Picture yourself at Dhow Restaurant, a smart and exclusive spot with privileged views over the largest suspension bridge in Africa. You have just eaten some cheese and honey chamussas and you are savouring the last shots of white wine. The sun is so striking that you follow its slow descent towards the horizon, while a wash of colour (red, orange, pink, purple and yellow) bathes everything. You feel caught by the magic, and the moment the sun disappears and you take the last sip from your glass, it begins: you want to explore Maputo night life.
You decide to have dinner at South Beach, a modern restaurant set on the sand where the food is delicious, the music is very well chosen, and the sea waves keep you company all evening long. You can stay on for dessert and join the parties held on Friday and Saturday nights, on a wooden deck in the sand with the ocean as a backdrop.
To carry the night on, take a taxi to Botánica, a one of a kind hideaway, a wild pocket in the middle of the city, in the Sommerschield neighbourhood, where the strawberry cake is a real treat. There, in the company of a giant wild fig tree and hundreds of exotic plants, you will have your first drink of the night, with very pleasant background music, settled into one of the many corners this space offers.
Maputo night life for those willing to go local
If you want a bit of action and to dive fully into Mozambican musical culture, you can choose between Xima Bar, where you can learn to dance marrabenta with local people, or the Gil Vicente Theatre, where there is always jazz or popular music playing.
You can also take a look at our free guide, Things to do in Maputo, by Denilson Charviss.
Later, once you have shaken your bones to the rhythms of Maputo night life, you can head for a drink at Dolce Vita, on the city's most exclusive avenue, Julius Nyerere, where the music never stops. It is a good place to make new friends, to dance, or to sit on the terrace and enjoy the show of the day.
To round off the night, we suggest 1908, a colonial house turned nightclub where you can eat in one of its settings, dance in the innermost room, or book a VIP area on one of its terraces while you dance and talk with your friends.
On top of that, every weekend Maputo night life puts on a show in the city centre, behind the town hall where the statue of Samora Machel, Mozambique's first president, stands, or in the lower part of the city at the train station, one of the most beautiful in the world. Live shows are also common along the seafront or in some of the clubs and restaurants there, such as Mar na Brasa, Sixties or Coconuts. Ask your hotel what is happening today, and on Facebook you can look up social events near you over the coming days.
We have picked just nine restaurants that will leave your mouth watering, perfect for getting you ready to enjoy Maputo night life.
The options are almost endless, and there are now places to stay for every budget, which makes deciding where to stay in Maputo a little tricky. Either way, take a look at our suggestions.