Free State Restaurants

Art Lovers is an outstanding restaurant and sublime companion to the art gallery in Parys. Their chef, Hugo van Niekerk, trained and qualified as Head Chef at the world renowned "Haute Cabriere" Cellar Restaurant. Hugo delights in tempting visitors with delicious cuisine that is reminiscent of French-African and traditional South African fare at its best. Coupled with one of the finest wine collections, patrons can enjoy an experience of wining and dining which rivals some of the top establishments in the country.

Artist’s Café in Clarens is located at the Windmill Center on Clarens Square, flanked by majestic views of the mountains. This daytime culinary retreat offers a varied selection of light meals, famous country pancakes, sweet or savory and scrumptious breakfasts, grills and platters. Compliment a aromatic coffee with a captivating slice of cake. Put up your feet, relax and enjoy the fresh mountain air chilled by mellow music and splashes of colorful artwork displayed by local artists. Kiddies can revel on the shady playground enjoying a delicious kiddies menu.

For a place to unwind and forget the worries of everyday life, try Avanti Italian Restaurant.The friendly and welcoming staff make a point of ensuring that every patron feels as welcome as they truly are. Guests are invited to stay as long as they like, with no tight table schedules to interrupt a relaxing time spent enjoying great company and great food.A tranquil setting, overlooking the water, Avanti provides delicious Italian dishes created with passion and dedication. Homemade deli products are a unique feature of this must-try eatery. Downstairs, patrons can enjoy a superb food and wine experience and more intimate dining. Avanti takes pride in being able to offer the finest selection of South Africa’s best wines.Make yourself at home and relax at Avanti.

Recommended by a loyal following of locals, Barba’s Cafe is a super spot for superb food and a great atmosphere. During the weekdays, a sumptuous buffet offering a mouth watering array of delicious options like dolmades is a must-try. A modest but well-designed wine list provides for every taste and budget. An open deck provides a great al fresco setting when the weather allows and friendly, helpful staff make your time at this understated eatery a very pleasant one.

Bella Casa is a popular Italian Trattoria in Bloemfontein that caters an expansive dining choice in cheerful surrounds. The décor sets the mood with blue chequered table cloths laden with generous portions of Italian delights and the murmur of contented chatter. Summer invites courtyard dining and festive ambiance brimming with fruity Sangria jugs.

The seasonal menu boasts handmade bread, soups and hearty continental country cooking. Chilly winters are warmed by roaring fires and home cooked meals while summer beacons sunsets lingering around lush gardens and a refreshing dam. Enjoy continental specialties brimming with seasonal choices such as homemade bread, hearty soups or healthy fresh salads. Start the day with a traditional country style breakfasts in picturesque surrounds at Caldedon Gardens Restaurant in Clarens.

With a dedicated and vastly experienced team behind the scenes, Catch 22 Fish & Grill Restaurant has earned its various accolades fair and square. A unique blend of Mediterranean and Cape cuisine makes for a superb range of exciting offerings. The chefs specialise in seafood and have had international training, giving them the experience that helps them to incorporate a range of flavours and exciting ingredients into their sumptuous creations. Though the emphasis is on succulent seafood, there are alternative options like chicken and meat dishes to please those who fancy something else. A dining experience to remember awaits you at Catch 22 Fish and Grill Restaurant.

This great new taste commotion fluffing up feathers in Bloemfontein with delicately steamed, grilled and mouth watering bastes grilled to perfection. Situated in the Bradwag Centre, in convenient reach of hungry palates, Chicken Boys invites family friendly dining with delicious variety of adult and kids meals. Alongside chicken, Chicken Boys have scoured the pastures for beef and vegetable varieties alongside burgers and wraps for an all round delicious dining experience.

Coco C conjures sinfully tasty dishes that favour chocolate in all its glory. Every dish hosts a self indulgent array of cocoa, cocoa jus, butter cocoa and chocolate reduction. Wines are splendidly paired alongside the décor, which embodies the taste sensations of chocolate; rich, velvety and sophisticated. The menu brims with haute cuisine and Parisian elegance touched with French flair for luxurious and plush dining experience. Sample delights such as pomegranate and mustard roasted loin of pork with a carrot and pear ganache followed by a sinfully rich chocolate cake or white-chocolate soufflé. Chic chandeliers, crisp linens and shiny silverware heighten the already classic setting for a sensory infusion of taste and décor. Dine amidst the interior laden with beauty and glamour or alfresco on the spectacular deck flanked by a backdrop of Loch Logan Lake, lush gardens and trailing sunsets.

Serving breakfast, light meals and delicious home baked goods, Coffee Barrel is the perfect winter warmer. Enjoy a roaring winter fire and hearty soups mopped up with crusty bread or dine alfresco in balmy summer months over a lazy breakfast and newspaper or spend some idle time with friends catching up on gossip. Coffee Barrel caters for every whim and season in Westdene, Bloemfontein.

CTFM, a vibrant Restaurant, Fish Market, Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar with chic yet informal surroundings, brings a feast of delicious flavours to its customers. The décor places strong emphasis on Cape Town’s picturesque landscape and captures the soul of bygone days in various fishing harbours.The menu offers a wonderful combination of both South African and Japanese dishes. There's the old favourite fish and chips, the chic fresh oysters, the unusual Prawn & Avocado salad, the delectable Salmon Teriyaki and the classic seafood curry. The seafood platters come highly recommended and you can even pick your own ingredients from the fresh seafood displayed on ice. For those who aren’t that partial to seafood, there is also a choice of meat & poultry as well as a number of vegetarian dishes. Children are also catered for.The Sushi Bar with its conveyor-belt of tasty treats will leave you hooked. The conveyor-belt was the first in its kind in South Africa and is a firm favourite amongst Sushi lovers. Seat yourself down while California rolls, sashimi, fashion sandwiches and other tempting portions pass slowly by – all colour coded plates to make it easy for customers to stick to their budget – however small or large that may be!The extensive menu also includes Teppanyaki and Tempura dishes. Teppanyaki diners sit at communal “hibachi” tables that surround a large table top iron grill. This dining style allows them to view the chef as he prepares the meal with amazing skill using the traditional tools of the trade- a knife, a fork and two metal spatulas. Patrons can watch master chefs prepare these popular Eastern delights such as Teppanyaki-style Prawns and chicken, beef on noodles, fried rice, to name but a few. Tempura is also an old-time favourite that displays the Japanese art of making crisp, deep fried seafood and vegetable morsels, which boasts a lacy texture and subtle taste.The combination of fish market and restaurant means customers have the option to order a variety of seafood from the fresh fish market with its display of live lobster, prawns, oysters, mussels and fresh fish to be specially prepared for you in preferred proportions or to utilise the “take-home” option for those who wish to have a BBQ at home or simply cook up using grandma’s secret recipe.The Cape Town Fish Market is fully licensed with a fun and vibrant atmosphere. For those who wish to indulge in wines from the famous Cape vineyards, one can enjoy one of the many wines which CTFM has on offer. Wine connoisseurs are able to savour a carefully selected range of the finest South African wines available. Whether it be a quick sushi lunch, a romantic lobster dinner for two or maybe a fresh tuna steak to impress those at home, the Cape Town Fish Market is the place to go!

Cubana Latino Café invites relaxation, celebration and festivities in a social café atmosphere. The restaurant offers unique flavourful dishes and a wide variety of meals spilling off the extensive menu. Diners relax soaking up the warm and inviting atmosphere over a re-energising breakfast, languid lunch and festive dinner sampling sumptuous dishes. Experience the vibe and festive spirit of Cuba over breakfast, lunch or dinner at Cubana Latino Café in Bloemfontein.

Housed in an original farmhouse catering unique characteristics and originality, The Colonial Restaurant boasts four metre high ceilings and rich wooden floors with a separate dining room dressed in antique furniture. Built in 1885, the interior retains much of the original characteristics warmed by open fireplaces, original antiques and delicious gourmet meals.

Bloemfontein’s favourite alternative and trendy Afrikaans venue is the place to hang out with mates, grab hearty pub grub and an ice cold beer, listen to cool tunes and shoot a few rounds of pool. Delightfully kitsch and tongue in cheek, Die Mystic Boer regularly host live performances and the hottest DJ’s spinning the discs. As well as being a pub and gig venue, Die Mystic Boer is a fully functional restaurant that serves a wide variety of meals from pizzas to burritos to ribs and much more.

Fantastic atmosphere, excellent food and world-class wines compliments true country hospitality and delicious robust country cuisine. Enjoy dining with a personal touch during chilly winters savoring delicate venison, roast Lamb shank, Duck, Trout and Free State oxtail. The pub lunch menu compliments languid dining alongside lighter meals, pizza and entertaining children’s menu. Visit Duck and Hound Family Steakhouse for a taste of atmospheric dining in the Eastern Free State Highlands of Clarens.

Bloem’s trendiest, funkiest restaurant is warm and welcoming, the service is good and the Mediterranean fusion food is not only delicious, it’s healthy too. There’s live music, art on the walls, the bar is vibey and friendly staff are stylishly black-clad.

Fumagali's is an upmarket restaurant situated in the CBD of Welkom. The hands on owner is Italian and offers, you guessed, good Italian cuisine as well as the best steaks in town.

You can expect a warm and hearty welcome from Heike at her German-style coffee shop. Relax and enjoy a lovely breakfast and lunch or cake and coffee in a homely atmosphere. Heikes Coffee Shop is at the Bergview Complex.

Located in Reid Street, Iewers Nice offers an unforgettable dining experience brimming with fresh food served the old fashioned way. Generous portions and regular changing menu keep diners loyal alongside a reputation for serving the biggest burgers! Freshly baked quiches, crunchy salads and spoonfuls of samples ordered from any main dish on the menu provide the perfect balance for an array of appetites. The wine list is small and recommended to bring your own. Enjoy old school ambiance and contemporary surrounds for a delightful dining experience at Iewers Nice in Bloemfontein.

Meel is more than just a pretty place - here you can find soul food and relax. Situated just opposite Die Mystic Boer, Meel is Bloem’s answer to Melissa’s. At this delightful, new deli/bakery you can choose from the menu or opt for a fresh healthy meal from the Feast Table and have your choice weighed. The wines are great, the chocolate cake is to die for, the atmosphere friendly and the ethereal all-white decor simply enhances the goodness of the food.

This gastronomic affair can be found in the artsy district of Clarens, where delightful arrays of culinary festivities await, ready to tantalize. Gourmet pizzas brim with endless toppings cooked in traditional wood fired oven, homemade pastas, meze platters and elegant surrounds. Enjoy delights such as "wild pizza's", topped with smoked salmon, brie cheese, cranberry salsa and avocado or a delicious specialty house pudding pizza layered with chocolate, caramel, strawberries, cherries and marshmallows. Mosaic Pizzeria offers spectacular views and chilled out vibes wrapped in various displays of mosaic art from talented artists

Boasting elegant décor, exquisite cuisine and unsurpassed service, New York Restaurant is in a class of its own. Noted as one of the best restaurants in Bloemfontein, diners enjoy a fine dining experience and culinary journey filled with New York Flair. A festive and intimate place, perfect for family get-togethers and private dinners that enjoy succulent steaks and grills; New York Restaurant provides an unforgettable dining experience.

Offering delightful choices such as sushi, Indian and Thai, Oolong Lounge is a hive of activity yet laidback ambiance creates the perfect setting for inspiration and relaxation. The menu offers light meals fusion style with an invigorating twist of Thai complimented by a well appointed drinks list. Enjoy chicken noodle coconut soup generously flavoured with lemon grass and lime or a succulent seared tuna with mango, ginger and sweet potato. Warming winter meals such as the korma lamb steak or a chicken bake is ideal for wrapping up the warmth followed by a hot chocolate shot or deep fried chocolate spring roll for dessert. Oolong Lounge welcomes a trendy café lounge ambiance and delicious cuisine bustling with diners and regular visitors.

This classy act on the banks of the Vaal River is one of Parys' best-kept secrets, where owners Tommy and Willie will transform your visit into an experience! Friendly and professional service and excellent food from the a la carte-style menu will have you going back. Exceptional steaks and a rare variety of mutton dishes are among the extraordinary dishes that could be expected from their passionate chef. Over the past six years this has become one of Parys’ main attractions and the most popular restaurant destination in town. We also boast a cocktail deck bar on the river, exclusively for over 21s. Our stylish reception hall can accommodate up to 150 guests for a most memorable wedding or function, with an on-site chapel. Come and experience a wave of tranquillity. We are open from Wednesday to Saturday, from 11 am to 10 pm. On Sunday we are open from 11 am to 3 pm.

This diners pilgrimage serves sensational pies, succulent steaks and generous portions of deliciousness on a plate. Phatt Chef Restaurant is a simply superb dining experience in Clarens.

Enjoy hearty breakfasts, languid lunches and enticing dinners indoors or alfresco warmed by snugly winter heaters and summery fans on the weatherproof veranda. Good food, value for money and generous portions make Quincy’s Café the place to be in Pietermaritzburg.

The menu boasts a large variety of delicious and traditional dishes brimming with Indian culinary styles, fragrant, spicy and mouth watering. The efficient and friendly services sets the mood as diners enjoy tikka masala, vindaloo, khorma and a variety of delights alongside warm naan breads ideal for mopping up the fragrant juices. Visit The Raj Indian Restaurant for an elegant take on Indian dining and authentic dining experience.

Brimming with Asian delights, Red Peppa offers authentic Thai cuisine in a trendy and contemporary setting. From stir fries to sushi, noodles and soups, diners savours the fragrant and pleasant taste of Thai. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with heavenly deserts, Red Peppa offers extremely high standards and authentic cuisine.

Located within the Windmill Casino, Rosie’s Brasserie wets the appetite with a wide variety of dishes from around the globe including traditional South African cuisine. Serving buffet dining brimming with colour and flavour, including centre cuts, grills, rotisserie and carvery, Rosie’s Brasserie exceeds its reputation as the only fulltime buffet in Bloemfontein.

This little slice of heaven wrapped in tranquillity boasts eclectic décor and whimsical collection of décor that inspires a quirky ambiance dressed in a warm and elegant surrounds. Enjoy fine dining experience and tantalising flavours complimented by generous portions at Seven on Kellner Restaurant in Bloemfontein.

The Bock and Cellar derived from the block where diners choose cut steaks and fine wine housed in the select cellar create a unforgettable dining experience. Top quality grain fed beef, grilled and basted to perfection compliment international and South African wines. The beef boasts the finest cuts, dry and wet aged and appears in an array of South African and international dishes. Enjoy a warm and unpretentious ambiance alongside mouth watering grills at The Block and Cellar.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, diners enjoy continental / full breakfasts all day alongside lazy lunches and fine dining dinners. The Blue Room can be found in the Redland Hotel, perfect for any occasion dining.

Serving South African cuisine, the daytime restaurant offers lunch in relaxed setting. Housed inside an old sandstone barn, the menu proffers 3 course meals, braai’s and decadent deserts.

The warm, romantic atmosphere provides a lingering atmosphere for locals, enticed by the finest selection of matured steaks and grills. Fish lovers can indulge in the large selection of seafood such as garlic prawns, sole and kingklip to mention a few. Sizzling steaks cooked to perfection compliment original sauces accompanied by hearty portions and attention to detail. The Mexican satisfies with mouth-watering dishes in Westdene, Bloemfontein.

The Stagecoach embraces a pub and grill ambiance with delightful varieties of pizza, jumbo burgers, seafood, ribs, combos and kiddies meals on offer. Dine in cool air conditioned surrounds or on the covered veranda enjoying a delicious lunch menu, famous all day breakfasts in an old west setting. The mood beacons casual and relaxed with friendly faces and the best steaks and biggest burgers in town.

Indulge in authentic Portuguese cuisine and warm hospitality over breakfast, lunch or dinner. Vasco’s welcomes with friendly faces and warm embraces alongside a hearty serving of seafood, steaks or vegetarian dishes. Dine in the nautical surrounds or alfresco and discover a taste of Portugal’s history.

This trendy café, which now also offers a breakfast menu, is perfect for a lazy brunch or a light tapas lunch. Vida & Arte is housed in a beautiful old Westdene house, with ornate pressed ceilings, gleaming wooden floors and a cosy stoep in front. The interior is beautifully decorated, with dramatic artworks adorning the walls, as it doubles as an art gallery. The Spanish tapas platters are the highlight of the menu. They consist of freshly baked bread and a variety of cheeses and olives. Salads include Caprese, or chicken, walnut and pecorino. For dessert try the meringue, caramel and strawberry cake.