On the Menu: 1871 at Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel

Victoria Falls boasts a thriving culinary scene, and 1871 at Stanley & Livingstone dishes up dinner under the stars, a farm-to-fork ethos, and a guest experience to remember.

As you drive into the holiday town of Victoria Falls, you realise it has a warmth, character, and energy all of its own. Obviously, there are the Falls themselves (and the sheer joy of a spray-soaked walk through its unique rainforest), but there is also just so much to see and do.

Wander through the town’s outdoor markets, buying wooden elephants and Nyami Nyamis before heading off on a game drive or sunset cruise – or sign up for bucket list adventures like bungee jumping or white water rafting on Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River.

What many don’t realise is that Victoria Falls is fast becoming a creative culinary destination with a little something for everyone, from fine dining to street food, modern eateries and vibey cafés.

1871 at MORE Family Collection’s Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel is in a league of its own.

The restaurant is open to hotel guests, visitors and locals alike, with a seasonal menu that pairs some of the Cape’s best wines with enduring favourites like beef fillet, venison loin or pan-fried Zambezi bream; must-try traditional dishes like African sadza and nyama (Zimbabwe’s braai or barbecue); as well as a delicious selection of vegetarian dishes.

For Roddy Meiring, General Manager of Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel, there are two things that set 1871 apart.

“Our organic vegetable garden is a huge part of the dining experience at 1871. We’re committed to growing and harvesting fresh, flavourful produce for our kitchen, and this sustainable, seasonal, farm-to-table ethos is evident in every single dish,” says Meiring.

And the second? The restaurant’s beautiful position overlooking the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.

“1871 is a very special space, and guests can choose to dine in the dining room, on the terrace or out in the gardens. And if you’re enjoying an al-fresco meal, chances are you’ll be able to spot wildlife from your table,” says Meiring. “It’s an experience which draws visitors back again and again.”

Yet another drawcard is 1871’s legendary afternoon tea. No visit to Victoria Falls is complete without an afternoon tea, and 1871’s comes with a delicious twist: gin cocktails and other spirited creations alongside pots of tea and a decadent selection of cakes and savouries.

“There is nothing quite like afternoon tea on the terrace,” says Meiring. “It’s popular with both residents and visitors, and you can see why. Children play in our gardens, friends catch-up over a cuppa and visitors soak up the view.”

This is the beauty of 1871. Their breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all-day menus offer a wide variety of choice; a children’s menu means that the whole family is happy; and couples can ask for a romantic dining experience under the stars (complete with flowers, lanterns and a private waiter).

And the name? 1871 refers to the year Henry Morton Stanley (then special correspondent for the New York Herald) found David Livingstone on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

1871 is a place for friends and family to meet, catch-up, rest and recharge – and be rewarded with gorgeous gardens, beautiful views and the warmest of welcomes. As restaurants in Victoria Falls go, you’ll be pleased you discovered 1871.