If there’s one thing our little town knows how to do, it’s tantalise taste buds! From fusion cuisine and awesome pub grub to gourmet wood-fired pizzas prepared in a world-class food truck, Hoedspruit has become a budding foodie destination of note!
You’re never going to go hungry or get bored when it comes to eating out in Hoedspruit. With some truly top-notch places where you can tuck into delicious dishes prepared with no small amount of flare and flavour, this dyed in the wool safari town is fast becoming a food lover’s paradise.
From a selection of excellent coffee shops and cafés offering everything from breakfast, brunch and elevenses to lunch and afternoon tea to restaurants offering fine dining and modern takes on old classics and fab food truck fare, there’s something to suit even the most discerning palate. If you don’t do meat or prefer a plant-based diet, the majority offer mouthwatering selections to meet your needs as well.
Here’s our guide to a few places that come highly recommended…
Cafés and Coffee Shops
Hoedspruit is blessed with a great selection of lovely places to go for a bite to eat and a great cuppa Joe, complemented by lots of cakes and sweet goodies too.
There’s the Fig and Bean in the Rock Fig Centre, next to the Pick n Pay supermarket complex. Renowned for its breakfasts, great coffee and smoothies it’s a Hoedspruit stalwart and busy meeting place.
At the Kamogelo Centre in the heart of town you’ll find three great options – all very different to one another.
First up is Hoedspruit Café which specialises in home baked sourdough breads and baked goods and offers an extensive menu for breakfast and lunch as well as fabulous cakes and goodies to complement tea or coffee. Topped off with a great kids’ play area, it’s a super place to go with the family.
Next up is The Stoned Olive with its mediterranean inspired menu that includes tapas, awesome coffee and great outside seating area with a wonderful, welcoming vibe, as well as delectable desserts.
The Kassava Café’s African themed menu is a fresh take on South Africa’s popular street food and traditional favourites.
Pubs and grills
Hoedspruit is renowned for its casual dining options at a selection of great pub-style venues.
Top of the list is The Thirsty Giraffe Pub and Grill which is located a few minute’s drive outside of town on the R40 to Phalaborwa. Specialising in Portuguese style fare, with the most amazing seafood platters and espetadas, the menu is filled with a range of hearty favourites like home-made pie and mash and steak and chips as well as peri peri chicken, superlative prawns and excellent gourmet burgers. It also makes the best malva pudding we know!
Hoedspruit history is combined with fab food at Sleepers – a pub and eatery that has become a legend in its own lunchtime! Housed in what used to be the Hoedspruit Station, right next to the still active railway line, it offers everything from great steaks to pizzas and themed dishes (Mexican, Indian, Thai, etc). Great for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sleepers shares its menu with its sister eatery, Three Bridges, which is located on the Olifants River on the R40 to Phalaborwa. As its name implies, it overlooks three bridges across the river. Diners can sometimes get luck with sightings of elephant, hippo and crocodiles along the river!
The Brewery at the Bosveld Centre is another great option for informal, pub-style dining. With sourdough pizzas, a range of burgers, hot dogs and wraps on offer, there’s also excellent local craft beer and craft gins on tap to complement your meal.
Restaurants
In the very centre of town is the Hat & Creek restaurant – its name derived from the name “Hoedspruit” which when translated from the Afrikaans vernacular means “hat creek”! It’s the town’s best-loved fine dining option with a menu that features a range of wonderful fusion dishes inspired by Africa, Asia and Europe. With elegant seating indoors and out and a great, tranquil atmosphere, it also has a fabulous selection of cakes and delicious desserts.
One of Hoedspruit’s newest restaurants is helping to set it apart when it comes to the town’s status as a foodie destination. The Hogfather Porkery, as its name implies, specialises in superlative pork and pork-based dishes, lovingly created by a team of skilled chefs. Add to this wonderfully fresh takes on things like fish and chip Fridays, slap-up brunches and a truly awesome cocktail selection and you have a great reason to spend time there!
Of course, you are always welcome to chat to us for other options and additional recommendations. So come and eat up a storm with us!
Have we missed some? Please comment below and we will be sure to add them asap.
