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.

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.

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.

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.