Foodie Review: 5 Bulawayo CBD Restaurants That Could Be So Much Better
5 Bulawayo CBD Restaurants We Wish Could Improve
At kwaBulawayo, we celebrate Bulawayo’s dynamic food scene—from sizzling grill spots to hole-in-the-wall takeaways. But sometimes, even places we love can fall short. We’re not here to cancel anyone; we just want our favourite joints to level up and be as amazing as they have the potential to be.
Below are five restaurants in Bulawayo’s CBD that we genuinely adore but believe could seriously benefit from a bit of fine-tuning.
1. Alpha Grill in Belmont – Beauty Isn’t Everything
Alpha Grill in Belmont is a visual masterpiece. With bull skulls sporting real slaughter marks, lush faux grass, and tranquil water features, it’s hands-down one of the most photogenic outdoor dining spots in Bulawayo. Their meals are affordable, and the epic Mzoe 7-approved Kota is reason alone to visit.
But beneath the beauty lies a few issues that dim the sparkle. The most glaring? Inconsistent food availability. If you arrive anytime after 2 PM, you’ll find a depleted menu. Staff mentioned that meals are prepped early to avoid leftovers, which raises questions about freshness.
Then there’s the labyrinthine service setup: first, queue to pay, then walk across the premises, queue again to show your ticket, and finally collect your food before walking back to the eating area. We expected table service, not a buffet-style hustle.
The biggest disappointment is inconsistency in food quality. When the bespectacled boss is around, the isitshwala is perfect, the meat tender, and the salads fresh. But when he’s not? Expect dry rice, watery cucumber soup, and chicken as parched as a Matopo hilltop. We truly hope Alpha Grill maintains its high standards consistently.
2. Barcelos – A Portuguese Dream Deferred
We were thrilled when Barcelos landed in the CBD—finally, a worthy Nando’s rival just across the street. The décor, rustic and romantic, offers a slice of Portugal in Zimbabwe. But the dining experience? Less Lisbon, more letdown.
The first strike: dirty tables and disinterested waitstaff. We sat surrounded by soup stains and crumbs, ignored until we ventured to the counter to place our order. Several menu items were unavailable (half, to be honest), and the meal we did get was forgettable—chalky rice and oil-drenched, overcooked chicken.
Even with a couple romantically proposing nearby (congrats to them!), we couldn’t shake the sense of being an afterthought. Barcelos, we want you to win. But first, clean the tables, train the staff, and improve your kitchen game.
3. Epic Restaurant – Looks Epic, Tastes… Not Always
Epic Restaurant is popular for good reason: it’s big, beautiful, and usually buzzing. The staff are energetic and attentive (sometimes too much—looking at you, Ice Cream Guy who added toppings we didn’t ask for). We love that Epic encourages people to go on food dates in Bulawayo. The vibes? Immaculate.
But the food quality needs work. During two visits, we were served soggy, lukewarm pizzas and overloaded sauces after painfully long waits. The size of the place likely contributes to service delays and dirty tables—it’s simply too much for the current team.
Plus, we’ve heard reports of upset stomachs after dining here (we hope it’s just coincidence). And please, someone retire that sad, crumbly carrot cake in the display case—it tastes like cardboard. Still, Epic’s influence on the local food culture is undeniable. We just want the kitchen to match the energy of the décor.
4. eKhaya – Great Food, But Service Needs TLC
eKhaya might serve the best Russian and chips combo in Bulawayo. It’s big, bold, and hits the spot. With marketing from Madlela and strategic locations near busy terminuses like Hyper and Cecil Hotel, it’s fast, accessible, and made for the people.
But… there’s a big “but.”
The customer experience is lacking. Staff at some branches look unkempt, uniforms unflattering, and hygiene standards inconsistent. The kitchen team often walks through the dining area in greasy aprons—not a good look. And let’s talk about décor: the sit-in restaurant at Bulawayo Centre feels uninspired, like a rushed afterthought.
Despite the amazing food, we believe eKhaya can become a powerhouse brand. If the branding and interior design catch up to the food quality, it could be a Zimbabwean franchise success story.
5. Dickies Restaurant – From Darling to Disappointing
Dickies used to be iconic. The décor was Afro-chic, the menu rich in traditional flavours, and the plating Instagram-worthy before it was a thing. You could feast on road runner, beef stews, and millet sadza while basking in real cultural flair.
Sadly, that Dickies is a distant memory.
Today, the food is a shadow of its former self. We were recently served grainy millet isitshwala, limp vegetables, and meat so tough you’d need a machete—or a catapult. The décor hasn’t aged well, and it seems like no effort has been made to revive the vibe.
Dickies still has brand potential. But it desperately needs new life in the kitchen and a modern refresh to win back its fans.
Final Thoughts: We Critique Because We Care
We created kwaBulawayo to give food lovers a voice—and businesses honest feedback. The growth in Bulawayo’s food scene is exciting, and we want these beloved establishments to reach their full potential.
We didn’t even touch on Fairy Café. We’ll just let social media comments speak for themselves.
Let’s continue to celebrate Bulawayo’s food culture while pushing for better. If you’ve had similar experiences (or better ones!), share your thoughts and reviews with us. Together, we can build a city that tastes as good as it looks.
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