The best dining experiences at Victoria Falls

The Livingstone Room Restaurant at the Victoria Falls Hotel

Experience a taste of colonial times from a bygone era at one of the oldest hotels in Zimbabwe. The grand setting and opulent ambiance is the perfect backdrop for an evening of fine dining: one has a choice between classic a la carte or a seven-course dégustation menu (involves sampling/tasting small portions of all the chef’s signature dishes in one sitting).

Although the dress code has been relaxed (a jacket and tie is no longer a requirement for men), no jeans, sandals (except smart ones for women), sneakers or T-shirts are allowed.

The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge resort

A unique evening of energy and colour, The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show is a not-to-be-missed dining and entertainment experience. The fun-filled evening incorporates a four-course dinner (including a braai buffet featuring the famous warthog “pumba” steak), traditional dancers, a folk storyteller, a fortuneteller, a hair braider, a face painter and acapella singers, with the highlight of the evening’s entertainment being a captivating interactive drumming show.

The Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge

Dining with the roar of the mighty Victoria Falls as a soundtrack in a genteel setting of a shaded veranda overlooking manicured lawns meeting the surrounding wild bush - this is what one can expect at The Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge, where breakfast, lunch and a world-class a-la-carte dinner menu are served. But it is the night-time ambiance of dining out under the stars with the sound of the majestic Victoria Falls in the background which makes for the ultimate romantic dinner date.

The MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Dining with a stunning bush backdrop overlooking a floodlit waterhole is the setting for MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge – providing the ultimate African experience on a visit to Victoria Falls. The split-level restaurant overlooks the lodge’s on-site waterhole which provides spectacular views. Frequent visitors to the waterhole include elephant, antelope, buffalo, warthog and hyena.

It is a toss-up whether the magnificent views complement or compete with the menu! The a la carte menu features dishes such as flame-grilled warthog, Zambezi bream, kudu fillet and crocodile stir-fry. From the dessert menu, a firm favourite with diners is the MaKuwa-Kuwa Chaos – a local version of the traditional Eton Mess – which consists of crushed meringue, port macerated berry stew, yogurt ice cream, and mixed nut praline. MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with dinner guests being entertained by the resident acapella group. Dress code is smart casual.

The Lookout Café on the tip of the Batoka Gorge

The Lookout Café is situated on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, with a view of the Victoria Falls Bridge upstream. Diners can enjoy their meal overlooking the Zambezi River rushing through the gorge 120 meters below – a spectacular view. High-wire activities take place a short distance away – so one can watch the adrenalin-junkies on the Zip Line, Flying Fox, and the free-falling Gorge Swing. The restaurant serves lunch daily, breakfasts at weekends and magical dinners once a month on the night of the full moon. The latter makes for a memorable evening with diners treated to stunning views of the spray from the Falls and the historical Victoria Falls Bridge illuminated in the moonlight.

The Zambezi Explorer Signature Lounge

One cannot get any closer to the Zambezi River than on this “floating restaurant”. The Signature Lounge is on the topmost deck of the Zambezi Explorer vessel and is the perfect way to end a sunset cruise – by staying onboard and enjoying dinner. Diners have a varied menu from which to choose, ranging from colourful fusion platters or tasty beef, chicken, fish or venison. The signature cocktails are legendary.