The best restaurants
Tripadvisor lists 80 restaurants in Windhoek alone. We couldn’t test them all – and you already know about Joe’s Beerhouse. Here are some other options, all of which demonstrate that Windhoek’s food culture is not always what you’d expect.
Am Weinberg
This house was built in 1901 and is a national monument. Am Weinberg has been one of the best restaurants in Windhoek since 2004. While it’s certainly not the most affordable – a Tafel Lager (R28) is cheaper than an Appletizer (R33) – the menu is one of the best Namibia has to offer. How about gemsbok cooked in merlot and served with an apricot and honey sauce (R190)? The balcony has a lovely view of Klein Windhoek and Ludwigsdorf. Treat your partner to an anniversary meal here if it coincides with your Namibian holiday. Where? 13 Jan Jonker Street When? 11.30 am until late. Contact: 00 264 61 23 60 50;
www.amweinberg.com
Craft Café
This café in the Old Breweries building focuses on healthy foods and has lots of options for vegetarians. The fruit juice is freshly squeezed – try the lime and ginger (R34) or orange and carrot (R35). The spinach and feta quiche with salad (R90) and the apple tart (R39) are popular choices, and the coffee is excellent. The “milch kaffee” (R32) is a giant cup of milky coffee. The veranda is lovely and the café has free Wi-Fi. The Namibia Craft Centre on the same premises is a good place to sniff around for souvenirs ( namibiacraftcentre.com). Where? 40 Tal Street When? Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 3.30 pm. Contact: 00 264 61 24 9974;
craftcafe-namibia.com
NICE
The Namibian Institute of Culinary Education (NICE) not only trains chefs and people in the hospitality industry, it’s also home to one of the top restaurants in Windhoek with its own organic vegetable garden for the freshest produce. Whether you make a quick stop for cocktails at the bar (called Theo’s) or if you stay to order sushi or a Moroccan lamb shank with green-pepper couscous (R120), you’ll definitely have a nice time. Where? 2 Mozart Street When? Lunch: Monday to Friday from noon to 2 pm; dinner: Monday to Sunday from 6 pm to 10 pm; sushi: Tuesday to Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm; Theo’s: Monday to Saturday from 4 pm to 2 am. Contact: 00 264 61 300 710; nice.com.na
Corner of 62nd
This restaurant opened its doors in 2013 after owners Peter and Ruda Hoch restored the old house dating from 1938. Peter is a chef and specialises in “experimental cuisine” from Namibia and abroad. Try the Green Thai bean stew (suitable for vegetarians, R75), Chef Peter’s Choice (beef fillet wrapped in bacon and served with prawns in garlic butter, R145) or the Sweet African Dream (Amarula dessert, R55). They also offer cooking classes and wine and whisky tastings. Where? 62 Bismarck Street When? Monday to Saturday from noon to 10 pm. Contact: 00 264 61 246 288; cornerof62nd.com
The Stellenbosch Wine Bar & Bistro
This restaurant in the heart of Klein Windhoek is run by, among others, Jean Engelbrecht from Rust en Vrede near Stellenbosch. It has an extensive wine list and dishes like pork belly served with chilli-ginger caramel (R97), Norwegian salmon with stir-fried vegetables and sweet potato (R160) or a beef burger with camembert, red onions and pickels (R99). They offer regular wine-tasting sessions. Where? 320 Sam Nujoma Avenue When? Monday to Saturday from noon to 10 pm. Contact: 00 264 61 309 141;
thestellenboschwinebar.com
Andy’s
If you want to party like the locals, try this German bar. The walls are covered in old number plates and memorabilia and you’re guaranteed some fascinating conversations. They sell a variety of icy beers and Andy’s pizza is known as the best in the city. The service is sometimes slow, but be patient and order another beer.
Where? 324 Sam Nujoma Avenue When? Monday to Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm. Contact: 00 264 61 401 516
Haiku Sushi Lounge
If you’re looking for sushi with a twist, visit the Haiku Sushi Lounge at the Auas City Hotel. The menu has items like salmon with apple, avo and a chardonnayand-wasabi sauce (R150) and a sushi pizza with a rice base (R130). Go on a culinary adventure! Where? Auas City Hotel, Centaurus Street (next to the Maerua shopping centre) When? Monday to Saturday from noon to 10 pm. Contact: 00 264 61 246 956;
haikusushinamibia.com
Yang Tze
“I sold my stove. I’d rather eat here,” says one patron in this Chinese restaurant. The menu has exotic dishes like jellyfish (R45) and pork kidneys (R85), plus safer options like chicken and cashew nut stir-fry (R100). Where? 351 Sam Nujoma Avenue When? Daily from 10.30 am to 10 pm. Contact: 00 264 61 234 779
Fishmongers
Tommy Kellner and Marco Eck own the best seafood restaurant in Windhoek. They sell fresh fish for you to cook at home or you can sit down to a meal of hake in beer batter with chips (R60). The sushi is delicious, especially the crunchy prawn tempura roll (R85). Where? 14 Adler Street When? Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. Contact: 00 264 61 304 583;
fishmongers.cc