Namibia Travel > Food and Water

Food and Water

Namibia is a very meat-orientated society. Most restaurant menus in Namibia will feature decadent steaks from one animal or another. In the supermarkets you'll find pre-wrapped fresh fruit and vegetables. You will also find plenty of canned foods, pasta, rice, bread and so on.

Water

The water in Namibia's main towns is generally safe to drink, though it may taste a little metallic.

Alcohol

Because of a strong German brewing tradition, Namibia's lagers are good, the Hansa draught being a particular favourite.

Traditional foodstuffs

Traditional foods eaten in most Namibian homes include; eedingu dried meat, carrots and green beans
kapana bread, mealie pap form of porridge, mopane worms, these are fried caterpillars, often cooked with chilli and onion, oshifima dough-like staple made from millet and oshiwambo spinach and beef.

Where to eat

Windhoek has lots of cafés and restaurants. There are also plenty of fast-food places, particularly in the new shopping malls. There are Italian, Greek, Portuguese and Chinese and even Ethiopian specialities, to name just a few. Many reach a very high standard and make for a particulary induldgent dining experience.

Tipping

Some restaurants will add an automatic service charge to the bill, in which case an additional tip is not necessary. If they do not do this, then 10% would certainly be appreciated if the service was good. At upmarket lodges, tipping is not obligatory. Always tip at the end of your stay, not at the end of each meal. Give what you feel is appropriate in one lump sum

National specialties

Namibia's national specialties are; biltong (air-dried meat), rauchfleisch (smoked meat), game such as antelope, ostrich or zebra cooked on a braai, potjiekos (one-pot bush stew) and Seafood, especially oysters, on the coast.