Eswatini (Swaziland) Food and Drink

Restaurants are found mainly in Mbabane and Manzini, as well as in tourist areas such as the Ezulwini Valley. Portuguese cuisine – an influence from nearby Mozambique – is popular and features fresh seafood including excellent prawns. Other international food available includes Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian and French. African staples, such as stew and pap, can be sampled in more remote locations and in traditional homesteads and guesthouses.

The time of year and the region of the country will largely determine the ingredients used in local cooking, although staple foods like sorghum and maize are common across the country. Many Swazis are subsistence farmers, supplementing their diet with food bought from local markets including seafood and freshwater produce. There are no formal licensing hours and traditional Swazi beer – tjwla – can be tasted in rural areas. But approach with caution as it packs a punch!