The Northern Cape Restaurants

The Northern Cape has never been gastronomically exciting, but some standout additions to the province’s tourism map offer food as good as anything you'll find in Cape Town. In the larger towns of Kimberley, Upington, and Springbok—where local residents generally traditionally like their meat well done and regard chicken as salad—it may be hard to find what you’re looking for. Your most memorable meal might be the legendary delicacy Karoo lamb—often roasted on a braai. It can be savored not only on the farms of the Karoo but also in restaurants in Kimberley, Upington, and the Kalahari. Vegetarians will find their needs very difficult to meet in large towns and almost unheard of in small villages. However, fresh fruits, especially grapes, are delicious and abundant in the summer months in the Orange River valley, from Upington to Kakamas. In winter look out for homemade preserves like peach chutney and apricot jam. Other than the more sophisticated hotels and such national steak-house chains as Spurs and Saddles, many restaurants are closed on Sunday evening. Unless you are a large group, reservations are not essential or even expected. Dining in the Northern Cape, even in Kimberley, is a casual affair in all but the few elegant and chic establishments. Wearing anything other than flip-flops is usually acceptable.