Restaurants of the Central Drakensberg
The Champagne valley region of the Central Drakensberg offers some excellent dining options from family style venues to some up market 5 star dining.
Dragons Rest pub and restaurant
Conveniently situated on the R600 opposite Wits End Mountain Resort. The pub serves a selection of Pub fare and the restaurant serves a variety of al la carte meals, including their popular ox tail. On Wednesday evening they offer a 3 course meal at a special price. Happy hour (with half priced drinks) is on Thursday from 6 to 7 pm. They also have a take - away menu.
The owners Peter and Ady are both chefs so the food is generally good and well presented. Watch out for Peter’s dry sense of humor though!
Phone 036 468 1218
Monks Cowl Country Club
Situated at the Monks Cowl Golf Course. This is a nice cozy pub and restaurant with reasonably priced meals. On Monday nights they offer a “local is lekker” special consisting of a 3 course meal and their Sunday Roast Lunch is a treat not to be missed. The owners Stuart and Shelly Longmore are normally in attendance. Stuart is fondly known as “ Kortbroek Lonngmore” as he wears short pants throughout the year even in winter.
To get there turn right at the Wits End gate, take the first right (after 2 kilometers), cross the river and then take the first left.
Phone 036 468 1300
Champagne Sports Resort
Situated close to the end of the R 600 up in the mountains. Champagne Castle is one of the original hotels to be built in the area. They have beautiful views and lovely open gardens. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and although the selection is not as extensive as Champagne Sports Resort the food is excellent and the hotel has an old colonial ambience.
Phone 036 468 1063
Drakensburg Sun Hotel
Going towards the mountains turn right just after Champagne Sports Resort, or first left on the R 600 from Wits End Resort. This stylish Canadian concept hotel offers a full buffet dining room. One of their specialties is the grilled trout. They also serve teas and snacks on the verandah. What really impresses about Drakensberg Sun is their well trained courteous staff.
Phone 036 468 1000
Thokozisa
Located at the cross roads at the entrance to The Valley, this restaurant has ambience with a cozy inside restaurant and large outside dining area. They have an extensive al la carte menu, and offer pizzas as well. On weekends there is frequently live music on offer.
Phone 036 488 1273 or 036 488 2150.
Ardmore Guest Farm
As the site of the original world renowned Ardmore Ceramics studio the owners have established an Ardmore Ceramic Museum and have a craft shop and “The African Loom” which manufactures hand woven textiles. The tea garden serves traditional English tea and scones. By arrangement you can join in an old fashioned guest farm dinner at Ardmore. They offer a 3 course meal with vegetarian options with a free carafe of house wine. Ardmore is popular with overseas visitors and guests are encouraged to join others at the big yellowwood table for dinner and a chit chat.
Phone 036 4681133
The Nest Hotel
This Old style Country hotel offers reasonably priced dining room meals.
Phone 036 4681068
Tea Gardens
Valley bakery and The Stone Chat Coffee Shop at Cedarwood Village Shopping Centre offer good coffee and freshly baked treats. If you in the mood for some waffles, “The Waffle Hut” on the way to Winterton offer scrumptious waffles with decadent toppings. Canaan Cellars in Winterton offer good cappuccinos fresh cakes and light lunches.
