Location: Grahamstown
Top Restaurants in Grahamstown
Top Things to do in Grahamstown
- 1. Cathedral of St Michael and St George
- 2. 1820 Settlers National Monument
- 3. Kwantu Elephant Sanctuary
- 4. Observatory Museum
- 5. St Patrick's Catholic Church
- 6. Oldest letterbox in South Africa
- 7. National English Literary Museum
- 8. Albany Museum-Provost Prison
- 9. Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery and Guesthouse
- 10. The Methodist Cathedral
Top 10 restaurants in Grahamstown, South Africa
Grahamstown (Afrikaans: Grahamstad, Xhosa: iRhini) is a town of about 70,000 people in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated about 110 kilometres (70 mi) northeast of Port Elizabeth and 130 kilometres (80 mi) southwest of East London. Grahamstown is the largest town in the Makana Local Municipality, and the seat of the municipal council. It also hosts Rhodes University, the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, and a diocese of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and 6 South African Infantry Battalion.
Things to do in Grahamstown
1. Haricots Bistro & Deli
Overall Ratings
4 based on 182 reviews
http://www.yourcapetown.co.za/restaurant/grahamstown/haricots-bistro-and-deli.html
Reviewed By Susan_McGarvie - Port Alfred, South Africa
Haricots Bistro in Grahamstown is a super spot to meet up with friends for a vibey, winey lunch or a quiet coffee...and cake. You must have cake - the blackberry and apple crumble is particularly tasty with lashings of fresh cream.
Good service, free wifi that's fabulously fast and really good food and wine make this a favourite of mine in Grahamstown.
2. Norden's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
A national monument which hast hosted many Dignatories in its time including Nelson Mandela. Fantastic food made with fresh ingredients. Lovel spot for a special mean. Reasonably priced.
Reviewed By PlatinumHoney - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Had dinner here two nights and each time enjoyed the fare...lamb shank that melts off the bone and steak Diane perfectly prepared...it's rather surprising given the hotel in which the restaurant is situated, however, it is good dinner food, not fancy but well-prepared and flavorful.
3. The Cock House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By KevinHopkins_ZA - Greater Johannesburg, South Africa
After Reading some good reviews, I was keen to have dinner at one of Grahamstown's established restaurants. The venue is lovely. An old dining room in a Victorian guesthouse. But the food did not match. The menu is small. As a vegetarian, I had "seasonal vegetables" which was the only main course without meat. It was essentially the same selection of vegetables that other diners get as a side serving with their main course. I felt that more of an effort could be made. The wine list also needs a bit of a makeover. Not a great selection to choose from. So, in all, sadly the food and wine did not live up to the wonderful old world charm of the venue.
4. Madhatters Coffee Shop
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By CapeTownCurtis - Cape Town
Went there twice, so here's a reliable opinion.
Why go twice you might wonder..well, it was open, and I'm an optimist by nature. And very hungry.
Chips were ghastly (twice), mushroom on toast not much better and the veggie burger was simply disgusting. I truly have not had such terrible food in my entire life. You reply: but a veggie burger, whatever were you thinking?? Fair point, but if you are in the business of selling food, whatever it might be, it ought to be nice. Or at least, edible. This was not.
Shameful!!
5. The Rat & Parrot
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
The beloved Rat and Parrot is the best-known pub in Grahamstown. We serve amazing food, from juicy steaks to scrumptious pizza, and of course, the coldest beer in town. A place of many special memories and exciting new beginnings.
Reviewed By Mark_Seeks - Johannesburg, South Africa
I came here after a long time during the 2017 National Arts Festival. It's a great place for a few drinks with friends and keeping it casual. Very Pub like.
6. The Highlander
Overall Ratings
4 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By JandLillyn - Stafford, United Kingdom
We, as a group of nearly 30, arranged to have the Long Room (spot the cricket link) for our final meal together in South Africa. Food was good, service was too. The bar, surprisingly for a place with this name, has no single malt whisky. I wonder if they might like to change that? Fabulous views over the sports ground, and the interior of the main bar exudes elegance and charm. Many interesting pictures to browse.
7. Red Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Helen L - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
There are LOTS of boutique cafes in Grahamstown, so it's a surprise this place can maintain any business at all; maybe I was just marked as a sucker. Came in and spent quite a lot for a Sandwich take-away. Very friendly, charming atmosphere etc. lots of signs suggesting care go into the ingredients, and very tempting pastry/organic-y desserts and wish I'd gone in for one of those. Instead followed advice of the sweet and easy going lady in charge, ordered a chicken Sandwich with granary bread. Sounds great, right? Offered to pay whatever she said for the extras. Got it home: virtually nothing there but mayonaisse, on ordinary store bought square bread resembling brown bread due to molasses-colouring added, vaguely garnished with wilted lettuce and a sliver of something else unidentifiable, tasteless. It was such a shock compared to the staging of the place, which speaks of slow-food great sandwiches with wholesome filling. No way. I didn't take it back but I wanted to.
8. Casa de Loco Restaurant and Tapas Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By CapeTownCurtis - Cape Town
Wasn't expecting great food, and was pleasantly surprised. Great service, lovely fire and good food. Had chili poppers and rather superior corn fritters, followed by tasty veg fajita. I was delighted and would cheerfully go here again any day.
9. The Long Table
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Monica C
It wouldn't be the Grahamstown National Arts Festival if this were to close down! Great energy, great place to meet the artists and score some free tickets if you are lucky. What makes it stand out are the people, the atmosphere and of course the long table of fresh, simple, country food. Did I mention the Gluwein? This warm red wine mix is an absolute must have!!! But please keep count of the glasses you down or else...
10. The Provost Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Jilldutoit - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
What a good idea it was to convert the former Provost gaol, which had stood empty for a while, into a campus cafe. Quite a unique one too, with the cells used as individual nooks where folk can enjoy their refreshments.
The Mastertons coffee was excellent, a tasty apple pie went down a treat and the cell we chose provided shelter from an icy wind. The novelty of sitting in a cell was great, but we were pleased that that wasn't our permanent address!
