Zambia offers some of Africa's most pristine wilderness experiences, from the thundering Victoria Falls to the wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park. Known for pioneering the walking safari, Zambia combines exceptional game viewing with authentic cultural encounters and warm hospitality.
Zambian cuisine centres on nshima — a thick white maize porridge eaten with the hands and paired with relishes (side dishes) of vegetables, fish, or meat. Kapenta (small dried fish from Lake Tanganyika and Kariba) is the most consumed protein. The cuisine reflects the country's landlocked geography and rural majority with simple, filling staples. International influences from South Africa and India are strong in cities. Livingstone's tourist proximity has introduced more experimental cooking celebrating indigenous ingredients like game meat, mopane worms, and wild mushrooms.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Zambia.
Nshima with Kapenta
The national dish — thick maize porridge eaten by rolling it into a ball with the right hand and using it to scoop up dried kapenta fish relish. Simple, filling, and genuine Zambian home food.
Where to try: Any traditional restaurant; Chez Ntemba in Lusaka; Mukamba Boma in Livingstone
Price: $3-8
Ifisashi
Zambia's most beloved vegetarian dish: leafy vegetables (commonly pumpkin leaves or rape) cooked in a peanut sauce. Rich, creamy, and deeply flavourful. Often paired with nshima as a meat-free relish.
Where to try: Traditional restaurants throughout Zambia; Chez Ntemba, Lusaka
Price: $4-8
Zambezi Bream (Tilapia)
Fresh bream from the Zambezi River, typically grilled whole over charcoal. The most celebrated fish in Zambian cooking — light, flaky, and delicious when cooked simply. Livingstone's riverside restaurants serve it fresh daily.
Where to try: Cafe Zambezi Livingstone; riverside restaurants; village fish stalls near rivers
Price: $12-20
Chikanda (African Polony)
A uniquely Zambian snack or side dish made from ground wild orchid tubers and peanuts, boiled into a firm textured cake. Vegetarian and protein-rich, it tastes faintly of groundnuts and is unlike anything else in African cooking.
Where to try: Lusaka City Market; Maramba Market Livingstone; roadside vendors
Price: $1-3
Ifinkubala (Mopane worms)
Sun-dried and sometimes fried Emperor moth caterpillars that feed on mopane trees. Eaten across southern Africa as a traditional protein source. Crispy when fried, they taste slightly earthy and nutty.
Where to try: Chez Ntemba Lusaka; traditional markets; seasonal availability
Price: $3-8
Crocodile curry or medallions
Crocodile meat is a genuine Zambian delicacy, farmed near Victoria Falls and increasingly available at restaurants. The white meat is tender and mild, sometimes curried or pan-fried with African spices.
Where to try: Cafe Zambezi Livingstone ($22); Marula Restaurant Lusaka
Price: $20-35
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Kubu Crafted Dining
Exclusive dining experience at the Royal Livingstone Hotel featuring a 12-course tasting menu showcasing Zambian ingredients with modern techniques. Intimate setting on the Zambezi River.
Royal Livingstone Hotel, Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone
Cafe Zambezi
Lively restaurant near Victoria Falls specializing in African and Caribbean fusion. Known for grilled meats, fresh fish, and vibrant atmosphere with live music.
Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone
Mukamba Boma
Traditional Zambian restaurant near Victoria Falls offering authentic village-style dining experience with cultural performances. Great introduction to Zambian cuisine.
Livingstone
Lusaka City Market Food Stalls
Authentic local food stalls in Lusaka's central market offering traditional Zambian dishes. Perfect for adventurous eaters wanting genuine street food experience.
City Market, Lusaka
Latitude 15 Cafe
Stylish cafe at Latitude 15 hotel in Lusaka serving excellent coffee, pastries, and light meals. Popular with business crowd and laptop workers.
Latitude 15 Degrees, Independence Avenue, Lusaka
Sungani Restaurant
Livingstone's newest fine dining venue offering intimate 22-seat experience with chef's tasting menus that celebrate Zambian culinary heritage through innovative preparations.
Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone
Olga's Italian Corner
Authentic Italian restaurant in Livingstone serving homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and Italian classics. Cozy atmosphere with outdoor seating.
Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone
Zigzag Coffee House
Popular cafe in Livingstone serving excellent coffee, healthy breakfasts, sandwiches, and salads. Relaxed atmosphere perfect for planning your day.
Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Contemporary Zambian
Kubu Crafted Dining
African-Caribbean
Cafe Zambezi
Traditional Zambian
Mukamba Boma
Maramba Market Food Vendors
Traditional Zambian Street Food
Lusaka City Market Food Stalls
Cafe
Latitude 15 Cafe
Zigzag Coffee House
Bean Tree Cafe
Modern Zambian
Sungani Restaurant
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Vitumbuwa (fried dough)
Deep-fried dough balls similar to doughnuts but less sweet. A popular breakfast and snack sold at market stalls throughout Zambia, best eaten hot from the fryer with sweet tea.
Find it at: Morning market stalls throughout Lusaka and Livingstone
Grilled maize (roasted corn)
Whole corn cobs roasted slowly over charcoal embers and sold by vendors from roadside grills. Smoky and satisfying, they're dusted with salt and sometimes chilli. Abundant during harvest season.
Find it at: Roadside vendors throughout Lusaka; near Livingstone market
Samosas
Deep-fried triangular pastry pockets filled with spiced minced meat or vegetables, reflecting the Indian influence on Zambian food through colonial-era workers. Sold at markets and informal restaurants.
Find it at: Lusaka City Market; school tuck shops and market snack stalls
Boiled groundnuts (peanuts)
Fresh groundnuts boiled in salted water in their shells, sold in small plastic bags from market vendors and informal stalls. A traditional Zambian snack that's nutritious and addictive.
Find it at: All markets and many roadside stalls throughout Zambia
Roadside BBQ meats
Chicken pieces, beef offal, and sometimes whole tilapia grilled on charcoal braziers by roadside vendors. Served wrapped in newspaper with a chilli dip. Best quality at busy stalls with fast turnover.
Find it at: Throughout Lusaka and Livingstone — look for smoking charcoal grills with local crowds
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Lusaka City Market
Zambia's largest and most comprehensive food market occupying multiple city blocks near Cairo Road. Fresh fish from Lake Tanganyika and Kariba, dried kapenta, vegetables, fruit, grains, and traditional snacks fill the stalls in a chaotic, authentic atmosphere.
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Maramba Market, Livingstone
The main daily food market serving Livingstone residents with fresh produce, dried fish, grains, and traditional foods. Less tourist-focused than craft markets with genuine everyday Zambian food culture on display.
Hours: 7AM-5PM daily
Sunday Arcades Market, Lusaka
Weekly outdoor market on Sunday mornings near the Arcades Shopping Centre. Food stalls offer cooked meals, fresh produce, and a variety of street foods alongside crafts and second-hand goods.
Hours: 8AM-4PM Sundays
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is the main meal of the day in Zambian culture — the largest and most varied food offerings are available 12-2PM
Ask for the 'daily special' at local restaurants — it's always the freshest, cheapest, and most authentic option
Tourist restaurants in Livingstone near Victoria Falls charge 2-3x more than identical food at local spots; walk 5 minutes from the main road for significant savings
Nshima is eaten with the right hand — it's customary and adds to the experience
Vegetarians can find good food in Zambia: nshima with ifisashi, beans, and vegetable relishes are widely available
Always drink bottled water and avoid raw salads or unpeeled fruit at informal stalls
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-10/meal | Street food, local nshima restaurants, City Market food stalls |
| Mid-range | $15-30/meal | Cafe Zambezi, Olga's Italian, Copper Pot, Golden Leaf |
| Upscale | $60-100+/meal | Kubu at Royal Livingstone, Sungani Restaurant, Marula in Lusaka |