There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in Windhoek offering patrons a fabulous evening out. From gourmet fine dining with skyline views to great local vibes and stylish wine bars, the city offers morsels of them all. Here is a selection of Windhoek’s best and most well-loved offerings, catering for diverse tastes and dining experiences.
Joe's Beerhouse
Bar, Restaurant, South African, Wine, Beer, $$$
Joe's Beerhouse | Courtesy of Joe's Beerhouse
If you haven’t heard of Joe’s Beerhouse yet, take some notes, as this well-loved and eclectic restaurant is somewhat of an institution in Windhoek. The locals go there to chill and have fun while visitors cross the threshold on a daily basis looking for a true slice of Namibia. The restaurant is renowned for its wide range of succulent, meaty fare and serves exotic cuts of venison, along with more traditional dishes such as beef fillet. Meat, however, is just part of the extensive menu and meals can be paired with a refreshing beer or a good bottle of wine. With a chilled vibe and friendly service, there’s no reason not to pay a visit to Joe’s.
Aiming to please those with a large appetite, O Portuga Restaurant promises generous portions with an emphasis on meat and seafood. The eatery is the oldest, authentic Angolan Portuguese restaurant in the city and has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The emphasis is on taking it slow, and enjoying good food paired with a bottle of your choice from their well-stocked wine list that includes both South African and Portuguese wine. Apparently, Michael Jackson once visited this spot.
Always buzzing with the sound of socialising, the Sardinia Blue Olive is the ideal location for a relaxed and easy night out. The Italian-styled restaurant is well known for its great pizzas that arrive with generous lashings of gooey cheese, as well as pasta and other traditional Italian dishes that are given a unique Namibian twist. Portions are generous and the atmosphere is relaxed. A good spot for a family meal.
A journey of sensory pleasure begins as soon as you step through the doors of Leo’s at the Castle at the Hotel Heinitzburg, and absorb the breathtaking views that this restaurant commands. Panoramic vistas of the Windhoek skyline are accompanied by gourmet cuisine, attentive service, and all the little luxuries that go with five-star dining. Dishes arrive perfectly plated and cover a wide range of choices, from silky Norwegian salmon to prime cuts of kudu steak. The decor is elegant and refined, while the outdoor seating and large windows bring a lighter tone to the gracious atmosphere.
Celebrate the exotic and colourful flavours of Indian cuisine at Garnish Restaurant. Located in the center of the city, this authentic Indian eatery caters for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike and perfectly balances the ingredients of food, hospitality, and atmosphere. Each item in the menu is ordered separately so patrons can customise their dishes to suit their taste preferences.
Pepata offers an authentic taste of Windhoek in a casual and relaxed setting that hints at its African surrounds. The food, however, gets straight to its African roots, and Pepata offers traditional delicacies such as fried mopane worms and Smileys. For those who don’t know what a Smiley is, we won’t ruin the surprise for you just yet. Takeaway or sit down, this relaxed and friendly spot caters to all.
For art on a plate, head off to JoJo’s, where you will find not only great food, but also a laid-back atmosphere and an eclectic vibe. The emphasis on art in any form is big here, and the restaurant is considered Windhoek’s hippest creative culinary hotspot, uniting fine dining with creative and interesting cooking methods. JoJo’s is as close as it gets to food theatre in Windhoek, so book a table and enjoy the show.
Bar, Bistro, Restaurant, South African, Wine, Beer, Fast Food, $$$
Stellenbosch Wine Bar & Bistro | Courtesy of Stellenbosch Wine Bar & Bistro
On entering the Stellenbosch Wine Bar and Bistro it’s easy to get distracted by the beautiful setting, but don’t let the Tuscan villa-like surroundings take your attention away from the main attractions, the wine and delicious food. The extensive wine menu consists of some of South Africa’s finest cultivars that go fantastically with any number of options from the food menu. The eatery is known for its fabulous cuts of meat and intimate yet relaxed outdoor seating.
Portuguese cuisine is often centred around seafood, and it is therefore not surprising that Kubata is a Portuguese restaurant specializing in seafood. Dishes such as paella and caldo verde feature prominently in the menu, alongside grilled prawns, lobster, and fresh Namibian oysters. The extensive wine list includes both South African and Portuguese wines, while the decor and ambiance have a distinctive Portuguese flair.
Daisho Sushi and Wine Bar is a relative newcomer to the Namibian eating scene and is fast taking Windhoek by storm. The restaurant may still be young, but chef Makhosi Mhlanga has been plying his sushi making skills for some time already and offers fast service and beautifully crafted food. The ingredients are fresh and the wine list is well priced. Daisho adds a dash of variety to Windhoek’s largely red meat-centered eating scene.
This classic and elegant restaurant is located at the Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel and features a seasonal menu and inventive signature dishes. Cool, modern decor fuses beautifully with exquisite indoor and outdoor seating, while the surrounding mountain views reminds you that you are in Africa. The menu includes some fabulous venison dishes and there is also a well-stocked bar with an excellent selection of whiskey.
