The Top 10 Foodie Spots on the Midlands Meander

I recently embarked on the ultimate food adventure – a four-day trip to the Midlands Meander in KwaZulu-Natal. Let me tell you, it was a glutton’s dream! I indulged in all the delicious offerings and returned home a few kilos heavier, promising myself to go on a diet for at least a year.

The Midlands Meander is a paradise for food enthusiasts like you and me. This scenic route takes you through lush green hills, enchanting valleys, and picturesque tree-lined avenues. Along the way, you’ll discover an abundance of fantastic restaurants, delightful delis, charming farm stalls, and talented artisans. Exploring the Midlands Meander is like embarking on the ultimate South African foodie road trip.

So, I couldn’t eat my way through the Midlands Meander all by myself, that’s why I brought my meat-loving colleague Christie Fynn along. After a crazy four days at Indaba in Durban, we hopped into our fancy sponsored car (a shiny VW Passat) on empty stomachs, armed with our trusty maps.

I have to say, we didn’t have a single bad meal or stay at any place that wasn’t cozy and charming on the Meander. But instead of boring you with a super long account of everything I devoured on our four-day adventure (trust me, it was a lot), I’ve put together a list of my top ten foodie spots on the Midlands Meander.

1. Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

This has got to be one of the most enchanting and breathtaking places I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying at. And let me tell you, Cleopatra has quite the reputation when it comes to food – and for good reason. Richard and Mouse Poynton, the loveliest couple you’ll ever meet, run the show here. They’re the kind of people you wish were your family so you could visit their charming country farmhouse and indulge in their mouthwatering meals. Richard, the culinary genius at Cleopatra, jokingly advises against staying for more than four days because the sheer amount of delicious food might render you immobile by the end of it. Now, you can try to burn off those hearty breakfasts and indulgent dinners by hiking in the magnificent Drakensberg mountains, which Cleopatra is nestled under. But I promise you this, your pants will feel a tad bit tighter when you leave. Our delightful six-course dinner consisted of: prawn and avocado in a zesty tomato sauce, creamy smoked salmon bisque, Mediterranean-style roast peppers, tangy lime granita, tender roast springbok with mouthwatering fondant potatoes (I went for the Thai-flavored sole – heavenly), and for dessert, golden baked pears nestled in flaky puff pastry drizzled with butterscotch sauce (or as Richard describes it, “the kind of pudding your grandma would have made before she kicked the bucket”). I’m telling you, when I find myself in the Drakensberg again, there’s no doubt I’ll be heading straight to Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse.

If you want to know more about my experience at Cleopatra, you can check it out here.

During winter, you can stay at Cleopatra for as low as R1250 per person. Your stay includes dinner, tea, and breakfast. On top of that, Cleopatra also provides cooking and gardening courses.

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2. Piggly Wiggly

Piggly Wiggly is a special place around here. It’s not just a farm store, restaurant, and winery, but also home to the most amazing cappuccino in the Midlands. Believe it or not, it has even won an award! If you want to treat yourself, try one of their famous cappuccinos with a decadent dollop of chocolate mousse on top. It’s absolutely delicious!

If you’re not in the mood for coffee, you can enjoy a lovely breakfast or lunch on the grass. The menu has a cozy farm store feel, with options like quiches, sandwiches, hearty breakfasts, and stuffed baked potatoes. While you dine, you can watch the kids play on the playground nearby. After your meal, you can stock up on fantastic farm store goodies. They have everything from biltong and freshly baked bread to cheese from La Petite France and Indezi. Don’t forget to try their homemade ice cream, creamy jersey cream, biscuits, jams, chutneys, and even Midlands mead and sherry.

On the same grounds, you’ll find an amazing wine shop, craft store, gift shop, and a pottery painting place for the children. It’s a one-stop shop for all your needs and a perfect place to spend the day with family and friends.

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If you’re interested in Middle Eastern cooking, you should definitely visit Kish Mish. This unique Persian spice shop in the Midlands offers a variety of Persian braai seasoning, saffron-infused oil, Egyptian dukkah, and Arabian fish seasoning. They also have homemade cordials, delicious jams like scrumptious gooseberry and vanilla, and pickles. You can even participate in a spice tasting or watch a cooking demonstration given by the owners, Amal and Sharon Ma’ani-Hessari, for just R20 (make sure to call ahead to find out when the next one is).

Contact

Contact Kish Mish at 0332344439 or visit their address at Happy Hills, R103, Lidgetton.

Now let me tell you about my incredible experience at Hartford House. My colleague, Christie, and I had a truly unforgettable meal there. We stayed in the honeymoon suite, which was incredibly romantic despite not being with my boyfriend. The suite had comfortable couches, a king-sized bed, and his ‘n hers hammocks with a view of the dam.

The highlight of our visit was the five-course dinner. The caramelised onion soup with wholegrain mustard and sesame seed ice cream was absolutely divine. I could have eaten liters of it! Another standout dish was the ‘Peanut butter and syrup on toast’ pudding. It was a creative masterpiece with peanut sauce semi-freddo, maple syrup ice cream, sugar-glazed banana, and vanilla creme anglaise.

But that’s not all. The breakfast at Hartford House was equally memorable. Initially, Christie and I planned to have some muesli and fruit to balance out the previous night’s feast. However, when we were presented with a three-course menu, we couldn’t resist. For starters, I had fresh fruit in berry coulis with a muesli base topped with brown-sugar-glazed vanilla gastrique yoghurt. For my main course, I enjoyed a roasted cherry tomato, mozzarella, hand-pressed basil pesto, and sundried tomato omelette. And to end the meal, I indulged in Maltabella ice cream with Amarula cream and prune compote. It was all so delicious that I couldn’t move afterwards!

Hey there! I’m excited to tell you about the amazing winter rates at Hartford House. Starting at just R550 per person, you can stay in a cozy suite in the manor house. But wait, if you feel like treating yourself, why not go all out and book one of the luxurious lake suites? These massive suites are perfect for indulging yourself and they only cost R1370 per person. Can you imagine the incredible views?

How to Get in Touch

Contact Swissland

Before I went to Swissland, I didn’t really like goats. I enjoyed goats cheese, but I wasn’t a fan of the animals themselves. They always smelled a bit goaty and had strange eyes. However, I was convinced to try feeding them some pellets when Christie bought a bag of them from the cheese shop. It turned out to be a lot of fun, like being a toddler at a petting zoo, with the goats nibbling on my hand. That experience made me realize that goats can actually be quite sweet. And now, I have developed a bit of a foodie crush on Swissland’s award-winning Drakensberg and smoked Chevin cheeses, which makes me even more keen on goats. I just wish I could buy those delicious cheeses in Cape Town.

Contact

Tel 0332344042
Address Old Main Road, R103, Balgowan

6. Granny Mouse’s Country House

Granny Mouse’s Country House has always been a place that I associate with the Midlands. I stayed there when I was very young, and my memories are of drinking Milo next to a cozy, crackling fire while it was dark and misty outside. Over the years, the place has changed, but it has retained its charm and remains a perfect retreat in the Midlands. The room we stayed in had a fireplace of its own, a large bath strewn with rose petals, and comfortable beds piled high with thick duvets – a true winter hideaway. The food at Granny Mouse’s is country chic. For dinner, we enjoyed a delicious meal in the formal dining room, followed by a hearty breakfast the next morning. The breakfast spread was incredible, with options like smoked salmon, eggs, rosti, muffins, cheese, preserves, pastries, and fruit. If you’re looking to unwind, there is a fantastic spa. Christie and I indulged in a “romantic couple’s massage” – it’s funny how you can bond with a colleague when you’re both naked in a room getting massaged. It was an incredibly relaxing experience. If I lived in Johannesburg, I would definitely make regular trips to Granny Mouse’s with my boyfriend. We would spend our weekends relaxing by one of the fireplaces in the lounge, sipping sherry, and enjoying massages at the spa.

Hey there! I wanted to tell you about an awesome winter deal I found at this fantastic place called Nicolson’s. They’re offering winter rates starting at just R1235 per room per night. But wait, it gets even better! Until the end of August, you can take advantage of a special offer for couples. For just R2600 per night, you and your partner can enjoy a relaxing getaway that includes dinner and breakfast, a luxurious aromatherapy full body massage, and a soothing foot massage. Doesn’t that sound incredible?

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7. Nicolson’s

So, our journey started in the peaceful town of Hilton, a place known for its scenic gardens and vibrant autumn foliage. Our first stop was at Nicholson’s on Garlington Estate, a charming restaurant situated amidst picturesque green fields and adorable Nguni cattle. This eatery, owned by the talented chef Jonty Nicolson and his lovely wife Tanya, has made a name for itself with its delicious and down-to-earth cuisine.

For my lunch, I decided to go with a roasted pear and berry-dressed salad adorned with crunchy toasted almonds, accompanied by a mouthwatering Camembert bruschetta. Let me tell you, the combination of Camembert and cranberry was an absolute delight. And as my main course, I savored lightly breaded calamari tubes, placed atop a tangy broth infused with lime, coriander, garlic, and spring onions. It was the perfect dish to warm me up on that chilly afternoon in the Midlands. I couldn’t help but wish I could stay for dinner and explore more of the fantastic menu. Definitely next time!

Contact

If you’re interested in visiting Nicholson’s, here are their contact details:

Tel: 0333295200

Address: Seeking Drive, Garlington Estate, Hilton

I have a particular love for beer, especially when it is brewed in small, independent breweries. That’s why I was incredibly eager to visit Nottingham Road Brewery, and it completely lived up to my expectations. The brew master was kind enough to spend some time chatting with us, explaining the entire brewing process. It was evident that he was passionate about his craft, and I absolutely adored hearing him talk so enthusiastically about it.

After our enlightening conversation about the science of brewing, it was only fitting that we sampled some of the beer. Luckily, the best place to try out Nottingham Road Brewery’s creations is just a few meters away from the actual brewery, in the cozy pub called the Boar’s Head, which is part of Rawdons Hotel. That particular afternoon was a bit gloomy and chilly, so the pub’s warmth, complete with a roaring fire and soft Phil Collins music in the background, was truly inviting. The pub had a quintessentially English vibe and had a variety of their beers available on a taster board.

Even though Christie isn’t a huge fan of beer, she found solace in the Tiddly Toad Light Lager. As for me, I fell head over heels for the Pickled Pig Porter. Unfortunately, work called, and we couldn’t stay and enjoy the pub for longer. But if I were on vacation, I would have gladly spent hours savoring their delicious, adult-sized portions of beer and indulging in the hearty pub food that graces their menu.

8. Nottingham Road Beer and Rawdons pub

Contact

If you want to get in touch with Nottingham Road Brewery, just give us a call at 0332666728. And if you’re looking to contact The Boar’s Head, you can reach us at 0332666044.

9. The Ultimate Chocolate Experience

If you’re looking for a truly unique chocolate experience, then you have to try ‘Chocolate Heaven’s’ famous ‘Chocolate dippingz’ event. Here, you can dip all sorts of unusual treats in chocolate, including gherkins and onions! Of course, they also have the more traditional options like marshmallows and fruit.

At ‘Chocolate Heaven,’ they really take their chocolate seriously. They import the finest Belgian chocolate and use it to handcraft delicious chocolates with their own special fillings. And let me tell you, their fillings are out of this world. They offer flavors like curry, biltong, chilli, passionfruit, and chai spices. I had the pleasure of trying some of these strange and wonderful fillings, and I loved every bite. Christie even said that the biltong flavor was fantastic!

When you visit ‘Chocolate Heaven,’ you have two options. You can either choose your own mix of chocolates to take home with you, or you can indulge in their famous ‘Chocolate dippingz’ experience. This experience involves dropping your favorite treats, like strawberries, fudge, Turkish delight, and yes, even gherkins, into a pot of warm, melted chocolate. It’s a dream come true for any true chocolate lover!

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If you’re looking for an amazing selection of specialty liquor, look no further than Born in Africa. I can’t recommend their products enough – they’re absolutely fantastic! Take a tasting and try not to walk away with several bottles of their mead. And when it comes to chilly evenings in the Midlands, their chilli-infused sherry is the perfect drink to enjoy by the fire. But that’s not all they offer! Their butterscotch cream and butterscotch schnapps are also must-tries. And if you’re a fan of ale, they have a delicious cherry ale. For those who prefer wine, they have cranberry liqueur, pineapple wine, strawberry wine, and brambleberry wine. If you’re a cheese lover like me, you’ll be blown away by their cheeses. Their white mountain goats cheese is simply divine. And don’t even get me started on their homemade preserves! The peaches preserved in sherry and chilli gouda are particularly delicious. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Contact:

Give them a call at 0332344992 or visit their address at Old Balgowan Farm, R103. You won’t regret it.

Hey there! So, I’ve got this list of ten amazing places to eat, but I just had to throw in a couple more highlights for you. Let’s get started!

First up, we’ve got Cooking Bear in Caversham. This little country restaurant serves up the best fish pie you’ll ever taste. Picture creamy goodness with the perfect mash on top. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. If you want to check it out, here’s their contact info: Tel 0332344933, 55 Caversham Road.

Next on the list is Cafe Bloom. This charming little spot serves mainly vegetarian breakfasts and lunches. It’s located in a converted warehouse, which is cool. Oh, and they’ve got some beautiful ceramics and flower paintings you can buy. But let’s talk about the food. Their freshly squeezed juice is ah-mazing. And their Autumn platter, with cheese, olives, marinated mushrooms, and chutney, is just lovely. If this sounds like your kind of place, you can reach them at Tel 0332666118. They’re in Country Courtyard, off the R103, Nottingham Road.

Now, let me tell you about La Baguette. This place is a hidden gem that’s almost worth a four-hour drive from Joburg. Why? Well, they have this almost-sour lemon tart that will blow your mind. And that’s not all! They’re an authentic French bakery that also makes delicious pies, like spinach and feta with coriander cream, mozzarella, and caramelized onion. Oh, and their fresh bread is to die for. Seriously, you need to check them out. Give them a call at Tel 0333304491. You can find them in Greenside Acres Centre, Howick.