Eat · Polana (evening)

Piri-piri chicken in PolanaFrango piri-piri na Polana

Grilled piri-piri chicken with chips and rice at a Polana grill: a walk-in dinner by taxi, the standard evening meal; choose the place with the busy grill and agree the sauce heat.

last order: unknownchairsMozambicanNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person: MZN 500–1,200; Mozambican
Hours: unknown; see note below
Walk in: before 19:00; easiest window
Seating: chairs; booking: true
Card: some places; carry cash
Getting there: Polana streets by taxi (choose a busy grill); 3 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Lunch and evening; most close by about 22:00Lunch and evening; most close by about 10:00 PM

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

before 19:00

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Paying

Bring cash

Per person

MZN 500–1,2002026 estimate · check

DirectionsWhat to order ↓

Grilled piri-piri chicken
Taxi in and out
Ask for sauce on the side
Order: Half piri-piri chicken
Table seating
Walk-in window: before 19:00
Queue risk: 19:00–21:00
Bring cash

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…Chapas (shared minibuses) are crowded and not for suitcases

Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
Mozambique ↗Many Western passports are visa-exempt for 30 days but still need an approved travel authorisation from the official evisa.gov.mz portal before departure; it cannot be bought on arrival.
Mozambique ↗Carry your passport or a certified copy at all times; police document checks are common.
Mozambique ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of Cabo Delgado province in the north; check your own government's advice for the exact areas.
Maputo and the Deep South ↗Do not drive between Maputo and the southern beaches after dark; potholes, animals and unlit vehicles make night driving the main road risk.
Maputo ↗Chapas (shared minibuses) are crowded and not for suitcases: use a taxi or a pre-booked car whenever you carry luggage.
Maputo ↗After dark, ride between hotel and dinner even for a few blocks; keep phones and cameras out of sight in the street.
Maputo ↗Do not photograph police, soldiers, government buildings, the port or the airport.

Actions

Map & directions

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

before 19:00: high19:00–21:00: riskyafter 21:00: high

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

A sit-down grill restaurant with charcoal chicken

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 22:00 (quiet).

18:00lightlittle or no wait
19:00heavyexpect a lineBook ahead
20:00heavyexpect a line
21:00busya short wait is possible
22:00quietlittle or no wait

Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and public holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

No shared language? Tap dishes in the order builder below and show the waiter the full-screen list in the local script. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In English	Say or show	Sounds like
Good morning	Bom dia	bom DEE-ah
How much is this?	Quanto custa?	KWAN-too KOOS-tah
Not spicy, please	Sem picante, por favor	sem pee-KAN-tch, poor fah-VOR
The bill, please	A conta, por favor	ah KON-tah, poor fah-VOR
Help!	Socorro!	soh-KOH-hoo
Thank you (man / woman)	Obrigado / Obrigada	oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah
Delicious!	Delicioso!	deh-lee-SEE-oh-zoo

Portions and sharing

Say "meio frango" (half chicken) and ask for the sauce on the side.
Order chips or rice and a salad to share.

Extras, condiments and what costs extra

Extras: Bread and sauce may be charged. — Ask before you accept.
Beer: Prices vary widely. — Check the menu.

Paying and tipping

Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm.

Ask for water and a bill in writing.
Round up for a good service.
Cash and cards at many grills.
Tipping: Not fixed: round up for drivers; 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added.
Check the bill for a service charge before you tip.

At the table

Book a taxi back before dark; do not walk.
Agree the price of seafood before it is cooked.
Drink bottled water and skip ice from street stalls.
Order rice or chips with grills and share dishes.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate

Half chicken, piri-pirimeio frangoThe standard order.MZN 350–700order
Chips or ricebatatas ou arrozA side.MZN 80–200if hungry
SaladsaladaA light side.MZN 80–200if hungry
Prawns (small)camarãoA seafood option.MZN 500–1,200if hungry
Beer or soft drinkcervejaCold.MZN 60–150if hungry

2026 estimate; check the menu.

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

Half chicken, piri-piriorder
meio frango
MZN 350–700
0
Chips or rice
batatas ou arroz
MZN 80–200
0
Salad
salada
MZN 80–200
0
Prawns (small)
camarão
MZN 500–1,200
Contains (from menu notes, check): shellfish
0
Beer or soft drink
cerveja
MZN 60–150
0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm. Local custom: About 10% if no service charge. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Price and paying

Typical spend: MT 500–1,200 per person (2026 estimate)

Paying

Cashyes

Meticais in small notes; the safest method.

Cardsome stalls

Cards at many grills (check).

mpesasome stalls

M-Pesa and mobile wallets are common for locals; visitor use varies (check).

usdrare

Some tourist places take US dollars at a poor rate; pay in meticais.

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

Vegetarianask
Limited to sides; ask.
Show: Não como carne.
Veganno
Very hard.
Halalnot on file
Chicken is halal only if the kitchen says so (check).
Show: Sem carne de porco.
Gluten-freeask
Grills are simple; ask about sauces.
Nut allergyask
Some sauces use peanuts; ask.
Chilli allergyask
Ask for sauce on the side.
Show: Sem picante, por favor.

What is in the dishes

Prawns (small)camarãoshellfish

Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.

Make an allergy and diet card for Maputo →

Who it suits, booking, closures

okSolo — Order a half portion.

goodKids — Plain chicken and chips.

okStroller — Steps at the door (check).

goodGroups of 5+ — Book ahead.

cautionWheelchair — Check for steps.

How to book: Book by phone or walk in early.
How far ahead: A day ahead for groups
No-show / cancel fee: Cancel by phone if you cannot come
Dress code: Casual.

When	Status	Note
Public holidays	check before you go	Short hours.
Weather	check before you go	Storms may close the terrace.

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Restrooms: Restroom on site · accessible restroom: check
Seating: Chairs at tables
Kids: kids' menu: ask · stroller: ok · Plain chicken suits children
Access: step-free: check · Grill restaurants vary; check the door

Hygiene

Choose a place where chicken is cooked to order and served hot.
Ask for bottled water.

Facts

Reservations: Taken — Book for groups; walk-in for pairs (check).
Capabilities: food · seated_rest · toilet
Getting there: Polana streets by taxi (choose a busy grill) · ~3 min walk

Cons

Names and addresses change; choose by the grill and the crowd.
Chilli is strong: ask for it mild.
Take a taxi in and out after dark.

Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check2 parts

Dish glossary

On the menu	What it is	Order it how
Frango	Chicken.	Say "meio frango" for a half.
Piri-piri	Chilli sauce.	Say "molho à parte" for sauce on the side.
Picante	Spicy.	Say "pouco picante" for mild.

Price check

2026 estimate

locals pay: Set menu prices are the same for all; tourist areas cost more than local grills.
tourist price: A service charge may be added.
rule: Round up for a good service.

Extra on the table	Typical charge	What to do
Extras	Bread and sauce may be charged.	Ask before you accept.
Beer	Prices vary widely.	Check the menu.

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

How spicy is piri-piri?

Strong: ask for the sauce on the side and add it slowly.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Do I need to book?

For groups and Friday to Sunday nights, yes (check).

Is it safe to walk back?

No: take a taxi after dark.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby alternatives

walk minutes · estimate

If it is closed or the line is too long

Go to Mercado do Peixe (fish market), about 10 min on foot; no reservation needed.

All places to eat in Maputo, with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in Maputo in 4 days.

Sources

secondaryWikivoyage — Maputo