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10 Best Restaurants in Bloemfontein
The city of Bloemfontein is a popular tourist destination here in South Africa thanks to its rich history, amazing urban landscapes, and varied activities. One of the main draws of this location, though, is its restaurants and their amazing food!
From local to international cuisine, you’ll certainly be tempted to try what they have on offer. So let us guide you through the best restaurants in the city for you to check out as you make your way through this part of South Africa!
1. Braza
Address: Willows, Bloemfontein, 9320, South Africa
Website: https://www.brazasa.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 51 447 2821
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
We highly recommend checking out Braza if you want a truly delightful gastronomic adventure.
Here, you can relax and enjoy their amazing food and drink offerings while taking in the waterfront sights of the area (e.g., the loch itself, buildings, and storefronts).
Sink your teeth into their savoury Portuguese dishes. These include their baby back ribs served with fries and veggies, beef vegetable stew, and burgers topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles!
| Pro Tip: Braza also offers breakfast from 11:30 AM to 12:30 NN. You can enjoy this meal (usually composed of bacon, eggs, and toast) while seated at their viewing deck with a breathtaking view of the loch. |
2. Iewers Nice
From wernerhschmidt
Address: 28 Reid St, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/iewersnice
Contact Number: +27 71 695 0104
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday, 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Iewers Nice is a quirky and bohemian restaurant that resembles an art gallery with festival themes. Its interiors have a very fun vibe to them with its colourful walls, different-sized tables and chairs and various trinkets placed around the dining area.
We’re certain that you’ll be blown away by the unique offers of this establishment such as their prego chicken liver salad (ZAR 59), shredded pork salad (ZAR 72), bacon and pesto sarmie (ZAR 62), and steak sarmie (ZAR 75).
| Pro Tip: Check out their Facebook to learn more about their featured artists. The restaurant sometimes has guest stand-up comedians (e.g. Jaxx Justice) to lighten up their customers’ day. |
3. New York Restaurant Bloemfontein
Address: 2nd Ave &, Reid St, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Website: https://newyorkrestaurant.co.za/index.php
Contact Number: +27 51 447 7279
Operating Hours:
- Monday, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
If you’re into Western cuisine and want an all-American experience, then New York Restaurant is the place to be! The restaurant’s interiors are phenomenal with elegant tables, curtains, and chandeliers that will make you feel like you’re in the White House.
We also liked that they did not limit their menu to pure Western food items and included fusion dishes like chicken liver peri-peri and piccata marsala (pork fillet). However, we recommend their steaks (spare rib, rump, and sirloin) if you want something more filling.
| Pro Tip: If you want to learn more about their new dishes, then check out their Facebook for updates. The restaurant sometimes releases new menu items (such as sole fillets and garlic mussels) that you may want to try out. |
4. Bella Casa Restaurant
Address: 31 President Steyn Ave, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Website: https://www.bellacasarestaurant.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 51 448 9571
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
If authentic Italian is what you’re looking for, then Bella Casa Restaurant is your best bet. The place has that genuine Italian countryside feel complete with colourful wooden chairs and tables and festival flags and plants along its ceiling.
Their food and beverage offers, such as their wood-fired pizzas, antipasto platter (meat platter), and carpaccio (beef fillet), are definitely a must-try. You also shouldn’t miss their desserts like their creme brulee and tiramisu!
| Pro Tip: If you go through their menu, you can check if the food item has a green V to the right. This indicates that the food item is vegan and is perfect for those who want to eat plant-based. |
5. Cubana Latino Cafe
Address: 9 President Reitz Ave, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Website: https://cubana.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 51 447 1920
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cubana Latino Cafe is an amazing restaurant to enjoy authentic Latino dishes while soaking in the unique setup of the establishment. The ground floor of the restaurant looks like a modern club with large glass windows and neon-lighted ceilings.
It’s the second floor that really stands out, however, with its blue tiled walls shaped like waves for the outdoor dining area of this cafe. Their best-sellers (like their burritos, nachos, Cuban sandwiches, and quesadillas) are definitely a must-try when in the city!
| Pro Tip: Club Latino Cafe also features guest artists and DJs (e.g., DJ Mobbs and Zabic Solta). Check out their Facebook to learn more about the upcoming performers. |
6. Black Bistro Lounge & Cocktail Kitchen
Address: vd der, Reitsma St, Brandwag, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLACKbloemfontein/
Contact Number: +27 51 444 0924
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Closed on Sunday
Black Bistro Lounge & Cocktail Kitchen will definitely make you go “wow” with its impressive dining area and amazing food and drinks on offer.
The interiors look like an upscale boutique hotel dining area thanks to its sleek furniture and contrasting coloured walls and frames of white, black, and dark brown.
This cocktail bar also serves up some of the best bar food and snack items on this side of Bloemfontein, which include chicken wings with fries, cheeseburgers with chips, and green salads. Enjoy these with a glass of their craft beer or Margarita.
| Pro Tip: The club can get crowded during peak hours, so it’s best to book your table in advance especially if you plan on visiting with a large group. You can use their online booking form on their website. |
7. Longhorn Bloemfontein
From nomatse
Address: Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, 9835, South Africa
Website: https://www.longhorngrill.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 72 086 4014
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday, 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
If grilled meats and steaks are what you’re looking for, then drop by Longhorn Bloemfontein to see what they are all about. This diner also has a hunter’s den vibe with brown wooden tables and chairs and antelope skulls hanging on its walls.
We recommend their steaks. You can go for their rump, sirloin, fillet, or t-bone steak and add your preferred toppings such as champignon, black peppercorns, prawns, or mussels.
| Pro Tip: If you want to get the most value for your money, then you can check out what this grill house has to offer on specific days. For example, they have Steak Madness Monday. |
8. Margaritas Seafood and Steak
From neliodesa
Address: 59 Milner Rd, Bayswater, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MargaritasRestaurantBloemfontein/
Contact Number: +27 51 436 3729
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday, 12:00 NN to 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday, 12:00 to 2:30 PM
- Closed on Monday
Margaritas Seafood and Steak has an amazing vibe and fantastic food and drinks that we’re certain will make your stay in Bloemfontein much more enjoyable.
The restaurant has an exclusive club appeal with its dimmed-out lights, solid light-coloured walls, and sleek dining furniture.
Aside from their cocktails and craft beers, you can order filling mains here such as their rump, sirloin, fillet, or t-bone steaks. They also have assorted dishes if you want something different like their chicken cordon bleu or their beef schnitzel.
| Pro Tip: You might be the lucky customer to win a silver or gold ticket during your visit to the restaurant. A silver ticket will bag you a 50% discount on your bill while a gold ticket gets you a 100% discount. Check their website for the mechanics! |
9. BushPub Family Restaurant
Address: Bains Lodge, Güney Afrika, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Contact Number: +27 60 364 1384
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
BushPub Family Restaurant looks like a cross between a ranch and a country pub! It stays true to its vibe through its use of wooden walls, roofing, flooring, and dining furniture (such as tables and chairs) along with animal trophy heads.
While they do serve breakfast, starters, and salads, we recommend their house specialties like their bunny chow (beef curry), oxtail, lamb shank, pork ribs, and t-bone. Level up these specials by adding sides like chips and onion rings!
| Pro Tip: Touted as a family restaurant, this establishment also serves up delicious kiddie meals like fish fingers, mac and cheese, bacon pizza, and chicken strips. End your kid’s meal here by ordering him or her a milkshake (ZAR 25). |
10. The Blue Gem – Restaurant
Address: Shop 76 + 77, Preller Square Centre, Dan Pienaar, Bloemfontein, 3901, South Africa
Website: https://www.thebluegem.co.za/home/a-la-carte/
Contact Number: +27 51 436 0742
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Closed on Monday and Sunday
The Blue Gem’s vibe seems like a cross between a classy restaurant and an upscale club—and we like it a lot! The interiors use elegant wall decor and lighting fixtures, expensive-looking tables and chairs, plus dimmed-out lights.
We like that the restaurant offers something for all customers regardless if they are vegan or not. If you like your meats, then you can order their kebabs, chicken wings, sirloin, and porterhouse while vegans can try their mushroom risotto and veggie chips.
| Pro Tip: The restaurant sometimes offers special menu sets during special occasions (such as Valentine’s Day). Check out their Facebook to stay updated on their latest offers or food packages. |
