Maembe Garden Restaurant — Local services in Kilimanjaro

I’m a tour operator based out of Arusha and heard good things about this place. I visited for the sake of experiencing the place. Took some pictures for our social media posts and our records so we can inform our guests on “Things to do in Moshi” .

Immediately a Junior staff was sent to me to ask to delete all the pictures and that I should refrain from any further photographs to post on my socials. The way this was communicated was rather rude and felt offended so I cancelled my lunch plans there and left. The Asst Manager came to apologise but the damage was done due to the way they behaved and plus I feel very bad that such a beautiful spot will not be enjoyed by my guests as I can’t send people here if patrons are treated in this manner as my guests definitely will take pictures etc.

I understand that they may be sensitive to have the pictures taken but either they should have kept a sign saying No Photography or prompted me while I was taking pictures so I could understand - not come to my table after 10 mins and inform me sternly as if I have done some major stuff against them. Or they should have asked why I’m taking pictures.

In all fairness, service was ok, it was the morning so things were a bit slow, espresso is great and the ambiance is truly beautiful and soothing.

It breaks my heart that we still have bias in this industry while I was just trying to promote this place. Left with a bitter taste but the place is beautiful.

Anyone going don’t...

We visited for dinner at night. Very nice ambience that's also quiet. I bet it's prettier during the day than at night to see the garden and the trees. Surprisingly, there were no mosquitoes. Perhaps because of the cold weather (we visited mid August). The service was excellent, but a bit slow. They have a good variety of local and international dishes. We ordered grilled chicken on skewers (delicious), beef skewers (some parts were soft, others were a bit chewy), kuku mikange (this is a Tanzanian dish that's 1/4 marinated chicken with stir fried vegetables), mbuzi (goat meat. It was chewy), Greek salad (good), and Caesar salad. The Caesar salad wasn't like the Caesar salad that's commonly known, which is lettuce, romano cheese, chicken and croutons. While it came with these ingredients, it also came with diced tomatoes and diced boiled eggs. Not to mention that the dressing that came with it wasn't a Caesar salad dressing. It was like a light mustard or honey mustard. It was the same dressing that came with the Greek salad. Prices are reasonable. But interestingly, they charge you for take away boxes (2000 TSH per box). Apple pay doesn't work here. So, you better have your physical card with you or...

Lovely location and setting. Ideal for an afternoon drink in the lovely garden but would not recommend the food. Dishes were bland and not very tasty and some were cold and at best warm including the chips. I have only eaten here once so my criticism might not be fair because the restaurant could have just been having an off night being a Sunday evening. Staff were friendly and prices good value. As I said before would recommend for late afternoon early evening drinks lovely location...