In the past few years fast-food places have sprouted up all over Cairo Road as well as at Northmead and Manda Hill. Here, pizza chains, Nandos and Subway vie for attention with Creamy Inn and Chicken Licken. However, for something good you'll have to go a little further afield.

If you're on a tight budget, then you will want to buy supplies from the shopping centres and cater for yourself. See Shopping: food and drink for details of these. The surprising lack of street-food stalls is the result of a controversial policy introduced in 1999 banning all vendors from the streets of the city.

If you've more to spend, Lusaka has an increasing number of restaurants, and a high turnover of new ones. Fortunately, the rate of new ones opening seems to slightly outstrip the rate at which others close. Inevitably my recommendations are soon obsolete, so do ask around for what's new, or buy a copy of The Lowdown for the best of the latest restaurants. Do remember that menu prices are frequently quoted without VAT (17.5%) and service (10%).