Mint Lounge

Mint Lounge is a relaxed lounge-restaurant at the Arcades Shopping Centre on Great East Road in Lusaka, Zambia, serving wraps, seafood and light meals in an informal setting. It operates as a casual all-day venue rather than a destination restaurant, so there is no chef lineage or tasting menu to speak of; the offer is straightforward international cooking aimed at shoppers, office workers and groups meeting for a drink.

Seafood is listed as the specialty and is the dish most associated with the venue, supported by wraps and salads that suit a lighter lunch. The menu leans towards things that can be eaten quickly or shared, which fits the lounge format. Breakfast items appear early in the day, since the kitchen opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM daily.

The dining room character is that of a lounge: softer seating, a relaxed pace and background music, with a bar that draws people in the evening. Dress is casual and the atmosphere is friendly rather than formal. Noise is moderate during the day and increases at weekends, so visitors seeking a calm table should choose a weekday afternoon.

The drinks list covers coffee, soft drinks, local beers, wine and cocktails, with the lounge setting making it a convenient place to linger over a drink after shopping.

Prices are moderate, with meals costing about K160-350 (roughly $8-18). Reservations are generally unnecessary, but telephoning ahead is recommended for Friday and Saturday dinner. Its location inside Arcades means parking and other shops are on the doorstep, which makes it an easy stop for visitors staying in the eastern part of the city.