Eviva Restaurant

Eviva Restaurant is a garden-patio restaurant in the Rhodes Park neighbourhood of Lusaka, Zambia, serving Greek and Mediterranean dishes alongside sushi. The pairing of a Greek kitchen with a sushi counter is unusual and reflects the cosmopolitan expatriate and diplomatic clientele of Rhodes Park, one of the capital's quieter residential districts. No chef lineage or Michelin recognition is claimed; the appeal is the setting and the range of the menu.

Greek salad is the listed specialty and the dish most associated with the house, with souvlaki the other emblematic plate, grilled skewers served with pita, salad and dips. Sushi rolls and platters add a second strand to the menu, and mezze-style starters suit sharing across a table. The breadth of the menu makes it workable for mixed groups.

The dining room character is defined by the garden patio. Tables sit outdoors under foliage, giving a calm, leafy atmosphere that is considerably quieter than the shopping-centre restaurants of Great East Road. Dress is smart-casual, and the pace is unhurried, making it well suited to long lunches and relaxed evenings, particularly in the dry season when outdoor seating is at its best.

Beverages include a selection of wines, beers, cocktails and soft drinks, with Greek-style coffee and Mediterranean-leaning drinks complementing the menu.

Prices sit in the upper-middle range, with meals costing about K220-480 (roughly $12-25). Reservations are not always required, but telephoning ahead is advisable for Friday and Saturday dinner, and for larger groups wanting patio tables. The restaurant is open daily from noon to 10:00 PM, which makes it a convenient option for a late lunch as well as dinner.