13 Restaurants in Eswatini That You Should Visit
Formerly known as Swaziland, Eswatini is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa neighboring South Africa and Mozambique.
It is perhaps best known for being one the last absolute monarchies in the world, its majestic world-record mountains, beautiful nature reserves, and possessing the world’s oldest mine (Ngwenya Mine).
But besides this, Eswatini is also home to a very friendly and peaceful people, and many great places to have food and drinks. Let’s have a look at some of them, in no particular order.
1. Ramblas Restaurant – Mbabane
Address: Mantsholo St, Mbabane, Eswatini
Having won the World Culinary Awards award for Eswatini’s Best Restaurant in 2022, Ramblas Restaurant tops this list. With beautiful décor, a warm ambiance, excellent service, an extensive menu and wine list, this is the place to go if you want to impress.
2. The Albert Millin – Mbabane
M4JV+58V, Gwamile Street, Mbabane, Eswatini
For a youthful pub vibe, try the Albert Millin. With well-prepared pub fare like burgers and pizza, and regular events featuring music, fashion, food and handcraft, you can bet that you will find the cool kids here.
3. 268 Jams
Address: Woodland Shopping Centre Mbabane, Eswatini
Other recently opened venues with a great vibe, food and drinks, include 268 Jams in Sidwashini and Sundeck Rooftop in Mbabane.
4. Gil Vicente – Manzini
Address: Makhaya Convenience Centre Manzini, Eswatini
For excellent Portuguese food, head to Gil Vicente, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the cobble-stoned streets of Lisbon.
Their menu features an extensive selection of fish, seafood, meats, desserts, and wines – the Seafood Platter and the Chocolate Mousse are definitely worth a try. With its restaurant and bar, and adjoining bakery and bottle shop, you can get everything you need for an authentic Portuguese experience.
5. Sundowners Restaurant
Address: MR103 Highway, Malkerns, Malkerns, MR103, Eswatini
Also, worth a mention for their Portuguese prego roll with chips is Sundowners Restaurant in Malkerns. Their recently reopened restaurant and bar has been renovated, but still has a great local bar feel with affordable food and drinks. You can also choose to stay at their Lodge or Backpackers also on site.
6. Sugar Snap Café – Mbabane & Vickery’s Seedlings Coffee Shop & Tea Garden in Malkerns
Eswatini is a natural beauty and many venues take advantage of this beauty with their open-air settings. Levelling up the natural beauty are local garden centres who have used their natural setting to house lovely cafes.
Check out Sugar Snap Café at Carter’s Garden Centre in Mbabane or Vickery’s Seedlings Coffee Shop in Malkerns for delicious coffees and teas, desserts and light meals.
7. Luxy Garden
Address: J52G+P59, Lobamba, Eswatini
If you love Asian food, go to Luxy Garden. Friendly staff and owner, and a wide variety of dishes to choose from Taiwan, China, Korea and Japan.
Definitely worth trying are the Double Cooked Pork and the Szechuan Fire Beef, or for vegetarians the Cold Seaweed Salad and the Earwood Mushrooms.
8. Yoon’s Kitchen
Address: A portion of portion569 of farm no.2 Mbabane, Eswatini
You wouldn’t think that you would find excellent, authentic Korean food in this little country, but Yoon’s Kitchen has gifted Eswatini with its presence. A cozy and unassuming spot, must tries are the Korean BBQ, kimchi, and crispy deep-fried chicken.
9. Malandelas Lifestyle Centre
Address: MR27, Malkerns M204, Eswatini
The Malandelas complex is set on a beautiful family farm in the Malkerns Valley, but despite its agricultural setting, it is one of the country’s entertainment and design hotspots.
You will find a number of shops on-site dedicated to handmade, but high-end, fashion and home decor products, foodie delights, a lovely B&B, a popular restaurant and bar with amazing sunset views, and the eclectic House on Fire, with regular events and concerts, and producer of the famous annual Bushfire International Festival for the Arts.
The venue is constantly evolving, so each time you visit you will find something new, but mainstays on the Malandelas Restaurant menu are their popular Sunday English Roast and the Oxtail, both worth having. This complex is a must visit for tourists and locals alike!
9. Edladleni Restaurant
Address: Lobamba, MR3, SZ Mnyamatsini, Mbabane, Eswatini
Owned and operated by one of the best-known chefs in the country, Edladleni Restaurant is an homage to traditional foods and local produce.
The menu offers a range of Swazi traditional foods, often with a creative twist. Meals are freshly prepared and therefore take a bit of time, but the results are well worth the wait. If you are keen to discover Eswatini’s indigenous foods and love the slow food ideology, you will love Edladleni.
10. Mantenga Lifestyle Centre
Address: D133 Gables, Ezulwini H100, Eswatini
For a cozy little outdoor venue with a variety of restaurants and shops, go to Mantenga Lifestyle Centre. While you’re there pick up some home décor, update your look with some new clothes, buy some handcraft souvenirs or handmade jewelry, and have some great food and drinks from the restaurants located here.
Browse the lovely wine collection at the Wine Boutique, have some authentic Italian from Vesuvio’s, or some hearty meat from the Smoke & Grill, or choose Farm to Table for fresh and healthy offerings and to support local producers they source all their foods from.
All in all, a lovely spot, day or evening.
11. Summerfield Resort and Botanical Gardens
Address: Matsapha, Manzini, Swaziland
Rated #1 accommodation in Eswatini by the Ministry of Tourism, Summerfield resort is indeed a special place.
Elegant and tranquil, you can experience exquisite 5-star villas and fine dining in this idyllic setting in nature surrounded by a number of gardens, lakes and ponds.
12. Velvet Monkey
Address: 49 MR103, Lobamba Ezulwini, H100, Eswatini
A current hotspot, the Velvet Monkey boasts unique and elegant décor, lovely views and warm ambiance, inventive cocktails, and excellent Italian food.
With regular live music and karaoke, you can expect a fun time with the at this spot.
13. Forester’s Arms
Address: 19 National Road Mr Mhlambanyatsi, Mbabane H100 Eswatini
Famous for its epic Sunday brunch with such selection that it literally fills two rooms and spills onto the verandah, Foresters Arms is about a 20-minute drive from Mbabane set in an idyllic forest.
Offering walking trails, horse riding, an excellent restaurant, and a lovely lodge, it’s a great weekend destination for locals and tourists alike.
14. Sibebe Resort
Address: Mbabane, Eswatini
Set atop the world’s largest granite dome, Sibebe Resort offers a unique environment with amazing views for a variety of activities. Swim in their infinity pool, hike, quad bike or zipline, enjoy the Swazi cultural activities, or have some drinks or food in their restaurant.
With conference rooms and accommodation as well, you can bring your business or family here and be equally satisfied. Well worth the climb to the top of this 800m rock!
While Eswatini is a small country, it has many, many wonderful places with a special something, and it would not be possible to mention them all. It is hoped that you are motivated to try these places, and enjoy discovering Eswatini’s other great spots. You can check out this Facebook group to discover even more places and share your experiences. Enjoy!
Related: Most Popular Foods in Eswatini
