Zambeze — Restaurant in Lisbon

Overhyped, Poor Service, and Disheartening Experience

We came to this restaurant after seeing positive reviews on TikTok, excited to enjoy what we thought would be an authentic Mozambican meal. Unfortunately, the reality was far from it.

From the moment we arrived, the service was below standard. We were initially seated outside, which wasn’t appropriate due to the weather, so we requested to move inside. The waiter was hesitant but eventually obliged. Once inside, we were ignored for a good 15 minutes — even after trying to catch staff members’ attention. In the end, someone from our group had to physically walk over to the counter just to get someone to take our drinks order.

We only asked for water and a jug of sangria, which still took another 15 minutes to arrive. Then came the food wait — over an hour. The restaurant wasn’t even busy enough to justify the delay. And to make matters worse, one of our party was brought a completely different dish without any explanation. Only after questioning it were we told the prawns they ordered were unavailable — an hour later. No communication, no option to choose something else — just a random replacement dish no one asked for.

While they did offer that meal on the house, the gesture didn’t feel genuine, especially given the service up to that point. The bill — ironically — came quicker than our food, and we had to chase someone down for that too. We ended up removing the service charge, and rightly so.

Beyond the food and service, there was something deeper that left us uneasy. The staff dynamic was visibly divided — the higher-level roles and front-facing positions were predominantly white or Portuguese, while the lower roles were mostly Black. As a group of Black diners, we couldn’t ignore the feeling that we were being treated differently. It was subtle, but telling.

Lastly, for a restaurant that claims to be Mozambican, the experience felt completely whitewashed. The food lacked authenticity and flavour, and the overall vibe felt more catered to image than culture.

Disappointed is an understatement. We won’t be returning, and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone expecting true hospitality or...

I stumbled upon Zambeze after searching on Google for a restaurant with a rooftop. Zambeze was mentioned in a Top 10 rooftop restaurants in Lisbon. What attracted me was the Mozambican element to the cuisine. I assumed that meant amazing flavour; I was proved correct!

All the food and drink I had was packed with flavour. I had the fish soup as a starter and the grilled chicken for my mains. Perfect choices. The fish soup was packed with flavour - so seasoned, and the orzo in it was a welcomed surprise. The chocolate cake and ice cream was simple yet perfect. What stood out to me the most was the red wine sangria. I have had MANY sangrias over the years but there was something about the sangria here that completely blew other sangrias out of the water. I need to know what they put in it!

The ambience and location of the restaurant add to how great this place is. We ate on the terrace (covered but technically not "inside") which was between the outdoor rooftop patio and the main dining room. Fabulous views of the city and across the Tejo (the 25 de Abril bridge and Cristo Rei). The staff were friendly and super competent as well.

I will definitely be returning to try...

We were thrilled to host our meet & greet event with 80 guests at Zambeze before our wedding day, and we couldn't have chosen a more perfect venue for the celebration!

The breathtaking view and ambiance truly set the tone for the evening, creating a magical atmosphere that captivated everyone present. The food and drinks were not only delectable but also incredibly accommodating, allowing us to customize the menu to cater to various dietary needs, including allergies and vegetarian preferences. The service provided was exceptional, characterized by warmth, professionalism, and genuine friendliness. Both us, the wedding couple, and all of our guests were enamored by the charm of this place.

Our experience at Zambeze was truly unforgettable, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff for making our event so special. Thank you for your outstanding service and attention to detail.

We are looking forward to the opportunity to visit Zambeze again soon and relish in the wonderful memories created on that...