There are severe food and drink shortages at present. Tables should be booked well in advance in the few restaurants and hotels. Notice needs to be given for extra guests.
National specialities:
• Palm oil beans.
• Calulu (dried fish or dried meat layered with fresh fish or fresh meat, onion, tomatoes, okra and sweet potato leaves).
• Chicken muamba (seasoned with palm oil hash).
• Mufete de Cacuso.
• Farofa (cooked with manioc flour).
Tipping: Where service charge is not added to the bill, 10 per cent is acceptable, although tipping is not officially encouraged. Tipping can be in kind (eg cigarettes).

There are some nightclubs and cinemas in Luanda. Cinema seats should be booked in advance. The Lenarius, a gallery, cafe and ball all-in-one, is situated behind the Ministry of Defence and is open from 1600 until late in the evening.

Traditional handicrafts are sold in the city; shopping is not easy outside the main cities. Shopping hours: These can vary, but are generally Mon-Fri 0900-1700.