Experience Harare
Harare is cosmopolitan city with a population of close to 1.7 million people.It has much to offer to a visitor in terms of things to do in around the city.Its a safe and laid back city and obviously it has its own problems like an other big cities in the world. A visit to Harare will be such an experience one will never regret.Visitors have tended to shun visiting Harare because of bad political publicity over the years.
THINGS TO DO IN HARARE
A visit to Harare wont be complete without visiting its numerous world class restaurants that offer both international themed cuisine as well as local restaurants that offer local traditional meals.
TOP CHOICE RESTAURANTS
Chang Thai-Thai
With a Thai owner and chef team, it’s no wonder this place has locals salivating – and perspiring – at the mention of its name. This is the real deal, with green, red and massaman curries all made from scratch with fresh ingredients; it’s some of the most authentic Thai food you’ll find outside Bangkok.
Amanzi
Don some nice threads as Amanzi is a class act and still the special night out. In a stunning colonial house with African decor, local art (for sale) and an amazing garden, it serves delicious international cuisine.Zimbabwe
In a stunning colonial house with African decor, local art (for sale) and an amazing garden, it serves delicious international fusion dishes with a great vibe. The outdoor patio is ridiculously atmospheric with a nearby garden waterfall and crackling fire brazier
Fish Monger-Sea Food
This probably the best sea food joint in Harare. It is situated in Avondale.This atmospheric seafood restaurant in a converted house with a Mediterranean-inspired decor is very popular with locals and foreigners alike. The weekly specials are always worth a look, but otherwise expect the likes of grilled Kariba bream, Cajun blackened calamari or good ol’ fish and chips, to enjoy indoors or on garden tables. Most of the seafood is imported fresh from nearby Mozambique.
KwaMambo-Arts and Crafts
An attractive house-turned-restaurant with a relaxed garden setting, 40 Cork serves quality breakfasts and lunches, and does one of the best coffees in Harare. It is situated in Avondale and they is also a craft shop on site.
Pariah State-Bar
Across the road from Avondale Shopping Centre is this cool little bar that attracts a mixed, friendly crowd of students and professionals. There’s a good choice of drinks, including South African wines and beers. Things get lively Thursday and Friday nights with live bands, while Sundays have DJs playing reggae and hip hop. Also has a few other bars across town.
Pointe-Portuguese
There’s no shortage of authentic Portuguese restaurants in Harare, but the Pointe is one of the very best for peri peri charcoal meats. It’s in a ramshackle, character-filled building busy with regulars tucking into classic Portuguese dishes. Friday nights (from 9pm) is karaoke time.
Coimbra-Portuguese
One of Harare’s best downtown eats is this authentic Portuguese restaurant that’s a perennial local favourite for its saliva-inducing plates of spicy charcoal chicken.
Victoria 22-European
Harare’s best restaurant for fine dining, Victoria 22 is a fairly formal affair with crisp linen and silverware, making it a favourite for well-heeled locals. Set in a colonial house with a classy interior, its outdoor terrace overlooks a swimming pool and manicured lawn. The menu is predominantly Italian, including such local variations as ostrich carpaccio. Reservations recommended.
Tinkabell Restaurant-Portuguese
In a town where there’s fierce rivalry over who does the best peri peri charcoal chicken, Tinkabell gets the local vote as number one. It’s totally out of the way within an industrial area, though making a trip out here specifically for it is justified. It’s that good.
Cafe Veldemeers
Your typical relaxed Harare cafe, where you can enjoy a good choice of breakfasts, toasties and burgers, or heartier mains such as steaks and curries. Its handmade Belgian chocolates are the real attraction, however. It’s opposite Arundel Shopping Centre, which is home to a specialised Veldemeers chocolatier store.
O’Hagan’s-Irish Pub
In a city with not too many drinking options, this Irish pub offers a safe, but generic, environment for a relaxed beer. There’s Guinness on tap, sports on the TV and decent pub grub.
Millers Cafe-Cafe
No longer the buzzing spot it once was, this smart bistro has changed its menu and now specialises in wood-fired thin-crust pizzas, steaks and ribs to enjoy on an outdoor patio. It’s within Sam Levy’s shopping mall.
St Elmo’s-Pizza
A popular family pizza parlour with cheap red wine and unpretentious pizzas (the type you ate when you were a kid)
Garwe-Traditional
Highly recommended by locals, this restaurant has traditional Zimbabwean cuisine served under a thatched roof around a large roaring fire. Lunch draws a busy crowd filling up on sadza(maize-meal porridge) and other dishes, including goat and guinea fowl.
Gava-Traditional
Another popular African themed restaurant situated at Belgravia sports club that offers all sorts of traditional meals.On Sundays they is always a live band playing and its free.The place is popular with both locals and tourist.
Ocean Basket
Mereki
Mereki is one of Harare`s most popular open air braai spot where you can drive park and enjoy.It tends to be busy month end so make sure you go early to catch a nice spot.The road to Mereki is in a bad state at the moment so be patient with your driving.
There also numerous places, top class were you can wine and dine in Harare.It is wise to make reservations as some places tend to be overbooked especially month end and check opening times and dates before hand to avoid disappointments.