What to Expect
Malwatte is a longstanding roadside stop on the Harare–Mutare highway near Marondera, with a restaurant, lodges and craft shops. The garden draws consistent praise, Arnaud (2025) called it “Amazing garden and nice food”, but service and upkeep have drawn repeated complaints over several years. Stefan (2025) called a simple sandwich and tea “A total ripoff for very poor quality”, and Mathew (2023) found the service “decidedly below par”, with stale bread and broken plates. Trevor (2021) noted there was no hot running water, though the bar was “up to standard”. Malwatte remains a well-known break for travellers heading to the Eastern Highlands.
Quotes are from Google reviews, credited by first name and month.
What Diners Say
★★★★☆
Amazing garden and nice food. Service was a bit slow but always with a smile. Maintenance of the buildings and access roads could be better.
★☆☆☆☆
Stopped for a simple sandwich and tea. A total ripoff for very poor quality. As I told them I was not satisfied, the answer I got was....that I can afford.
★★☆☆☆
The place wasn't well maintained. No hot running water although we were given a bucket each of warm water in the morning. Their food was decent but there was no coffee only tea as an option. The bar is the only thing that was up to standard
