With a growing food scene, Prince Albert has become a culinary destination in its own right, with a range of restaurants, cafes, and delis serving up delicious food using locally sourced ingredients and drinks. In this blog, we’ll be sharing our top picks for the best places to eat and drink in Prince Albert, from classic Karoo-style cuisine to modern twists on traditional dishes.

So, whether you’re a foodie, a traveler, or simply curious about the culinary scene in the Karoo, read on to discover our top recommendations for the best eateries in Prince Albert in 2023.

1. The Lazy Lizard

One of the first places we head to when arriving in town is the Lazy Lizard. Found on Church Street, this family-run business has been an integral part of the town for many years.

The menu caters for everyone and includes breakfasts and lunches, featuring vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as meat dishes, always using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our favorite is their burger, chips, and salad. This might not sound terribly exciting, but every part of the burger and sides is homemade. In fact, everything at The Lazy Lizard is homemade. We love their pies, soups, and pasta dishes too.

The restaurant serves the most amazing cakes, my absolute favorite being their cheesecake, which makes an amazing companion to some really great coffee. An added bonus is that you can order a whole cake to buy if one slice is not sufficient. Yes, we have done that and enjoyed cheesecake for days afterwards.

They also offer evening takeaway meals on certain days of the week. Sunday is pizza night, so you just need to phone in your order and collect it before 18:00. Fish and chips are on offer during the week, as is the burger and chips combo.

Seating is available indoors and outdoors under the large trees in the garden. Outdoor seating is extremely popular, especially in the summer months, and it is possible to spend the whole afternoon here, chatting or reading a good book. Indoors you can find a deli and a small convenience store, and an internet café.

All in all, the Lazy Lizard is a great choice. We love their amazing, fresh food, friendly service, and pleasant atmosphere.

• Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 07:00 – 19:00
• Phone: (+27) 071 103 8079
• Licensed

2. African Relish

African Relish is a recreational cooking school and culinary center, also situated on Church Street. The center offers a range of cooking classes, workshops, and food-related experiences, with an emphasis on using local and seasonal ingredients.

Enjoy a great meal on the verandah at Chef’s Café. On the summer menu, you will find a wide range of wood-fired pizzas. They are totally delicious and have some rather interesting names, such as Pizza Sunkissed (custom-made bases with house tomato sauce, baby spinach, Gay’s Dairy cheese and roasted aubergine, finished with grated Parma Prince cheese and fresh basil) and Pizza Obvious (with not so obvious toppings as salami, olives and mushrooms, finished with guacamole and fresh rocket).

Soups, salads and pasta abound. Examples are Spicy Butternut Soup, Grilled Fig & Quinoa Salad, and Penne Puttanesca. For those of you who have heard of the famous Karoo lamb, there is a Karoo Platter with pulled leg of lamb, relishes and dips. With all of this and more, African Relish can justifiably be ranked as one of the best eateries in Prince Albert.

If it’s not enough to simply eat this amazing food, you can learn how to make it too. The classes at African Relish cover a wide range of culinary styles, including traditional South African cuisine, Mediterranean dishes, and vegetarian and vegan options. Classes are taught by experienced chefs and cooking instructors, and participants have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques while working with fresh and flavorful ingredients.

Four cottages are available as accommodation.

• Opening times: Chef’s Cafe: Tuesday – Saturday: 16:00 – 22:00, Closed on Sundays and Mondays
• Deli: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 to 20:00
• Booking is essential. Phone +27 76 048 5959
• Licensed

3. O for Olive

O for Olive is an olive farm and deli located just outside of town, on Swartrivier Olive Farm, 4km along Kruidfontein Road. The farm produces a range of olive products, including extra virgin olive oil, table olives, and olive paste, using traditional and sustainable farming methods.

The deli at O for Olive offers a range of homemade products, including freshly baked bread, cheeses, cured meats, and a variety of olive-based products. Visitors can also enjoy olive tastings and learn about the history and production of olive oil.

We can recommend morning coffee dates and lunches out on the verandah in this peaceful and relaxing environment. The food is amazing, the staff friendly, and the setting stunning!

• Opening times: Tuesday – Friday: 09:00 – 16:00, Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 – 14:00. Closed on Monday
• Booking is essential: Phone (+27) 023 5411917
• Licensed

4. The Swartberg Hotel

The Victoria Room is a restaurant located in the Swartberg Hotel. The hotel itself is an historic building that dates back to 1864 and has been restored to retain its original charm and character.

The Victoria Room is a fine dining restaurant that serves a range of gourmet dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients and flavors. The menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons and the availability of fresh produce, but some of the dishes that have been featured in the past include Karoo lamb, ostrich fillet, and line-caught fish.

The restaurant has an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, with Victorian-style decor and furnishings. There is a cozy fireplace in the dining room that adds to the ambiance during the cooler months.

• Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 18:00 – 21:00
• Booking is essential. Phone: (+27) 023 5411 332
• Licensed, can take your own, but do charge corkage

Also located in the hotel is Hendry’s Artisinal Bakery and Coffee Shop. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

5. The Rude Chef

If you’re looking for delicious African cuisine, The Rude Chef Bistro is a must-visit restaurant. From the moment you take your first bite of the tasty venison, venison pies, and bobotie, you’ll be impressed by the quality of the food. And don’t forget to save room for dessert because the fruitcake is also a standout dish.

The wine list at The Rude Chef is extensive, offering something to suit every taste. But what really sets this restaurant apart is its homey atmosphere. Henriette, the proprietor, has a wicked sense of humor that will make you feel right at home.

• Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 13:00 – 21:00, Sunday: 16:30 – 21:00
• Booking is essential. Phone: (+27) 073 120 1243
• Fully licensed

6. Hope Warriors Coffee Bar

Opening since we were last in Prince Albert, we still wanted to highlight this great initiative. The establishment is unique in that it serves as a social enterprise, with a portion of the proceeds from each purchase going towards supporting local initiatives and charities that work to empower and uplift members of the community.

The coffee shop offers a range of coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, and latte, as well as teas, hot chocolate, and cold drinks.

In addition to its social mission, Hope Warriors Coffee Bar is also known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The establishment has indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors to the town, and rounds up our list of the best eateries in Prince Albert in 2023.

• Opening times: Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 16:00, Saturday: 08:00 – 13:00
• Phone: (+27) 023 5411 066

7. Prince Albert Cafe

Their logo describes the Cafe as “Casual Karoo, Fine Dining At Its Best”. This new restaurant on the Prince Albert menu has become incredibly popular in a short space of time, and it’s not hard to see why.

The menu board changes daily, but Karoo lamb is always available, as well as a variety of food to suit most people.

• Opening times: Monday – Saturday: Various times
• Booking is advisable. Phone (+27) 083 657 1574
• Licensed

8. Karoo Bierstro

Looking for a youthful ambiance with a range of burgers, beers, and other alcoholic beverages (and some delicious shakes)? Look no further than the new trendy hotspot located on the main road in Prince Albert. The menu caters to a range of tastes, with your usual beef burgers, chicken burgers, and a vegetarian option featuring a falafel burger. They also offer a variety of grilled Karoo lamb dishes and an outstanding Karoo lamb burger. But the ultimate draw of this joint is undoubtedly the vibe. People flock here for the energetic atmosphere that’s buzzing.

• Opening times: Tuesday: 16:00 – 20:00, Wednesday – Saturday: 11:00 – 20:00, Sunday: 11:00 – 15:00
• Booking is advisable. Phone (+27) 071 342 9006
• Licensed

With such a variety of eateries in one small town, you are spoilt for choice. When you are next in town, be sure to try them.