That was a refreshing change from the slow and inattentive service we’d experienced at other restaurants.
The restaurant was built from local materials and with masterful architecture that provides awesome indoor/outdoor space and some of the best views of Kigali. Rwandans made everything locally with local materials. The gorgeous terrace is eucalyptus; the walkways are hand-carved river rocks, and the ceilings are covered in papyrus (the reception area resembles a traditional Rwandese home in “rondavel” style!) There are oversized Adirondack lounge chairs around the edge of the restaurant if you just want to get a drink and check out the view.
We sat at the bar drinking mojitos and frozen piña coladas – there are lots of delicious cocktails to choose from and Heaven has the first reverse osmosis water purification system in the country, so we felt completely at ease drinking cocktails with ice. We ate delicious starters of pumpkin samosa with asian papaya salad, peanut squash soup with a home baked roll, and lamb merguez quesadilla with local goat cheese and guacamole (it was so good I licked my plate).
Halfway through our starters, we grooved to live music which is featured several nights a week. The band played a great mix of African and American tunes.
Then we sat down for entrees and ate slow-cooked pork ribs (so tasty and tender the meat fell off the bone), grilled chicken with Heaven’s homemade barbecue sauce, and tilapia with a delicious mango-tomato salsa (which you have to try). There are also great salads and vegetarian specials if you’re not feeling like a carnivore.
There was a slight chill in the air, and the hostess came at just the right moment to offer me a cozy fleece blanket – what a nice touch!
In between dinner and dessert we checked out a wonderful display of artwork, handicrafts and jewelry for sale, all made by local cooperatives (some of which employ former prostitutes, widows, and orphans). The beautiful placemats and coasters used in the restaurant are from a local cooperative and for sale.
The desserts sounded so delicious, I ordered three! Homemade apple mango strudel with a buttery golden crust, banana beignets drizzled with chocolate sauce, and amazing flavors of homemade ice cream (caramel, cinnamon and Rwandan coffee!) made with local fresh cream.
It seems the owners have already raised the bar for service standards in Rwanda. What’s even more amazing is they have aligned their service and food with a social mission. Heaven employs many orphaned youth and provides all of their employees with salaries and healthcare in line with international standards. Bravo! It’s enough to make you feel good about hedonistically returning again and again. We did return for lunch, by the way – it’s a different and equally delicious menu featuring home-made paninis, soups, and salads.
If you’re looking for great food, excellent service and ambiance, Heaven has it all.
Come for the gorillas. Stay for Heaven.
Heaven features:
Wireless internet access
Happy Hour Daily (from 18:00H to 19:00H) – 50% discount on all starters, local beers and glasses of wine
Big screen TV
Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
Heaven Restaurant & Bar
5 Rue du Mont Juru
Kiyovu (3 blocks from Mille Collines Hotel)
Kigali
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Open for Lunch and Dinner: 12:00H to 22:30H
Closed Tuesdays
Reservations: 08486581 / 0788674366
Tel: 500234
Website: www.heavenrwanda.com
Email: heavenrwanda@gmail.com
