Food · Victoria Falls · Zimbabwe
What to eat in Victoria Falls
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Victoria Falls, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Sadza with relish, Kapenta and Zambezi bream. An evening of game meats, sadza, mopane worms, drumming and dancing at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge's thatched restaurant. Most restaurants and lodges take card payments, but carry small US dollar notes for tips and markets, as change is often scarce.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Sadza with relish
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 3
- Tipping
- Tipping in US dollars is customary: about 10% in restaurants, and tips for activity…
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Sadza with relish (Sadza)
Zimbabwe's staple: a stiff white maize porridge, eaten by hand and dipped into stews of beef, chicken or greens (muriwo).
Where: Local restaurants in town and in Chinotimba, and at The Boma and lodge buffets.
Dish
2.Kapenta
Tiny sardine-like fish from Lake Kariba, dried and then fried with tomato and onion, usually served with sadza.
Where: Local eateries in town; dried kapenta is sold at markets.
Dish
3.Zambezi bream
Freshwater bream (tilapia) from the Zambezi and its region, grilled or pan-fried whole and served with chips or sadza.
Where: Restaurants in town and lodges along the river.
Snack
4.Mopane worms (Madora)
The dried caterpillars of the emperor moth, which feed on mopane trees, fried crisp with onion and tomato; a traditional protein-rich snack.
Where: The Boma, where trying one earns a certificate, and local markets.
Dish
5.Game meat
Grilled cuts and stews of game such as kudu, impala, eland, warthog and crocodile, depending on season and supply.
Where: The Boma and restaurants in town and in the larger lodges.
Dish
6.Braai and boerewors
Southern African barbecue of grilled meat and boerewors, a coiled spiced beef-and-pork sausage, often served with sadza or pap.
Where: Lodges and restaurants in town; many safari lodges hold braai evenings.
Dish
7.Dovi
A rich Zimbabwean stew of chicken or vegetables cooked in peanut butter with onion and tomato.
Where: Restaurants serving traditional Zimbabwean food.
Drink · Vegetarian
8.Mazoe orange crush (Mazoe)
A sweet orange cordial made in Zimbabwe for generations, diluted with water and found in nearly every home and shop.
Where: Supermarkets and shops in town.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Zambezi Lager
A Zimbabwean pale lager named after the river, the default cold drink on sunset cruises.
Where: Bars, lodges and cruise boats.
Drink · Vegetarian
10.Maheu
A thick, slightly sour non-alcoholic drink made from fermented maize porridge, sold in cartons in local shops.
Where: Supermarkets and local shops in town and Livingstone.
Food experiences
The Boma
An evening of game meats, sadza, mopane worms, drumming and dancing at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge's thatched restaurant.
High tea on Stanley's Terrace
Afternoon tea with sandwiches and scones on the Victoria Falls Hotel's terrace, with the bridge and spray in view.
Sundowners on the Zambezi
A cold Zambezi Lager or gin and tonic on a sunset cruise or a riverside lodge deck as hippos surface below.
Quick bites and street food
- Mopane worms — The Boma, where trying one earns a certificate, and local markets.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 3 are usually vegetarian: Mazoe orange crush, Zambezi Lager and Maheu. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Most restaurants and lodges take card payments, but carry small US dollar notes for tips and markets, as change is often scarce.
- Lodges and cruises often include meals or snacks; check what is covered before booking dinners.
- Booking ahead is wise for The Boma and the Victoria Falls Hotel in peak season.
- Drink bottled or filtered water.
- Walk to dinner only on lit main streets in the centre; take a taxi after dark elsewhere because of wildlife.
Tipping
Tipping in US dollars is customary: about 10% in restaurants, and tips for activity guides, rafting crews, drivers and lodge staff at the end of a stay, often through a shared staff tip box.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mhoro / Mhoroi | Hello (Shona) |
| Salibonani | Hello (Ndebele) |
| Ndatenda | Thank you (Shona) |
| Ngiyabonga | Thank you (Ndebele) |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Victoria Falls famous for?
Sadza with relish, Kapenta, Zambezi bream and Mopane worms. Zimbabwe's staple: a stiff white maize porridge, eaten by hand and dipped into stews of beef, chicken or greens (muriwo).
+Is Victoria Falls good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Mazoe orange crush, Zambezi Lager and Maheu.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Victoria Falls?
Tipping in US dollars is customary: about 10% in restaurants, and tips for activity guides, rafting crews, drivers and lodge staff at the end of a stay, often through a shared staff tip box.