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Business Dining Guide

A curated selection of restaurants suitable for business lunches, client dinners, corporate entertaining, and professional meetings in Zimbabwe.
Booking Tip: For business meals, always reserve in advance. Request a quiet table when booking. Confirm dietary requirements with your guests beforehand.

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Harare

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Fine Dining & Upscale

La Fontaine

Location: Meikles Hotel, Jason Moyo Ave Cuisine: French fine dining Price: $$$$Why It Works for Business:
  • Prestigious hotel setting
  • Discreet, professional service
  • Private dining areas available
  • Excellent wine list
  • Classic atmosphere for important meetings
Best For: High-level meetings, client entertainment, celebrations Reservations: +263 24 225 2720Dress Code: Smart business attire Typical Cost: $50-80 per person with wine

The Pavilion at Meikles

Location: Meikles Hotel Cuisine: International Price: $$$Why It Works for Business:
  • All-day dining flexibility
  • Professional environment
  • Good for breakfast/lunch meetings
  • Reliable quality
Best For: Business breakfast, lunch meetings Reservations: +263 24 225 2720Dress Code: Smart casual to business Typical Cost: $25-40 per person

Victoria 22

Location: Avondale Cuisine: Contemporary African Price: $$$Why It Works for Business:
  • Modern, sophisticated setting
  • Unique menu showcases Zimbabwe
  • Good for impressing international visitors
  • Smaller, intimate venue
Best For: Client dinners, hosting visitors Reservations: RecommendedDress Code: Smart casual Typical Cost: $35-60 per person

Fishmonger

Location: Sam Levy’s Village, Borrowdale Cuisine: Japanese, seafood Price: $$$Why It Works for Business:
  • Quality consistently high
  • Upscale shopping center location
  • Good for informal-formal balance
  • Excellent fresh seafood
Best For: Semi-formal dinners, team meals Reservations: +263 24 285 0000Dress Code: Smart casual Typical Cost: $30-50 per person

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Business Casual & Working Lunches

Amanzi Restaurant

Location: Borrowdale Cuisine: African fusion Price: $$Why It Works for Business:
  • Beautiful garden setting
  • Showcases Zimbabwean cuisine
  • Relaxed but professional
  • Good for longer discussions
Best For: Relaxed business lunches, team outings Typical Cost: $20-35 per person

Pariah State

Location: Avondale Cuisine: Gastropub Price: $$Why It Works for Business:
  • Craft beer selection
  • Quality food
  • Modern, relaxed atmosphere
  • Good for younger professionals
Best For: Informal team dinners, networking Typical Cost: $15-30 per person

Coimbra

Location: Various locations Cuisine: Portuguese/Seafood Price: $$Why It Works for Business:
  • Reliable quality
  • Good portions
  • Professional service
  • Seafood specialty
Best For: Client lunches, team meals Typical Cost: $20-35 per person

Chang Thai

Location: Sam Levy’s Village Cuisine: Thai Price: $$Why It Works for Business:
  • Consistent quality
  • Quick service
  • Good vegetarian options
  • Light lunch option
Best For: Quick business lunches Typical Cost: $15-25 per person

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Business Breakfast Spots

Early Meetings & Breakfast:
RestaurantLocationOpensBest For
Meikles PavilionCBD6:30amExecutive breakfast
Cafe NushMultiple7:00amCasual meetings
Freshly GroundBorrowdale7:00amQuick coffee meetings
Hotel restaurantsVarious6:00-7:00amEarly meetings
Breakfast Meeting Tips:
  • Book for 7:30-8:00am to avoid rush
  • Most business hotels offer excellent breakfast
  • Confirm if client prefers continental or full English

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Private Dining & Groups

For Larger Groups & Events

Private Dining Options:
VenueCapacityBest For
Meikles Hotel10-100+Corporate events, board dinners
Wild Geese Lodge20-50Unique setting, colonial mansion
Amanzi15-30Garden events, team dinners
Rainbow Towers20-200Conferences, large groups
Booking Private Events:
  • Book 2-4 weeks in advance
  • Discuss set menu vs. à la carte
  • Confirm AV requirements if presenting
  • Clarify payment arrangements (corporate account, single bill)

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Victoria Falls

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Business Entertainment

The Livingstone Room

Location: Victoria Falls Hotel Cuisine: Fine dining Price: $$$$Why It Works for Business:
  • Most prestigious venue in Victoria Falls
  • Colonial elegance
  • Impeccable service
  • Terrace with falls view
Best For: High-level entertainment, special occasions Reservations: Essential - +263 83 284 4751Dress Code: Smart (jacket suggested for men at dinner) Typical Cost: $60-100 per person

The Palm Restaurant

Location: Ilala Lodge Cuisine: International/African Price: $$$Why It Works for Business:
  • Excellent quality
  • Intimate setting
  • Close to falls
  • Wildlife may wander through!
Best For: Client dinners, relaxed business meals Reservations: +263 83 284 4737Dress Code: Smart casual Typical Cost: $40-60 per person

The Boma - Dinner & Drum Show

Location: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Cuisine: African buffet Price: $$$Why It Works for Business:
  • Unique cultural experience
  • Good for team building
  • Entertainment included
  • Memorable for visitors
Best For: Team events, entertaining visitors, incentive groups Reservations: Essential - +263 83 284 4566Note: Very casual, includes interactive drums - not for formal business Typical Cost: $65 per person (all-inclusive)

The Lookout Cafe

Location: Batoka Gorge Cuisine: International Price: $$Why It Works for Business:
  • Spectacular views
  • Memorable setting
  • Good food, relaxed vibe
  • Sundowner perfect
Best For: Informal meetings, impressing visitors Reservations: Recommended for sunsetDress Code: Casual Typical Cost: $25-40 per person

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Quick Business Options

RestaurantTypeBest ForPrice
Three MonkeysInternationalCasual lunch$$
Dusty RoadPubInformal catch-ups$
Hotel restaurantsVariousConvenience$$-$$$
Victoria Falls Business Dining Tips:
  • Most business entertainment happens at hotel restaurants
  • Book sunset tables 2+ hours before sunset
  • Staff are used to hosting corporate groups
  • Consider combining dinner with sunset cruise

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Bulawayo

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Business Venues

Bulawayo Club

Location: CBD, Historic building Cuisine: International Price: $$$Why It Works for Business:
  • Historic gentleman’s club setting
  • Professional atmosphere
  • Private dining rooms
  • Traditional service
Best For: Formal meetings, traditional business dining Reservations: +263 29 260 031Dress Code: Smart business Typical Cost: $30-50 per person

Cattleman Steakhouse

Location: Suburbs Cuisine: Steakhouse Price: $$Why It Works for Business:
  • Quality steaks
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • Good portions
  • Local favorite
Best For: Client dinners, casual business Typical Cost: $20-35 per person

Other Bulawayo Options:
RestaurantCuisineBest For
Indaba Book CafeLight mealsCasual meetings, coffee
Cresta ChurchillHotel diningConvenience
Nesbitt CastleInternationalUnique setting

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Business Dining Etiquette in Zimbabwe

Cultural Tips

Before the Meal:
  • Host typically pays (clarify in advance if splitting)
  • Arrive on time or slightly early
  • Greetings are important - take time for pleasantries
  • Business cards still commonly exchanged
During the Meal:
  • Let host or most senior person lead ordering
  • Pace yourself to match others
  • Business discussion typically comes after ordering/first course
  • Avoid controversial political topics
Payment:
  • The person who invited typically pays
  • Tipping: 10-15% if service not included
  • Credit cards accepted at business-level restaurants
  • Have USD cash as backup
Dress Code:
  • When in doubt, dress more formally
  • Men: Collared shirt, long trousers minimum
  • Women: Business casual to professional
  • Safari/casual wear not appropriate for business meals in cities

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Quick Reference by Occasion

OccasionHarareVictoria Falls
High-level meetingLa FontaineLivingstone Room
Client entertainmentVictoria 22, FishmongerPalm Restaurant
Team dinnerAmanzi, CoimbraThe Boma
Quick lunchCafe Nush, Chang ThaiThree Monkeys
Breakfast meetingMeikles PavilionHotel dining
Impressing visitorsVictoria 22Lookout Cafe (views)

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Booking Tips

Making Reservations

What to Specify:
  • Number of guests
  • Time required
  • “Business meeting” or “client entertainment”
  • Quiet table request
  • Any dietary requirements
  • Payment arrangements (if corporate account)
When to Book:
  • Fine dining: 1-2 days minimum, week+ for weekends
  • Business casual: Same day often fine, but call ahead
  • Groups 6+: Always book in advance
  • Private dining: 1-2 weeks notice
Confirming Details:
  • Reconfirm morning of reservation
  • Provide mobile number
  • Arrive 5-10 minutes early
  • Have backup restaurant in mind
Last updated: January 2025