Restaurants: Where to dine on your last day in Windhoek

This is it. Your trip in Namibia has come to an end. Your life has been changed. For the better, of course. Your SD cards are full and your heart even fuller. You have seen your desired destinations and ticked off all the animals from your list that were previously only real in glossy magazines and on TV. The feeling of the fine desert sand still tingles your toes and the roaring of lions and trumpeting of elephants hauntingly ring in the back of your mind.

How can you conclude your trip on a high note?

Check out my pick of restaurants where you can savour your last Namibian meal before jetting off back home. Read about surviving your long-haul flight for more tips and tricks on this topic. As most flights leave at night anyway, with careful planning you can make the most of the last few hours of your Namibian sojourn.

1. River Crossing Lodge

Book a table on the terrace for splendid views. Take note that reservations are essential!

River Crossing Lodge is famed for its energetic city pulse in the heart of the bush. It is no surprise that the lodge has become a safe haven to many Windhoekers seeking refuge from the buzzing city.

When heading out of Windhoek towards Hosea Kutako International Airport on the B6, continue past Avis Dam. As soon as you pass under the train bridge, look out for the River Crossing signboard and turn right onto the gravel road that will lead you all the way to the lodge.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 am to 9 pm. What to order? Everything on the menu is recommendable, and I am especially a fan of the juicy burger and onion rings – the best in town! Pair it with a cocktail of your choice, breathe in the air and enjoy the magnificent views of the Molteblick Mountains.

2. The Beer Barrel Brewery

They are closed on Mondays and on Sundays from 3 pm in the wintertime or 6 pm in the summertime. Due to popular demand, it is better to book weekends, especially Fridays and Sundays.

As you make your way on Sam Nujoma Drive towards Hosea Kutako International Airport, turn right at a lodge named Das Brückenhaus onto Beer Lover Boulevard. When you look at the street sign, you might wonder if your eyes are deceiving you. Have you just stumbled upon paradise?

Once you have visited the country, you will know that Namibia is famous for its quality beer and organic meat. When in Namibia, I definitely recommend putting these to the test. The Beer Barrel Brewery auspiciously combines beer and meat like no other restaurant. Aside from a huge variety of craft beers to try, there is also a major selection of meat dishes on the menu. A highlight for me personally is the fresh homemade bread. And I’d therefore recommend any of the burgers, of which my favourite is the pulled pork burger.

The Beer Barrel Brewery is open from Tuesday to Thursday from 4 pm, on Friday to Sunday from 11 am. In the wintertime, the restaurant is only open until 3 pm on a Sunday. Take note that they are closed on Mondays. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. while the bar’s opening hours depend on the last man standing… or at least drinking.

It is a great place to let the little ones get rid of excess energy on the playground or at the swimming pool.

3. Heja Game Lodge

Remember to make reservations. If you have some extra time to kill, spend the day and try your hand at archery or let your kids enjoy a pony ride (the latter is available on Sundays only).

Smack bam in the middle between Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport, Heja Game Lodge is tucked between the Auas Mountains in the south, and the Khomas Hochland and Eros Mountains to the north and west. The lodge overlooks the Hoffnung Dam, the oldest man-made lake in Namibia.

The à la carte restaurant opens for lunch from 12 pm to 2 pm and dinner starts at 6 pm. Lunch is definitely your go-to if you are flying out in the evening. Game dishes feature among their specialties. Dig into your last delicious steak.

It is the perfect place to relax next to the pool or to partake in a variety of other activities. Be sure to enquire beforehand and make the necessary bookings.

4. Joe’s Beerhouse

This is the place that all the guidebooks and travel websites rave about. And it never disappoints.

Open every day of the week, Joe’s Beerhouse is always a good idea. From Monday to Thursday you can treat yourself any time from 12 pm until 11 pm, and from Friday to Sunday from 11 until 11.

If you didn’t have the chance (or the guts) to try an exotic dish up until now, this is your chance! But don’t fret if you don’t have the stomach for crocodile or zebra steak; they also offer “tame” items on the menu, whether you prefer a light soup, salad, pizza, a hearty Eisbein (pork knuckle) or another meaty dish. Top it off with a lekker dessert, be it a traditional malva pudding or the Lion’s Paw chocolate brownie served with brandy custard.

Joe’s, as it is lovingly known, is centrally located in the city. Here it is all about the ambiance and if you haven’t been here upon arrival… shame on you. It may be the last Instagram-worthy shots you get to take owing to all the intriguing decor from old cars to a large fish pond home to colourful koi.

5. Namibia Independence Memorial Museum (NIMMS) Restaurant

Learn some Namibian history, sip on a beer and enjoy a 360-degree view of the capital city.

Make sure to visit the coffee-pot-like building in Robert Mugabe Avenue when you are in Windhoek. The Namibia Independence Memorial Museum is exactly what the name says it is and also houses the NIMMS Restaurant on the top floor. When I first stepped into the glass-fronted lift with a view of the Christuskirche and the rest of the city, it felt like time came to a standstill, although the tiny toy-like cars below kept moving along.

This place ranks among my top viewpoints in Windhoek for watching the sunset. And since Namibians are big on sundowners, I’d definitely recommend NIMMS for a drink. Best of all, it’s never crowded!

The menu varies from “safe options” such as schnitzel, chicken dishes, pasta and salad to more exotic Namibian dishes. Have you had a traditional Oshikundu beer yet? Come try it here on Mondays to Thursdays from 8 am until 10 pm, on Fridays until 12 pm, on Saturdays until 6 pm and Sundays until 9 pm.

Text by Annelien Robberts