Set deep in the Klein Karoo and enrobed by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains, Oudtshoorn is a town built on ostrich feathers and Cape Dutch charm, and its kitchens know it. Hearty Karoo classics share the table with contemporary flair, and an ostrich fillet is never far from the menu.

Nostalgie Restaurant

Step inside and you'll find antique-filled rooms, a fire going in winter, and generations-old family recipes that have earned their place over the years. Ostrich carpaccio, slow-cooked bobotie, and tender lamb shank are just a few of the favourites, all served with the unhurried hospitality that the Klein Karoo is renowned for.

Why go?

For traditional Karoo cuisine, served with Cape Malay-inspired flair in generous portions.

A grilled steak with rosemary, fries, and sauce served beside a wooden board of roasted vegetables and meat
Oudtshoorn is the place to try ostrich, Image Credit: Nostalgie Restaurant

Details

a: 74 Baron v Reede Street, Oudtshoorn
w: oudtshoornrestaurant.co.za
t: +27 44 272 4085 or +27 72 324 0448
e: aronaweideman@gmail.com
h: Monday to Saturday, 06h30 – 22h30

Jemima's

Duck liver pâté, Cape Malay bobotie, and a grilled trio of ostrich, venison, and beef fillet – Jemima's kitchen is stocked by the surrounding Klein Karoo farms, and the menu proves it. It's a dependable stop on the Golden Mile, with a menu that keeps locals coming back.

Why go?

For a seasonal, farm-driven menu that turns local produce into something inventive.

Outdoor restaurant courtyard with large agave plants and diners seated under string lights at dusk
Jemima's opens onto a leafy garden in the heart of Oudtshoorn, Image Credit: Jemima's

Details

a: 94 Baron Van Reede St, Golden Mile, Oudtshoorn
w: jemimas.com
t: +27 44 272 0808
h: Monday to Sunday, 08h00 – 22h00

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Restaurant

A wooden deck overlooking a five-hectare natural waterhole, hippos wallowing below, and the Swartberg Mountains turning gold at sunset – Buffelsdrift makes the most of its spectacular setting with grilled ostrich fillet and award-winning Route 62 wines.

Why go?

For authentic Karoo cooking paired with award-winning Route 62 wines, with a lovely view over the waterhole.

Breakfast plate with eggs, sausages, bacon, mushrooms and tomato served outdoors with coffee
Breakfast should always be served with a view, Image Credit: Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

Details

a: Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn
w: buffelsdrift.com
t: +27 44 272 0000
e: info@buffelsdrift.com
h: Breakfast: Monday to Sunday, 07h00 – 11h00; Lunch and Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 11h00 – 22h00

Country Kitchen at Rosenhof

Inside a lovingly restored 1852 Victorian homestead, Country Kitchen puts a cordon bleu spin on traditional country cooking. The table d'hôte dinner menu changes daily with the season's harvest, served beneath yellowwood beams and framed by rose gardens outside.

Why go?

Refined, romantic, and unhurried dining in one of Oudtshoorn's most beautiful heritage settings.

Elegant dining table set with wine glasses, white rose and candles in a dim room
The perfect place for a romantic date night, Image Credit: Rosenhof Country House

Details

a: Rosenhof Country House, 264 Baron van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn
w: rosenhof.co.za/our-restaurant
t: +27 44 272 2232
e: reservations@rosenhof.co.za
h: Monday to Sunday: Breakfast, 07h00 – 10h00; Lunch, 12h00 – 14h00; Dinner, 19h00 – 22h00

​​Su Casa at Surval

At the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, on Surval Boutique Olive Estate, Su Casa brings the flavours of the Klein Karoo together with contemporary South African cooking. The menu shifts with the seasons and the wine cellar draws from some of the country's leading producers.

Why go?

For a long lunch among the olive trees, with seasonal Klein Karoo flavours and the Swartberg as your backdrop.

White umbrellas shade table settings on an outdoor patio surrounded by flowering shrubs and trees
Try some of the olives fresh from the estate, Image Credit: Su Casa

Details

a: Surval Boutique Olive Estate, R328 & Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn
w: surval.co.za/su-casa-restaurant
t: +27 87 350 1950 or +27 76 256 3519
e: reservations@surval.co.za
h: Monday to Sunday, 07h30 – 21h30

The Karoopot

Bobotie, lamb shank, and ostrich chateaubriand make up the hearty Karoo side of the menu, while a resident sushi chef works the fresh sushi bar under the same roof. Add a fish-pond setting and the result is an unexpectedly brilliant meeting of local comfort food and Japanese precision.

Why go?

For the unlikely but winning pairing of hearty Karoo cooking and fresh sushi.

Image Caption: This is comfort food at its finest, Image Credit: The Karoopot

Details

a: 6 Baron van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn
w: karoopot.co.za
t: +27 44 203 5459
e: info@karoopot.co.za
h: Winter: Monday to Sunday, 09h00 – 21h00; Summer: Monday to Saturday, 09h00 – 22h00

The Bello Cibo

Handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and classic Mediterranean dishes from this family-run kitchen have built a loyal following in Oudtshoorn. You get honest cooking, quality ingredients, and the type of warmth that makes you want to come back before you've even finished your first course.

Why go?

A taste of Italy, right in the heart of the Klein Karoo.

Hearty, homestyle food for the soul, Image Credit: Bello Cibo

Details

a: 79 St Saviour Street, Oudtshoorn
w: bellocibo.co.za
t: +27 63 207 3946
e: info@bellocibo.co.za
h: Monday to Saturday, 17h00 – 22h00