The Midlands Meander has lots of great places to eat. These ones stood out for us:
• The Rosetta Hotel on the R103 is a welcoming, old-worldly spot with a wide stoep. Order fish and chips (R90), a 350 g rump steak (R150) or a shrimp and avo salad (R95). 033 267 7304 • Piggly Wiggly in the Lions River area on the R103 is synonymous with the Midlands Meander. It’s also one of the busiest restaurants around and you might have to wait for a table. Try the croissant with local trout and scrambled eggs (R99), the Barnyard breakfast (two eggs and bacon, R49) or the pasta with blue cheese and basil pesto (R85). 033 234 2911 • For the best pizza, visit Il Postino in Dargle. Try the Midlands Medley (mozzarella, caramelised red onion, camembert and basil pesto) for R108. 072 905 9390; ilpostino.pizzeria@gmail.com • If it’s cool and misty, you’d better hope that the soup of the day at The Bistro@Mulberry Hill, 14 km from Howick on the Curry’s Post Road, is butternut (R39) – the recipe is a family secret! Alternatively, try a pancake with trout filling (R57) or chicken curry made with garam masala and fresh ginger (R56). Open Friday to Tuesday. 082 691 9064 (Greg); mulberryhill.co.za • At The Gourmet Greek Blue Cow Deli you can’t go wrong with a platter of home-made cheese for R95, or a Greek dessert platter with baklava, kourabiedes (Greek shortbread) and melomakarona (Greek honey biscuits) for R45. Follow the R103 and turn off onto the D369 near the Thokans filling station. Open Wednesday to Sunday. 033 234 4338; thegourmetgreek.com • Need a caffeine boost? Head to Steampunk Café at the Thokans filling station on the R103 near the railway line. Don’t let the location put you off – barista Michael Goddard is passionate about coffee and roasts fresh beans for each cup. From R25. steampunkcoffee.co.za • If you want to eat where the locals eat, go to the Crafty Mole Pub or the Kolsche Stube Bistro at Millgate (on the R103, 17 km from Nottingham Road). Children and dogs are welcome in the pub. Taste a variety of local craft beer and order light German dishes while owner Chris Moon plays tunes from his vinyl collection. 082 688 0270; millgatecottage.com