Dusty Road Township Experience
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Hours
Sun
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Mon
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tue
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wed
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thu
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, African, Healthy, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Location and contact
Is this restaurant a hidden gem or off-the-beaten path?
Details
About
Our food is cooked the Zimbabwean way, on open fires and in cast iron pots and ovens, giving you an authentic wholesome and tasty traditional food experience. The Dusty Road style is cheerful, earthy, soulful and funky with a true purpose at its core. Our aim is to improve the livelihoods of the families in this town through exposure to our visitors and the transcendental gift of human interaction
PRICE RANGE
$25.00 – $35.00
CUISINES
African, Healthy
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Buffet, Seating, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
209 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
11
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
7
edenmiller
Bronx11 contributions
Jan 2020 • solo
I am so happy to have had this meal tonight in Vic Falls township section, put together by owner Sarah, and her genuinely lovely staff, especially Oprah and Norma. As you drive into the neighborhood you feel the touristy world fall away, and pass by homes and families in their yards. Arriving at the gate, you walk into a wonderland of found and vintage whimsical objects, such as a metal goat sculpture on top of a gutted turquoise car chassis, and flour sacks as wallpaper on the fence.
You wind your way in, where Oprah greets you and, if you’re interested, introduces you to a variety of herbs, berries, and grains that will make up your meal. There’s even a homemade aperitif (non alcoholic) served in recycled bottles cut and made into glassware.
After your tour, a prix fixe set tasting menu is offered and explained. All the items are versions of traditional Zimbabwean foods, but combined by a chef with a real sense of flavor combinations and ameliorated flavors. I believe Oprah is also responsible for the lovely, bright and light dessert offerings as well.
Truly an exceptional meal in a beautiful setting, plus the delight in an ingredient education tour. I hope Sarah- the warm owner so obviously invested in her staff, community, and neighborhood- succeeds wildly.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlilford
Thank you so much for your lovely review! I so appreciate the time you took to explain it - so well!
The garden has grown so much since January with all the rain we have had.
Although quiet at the moment being the off season I too hope we get extremely busy. It's such a beautiful little place!
Best Wishes and have a fantastic 2020! With love from us all
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anastasia M
Moscow12 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
Unique and delicious experience. All dishes are made the traditional way with local produce that comes both from the wild and from the local crops. The staff is very welcoming and attentive and before you get seated you get a presentation of what the food you are about to eat is made out of. As a bonus you get a welcome drink. The restaurant is environment friendly - most of interior is made of recycled materials - old things get a new life here. For example glasses are made of old bottles. It also supports the community - local artisans make exclusive souvenirs that can be bought in a gift shop located inside the restaurant.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlilford
Thank you so much for your review. I am sorry for the late reply. I seem to have been lost in time! We are so pleased you enjoyed your time here. Take care and pop in again the next time you are in this neck of the woods! Best Wishes from us all
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
zoec1234
London90 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Dusty Road is located in a local township away from Victoria Falls tourist area; when you open the gate you are welcomed by fantastic décor made of recycled/reused items; followed by a introduction by Opa (excuse spelling) to the local berries and grains etc that they will use in your meal that evening. The meal was delicious and great to experience local food. It’s great to see that it’s all local women working at Dusty Road – girl power!
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlilford
Girl Power indeed at Dusty Road! Thank you for your review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your experience. Orpha Muza is Mama O's full name. She is an incredible woman with so much knowledge on our wild edibles and local food.
Best Wishes and enjoy the rest of 2020 - With love from us all at Dusty Road
Written March 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BooPeel
Victoria Falls1272 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
Dusty Road Township Experience is located in Chinotimba, just outside of Victoria Falls Town and is the place to go for a truly authentic Zimbabwean meal. It is the only one of it's kind in Victoria Falls and has something extremely unique to offer everyone who goes! The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
You'll be able to pick up on the ambience as soon as you arrive. The restaurant is bursting with colour and the whole place is wonderfully quirky! There are local seeds and nuts in a mini "market" for guests to browse over as well as a small but beautiful vegetable garden for the chefs to pick from. There is a little curio shop which sells all sorts of recycled ornaments and other quirky objects. Guests are seated outside underneath a huge mango tree and fairy lights that creates a fresh but warm atmosphere.
The food is absolutely delicious! All cooked in the open where guests can see the chefs preparing the buffet that they will then get their meal from. There is a range if different meats, starches and lots of colourful salads to choose from!
The friendly staff come and explain what is in each of the starters that they serve you, as it's more than likely guests wouldn't have tasted the ingredients before. They will tell you where they gather the ingredients from, and what their medicinal benefits are and so on. The same goes for the local drinks and deserts which they'll be serving! It's an interesting, unique and delicious experience over all, and we highly recommend that everyone goes!
Written April 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey M
Sydney36 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We came across this place by a chance browsing on Google Maps. The reviews seemed very positive so we decided to give it a try.
What has been created here is nothing short of incredible. The atmosphere, attention to detail, support of the local community and food combine to create an experience that you will not forget. It was so good we went back a second time for lunch.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlilford
Dear J,
Sorry for the late response! Lost in time! We loved meeting you and your family and so pleased you enjoyed Dusty Road.
Keep well, keep in touch and have fantastic weekend - love to you all from us all here
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
catalin s
Craiova271 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
It's a bit hard to explain this restaurant. A vision of a 4th generation Zim lady with British descendance. An eclectic collection of used goods and whatever it crosses your mind arranged to create a unique place. Just go open-minded and you won't be disappointed, it has nothing to do with how a restaurant should and normally looks like.
A huge plus, the restaurant IS NOT in the touristic part of Vic Falls, it is located in Chinotimba township. This is real life, this is how locals live, probably this is where much of your hotel staff is living. Don't be afraid, it's SAFE to visit.
Lunch time, in a very hot Saturday, we were the only customers, normally dinners are packed.
The food is amazing. A fix price menu, only local dishes, traditionally cooked, slow cooked food. Plenty of food ... Drinks are to be paid separately.
It's an experience. A highly recommended one.
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacques K
Tring6 contributions
Oct 2019 • none
Hidden away gem. Go to the trouble to find this place. Located in the township you can experience true local cuisine prepared and run by locals. All the ingredients are locally grown and sourced and delicious. The decor is handmade from what most people would bin or dump!! Sara, the owner, has empowered the locals to be part of the business! Keep up the great project! We were entertained by a local youth choir in their unique way!!
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlilford
Thank you so much for your review. We are so pleased you enjoyed our spot! We love it!
Have a fantastic 2020 and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Best Wishes from the Dusty Road Team
Written January 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carolinea1961
35 contributions
May 2022 • couples
Outstanding!! This restaurant is an absolute gem of a place. We were recommended by our trusted travel agent and it did not disappoint. Fortunately for us but unfortunately for them we were the only diners in tonight, which we fully appreciate they did not try to reschedule us, this sums up their level of hospitality. Sarah the owner gave us a lovely tour of her restaurant, it was crammed with quirky pieces, mostly recycled which added to the overall atmosphere of the place. Just wishing I had a big handbag to sneak away the recycled wine bottles they have made into wine glasses. I’m rambling about the decor, but the food was sublime. All explained by mama who explained all the ingredients and sourced locally, which is a major part of their ethos. Our only problem was we couldn’t eat it all, it was too much!!! Very reasonably priced too!!
If you are in Victoria Falls, this is a no brainer, you have to go there.
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johneo_ca
Toronto243 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
I found Dusty Road by browsing the internet for a place to have dinner during our three night stay in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. And as it seemed something more than just a little bit different, I along with two friends, went to have dinner with Sarah Lilford, the owner and founder of “The Township Experience.”
We made a reservation, but to our surprise found we were the only patrons that night, which was great for up but not perhaps for Sarah. On the positive side we told some of our travelling companions and they went the following evening where the restaurant was full. We were lucky to have the attention of Sarah and one of her assistants during our visit. Sarah has a philosophy of use, reuse and re-purpose so everything was second hand or repurposed or both. When I say everything, I mean everything so it was a truly unique place and to call it eclectic was an understatement.
We were treated to tour of the place plus an explanation, by the charming young lady assistant, as to what and where Sarah sources all the various food and drink items she serves. Frankly it went over my head but we did try various items of food and drink before we had our meal.
There is a set menu, which costs USD35, with drinks very reasonably priced. The food was served either by Sarah or her assistant, consisting of a starter tray, four main courses with lots of side dishes and salads; sweets plus local coffees and teas. There was plenty of food. It was a tasting experience and we enjoyed it immensely.
During the meal Sarah asked if some of the local children could come and sing to us. They sang three songs without accompaniment smiled, waived, and trouped out – it was great.
We chatted with Sarah about this and that, and when it came to paying our bill found out that the VISA machine was acting up and so we paid cash. Sarah, to her credit, did offer to come to our hotel to pay the following day but luckily for us we had enought cash and the good old US dollar is still the world’s favourite money, and as it happens, the currency of Zimbabwe.
Give Dusty Roads a try, you will not regret this unique African experience.
Written February 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele Q
United Kingdom1 contribution
Feb 2020 • none
I rarely write reviews but this hidden gem deserves any recognition it can get! I could not find fault in our evening - the staff were lovely, the food incredible, the setting eclectic and the experience uniquely special. Sarah and her team made me feel like a long lost friend that was popping over for dinner at their house.
I could not have been happier to find this special place and experience local cuisine rather than the western food served at pretty much every other restaurant in the area. An absolute must if you are staying in the area!
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlilford
Ahhhh.... what a lovely review - thank you! We loved having you at Dusty Road. It is a very special place.
Take care and please pop in again if you are ever in Vic Falls! Best Wishes from us all
Written March 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ceuro
Lichfield9 contributions
May 2022 • couples
What an incredible experience and meal we had at Dusty Road. Arriving to the most welcoming hosts and learning more about the local ingredients, including the health benefits was really interesting. So many products we’ve never heard of or seen before and I loved we were able to learn more before eating! The restaurant itself is set in the most beautiful courtyard with fire pits for the cooking, and the quirkiest decor, we especially loved the wine glasses! It’s great to see nothing goes to waste here. As for the food, I can honestly say it’s the most delicious meal we ate in our tour around Zimbabwe and Botswana and I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit to anyone in the area. Please do yourselves a favour and venture away from the touristy hotels and restaurants! You won’t regret it. A fantastic place supporting local community, I wish you all the very best and hopefully we will return!
Written May 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lianne M
London36 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We enjoyed our time at Dusty Road from the moment we entered. From the explanation about the different ingredients, to the tour of the whole area, to the food itself, it was a wonderful experience. Given so many other restaraunts in Victoria Falls serve the same type of food, this is something different/unique and more local. One of us was a vegetarian and the options were good. The way the place is decorated is really cool and the women working there very friendly. Highly recommend! Â
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlilford
I am so sorry for the late response. Thank you so much for your review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time here. Take care and best wishes for a fantastic 2020! With love from us all
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sibel A
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • friends
Very disapointing experience. Very small portions of starters, welcome drink only one sip, salad finished before the third person in our party can have some and they would not make a new batch. Granted, the atmosphere is charming, we came a little late, and they did cook a second round of fish for us (after refusing first!) but all in all it was really dissapointing. Plus, the price of 35 USD per person for the meal , and 42 USD for 2 bottles of house wine were REALLY high for what we ate.
All in all, we were 6 in our party and we were all very disspointed in the experience.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon_Alexandra
Bern67 contributions
Sep 2022 • couples
I never thought that I would ever eat like this in Africa. Before it was either very simple local food or international food for tourists. But this is the first time somebody took the traditional food an evolved it in a creative way, even using wild herbs, nuts and fruits from the bush. The result was very interesting, absolutely delicious and worth every penny. There was such a lovely variety in textures and flavours, a real delight!
Also the ambiance was great, all tastefully decorated with upcycled materials, antique furniture and household items as well as a lot of flowers in a beautiful garden. The owner was very friendly and welcoming and you got a lot of information about the food and the country. In the restaurant work mainly local people from the surrounding township, so it is partly also a support for the local community.
A great initiative - wish you all the best to carry forward despite the difficult times because of Covid lying behind you!
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah L
What a lovely review thank you! So pleased you enjoyed it. It’s a special place! Keep well - with love and gratitude from us all at Dusty Road
Written September 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Luvtrvlng
Peoria145 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
This authentic Zimbabwean restaurant experience was an unexpected recommended surprise! We were very happy that we took the recommendation. The setting and ambience is not only authentic but the feeling is very welcoming. The decor is terrific! The food was freshly made and very good, offering a sampling of local cuisine. The service was also great! While dining, a group of local children that the restaurant ownership sponsors, provided surprise entertainment! The mission of the ownership is an added bonus. We really enjoyed the entire evening and highly recommend it for an evening while in Victoria Falls!
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah L
Thanks so much for your support and review...take care and happy travels...warm wishes Mama Sarah
Written August 7, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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