20th August 2008 - Manjar Dos Deuses

Manjar Dos Deuses doesn't look like much from the outside but this restaurant is probably the most local you get in Maputo. It is centrally situated, small and has a basic interior with clean table linen. The interior of the restaurant reminded one of our diners of Austria with its pine bar and ceilings. The restaurant was fairly full for early evening and by the time we left it was packed to the brim with both locals and expats alike. The menu was fairly simple but it was clear when we walked in that the 'Cavoador' was a must, there were several already served to tables. We placed our order of 2 'Cavoadors' to share between 4 of us, a Steak on a Hot Rock and a Frango. The 'Cavoador' can be likened to a mini 'braai' which is placed onto the table top. It has hot coals inside it to cook your prawns, steak or chicken or you can have a combo of ingredients. The steak for both the Hot Rock and 'Cavoador' turned out to be the most delicious fillet steak, it was so tasty and tender - 'deliciosa'! We were also served a plate of fruit: banana, papaya and pineapple to cook on the 'Cavoador' which was very interesting. The side dishes were salad and chips and were of the quality normally served in Maputo. This experience is definately a must, what a wonderful way to share a meal. True social eating! Prices were run of the mill for wines, food and beer at about 700mtns p/head. Manjar Dos Deuses can be found at 162 Julius Nyerere, between Mia Casa and the Polana Shopping Centre but on the opposite side of the road. Its easily seen by the neighbouring building which has a lit up blue and yellow sign and says Teixere ..... or something along those lines!!

16th July '08 - '1908' Restaurant

In celebration of 2 birthdays in our group, we decided to have a special dinner and to try out '1908'. Unfortunately we ended up having a VERY disappointing evening, this was partly our fault. We arrived without having booked and found that the entire venue was booked for a private function but the hostess made us feel as welcome as she could and placed us at a table outside in the courtyard. The weather wasn't too cold and the table was beautifully set but a very attentive waiter, the sad thing was that we never experienced '1908' at all. We had a nice meal, the Xacuti Curry was tasty and reasonably priced, the pizza was good and also reasonably priced and then came the horror or all horrors ...... the men ordered a whole chicken and one of our lady's ordered a half chicken. The chicken was tasty but the price charged on our bill was enough to make you feel like you'd choked on a chicken bone! '1908' tried to charge us 420Mtn for a whole chicken. Admittedly there had been a little confusion - we were presented with 2 menus when we sat down - the outside menu and the a la carte menu. The outside menu priced a half chicken at 85Mtn, which is very reasonable and the a la carte chicken just said 'grilled chicken' 210Mtn. So comparing the 2 menus we understood that 'grilled chicken' was a full chicken at that price .... we have never paid more than that for a full chicken anywhere in Maputo so far. On presentation of the bill the waiter tried to tell us that the 'grilled chicken' was a half chicken and that the boys had all ordered double portions and so were charged double and we were charged the 'grilled chicken' price of 210Mtn for the half chicken ordered! It took quite a fight to eventually come to an agreement on price so it was a sad end to the evening. I do think we would try and go there again but it would be with caution. The menu was reasonably priced so we don't understand the logic on the Mozambican staple, 'Frango'. '1908' is situated on the corner of Eduardo Mondlane & Salvador Allende and our recommendations would be: 1. Book before you go (Tel: 21 424 834) and 2. Don't have chicken until you confirm the price! The one consolation is that everytime I've tried to book a table at '1908' the restaurant has been full and they do cater for a lot of functions.

Gelati, Ice Cream Parlour

This Ice Cream Parlour can be found on Julius Nyerere next to the Xenon Cinema and they serve the yummiest, creamiest ice cream in some absolutely delicious flavours. We often find ourselves there after dinner for a little dessert. The boys have discovered the Whisky Cream flavour and they love it and us girls seem to stick to the various chocolate flavours, as girls tend to do. 'Mecroche' tastes like Ferro Roche chocolates and it gets the taste buds going just thinking about it. There are fruity flavours, lots of different chocolate flavours and several unusual but delicious looking flavours. You can have a taster, they'll allow you 3 tastes with those little tasting spoons. Gelati is an absolute must if you like ice cream, it's a truly YUM experience.

2nd July 2008 - Vintage India

After an interesting Indian evening at Khana Khazana, we decided to try Vintage India to see how their food and ambience compared.

We had a slightly over-ambitious waiter who enjoyed pointing at each of us in demand of what we would be ordering which was a little overbearing but until our food orders were taken he was most efficient. Thereafter however, he seemed to disappear into the kitchen not to be seen again until our meal was served. The drought did not go down well.

The food was excellent though, the selection of dishes on the menu were clearly described with heat indicators and various choices of meat with which to have your sauce. We chose Prawn Vindaloo (not outrageously hot); Chicken Xacuti; Tawa Chicken; Chicken Hyderabadi; Chicken Rogan Josh and Chicken Kolhapuri and all the dishes were delicious. The Jeera Rice was also very tasty but all dishes are served with steamed rice so once again there was too much food on our table.

Pricing was pretty average at 500Mtn per person including our drinks and starters. The 2M was top of the pops as usual and the Nederburg Duet was very smooth. A small tip with regard to the possibility of a drought is to order 2-3 beers each and ask for a wine bucket to keep them cool.

Vintage India was very busy and there was a nice ambience and it is definately worth a visit before you venture to Khana Khazana. Vintage India is situated on Julius Nyerere No. 450. There are also branches in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

18th June '08 - Khana Khazana

It was wonderful to enjoy a restaurant in Maputo that is slightly off the beaten track. Khana Khazana is a typical indian style restaurant with round tables and white table linen. We had wonderful service from both the Maitre D' and the waitrons and we ate a feast of tasty, relatively authentic indian dishes. We got incredibly carried away much to the delight of the Maitre D' and ordered far too much food under his gentle skills of persuasion. We had starters of a paper roti and Bhaji's which were wonderful, unfortunately the accompaniments were an excellent green chilli pesto and 'KETCHUP' ...... oh dear ...... For our main meal we each ordered a dish with side dishes for the table and shared. This proved to be far too much food so we had loads of leftovers. We had a chicken korma, butter chicken, chicken marsala, do plaza, a prawn curry, a balti dahl with 2 types of rice and the seven breads platter. All the curries were tasty but lacked the kick you would expect from some of the dishes. Unfortunately the restaurant was quite quiet and didn't serve draft beer and they ran out of cold 2M bottles. There was no South African wine on the menu so we had the J.P. Chenet which was not bad. Our total bill was a little high due to our overambitious ordering. The seven breads dish was way too much and we could have easy done with only 4 main dishes to share between the 6 of us. Khana Khazana is situated at 580 Patrice Lumumba Avenue, near the Monte Carlo Hotel in Maputo. It is definately worth a visit.

11th June '08 - Cristal

We had a wonderful evening laden with surprises! As we arrived at Cristal Restaurant we noticed that they were inundated with crowds on their patio and pavement area. Initially we thought there was no way we would be able to get inside and started to feel disappointment rise, but as we got closer we realised that Cristal has 2 massive screens and were showing the Portugal vs. Czech Republic game of the Euro 2008 and with a 3-1 victory there were lots of victory shouts. This created the most wonderful ambience inside, it was great fun. When we walked into the restaurant it wasn't anything like we expected. It wasn't the typical cafe style restaurant, it was classy with linen table cloths and an upmarket feel. We were served delicious hot bread rolls with butter (which we were billed for, thought this was a little cheeky) and ordered our meal. Only one starter was order - rissois and chamussa, which were really good and for mains we had an interesting selection of meals. We had exotic prawn curries that were different but very tasty, it was a sweet curry. We also had a seafood rice dish which could be described as a Mozambican gumbo. It was made for 2 but was a huge pot of food and our other 2 diners had meat - 1 had a fillet steak and the other a prego steak and both enjoyed their meals. The only item missing from the menu was Mozambique's famous whole/half chicken. Service was good initially but faded away until we had to demand attention. The average price of our main courses was 260MTn. The girls enjoyed a Boschendal Lanoy which was not listed on the menu but available when we asked if they stocked any South African wines. Cristal is well known for its pastelaria which stocks a wonderful selection of breads and delicious pastries, my favourite being the Pasteis de Nata and the bakery stays open until late at night. This was a great opportunity to buy fresh bread for breakfast the next morning.

Cristal is situated on 24 Julho, no. 554 and is easily recognisable by its large bright blue awning. Cristal also has a coffee shop within its pastelaria which makes it a great place to connect for a quick coffee.

7th June '08 - Mundo's

Where better to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon in Maputo and to watch rugby on the BIG screen ..... but Mundo's. Mundo's has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere, a nice buzz and serves great 'pub-grub'. The service was efficient and attentive. The food was above average, tasty and prices were what you would expect in Maputo. The starters were appetising, we chose nachos and garlic pizza breads. The pizza starter was very more-ish. For mains we shared pizzas that were made with a delicious, thin, crispy base, there was an order for a whole chicken and a thai chicken wrap. The whole chicken won lots of praise. The boys continued supporting CDM enjoying the 2M drafts, while the girls once again enjoyed the red wine on offer, Tall Horse. The prices were slightly above average but by no means expensive. We had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and the cherry on the cake was South Africa's win against Wales. Well Done Bokkies!!! Mundo's is situated at 657 Julius Nyerere Avenue, Maputo.

28th May '08 - Piri Piri Restaurant

Piri Piri is famous for its Chicken so that was what most of us ate and it lived up to its reputation, the chicken was excellent. The menu was quite substantial serving all the typical Maputo fare and the prawns were also very good. There was an interesting item on the Starter's Menu, 'Hot Piri Piri Peanuts' so we decided to give those a go along with Chamussas, Rissois and Moelas. The peanuts were delicious, quite spicy and would make a perfect accompaniment to your beer while watching the Crusaders win the Vodacom Super 14 on Saturday! Prices were good - starters, main course and coffees plus lots of beer (served in lovely draft glasses) and a bottle of Zonnebloem Shiraz for the girls came to 550mts per person. The atmosphere was relaxed and cafe style with no frills. It was clean and quite busy. The service was excellent, the waiters spoke good English and were constantly on the periphery (but very unobtrusive). Once again Philip Roos joined us for dinner and this is what he had to say: "Another good night out with the gang!! Thanks guys!! Piri Piri has good quality food, especially the starters. Service is running in excellent screensaver mode, non obtrusive but effective. Piri Piri nuts were awesome!! Came for dinner and found 6 nuts and some hot chicks!" Piri Piri is situated on 24 Julho opposite the Polana Shopping Centre.

Sunday, 25th May '08 - Costa do Sol Restaurant

Costa do Sol is one of the most famous restaurants in Maputo and the full house and buzzing atmosphere for Sunday lunch pay homage to that. Costa do Sol is popular with locals, expats and tourists alike and they arrive with all the family to soak up the sea breeze and the delicious seafood and chicken on offer. The service was excellent with plenty waiting staff to see to your needs, the food was all very good, the chicken was the hit of the day but nothing was below par. The boys entertained everyone by drinking 'giraffes' of 2M which is a long 3L draught of beer on tap that they bring to the table - a great one for the touristas! The wine of the day was Boschendal Blanc de Blanc which was lovely. We had starters, mains and desserts and drinks of course for 600mts per person - not too bad. The restaurant also overlooks the beach and Xefina Island so it is definately worth a visit and we would recommend lunchtime on the weekends as the view lends a lot to the atmosphere at Costa do Sol.

14th May '08 - Big Blue Restaurant & Sushi Bar

On this occasion we went on what we've called a 'Magical Mystery Tour'. We didn't have a specific restaurant in mind but as there are hundreds in Maputo we decided to meet at the Maputo Waterfront bar for a drink and then decided there and then where to go. Big Blue was chosen as it had come recommended by a friend, so off we went. The restaurant is situated on about the 5th floor of the Maputo Shopping Centre. The shopping centre is fairly new and VERY bling with lots of interesting shops, many of which are designer boutiques. Big Blue was a little too open to the shopping centre for our liking so you were always aware that you were having a meal in a food hall of a shopping centre, not great. The decor was modern and clean and really nice. The staff were initially attentive and then completely disappeared which was a shame. The menu had a lovely choice of food (mainly Seafood) and it all looked really delicious and in fact all our meals were very good. The Sushi was not the best we'd ever eaten but it was not bad by any means. In fact the bad service had a particularly big impact on this meal as whenever something was needed from the waiters to complete our meal, they'd disappeared again. The prices weren't too bad a little more high end, the wine was a bit expensive, the meal was 700mts per person for shared starters, main courses and drinks. Shame about the setting and the service, it could be one of the best restaurants in Maputo.

Leon's Birthday - Sophie's Restaurant, Matola

Sophie's is Leon's favourite restaurant and one we have frequented often and one that deserves a mention on our Blog. Sophie's is a small, South African run restaurant in Matola. The service is friendly and always good, although they do need a little nudge every now and then and it's always wise to double check your order as you place it. The ambience is warm and cosy. The restaurant is clean and the food is always very good. The menu is vast, you will find local fare, pizza, shwarmas, burgers, chicken schnitzel and much, much more. The portions are always generous and we have enjoyed every meal there. They also do a Seafood Platter which is generous, priced fairly and delicious. Prices across the board are fair, your tummy will be full and you'll want to go back for more. Sophie's can be found in Matola near to Shoprite. At the Shoprite traffic lights on the Maputo road, turn right, take your first left and turn almost immediately right into a small shopping complex, head towards the end of the car park and you'll see Sophie's on your right.

30th April '08 - Por Do Sol, Matola

Only 4 of us, as 2 decided to disappear to the sunny shores of England!!! Por Do Sol is a local Mozambican restaurant, it is very clean and neat with very bright lights. We all had starters, mains and desserts which came to 600mts per person, quite reasonable. The food was above average, the Frango and Lulas (Chicken and Calamari) were good and the Rock Cod in Sauce was excellent. The prawns weren't great, a little fluffy! The service was excellent with all the waiters on the ball! The beers flowed well and the Zonnebloem Merlot was lovely. Por Do Sol is situated in Matola. At the Shoprite traffic lights on the Maputo Road, turn left, take the first right and the restaurant is above a shop almost immediately on your left.

23 April '08 - Docks Restaurant, Club Naval

Docks has both a formal inside dining area and a more informal, relaxed outside dining area. We chose to sit outside in the cool breeze overlooking the Maputo bay and watching the most incredible full moon rise. Club Naval charges an entrance fee of 20mts per person which must be paid by everyone including diners. The waiters were excellent, friendly and on the ball, we did however spot an error on our bill, we were charged for an extra bottle of wine - so keep your eyes peeled! The food was variable. The Oysters were fresh and delicious. The Rock Cod was very good, the Prawns were good but unfortunately the Barracuda was very dry and frankly quite awful. Seafood platters were also ordered and these were good apart from the Barracuda 'Cuta' on the plate. Cost was on the upper side at 700 mts per person, this included lots of beers for the boys and a bottle of Nederburg Baronne (nice wine) for the girls. One again we had Guest Diners and this is what they had to say: "Great food even better company - Burn the Brandy, Drink the Beer, Swallow the Oyster and Pay the Bill. Bom viage Maputo Bay!" Fanie Venter (sadly, he left us to move to Singapore); and "Small portion ..... more plate than platter, but a good welcome back to Mozambique. My fish did go walking and ended up under someone else's prawns .... no use hiding from destiny though!" Philip Roos Docks Restaurant is inside Club Naval which is situated on the Marginal.

16th April '08 - Inter Thai Resturant

Now this is a Gem and a must whether you live in Maputo or are just visiting. We have been back several times and the food is always excellent. The restaurant is set in a garden under the most enormous Sausage Tree complete with Koi Fish pond. It is a lovely setting, quite a relaxed and romantic atmosphere. The service is generally good the only flaw being that they don't allow any time between starters and your main course, so you can feel a little rushed. The prices are a little upper mid-end. We would definately recommend the Satay Chicken and Tempura Veg starters and give the cheese spring rolls a miss, they were good but boring compared to the traditional Thai dishes on offer. For main course the hit meal was the Red Curry Special but all the meals were EXCELLENT. The drinks were a little slow, the 2M was good as always and the red wine, Boschendal Pavillion, Shiraz/Cab Sav was excellent.

InteThai is situated on Rua Mateus Sansoa Muthemba, off Julius Nyere - beware of the one-way system around here. InterThai is closed on Monday evenings.

We had a Guest Diner with us and this is what he had to say: "Very relaxed, laid back atmosphere. The live entertainment was a bit dead because the wind wasn't blowing through the bamboo as it usually does. The food was very good, something for everyone's taste. Will come again and recommend it as a MUST when visiting Maputo." Jean Holder

2nd April '08 - Pirata Restaurant

This restaurant often caught our eye so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately we weren't blown away. Service was a little slow and the food was not of the standard Maputo usually has to offer. The restaurant itself was clean with a nice little bar, it was airy and open onto the street, which offered a constant flow of hawkers. Pirata is located on Julius Nyerere, diagonally opposite the Polana Shopping Centre.

19 March '08 - El Greco Restaurant

El Greco came highly recommended for its excellent pizza. It is an old and well-known Italian restaurant that is centrally located in Maputo, it has old decor and beautiful parque floors. The pizzas were excellent and well priced, the service was very attentive and I think they were horrified by how many drafts of 2M they served our table. The girls enjoyed a good red wine. As I said prices were generally reasonable but we did find the Calzone pizzas rather pricy and a little too cheesy. El Greco can be found on Julius Nyerere opposite the Polana Shopping Centre.

12 March 2008 - Escorpiao Restaurant

This is a portuguese restaurant with a large, open dining area, white table cloths and a constant buzz. It is very popular among the local portuguese, which is always a good sign. We had a good meal there: a couple of the guys had a steak on a hotrock that was very good and distinctly different. The seafood was good as always and the wine and beer flowed. Prices were average for Maputo. Escorpiao is situated on Av. 25 Septembro