bush camps, surprises many tourists. If you are on a safari in Zambia, then the biggest problem with the food served to you will be the temptation to overeat!

Nshima

This porridge is known as sadza in Zimbabwe and mealiepap in South Africa. Made of a thinner consistency for breakfast, Nshima is usually cooked with sugar. For lunch and dinner, it is made thicker, with the consistency of mashed potatoes. With this type of nshima, a delicious side dish of meat and tomatoes or dried fish is also usually eaten.

You must try nshima at least once during your visit to Zambia. It is always served in the small restaurants in town and, if requested, at the safari camps. Usually, small restaurants list only three dishes on the menu - nshima with chicken, nshima with meat and nshima with fish. All three are very tasty.

Alcohol

Zambia, like other countries in the region, produces two distinct kinds of beer - clear and opaque. Almost all tourists and affluent Zambians prefer to drink the clear beer, which is like the European lager and is always served chilled. The subsidiary of the South African Breweries in Zambia brews the Mosi, Castle and Rhino brands of lager, which are very good in taste and available extensively. There is one brewery in Zambia that skillfully makes beer from the fruit of the baobab tree. It is called Baobab White. This brewery also produces other popular brands such as Dr. Livingstone's Lager, Zikomo Copper Ale and Safari Stout.

Please note that all beer bottles produced in Zambia have a deposit on them, just like the soft drink bottles. While a bottle of beer bought at a shop in Livingstone costs around 80 cents (4,000ZMK), at a hotel bar, it costs around US$1.30 (8,000ZMK). Imported lagers such as Windhoek, Holstein and Amstel cost almost double.

Middle class Zambians usually prefer the opaque beer known as Chibuku. This is a more marketable version of the normal beer, which is commonly brewed from maize and/or sorghum. It is a porridge-like brew, which tastes very sour - one has to acquire a taste for it. It is much cheaper than the usual lagers and costs around 40 cents (2,000 ZMK) for a one litre carton. It is unusual for tourists to drink this beer, so do taste it and surprise your Zambian friends.

Please note that the typical opaque beer differs in taste the more it ferments. Hence, you can ask for either 'fresh beer' or 'strong beer'. If you are unsure about the cleanliness of the bar, safely try the packaged brands such as Chibuku, Chinika, Chipolopolo, Golden and Mukango.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks are widely available, which is a boon, especially when the temperature is soaring. Choices are often limited, though you will find the omnipresent Coca-Cola everywhere. The cost of a soft drink in Livingstone is around 30 cents (1,500ZMK). A café sells is more expensive that a supermarket. Diet colas are hard to come by in the rural areas - not surprising considering Zambia is a country where malnutrition is a major problem.

Water

In the main cities, water is usually purified, unless there is a shortage of chlorine or a breakdown or other mishaps. The locals drink this water and are relatively immune to the diseases that it may harbour. If you are going to be in Zambia for a longer time, then you might want to get used to it, though you will need to be prepared to spend a few days close to a toilet. But if you are here for only a couple of weeks, drink only bottled or boiled and treated water.

Almost all the camps and lodges out in the open use water from bore wells. Water is sourced from under the ground and varies in its quality but is usually free from germs and, therefore, safe for drinking. This water can sometimes taste sweet and, at other times, a bit alkaline or salty. The best way to decide is to ask the locals whether the water is safe for a tourist who is not acclimatised and then follow their advice.

Restaurants List

Ngolide

Ngolide Lodge has a very popular Indian Tandoori restaurant, known throughout Zambia and popular with the local population as well tourists alike. Ngolide also offers continental cuisine and has a all round chef from India with 12 years experience.

This restaurant can not be missed during your Livingstone stay. Affordable yet outstanding with first class service.

Groups are welcome and takeaways are also available.

Also open for lunches

Type : Indian Tandoori

Address : 110 Mosi O Tunya Road

Phone : 213 321091/2

Fax : 213 321113

Email : ngolide@zamnet.zm

Opening hours : 18:15 to to 22:00

Armadillo Oriental and Grills

Armadillo is centrally located on the Mosi O Tuny Road and well signposted.

This very classy and at the same time homely restaurant will serve you a variety of oriental meals as well as continental dishes.

The chef is internationally trained, having worked in India as well as Dubai. He has been in Livingstone for the last 8 years and repeat visitors to Livingstone will always ask for him.

The staff is very welcoming and respond quickly to everyones special wishes.

Armadillo caters for larger groups and functions as well.

Type : Oriental and Grill

Address : Plot 48 (s) Mosi O Tunya Road Livingstone

Phone : 213-324781

Fax : 323050

Email : armadillo@zambia.co.zm

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 23:00

Ngoma Zanga

Ngoma Zanga serves Ethnic African Cuisine with a typical traditonal set-up. You are welcomed in traditional way, that will make you immediately feel welcome. A variety of traditional meals or on the menue. Most nights a traditional show is performed while you are enjoying the ethnic cuisine.

Type : Ethnic African Cuisine

Address : Mosi - Oa - Tunya Road, Two Seventeen area.

Phone : 260 979441441

Fax : 260 213 323146

Email : ngomazanga@yahoo.co.uk

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 22:00

African Vision

African Vision caters mainly for vegetarian, it offers healthy foods in homely surroundings.

Type : Vegetarian Cafe

Address : Mosi - Oa - Tunya Road, Two Seventeen area.

Phone : 260 977862684

Email : alishenton@zamnet.zm

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 20:00

Funky Monkey

Funky Monkey is a Pizza Bistro. Popular for their breakfast meals as well as fast food.

Type : Pizza - Bistro

Address : 214 Mosi - Oa - Tunya Road (217 Area).

Phone : 260 213 320120

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 20:00

Rhapsodys

Rhapsodies serves international gourmet cuisine. Sophistication, exclusivity, style and taste are its motto.

Type : International Cuisine

Address : Falls Park Shopping Mall

Phone : 260 213 322014/15

Fax : 260 213 322015

Email : rhapsodysliv@microlink.zm

Opening hours : 06:00

Hippo's Pub & Grill

Hippo's offer a variety of cuisines in a tastefully decorated thatched restaurant.

Type : International Cuisines

Address : Behind Fawlty Towers (217 Area)

Phone : 260 9777030362

Opening hours : 06:00

Squires Legendary Grill

Squires offers you an international cuisine and specializes in steaks. It is located in the Falls Resort within a lush garden.

Type : Pub & Grill

Address : Sun International Falls Resort

Phone : 260 977446222

Fax : 260 213 323551

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Ocean Basket

Ocean Basket offers freshly prepared quality seafood at good value. Combined with a friendly atmosphere and exceptional service, the 'sole providers' make your dining an experience.

Type : Sea Foods

Address : Mos -Oa -Tunya Road, Two Seventeen area.

Phone : 260 213 321274

Email : oceanb@zamnet.zm

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 22:00

Livingstone Royal Golf & Country Club Restaurant

The restaurant is located in a Historical Edwardian Clubhouse with a long verandah overlooking the course. Meals are served on the Verandah and in the bar. Light meals are also served from the restaurant.

Type : International Cuisines

Address : 1296 Kazimuli Road

Phone : +260 21 3 323052

Fax : +260 21 3 323054

Email : livingstonegolfres@iconnect.zm

Website : http://www.livingstonegolf.com

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Nongo Stew Restaurant

The dream of the team at Nongo Stew is to improve life for our grandchildren and other vulnerable children who are in our care.

We specialise in traditional meals. A set meal is served each day with a selection of meat, vegetables, nshima, rice or pasta.The restaurant opens only on Tuesday and Friday

The restaurant is managed by a group of women from within Livingstone. With the money raised each month we support the feeding of orphans and vulnerable children organised by Livingstone Anglican Children's Project. That commitment receives the first slice of our profits. Any other money is shared equally between us and we use it to support our grandchildren in our extended families.

We have 49 grandchildren between us who look to us for support. Some are orphans and some are struggling against illnesses.

We hope you will enjoy your lunch as you meet the friendly team of Nongo Restaurant.

Type : Traditional

Address : The restaurant is located behind 75 John Hunt Way, Livingstone near Anglican church.

Phone : 0976 507364 / 0967 507364

Email : lacp@zamnet.zm

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 17:00

Local time: 10:14:56 PM

Any questions: contact us

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Your Local Connection

Welcome to Livingstone, Zambia!

Karien manages the office of Wild Side Tours, which was started in 1992 in Livingstone, Zambia assisted by Lillian. From the day we started, we have introduced several people to Livingstone, many of them coming back for more, because the stay is always too short. Besides Victoria Falls, there are many other interesting places here. You will find Livingstone fascinating, with very friendly, smiling people. It's also safe, full of tradition and culture, and a historical centre of early day Livingstone. The tourist facilities are of high standards.

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Restaurants in Livingstone