4 Best Restaurants in Namibia

If you only have a single night to spend in the capital city, make sure you swing by Joe’s Beerhouse, whether it’s to sample a large selection of local craft beers, savor their generous portions of German and Namibian food, or to marvel at the thousands of pieces of eclectic memorabilia and knick-knacks on display, from stuffed animals and road signs to antiques and wire art. This quirky Windhoek institution will make for very memorable photos no matter whether you choose to sit indoors or out. Despite the vast amount of people who usually frequent this popular jaunt, the service is fairly prompt. The restaurant also offers a shuttle service for its patrons, which is added to the restaurant bill.

One of the in-house restaurants at the Strand Hotel, this genuine steak house has an inviting and lively atmosphere that will set you at ease at once. The steaks are A+ and the four craft beers from the in-house microbrewery pair well with a succulent piece of grilled game loin or a grilled Namibian Kapana experience, where the meat is grilled on an open fire, sliced, and sprinkled with traditional kapana spice. There are only a few vegetarian options. The outside fire pits are a great place to gather with friends for the beer tasting palette and a side of barbecue wings before dinner; you'll never tire of the view over the misty beaches of Swakopmund.

The Raft enjoys a spectacular view from its perch out over beautiful Walvis Bay Lagoon. Divided into two parts—bar to the right, restaurant to the left—this warm and friendly establishment seems to be a favorite with locals. The menu is extensive, with the usual array of seafood, sushi, red meat (try the Bushman Platter, if you're really hungry), and the requisite pasta and vegetarian options (pizzas and burgers available at the bar only). The bar area lacks character but the view from the restaurant section is perfect for a lovely relaxing lunch.

A favorite restaurant among locals, this bistro-style steak house champions perfectly prepared Namibian meat and first-rate South African wine. The fairly large menu can be overwhelming, but only because it's all so delicious. Try the Kalahari venison bites for starters and the slow-cooked pork belly for mains or keep it traditional and have a good old-fashioned steak excellently prepared. Grab one of the tables set in the captivating courtyard warmed by outdoor heaters (on cooler nights).

Always book in advance as this place is extremely popular.