The traditional cuisine of Swaziland is fairly basic, but wholesome and tasty. Meat in the form of beef, chicken, goat or wild game is generally cooked on the fire, together with maize based dishes such as ‘mealie-pap' or ‘mealie-meal' which form a big part of any local's diet. This is supplemented by a wide variety of seasonal vegetables.

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Try a local specialty made the local way - a roasted mielie (corn) on the cob direct from a roadside market stall - delicious.

Below we have given you some information about the types of Swazi food, as well as range of our international food styles available in Swaziland. After you're done Shopping in Swaziland let us guide you to some of the best places to eat. Relax and experience the exotic food in Swaziland.

Swaziland Food & Cuisine Guide

Types of Food

Although the range of cuisine of Swaziland can be exciting and varied, you will find that many bush and rural areas have a more simple diet. Stews with all kinds of meat and vegetables are the staple, and these traditional stews are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as festivals or holidays. Getting together to relax, drink locally brewed beer and to roast a bit of meat is about as good an occasion as any.

For less adventurous travellers their a number of restaurants that have specialised in local dishes, eDladleni Restaurant and The Village cafe being two of them, whilst Ugandan Chef, Richard, at Hawane's Taste of Africa Restaurant - does just that !

Being close to Mozambique there is a considerable influence of Portuguese and seafood meals. The resident Asian community has also contributed a few great Chinese and Indian style restaurants, whilst the Germanic influence is clearly evident in quite of few of the top continental restaurants.

The Eating & Drinking Scene

The largest concentration and variety of restaurants can be found in The Ezulwini Valley with a few options in the cities of Manzini and Mbabane worth trying as well. Many hotels and larger towns will serve a combination of international cuisine, along with Swazi specials. However, for a traditional culinary experience, check out some of the local food stalls at the markets. Here you can pick up specialties such as traditional stew, maized meal, roasted corn on the cob, or stamped mealies.

The nightlife is muted midweek, but can be awesome on Friday and Saturday nights, especially when performances are on at House-on-Fire and other local party spots. There is a wide range of beers, wines and spirits available. The casino at the Royal Swazi Sun is cooking' on most nights with occasional music, cabaret, jazz and choir performances.

Good service should attract a 10% tip, but this is purely discretionary. If you decide not to tip, take the time to explain why...your effort will reward the next customer and the waiter or waitress concerned will also have added to their knowledge.

Worried about going out at night - try this blog for inspiration - Going out at night in Ezulwini - the baby steps posting.

Restaurants List

The Calabash Continental Restaurant

The Calabash Restaurant offers superb cuisine in a relaxed, stylish environment. Excellent service can be expected at all times

Type : German & Swiss Cuisine

Address : Upper end of the Ezulwini Valley
Next to Timbali Lodge & Country Park

Phone : (+268) 416 1187

Fax : (+268) 416 2098

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 23:00

The Boma Restaurant

One of the newest and largest restaurants in Ezulwini. This venue is fast making a name for itself in terms of great food.

Type : Africa chic

Address : Ezulwini Valley Within Timbali Lodge premises

Phone : (+268) 416 1156

Fax : (+268) 416 2632

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 23:00

The Great Taipei Restaurant

Tim and Jennifer Chang run arguably the best Chinese Restaurant in Swaziland. They are favourites with locals and resident ex-pat's. Need a filling and good-value meal - look no further !

Type : Chinese

Address : The Gables Shopping Centre Ezulwinin Valley

Phone : (+268) 416 2300

Fax : (+268) 416 2300

Email : vpcars@realnet.co.sz

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 23:00

eDladleni Restaurant

Delores Goddefrey is the force behind giving traditional Swazi cuisine it's true identity. She's written the book, she's workshopped the concept and if you're lucky she's likely to be the kitchen on the day you dine at eDladleni.

Type : Proudly Swazi

Address : Just outside Ezulwini first turn-off left once climbing the hill to Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 5743

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 22:00

Sambane Tea Garden

Great place for lunch whilst shopping on an art and craft shopping safari in Malkerns. Also, a top breakfast stop, if local ex-pat's leave you any space particularly on Sunday mornings.

Type : Tea Garden

Address : Next to Swazi Candles

Phone : (+268) 528 3466

Opening hours : 08:30 to to 16:30

Taste of Africa

A gem of a restaurant with some simply great African dishes. Well worth the drive for lunch or dinner. Roaring central fireplace in winter gives great ambience. Ask Chef Richard for his suggestions.

Type : African dishes

Address : At Hawane Resort, about 11km from Ngwenya boarder post, along Piggs Peak Road About 25 minutes from Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 442 4744

Fax : (+268) 442 4170

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Bengal Restaurant

Offers a variety of chef specials, with a variety of wines. The decor adds to a warm and welcome atmosphere.

Type : Eastern Cuisine

Address : Gables shopping centre, Ezulwini

Phone : (+268) 416 3023

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 22:00

The Italian Job Restaurant

Offers Italian meals, with karaoke every Wednesday and sometimes live entertainment. They also have everyday specials.

Closed on sundays and times varying on the day.

Type : Italian

Address : King Mswati Avenue 111, shop 4, Matsapha.

Phone : (+268) 518 6063

Email : l_s_d@libero.it

Opening hours : 08:30 to to 17:30

Bulembu Restaurant

The 34 seater resturant specialises in Western foods, with their menus changing everyday.

They have dinner entertainment in the form of sibhaca and umiso, if requested.

Type : Western

Address : Opposite the cricket and club house of Bulembu.

Phone : (+268) 437 3888

Opening hours : 06:00 to to 20:30

Cultural Village Restaurant

The resturant is idealy situated in the Mantenga Nature Village in the Ezulwini Valley. This is a 120 seater resturant an open-air resturant open to smoking and hosts local artist Mbongiseni Ngubane on Fridays as dinner entertainer.

Type : Traditional and Western

Address : Mantenga Nature Reserve, Ezulwini Valley

Phone : (+268) 416 1151

Fax : (+268) 416 1480

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Egumeni Resturant

The resturant that is at the Orion hotel, is theme based with chef specials of lamb chops. The place sits from 150 to 200 people with Sunday lunch buffets.

Type : Theme based

Address : Orion Hotel, between Tsekwane and the lounge.

Phone : (+268) 437 1104

Fax : (+268) 437 1382

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 22:00

Finese Restaurant

Finese is a resturant that has a chef specialty of prawns, with entertainment on request. They can sit 100 people at a given day.

Type : Upper Class Restaurant

Address : The New Mall, Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 5936

Fax : (+268) 404 5936

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 23:00

Foresters Arms Hotel

The 140 seater resturant, which seats 60 in and 80 outside, offers barbaques as their chef specials, with Sunday lunches as buffets.

Type : Country/International Cuisine

Address : Mhlambanyatsi, 27kms from Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 467 4377

Fax : (+268) 467 4051

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 22:00

Friar Tuck's Restaurant

Grilled prawns are their chef's specials, sitting 95 persons. They also do buffet on request by clients. They open at certain times in a day.

Type : International Cuisine

Address : Mountain Inn Hotel, Mountain View, Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 2781

Fax : (+268) 404 5393

Opening hours : 12:30 to to 22:00

Carribean Coffee House

Serves coffee from morning to afternoon.

Type : Coffee House

Address : City Inn, Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 2406

Fax : (+268) 404 2406

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 17:00

Guava Cafe

Open for service from Tuesdays throgh to Sundays.

Type : Lunch Bistro

Address : Before Mantenga Cultural Village

Phone : (+268) 416 5510

Fax : (+268) 416 2986

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 17:00

Hippo Haunt Restaurant

Hippo Haunt offers three different Swazi traditional wild meat braais. Also for entertainment they have sibhaca during dinner, depending on how many people are in the park.

Type : African Cuisine

Address : Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Lobamba

Phone : (+268) 528 3991

Fax : (+268) 528 3991

Opening hours : 06:00 to to 21:00

Hlane Royal National Park Restaurant

Situated in the park that is held in trust of the Nation by His Majesty th King.

Type : A la Carte

Address : Hlane Royal National Park, Simunye

Phone : (+268)528 3943

Fax : (+268)383 8768

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Indingilizi Gallerry

For Indingilizi Gallery, the Zanzibar chicken curry is a chef special that they have on offer in their restaurant. Their opening time vary according to days.

Type : African Food

Address : 112 Dzeliwe Street, Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 6213

Email : indingi@realnet.co.sz

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 17:00

Kanimambo Restaurant

Kanimambo offer a range of Portuguese food, they specialise in this as their chefs are from Mozambique. They also host private functions.

They are closed on Mondays.

Type : Portuguese

Address : Gables Shopping Centre, Ezulwini

Phone : (+268)416 3549

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 21:30

La Caserole Restaurant

Conviniently situated in the capital, offering chef specials of spare ribs and pizza.

Type : English Cuisine

Address : Omni Centre, Mbabane

Phone : (+268)404 6426

Fax : (+268)404 0778

Email : swazicompserve@realnet.co.sz

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 22:00

Langa Restaurant

Stir fry including fish, chicken, sea food and red meat are their speciality by their chef.

Type : Upper class buffet

Address : Lugogo Sun, Ezulwini

Phone : (+268) 416 4530

Fax : (+268) 416 1111

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 22:30

Maguga Viewpoint Restaurant

The restaurant overlooks the beautiful Maguga dam.

The restaurant closing time is flexible according to what people who want.

Type : A la Carte

Address : Maguga

Phone : (+268) 675 8611

Email : swazigogo@gmail.com

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 18:00

Malandela's Farmhouse Restaurant

The Sir Georges oxtail is the Malandela's Farmhouse's chef special. Conviniently by the resaurant, is an internet cafe and an entertainment venue.

Type : Farmhouse style

Address : Off the old Mbabane, Manzini main road. Turn off at Mahlanya

Phone : (+268) 528 3115

Fax : (+268) 528 3423

Email : sigubhu@realnet.co.sz

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 21:30

Mantenga Restaurant

This restaurant is situated in the vicinity of the Mantenga craft centre and the cultural village.

Type : A la Carte

Address : Mantenga, Ezulwini

Phone : (+268)416 1049

Fax : (+268)416 2516

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 22:00

Mvubu Falls Restaurant

Mvubu Falls Restaurant is conveniently situated enroute Manzini or Mbabane, at the Mvutjini, just as one finishes or starts the Malagwane Hill.

Type : A la Carte

Address : Malagwane Hill, Mvutjini

Phone : (+268) 627 5767

Fax : (+268) 404 4655

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Ngwenya Glass Coffee Shop

Placed at your convinience in the Ngwenya glass factory. They also sell pancakes to go with the coffee.

Type : Coffee Shop

Address : Ngwenya Glass, Ngwenya. 5km from the Ngwenya boarder.

Phone : (+268) 442 4588

Fax : (+268) 442 4142

Email : ngweya@ngwenyaglass.co.sz

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 16:30

Mpisi Restaurant

Mpisi serves wraps and pizza with their home cooked meals. On Fridays are braais and on Saturdays are E 20 specials.

Type : Home cooked meals

Address : Nsoko, 38km from the Lavimisa boarder post.

Phone : (+268) 303 0318

Fax : (+268) 303 0354

Opening hours : 06:00 to to 22:00

Nkonyeni Golf Estate Restaurant

Their chef specialty is a pork special known as Eisbein. They also have buffets on some weekends.

Type : A la Carte

Address : Nkonyeni Golf Estate, Nkonyeni

Phone : (+268) 550 3527

Fax : (+268) 550 3548

Email : nkonyenigolf@swazi.net

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Old Barn Restaurant

The steak, pap and sheba are some of the foods that are evidence of traditional foods. Happy hour everyday from 17h30 to 18h30.

Their opening hours vary from weekend to weekdays.

Type : Traditonal farmstyle

Address : 2km from Mbabane, along Malagwane Hill

Phone : (+268) 404 2341

Fax : (268) 404 2345

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 23:00

Open Basket

Sandwiches are sold together with the coffee. Secretarial services are also available to customers.

Type : Coffee Bar

Address : Carson Centre Moneni, Manzini

Phone : (+268) 505 7202

Fax : (+268) 505 9460

Email : openbasket@realnet.co.sz

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 21:00

Pablos Restaurant

Chicken is what their chefs do best and it is conveniently in the city centre.

Type : Family Restaurant

Address : Gwamile Street, Mbabane city centre

Phone : (+268) 404 2406

Fax : (+268) 404 2406

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Phoenix Spur

They serve delicious spare ribs. The restaurant is designed in a way that suites all persons, from a smoking section, a to kiddies section, to a section where you can socialise.

Type : Steak House

Address : The Mall, Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 9103

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 23:00

The Dinning Hut

Their chef's favorite are grills and seafood. On weekends they have traditional dancers for entertainment.

Type : A la Carte

Address : 17km north of Pigg's Peak.

Phone : (+268) 437 1429

Fax : (+268) 437 1319

Planters Restaurant

Tiger prawns are a speciality for them. Also guests can be able to design their own menu.

Type : Up class A la Carte

Address : Royal Swazi Sun, Ezulwini Valley

Phone : (+268) 416 5499

Fax : (+268) 416 1606

Opening hours : 18:00

Plaza Tandoori

Food from the East is their specialty. Fried chicken and fried rice is what they do best.

Type : Eastern Delight

Address : Swazi Plaza, Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 7599

Fax : (+268) 404 0449

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 22:00

Purple Circle

Between Mbabane and Manzini using the old road, this is an ideal stop for coffee.

Type : Coffee shop

Address : Past the Mahlanya Market

Phone : (+268) 664 4926

Email : angelika.aierk_rudd@yahoo.com

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 17:00

Quartermain's Restaurant

They are a restaurant and sushi bar situated just below the Mantenga craft centre.

Type : Full Range

Address : Gables Shopping Centre, Ezulwini

Phone : (+268) 416 3023

Fax : (+268) 416 1189

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Riverside Cafe

Spicy chicken wings are a chef special with them and hosts finger lunches for board meeting.

Type : Mozambican and Portuguese

Address : Sales House Building, Swazi Plaza, Mbabane

Phone : (+268) 404 9547

Fax : (+268) 404 6005

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 17:00

Riverside Restaurant

Chef favorites at Riverside Restaurant are spare ribs and chicken. Wednesdays have specials for some meals.

Type : Sea Food

Address : Lavumisa Road, Big Bend

Phone : (+268) 363 6910

Fax : (+268) 363 6443

Email : riverside@realnet.co.sz

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Royal Villas Restaurant

Royal Villas Restaurant offers an ambience that potrays Africa. Dinner entertainment is available, depending on the occasion.

Type : African ambience

Address : Ezulwin Valley

Phone : (+268) 416 7035

Fax : (+268)416 2072

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 22:00

The Terrace Restaurant

Stir fry including chicken, fish, seafood and red meat, with menus changing every now and again. On Fridays, the Royal Swazi choir entertains during dinner.

Type : Deluxe Buffet

Address : Royal Swazi Sun

Phone : (+268) 416 5499

Fax : (+268) 416 1606

Opening hours : 10:30 to to 22:30

Shewula Mountain Camp

Shewula in the Lubombo Region is a park that offers traditional foods only, which is why their chef special is boiled chicken.

Type : Traditional Food

Address : Shewula, 10km past Maphiveni

Phone : (+268) 605 1160

Fax : (+268)383 8132

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 16:00

Simunye Club Restaurant

Simunye Club Restaurant is placed in a quiet environment close to Hlane Royal National Park, and has a welcoming ambience.

Type : Pub Menu

Address : Simunye Country Club

Phone : (+268) 383 8894

Fax : (+268) 383 8894

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 21:30

Steers

Steers is a place that is placed in a shopping area, so one can easily stop by for a meal.

Type : Flame Grilled Fast Food

Address : Mbabane, New Mall Matsapha, Mahhala

Phone : (+268) 404 3343

Fax : (+268) 404 3343

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 20:00

Tum's George Restaurant

Offering Greek Salad, Tum's George Restaurant offers a good ambience in a place that gives one a piece of mind.

Type : A la Carte

Address : Just out of Manzini CBD

Phone : (+268) 505 2260

Fax : (+268) 505 2268

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Valley Blues Restaurant

Valley Blues offers Oxtail stew as a chef's favourite. Depending on the number of guests, a buffet can be arranged. Friday dinners have entertainment by Royal Swazi Choir.

Type : English Cuisine

Address : Ezulwini Sun Hotel, Ezulwini Valley

Phone : (+268) 416 6530

Fax : (+268) 416 6564

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 22:30

Restaurants in Swaziland

Swaziland Food & Cuisine Guide

Types of Food

The Eating & Drinking Scene

Restaurants List

The Calabash Continental Restaurant

The Boma Restaurant

The Great Taipei Restaurant

eDladleni Restaurant

Sambane Tea Garden

Taste of Africa

Bengal Restaurant

The Italian Job Restaurant

Bulembu Restaurant

Cultural Village Restaurant

Egumeni Resturant

Finese Restaurant

Foresters Arms Hotel

Friar Tuck's Restaurant

Carribean Coffee House

Guava Cafe

Hippo Haunt Restaurant

Hlane Royal National Park Restaurant

Indingilizi Gallerry

Kanimambo Restaurant

La Caserole Restaurant

Langa Restaurant

Maguga Viewpoint Restaurant

Malandela's Farmhouse Restaurant

Mantenga Restaurant

Mvubu Falls Restaurant

Ngwenya Glass Coffee Shop

Mpisi Restaurant

Nkonyeni Golf Estate Restaurant

Old Barn Restaurant

Open Basket

Pablos Restaurant

Phoenix Spur

The Dinning Hut

Planters Restaurant

Plaza Tandoori

Purple Circle

Quartermain's Restaurant

Riverside Cafe

Riverside Restaurant

Royal Villas Restaurant

The Terrace Restaurant

Shewula Mountain Camp

Simunye Club Restaurant

Steers

Tum's George Restaurant

Valley Blues Restaurant

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