3 Best Restaurants in Windhoek, 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.

Arguably Windhoek's only true fine-dining establishment—with a price tag to match—Leo's is literally in a castle on a hill. The small chandelier-dazzled dining room has fabulous views of the city and the haute cuisine is both gorgeously prepared and presented. Inside, it's all Champagne and taupe elegance, and sepia prints of early-20th-century photographs of the castle. The seasonal menu is not large but focuses on meat, with a couple of fresh fish and vegetarian options. The wine list is an impressive tome with at least 9,000 bottles available to choose from at any given time.

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.