Beira's food is built on Mozambican basics — peri-peri prawns, matapa (cassava leaves cooked in coconut milk and peanuts), grilled fish, and frango à zambeziana (chicken in lemon, garlic, and chilli). The Portuguese inheritance shows in the bread, the coffee, and the lingering availability of decent grilled meat in older restaurants.
Clube Náutico by the seafront serves grilled prawns and chicken with sea views; reliable for an evening dinner. Take Mar, also near the beach, is the standard sundowner location — cold Manica beer, grilled fish, plastic furniture, often live music on weekends. Restaurante Miramar does proper Portuguese-style fish, including bacalhau, in a less informal setting. For something simple at lunchtime, the corner cafés around Praça da Independência serve pãozinho (small bread rolls) with cheese, ham, or grilled chouriço.
Pirï pirï prawns are Beira's signature dish. The sauce varies wildly between restaurants — some places are eye-watering, others build the heat slowly. Ask for "médio" if you want it manageable.