The buzz phrase in the world around us has been that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and this has been hammered into our heads since time immemorial. Several arguments have been made why eating a nutritious breakfast sets the tone for the day. Now I am not writing this article to debunk this, It’s just that I am not a breakfast kind of a person!
I am not a breakfast person
I am one of those people who skips breakfast chiefly because in the morning my stomach is usually not ready to take in any food. This leaves looking forward to my lunch break with gusto. I say ‘with gusto’ chiefly because my morning exercise routine, running 5km in morning religiously, leaves my body starving for food.
I prefer lunch
For this reason, I tend to visit different lunch spots in my town checking out different varieties of dishes on offer. At times lunch dinners do not only provide a hearty meal but for me, it is an opportunity to take a break from my work, take in bouts of fresh air and unwind. And in those instances where I can’t leave my work behind lunch spots miraculously transform into offshore boardrooms where one gets to meet clients on neutral ground.
Where I get my lunch
There are special places in my town where I prefer to get my lunch and I usually recommend these places to friends and visitors who ask for my advice on places to have breakfast, yes you heard me right! breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. My list is in no particular order as all these places have their strengths and weaknesses.
Situated within the town industrial area Pakare Paye is a really great place to wind down and unplug. The service is great and the facilities are of a world class standard. Amazing traditional and western cuisines are regularly on offer here and moderately priced too.
Pakare Paye offers a tranquil environment with classic Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi music and other jazz artist’s music on rotation. The bar offers exquisite drinks as well as an excellent gallery collection of pictures of the music legend (Oliver Mtukudzi) and other international artists.
Only 12 km from town is this great braai and gango… (mixed meat and mixed vegetables) spot. It’s the home of traditional food. For those like myself who crave for fresh air, there is an outdoor gazebo sitting arrangement where one is exposed to the country fresh air.
Various DJs play during weekends and the music is also good.
The food here is a bit pricey as most dishes on offer tend to centre around meat which in my country is expensive, but that being said If you are a fan of traditional foods and braaing then this the place to be.
A 15 minutes drive from Norton Town Centre will take you to Family 24 Leisure Joint a lovely lunch spot that one can conveniently take as a detour en-route to Harare from Norton or vice versa as it is situated along Bulawayo road. The staff here is always welcoming and ever attentive and the food is great, freshly cooked, very tasty and well presented. If you happen to choose one of my all-time favorite servings of braaied beef and pap you will not regret it.
The restaurant is designed to give a fusion of an upmarket and outdoors aura and it works wonders on those who may want to have lunch meetings in an unrestrained, relaxed environment.
For those who prefer to have drinks with their meals or just drinks, this is the waterhole to visit.
TM Pick n Pay Supermarket Deli
For those that are in a hurry and those who do not wish to drive some distance for their food, there is the Deli at the heart of the CBD and convenience is at the heart of its service delivery.
The Deli offers a variety of local cuisines such as sadza, mutakura, nyimo, Manhuchu as well as exotic dishes at really cheap prices.
Sometimes during peak lunch hours, the place tends to get busy and one has to be really patient to get served. Also because the Deli is situated inside the supermarket there isn’t a sitting area and the service is mainly takeaway which is not a problem during my busy days when I eat as I will be working on my desk.
To the unsuspecting eye this place would pass off as another backyard dingy place with nothing much to offer, but alas! there are days when they really get to surprise me with their offering. They offer a sitting arrangement although I must mention that space is limited. Their food is quite good and reasonably priced too.
Other honourable mentions
NB: I have made a list and map of these and I will be adding more places on google maps for those who might be interested in exploring these places illustrated above. If you feel there are other more interesting places in Norton that deserves mention or/and if you have any questions/additions, please feel free to engage me in the comments section below.