Eating out in Lesotho is an enjoyable experience with hotels and restaurants catering to all nationalities. Though much of the food is imported from South Africa, it is fresh and tasty. Seafood is in abundance locally and features often on the menus of Lesotho restaurants. Those who enjoy a tasty drop with there meal will be impressed with the quality of the local beer, and finer establishments have a larger range of beers, spirits and wines to choose from.

Lesotho cuisine combines influences from several traditional cooking methods blended with traditions followed by their neighbours.

Our Lesotho Restaurants Guide lists some restaurants that you may wish to visit during your stay. Hit the marketplaces to discover the local ingredients for yourself. More information about markets and other great places to shop can be found in our Lesotho Shopping Guide.

Food & Cuisine in Lesotho

Overview of Basotho Cuisine History

Situated in South Africa, Lesotho is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Before gaining its independence in 1966, Lesotho was a British colony. The European influences are seen in the range of potato-based dishes and sweets.

Meat products and vegetables form the basic ingredients of most food in Lesotho. Meat products in their cooking include lamb and beef, chicken or pork.The dishes also contain a lot of rice and vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes and wild spinach known as Moroho.

Cuisines of Lesotho

Lesotho cuisine is one of the most wide-ranging cuisines in Southern Africa. It includes African cuisine typically having dishes consisting of grains, vegetables, milk and meat. Lesotho cuisine depends heavily on meat as the base of a dish. Rice, maize, mabele and potatoes are the staple foods of this country. Corn is a common ingredient in Lesotho's cuisine. It is used to make the local bread that is usually served with meat-based stews.

Basotho Food Glossary

Obtaining ingredients for a Basotho recipe isn't simple if you do not know their names. It is best to make a list of ingredients along with what they might be called in the local markets.

Preparation Methods for Basotho Cooking

While there isn't any explicit or unique preparation technique for Lesotho cooking. Every traditional dish has a unique and special cooking method, which is essentially the same in all of Lesotho. Meat is one of the most important elements of many of the Lesotho dishes.

Basotho Food Traditions and Festivals

The main national holidays here include Moshoeshoe's Day (March 12th), Independence Day (October 4th), National Holiday (January 28th) and Family Day. Moshoeshoe's Day is when celebrations are held to honour the tribal leader who brought Lesotho into being. New Year's Day, King's Birthday (May 2nd), Easter, Christmas and Boxing Day are a few of the other festivals and holidays.

Restaurants List

Regal Restaurant

The Regal Restaurant is found by the Basotho Hat in Maseru. This is a really nice, non-hotel option. There is a broad variety of Indian dishes on offer.

Type : British Style Indian Cuisine

Address : Kingsway, Basotho Hat Complex- Maseru

Phone : +266 22 31 3930

Opening hours : 18:00 to to 22:00

Good Times Cafe and Restaurant

This is a very popular bar/restaurant in Lesotho. On weekends it is particularly lively and attracts many of the young wealthy movers and shakers of Lesotho. In the week nights though it can be quite quiet.

Type : Variety

Address : LNDC Centre in Kingsway (above the Vodacom shop), in Maseru

Phone : Tel: +266 22 31 7705

Rendevous at Lancers Inn

Ajoined to the Lancers Inn, this restaurant attacts travellers and locals alike. Even King Letsie III has been known to stop by!

Type : A variety of light meals

Address : Kingsway, Maseru

Phone : +266 22 312 114

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 20:00

Mediterranee Restaurant

Ideally located in near Shoprite, you can enjoy a pizza or cup of Filter coffee while watching the hustle and bustle of Maseru Life pass by.

Type : Pizzeria

Address : Near Shoprite

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 16:00

Local time: 07:29:05 AM

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Your Local Connection

Welcome to Lesotho!

Meet Jonathan, Armelle and Steve - your local connection in Lesotho! We are ready to share our local knowledge and secrets with you. As tour operators, adventurers and Lesotho locals, we can identify your needs as a traveller and with the Basotho we are dedicated to making Lesotho a sustainable holiday destination. Contact us before you plan your adventure through Lesotho. Come and experience the beauty, mystique, culture and history of our "Kingdom in the Sky"!

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