Must-Try Dishes

• Peri-Peri Chicken (Frango à Zambeziana): Grilled chicken marinated with African bird’s eye chilies, lemon, and spices—a national favorite found everywhere from roadside charcoal grills to restaurants.
• Matapa: A stew of cassava leaves cooked with peanuts and coconut milk, often served with rice, and a common home-cooked dish.
• Prego Roll: Garlic steak sandwiched in Portuguese bread—simple but satisfying.
• Pão (Portuguese Bread): Crispy outside, soft inside, essential for breakfast or as a side.
• Cazambe: A cassava flour-based staple, usually served with stews.

Seafood & Flavors

• Tiger Prawns: A Mozambican specialty, best grilled or pan-fried with garlic, and much more affordable than in Europe.
• Grilled Fish & Octopus: Freshly caught and cooked at coastal restaurants, served with lemon and peri-peri sauce.
• Salt Cod (Bacalhau): A Portuguese legacy, commonly used in stews and baked rice dishes.
• Street Food: Chamussas (savory pastries), fried cassava, grilled corn, and bananas.

Drinks & Prices

• Local Beers: Laurentina and 2M are the most popular brands, refreshing and thirst-quenching.
• Cashews & Tropical Fruits: Mozambique is a cashew producer—both fresh fruit and nuts are worth trying.
• Price Guide: Street food costs around 50–150 MZN, casual dining averages 300–700 MZN per person, while seafood feasts can exceed 1,000 MZN per person.

Where to Eat

The Maputo waterfront is lined with seafood restaurants, while the Central Market area is great for street food. Beachside eateries in Vilankulo and Tofo are known for their freshly caught seafood, and resorts in the Bazaruto Archipelago offer refined seafood menus.