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Best Food in Pietermaritzburg (2026)
Begin your culinary tour in the city center at The Tasty Table, 123 Church Street. This popular spot serves modern South African cuisine with mains averaging R150-R250. It's openβ¦ π½οΈ Where to Start
Begin your culinary tour in the city center at The Tasty Table, 123 Church Street. This popular spot serves modern South African cuisine with mains averaging R150-R250. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 9pm.
π₯ Street Food Favorites
Don't miss the bunny chow at Gounden's Takeaway, 45 Victoria Road. A hollowed-out loaf filled with curry costs just R45 and is a local institution. For samoosa lovers, the stall outside the City Hall on Longmarket Street sells three for R10.
π Hidden Neighborhood Gems
In the Scottsville neighborhood, find The Curry House at 78 Golf Road, serving authentic Durban-style curries from R80. Another gem is Mama's Kitchen in Woodlands, 12 Pine Street, offering hearty home-style meals like oxtail stew for R120.
π° Local Prices
A typical meal at a mid-range restaurant costs between R100 and R200 per person. Street food options like bunny chow or samoosas are under R50. Budget-friendly eateries in the CBD offer lunch specials for around R60.
π Getting Around
The city's minibus taxis are the cheapest way to reach food spots, with fares around R10-R15 per ride. For a more comfortable option, use Uber or Bolt, which cost roughly R30-R60 for short trips within the city center.
π Best Evening Spots
For dinner with a view, head to The View Restaurant at 1 President Road, open until 10pm. Their grilled linefish with lemon butter is a standout at R180. Alternatively, try The Local Grill on Boshoff Street, known for its steaks and craft beer selection, with mains from R160.
π° Sweet Treats
Indulge in a slice of milk tart at The Daily Bread Bakery, 67 Burger Street, for R25. For artisanal ice cream, visit Sweet Earth on Church Street, where a double scoop costs R35 and flavors include amarula and rooibos.
π₯ Vegetarian Options
The Green Bowl at 34 Loop Street offers a rotating menu of vegan and vegetarian dishes, with mains around R90. Their Buddha bowl is a favorite. Another option is Earth Cafe on Commercial Road, serving plant-based burgers and smoothies from R70.
nice guide, covers the basics well. one thing i'd add for the scottsville crowd is the bunny chow at Patel's on Boom Street, like someone mentioned, but also their dhal soup on a rainy day is legit - R20 for a bowl and they'll throw in a roti if you ask nice
for breakfast, skip The Daily Bread and go to The Batch on Boshoff Street like that other person said, but also their bacon and egg roll is R35 and they use proper free-range eggs from a farm outside town. opens at 6am weekdays so it's good before work
the green bowl is decent but if you're vegetarian and want something heartier, try the veggie curry at The Curry House on Golf Road - they do a thali for R85 that comes with three veg curries, rice, roti, and a little bit of sweet dhal. fills you up proper
one spot the guide totally missed is the pie shop on Burger Street near the taxi rank, been there for 30 years. their steak and kidney pie is R22 and they still make the pastry by hand. cash only though so come prepared
The guide's got it right about Gounden's, but if you're after bunny chow on a Sunday when they're closed, head to Patel's on Boom Street. Their mutton curry is slightly sweeter than Gounden's, and they'll do a half-bunny for R25 if you're not starving.
One thing missing from the street food section is the samoosas from the Muslim community on Victoria Road near the mosque on Fridays after prayers. They're smaller than the City Hall ones, about R1 each, and the mince filling has a proper kick to it. Get there before 1pm or they sell out.
For sweet treats, I'd swap The Daily Bread for The Batch on Boshoff Street. Their koeksisters are R15 each and they make them fresh every morning, sticky enough to ruin your shirt but worth it.
solid guide honestly, the Tasty Table is good but if you want proper value for money hit up The Curry House on a Tuesday - they do a lunch special for R70 that includes rice, a curry, and a side of sambals. that's basically half price compared to their regular menu and the portions are huge
also worth mentioning is the roti from the little halal spot on Church Street opposite the library, it's not in the guide but they make them fresh to order for R15 each and the dhal puri is the best i've had outside Durban. opens at 7am weekdays and there's always a queue by 8
for the evening crowd, The Local Grill is solid but honestly the steak at The Butcher's Block on Langalibalele Street is better and about R20 cheaper - their ribeye at R140 comes with a proper salad and chips, no weird add-on charges like some places do
Where to Stay in Pietermaritzburg (2026)
The city center is the most convenient base for first-time visitors, with easy access to attractions like the Tatham Art Gallery and the City Hall. You'll find a mix of midβ¦ ποΈ City Center Overview
The city center is the most convenient base for first-time visitors, with easy access to attractions like the Tatham Art Gallery and the City Hall. You'll find a mix of mid-range hotels and guesthouses, with prices ranging from R800 to R1,500 per night. It's walkable during the day, but be cautious after dark and consider using taxis for evening outings.
π³ Quiet Suburbs
For a peaceful stay, head to suburbs like Scottsville or Chase Valley, which offer leafy streets and family-friendly atmospheres. Guesthouses here typically cost between R600 and R1,200 per night, and many have gardens or pools. These areas are ideal for families or anyone wanting to escape the city bustle, but you'll need a car or ride-hailing service to get around.
π Nightlife Hotspots
If you want to be near bars and restaurants, look for accommodation around the Golden Horse Casino or in the trendy area of Hayfields. Rooms at the casino's hotel start at around R1,200 per night, while nearby boutique guesthouses offer rates from R900. This area suits travelers who enjoy evening entertainment and don't mind some noise.
π» Digital Nomad Choices
Digital nomads should consider self-catering apartments in the city center or near the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where Wi-Fi is generally reliable. Monthly rentals range from R6,000 to R10,000, and serviced apartments like those at The Grange offer flexible terms. Cafes such as The Coffee Lab on Boom Street provide good workspaces during the day.
π° Budget-Friendly Stays
Backpackers and budget travelers can find dorm beds at places like The Bamboo Guest House, starting at R250 per night. Private rooms in budget guesthouses in the Eastwood area cost around R400 to R600. These options are basic but clean, and you'll save money for exploring the Midlands Meander.
π¨ Top End Hotels
For luxury, book a room at the Protea Hotel by Marriott, which offers rooms from R1,800 per night with full amenities. Another upscale option is the Hilton Hotel in the nearby suburb of Hilton, about 10 minutes away, with rates from R2,200. These hotels provide fine dining, pools, and conference facilities, perfect for business travelers or special occasions.
π Getting Around
Most accommodation is spread out, so having a car is the easiest way to explore Pietermaritzburg. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt operate widely, with typical fares of R50 to R150 within the city. Public minibus taxis are cheap but confusing for visitors, so stick to private transport for convenience.
π Seasonal Booking Tips
Book well in advance for major events like the Comrades Marathon in June, when hotels fill up quickly and prices double. The summer months (November to February) are peak tourist season, so expect higher rates and book early. Winter (May to August) offers lower prices and mild weather, making it a great time for budget-conscious travelers.
One thing I'd add: if you're in Scottsville, take a late afternoon walk through the old part of the suburb near the university. The jacaranda trees are stunning in October, and there's a small deli on Golf Road that does a decent flat white for like R35. It's the kind of spot you'd miss if you're just driving between the cricket oval and your guesthouse.
For the Comrades, don't overlook the option of staying in a self-catering place in Eastwood and driving to the start with a local shuttle service. It's less glamorous than the casino or Hilton, but you'll save enough for a proper celebratory meal after the race. Just confirm the shuttle pickup time the night before, they're punctual to a fault.
honestly the city center hotels are fine but i'd skip them and go for scottsville if u can, especially near the cricket oval. stayed at a guesthouse there last year for the comrades and it was like R700 a night, garden and pool, and the vibe is way more chill than downtown. just make sure u uber to the start line on race day, parking is a nightmare.
one thing the guide missed: check out the food stalls at the liberty mall on a saturday morning, they do these amazing bunny chows that beat any restaurant in the city. also, if ur here in winter, the mist over the hills in chase valley is pretty unreal, worth a morning walk even if it's cold. and for the marathon, book like 6 months out, not just a few weeks, places go stupid fast.
the grange is solid for nomads, i worked from there for a month and the wifi never dropped once. also worth knowing the botanical gardens are free and way quieter than the city center if u need a break from screens, grab a coffee from the little kiosk there. for the comrades, yeah book early but also check guesthouses in boston or even further out, they sometimes have shuttles and it's way cheaper than hilton.