It’s quite simple – if you have ever gone on holiday to the lovely country of Mozambique, then visiting the local Mozambik restaurants is a no-brainer to help quench the cravings, from the jugs of R&R and the atmosphere to the look and feel of the restaurant and, of course, the food! With its roots firmly set in passion and its flavours unapologetically Afro Porto, the Mozambik restaurant group is fast becoming one of South Africa’s leading dining brands.
From its launch as a single store in Ballito 18 years ago, the brand has seen rapid growth over the last five years. This franchise is now taking South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe by storm, totalling 37 stores nationally and three international stores. And, now, of course, this fabulous new store in Pietermaritzburg!
The food is simply perfection every time. I’m a huge believer in supporting consistency and this is one franchise that gets it right no matter which restaurant you visit (we even had a great experience at the branch that opened in Houston, Texas, a few years back). Yes, we are fans!
Sit down, relax, soak in the atmosphere, and order that first jug or one of their fantastic cocktails. Onto starters… it is often the biggest problem deciding what to order, so most of the time, we order as much as we can of different items and share. Firm favourites are the chicken livers, olives stuffed with cashews, prawn and chicken rissoles, we love their snails served in a cheesy garlic and cream sauce and the prawn bilene (six de-shelled prawns, cooked in a creamy cheddar and feta sauce). These are pure cheesy goodness!
For mains, it is always between calamari, prawns and chicken, so most of the time we pick one of the combo sensations! A great suggestion is a quarter chicken, with six medium prawns or the calamari combo, drenched in the must-have peri-peri sauce and served with your choice of coconut rice (you won’t be sorry ordering this – Mozambik’s creamy coconut rice is the bomb!) or, if you want to go more traditional, the real Mozambik-type fresh cut chips (but you cannot go wrong with the mash or a side salad either). And, if hot sauce is not your thing, they offer Garlic, Lemon & Herb options too.
The menu is vast. From the steak, fresh fish, trinchados, pregos, combos, platters and espetadas to their magnificent curries, it’s all really good! Lately, I have also enjoyed their meat or seafood-focused sharing platters. Again, this caters to people who want to get a taste of everything! Long, leisurely lunches or dinners – this is what Mozambik calls for.
In their own words: “Dining at a Mozambik store delivers high-quality and tasty cuisine with an exceptional atmosphere and high service levels. Visiting Mozambik is like a mini holiday, a break, a taste of escape. The menu caters for all tastes. Eating and drinking, whether in a home or on the street, is a way of life in Mozambique – the essence of this is captured in, what we call, our Barracas. No frills, some spills, plenty of laughs, and an appreciation for the wisdom of simplicity. We’re passionate about friends and family coming together over exceptional food and a welcoming experience! This is exactly what we have created – a ‘sink your toes into the sand and sip on cocktails and R&Rs while the sun goes down’ experience.”
033 001 0850
1 Montgomery Dr, Athlone, Pietermaritzburg
Words by Lorinda Scott