Have you also taken to drooling over Jamie Oliver’s 30-minute meal recipes or Nigella Lawson’s take on a sticky toffee pudding instead of actually eating your homemade bolognaise desk lunch, which is two days old, because you’d like to save a little? – You are not alone, I totally get the dilemma – a bite of toffee pudding would be great right now, wouldn’t it?
If you don’t know about reliable eateries close to your workplace or you’re visiting Windhoek for the first time after spending time at our Gondwana Lodges and unfamiliar with where you can have a hearty and flavourful meal, do not despair! I did a bit of culinary research on Independence Avenue, and here are a few places you (and I) can try. – Not only to get some food in over lunch, but also to discover new eateries and for the pleasure of a gastronomic adventure:
Rights to Nela Shikemeni
Start off at Street Cuisine, a bistro style restaurant between Foschini and Markhams right opposite the public park, Zoo Park. It is a multi-cuisine eatery and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open from 6:30 am to 8 pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 6:30 am to 10 pm on Fridays and 9 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
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Take a few steps into Fidel Castro Street, and make a stop at the Wing It Diner for those afternoon grilled Buffalo wings, paired with rustic fries or that creamy mac-n-cheese – not too sure if you’ll want to get out of your seat after this. Open Mondays to Saturdays from 9 am to 10 pm.
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Take a stroll around the corner into the Carl List mall and spoil yourself with dessert at e.a.t@ from their selection of freshly baked cakes. Unapologetically make eye and lip contact with those moist, syrup infused koeksisters. – Yes, it will leave you with very little or no willpower. So, sorry diet, we’ll resume again tomorrow! Open Mondays to Fridays from 7 am to 4:30 pm.
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After your Saturday morning hike or run, enjoy coffee at the Slowtown Coffee Roasters right opposite the Carl List mall, while you plan your girls’ trip with your best friend Sofia or just disconnect, journal or people-watch. Open Mondays to Sundays from 7:30 am to 8 pm.
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On a sweltering 38-degrees-Celsius-day there’s always room for Frozen berry yoghurt or ice cream and waffles at Cramer’s Ice Cream and Frozen Yoghurt. And for those who share my lactose intolerance struggle, three scoops of lemon and basil sorbet will do the trick. Open Mondays to Saturdays from 8 am to 10 pm and Sundays from 9 am to 10 pm.
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If, like my friend Anouchka visiting Namibia, you’ve been craving for a gluten free or vegan chocolate cake because you promised you’re going to stick to a healthier diet or planning on detoxing and boosting your immune system, try the Kombucha and grab a shopping basket and get your hands on other locally produced nourishments at Klara’s Market Place. Open Mondays to Fridays from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm and Sundays from 9am to 1 pm.
Rights to Anouchka Boiteux
Its lunch or dinner time and you’re not sure where to eat? – Try any of these restaurants in or close to Independence Avenue:
Sicilia Italian Restaurant | Call: 081 351 5560
Sumi Restaurant | Call: 061 247 370
Pepata Restaurant | Call: 083 330 0912
National Independence Memorial Museum Restaurant | Call: 081 317 2488
Krisjan’s Bistro | Call: 081 861 4614
Maybe one of these will become your new regular eating spot, but try all of them first and enjoy your breakfast, lunch or dinner at a new place! Explore them on your own or together with that cousin, aunt or uncle who’s always keen for a foodie adventure. – Now you’ve just run out of excuses for sad meals!
What restaurants have you tried on Independence Avenue? What’s your favourite meal there? Let us know by sharing your story in the comment section below.
Author – I’m Nela, from Windhoek Namibia but born in a small village called Omatunda in northern Namibia. I am passionate about writing, research and photography, as it helps me gain knowledge about people and my country.
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