Food & culture · Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe / Zambia)

What to Eat in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe / Zambia): A Food Guide

A food guide to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe / Zambia): the dishes worth seeking out, what to drink, dining etiquette and the neighbourhoods to eat in.

Updated 2026-07-01

Food in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe / Zambia)

What to eat in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe / Zambia)

  • Sadza + relish + kapenta

    Zim staple maize porridge with tomato-onion relish + tiny fried fish — local restaurants US$5–10.

  • Braai (BBQ) + boerewors + game meat

    Kudu, warthog, crocodile at The Boma Dinner + Drum Show — US$60 all-you-can-eat + cultural show.

  • Nshima (Zambia) + village chicken

    Zambian equivalent of sadza with grilled village chicken + greens — US$8–12.

What to drink

Bottled water only. Zambezi + Mosi lagers local classics; Amarula cream + Zambian tea; sundowner G&T on the Zambezi is the universal ritual.

Dining etiquette and practicalities

  • Tipping 10% at restaurants; US$5–10 per day for safari guides + US$10 per bag for porters.

  • Ask before photographing local people, especially in villages.

  • Modest dress in town + churches; swim/adventure wear fine at lodges + falls.

Where to eat in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe / Zambia)

  • Victoria Falls town (Zimbabwe)

    Compact + walkable — Victoria Falls Hotel (heritage 1904), Ilala Lodge, Kingdom, Batonka Guest Lodge.

  • Livingstone (Zambia)

    Larger town, more restaurants — Royal Livingstone, Avani, Chrismar, Batoka Guest House.

  • Zambezi River (upstream)

    Luxury lodges — Matetsi River Lodge, Old Drift, Tongabezi, Sindabezi Island.

  • Elephant Hills / Zim outskirts

    Golf-resort area — Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (waterhole view).

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