Three Monkeys – Harare is a franchise of the famous Three Monkeys – Victoria Falls. I say famous because I haven’t been anywhere north of Bulawayo but I’ve heard about the Three Monkeys in Victoria Falls more than enough times. This is to say, paying a visit to the restaurant’s outlet in Harare has been on the books for a while.
Building on the success of it’s sister restaurant in Victoria Falls, Three Monkeys – Harare has been slowly writing itself into local food lore. Highly regarded for the quality of it’s service and the ambiance it provides, the Harare restaurant has seemingly had mixed reviews about the food across social media platforms. Something I would concur with from my experience.
The restaurant is located at Honeydew Lifestyle Centre in Greendale. There isn’t much to see at the location until you get into the restaurant proper, and there the view can only be described as serene. The imterior of the restaurant has a rustic yet modern feel, that instantly brings to mind Christmas movies and marshmallows roasted over the a fireplace.
The restaurant opens up to a lush green lawn, that runs into a miniature lake filled with the most intriguing ducks (not that I’m a duck expert). It is beautiful scenery to say the least. Complimented by crisp air and a calming quietness (sometimes interrupted by gossip being exchanged by other patrons), Three Monkeys’ outdoor sitting feels refreshing.
We went there on a rainy day and the first order of the day was a cup of hot chocolate. It was hearty, warming and surprisingly filling (something I would regret when the itis hit me before I finished the pizza). We got there just before 11 am, with the expectation of a late breakfast but that turned into brunch because we learned that they only serve breakfast during the weekends.
Hot chocolate rating: 4.2/5
Monday to Friday they’re open from 11 am to 9 pm and then Saturday and Sunday they’re open from 8 am to 9 pm. Their menu offers up very decent variety, with pizzas, salads, wraps, burgers, flame grilled and wood fired dishes.
Esotica pizza rating: 3/5
Three Monkeys serves their wood fired pizza on a wooden board and something about that, just makes it feel more authentic. Now I never got to confirm with them but the Esotica pizza tasted like it had been made with a sour dough base (not for everyone but perfect if you’re drinking alcohol with your meal). It reminded a lot of Hawaiian but it was a lot more savoury, with just the right amount of char on the edges.
However the pineapples tasted very dry, it felt like they killed the fruit twice (double homicide), and that spoiled the balance of sweet and savoury that I was expecting. I still believe pineapple belongs on pizza though.
Nachos with chicken rating: 4/5
The nachos come in a pan, which makes it feel like you’re eating at home (I mean where else would you eat from a pan), and they’re enough to feed three. Oven baked, the nachos and chicken are buried under cheese and a tomato sauce. A delicious guacamole, feta cheese and salsa are the condiments on top and they offer a striking variety on the palate that makes you willing to eat enough for three. Three Monkeys knock it out of the park with this dish.
All through our lunch the ambiance and the service were the stars of the show. The waiting staff was available without feeling like they’re nagging you. To round it up, it feels like not only a place for nourishment of the body but the spirit (I’m sucker for scenic views).
DISABILITY ACCESS RATING: 2/5
FOODIES 263 OVERALL RATING: 7.2/10
When I achieve a middle income salary, I’m definitely going to be a Three Monkeys regular.
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