Top restaurants to visit in the Upper Highway area

There is nothing South African's love more than indulging in the finest and most unique foods. From steaks on a grill to pizzas and pasta, the Upper Highway area is spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a great restaurant to catch a quick bite or a fancy dinner.

In no particular order, these are some of the top restaurants to visit in the Upper Highway area:

1. Lupa Osteria

If you are looking for a taste of Italy, then Lupa Osteria is the place to be. This traditional Italian restaurant serves classic home-style meals in an authentic Roman modern styled dining experience. Lupa Osteria promises you an exceptional combination of food and wine, with seasonal pizzas, pasta, and seafood, seasoned with distinctly Italian flavours.

2. Stretta Cafe & Grill

Striving for great quality food and service, Stretta Cafe specializes in Italian cuisine boasting the freshest of ingredients. Their wood fire pizzas and great atmosphere are a crowd-pleaser. The cafe also has a good range of pizzas, pasta, various mains, salads, desserts, and pastries on their menu.

The festive Terrazza is perfect for afternoon sundowners, or alternatively, you can enjoy their Jack Black Craft Beer or Gin on tap. Be sure to look out for their weekly specials.

3. Oscars Cafe

Oscars Cafe is just the place to go to for a relaxed vibe with al fresco dining. Their fantastic menu places emphasis on quality "homestyle comfort food". All their vegetables are sourced from local farms. Their woodfire pizzas are made with imported doppio zero flour and the best bandini mozzarella cheese that you can find. And if you love your fish, you would be glad to know that their hake and line fish never sees a freezer since it is delivered to them daily.

Oscars Cafe can also whip up a delicious platter for your parties at home or the office.

4. Q4 Prawns

If you are a seafood lover then Q4 Prawns is a must-visit. The restaurant is a seafood lover's delight with its sensational Mediterranean cuisine and great grills. From fresh shellfish to line-fish, great grills and tasty sushi, their contemporary seafood menu has something for everyone. Be sure to also try out one of their appetising cocktails.

5. Bellevue Cafe

The 'secret ingredient is always love' at the Bellevue Café. The Cafe serves a variety of meals, tasteful drinks, and desserts. Choose from exquisite dishes to an array of carefully blended coffees and a quirky selection of fine wines handpicked by the owner. Enjoy a wood-fired pizza straight out of their Pavesi oven from Modena, Italy, or indulge in yummy pasta. This cafe has something to satisfy all palates.

6. Stokers Arms

Stoker's Arms is a popular pub and restaurant situated in the old Kloof Railway Station. The unique English style pub comprises of a 60 seater restaurant and a large outside seating area overlooking the railway tracks. The restaurant specializes in pan meals, steaks, burgers, pizzas, and their famous pies. Stokers Arms also boasts a wide range of drinks, including nine thirst-quenching beers on tap.

7. The Pot and Kettle

With breathtaking views overlooking The Valley of a 1000 Hills, The Pot And Kettle family restaurant is a well-kept secret in the Upper Highway area. The wheel-chair friendly restaurant offers free Wi-Fi and secure parking for patrons, as well as a safe area for children to play together. It is the perfect place to visit if you need any "Green Finger" help.

8. The Saddle Inn

If you are a fan of horses then a visit to the Shongweni Club is definitely on your list of things to do. While you are there grab a bite to eat at the venue's The Saddle Inn restaurant. You will be impressed by the restaurant's horse themed décor and the delicious food and drinks menu. Be sure to try out the Shongweni Basket which comes with delicious battered prawns, hake, pan-fried calamari, and chips with appetizing homemade tartare sauce.

9. Two Acres Tea Garden

At the Two Acres Tea Garden focus falls on freshness and quality. The restaurant guarantees that 90% of the meat and chicken dishes are free from hormones and antibiotics, while the scrumptious eggs are free-range.

If you visit in the afternoon you can spoil yourself with some lovely coffee and cakes such as New York baked cheesecake, lemon meringue piece, or gluten-free chocolate and orange cake.

10. 1904 Bistro

The 1904 Bistro offers a modern American diner experience, with an eclectic menu of classic family comfort food. Your tastebuds will go wild from smokehouse meats and a traditional Texan barbecue to tasty shakes. You can go Instagram crazy with the restaurant's glam art deco style beneath lush French panoramic murals, tropical foliage, and signature custom handcrafted pink tiles. It is a great spot to relax at, have birthday cocktails, a quick coffee with clients, or a big family get together.

These are some of the great restaurants in the Upper Highway area that you have to visit. Enjoy the relaxed vibe that each spot has to offer and make the most of your scrumptious meals. Breathtaking views, stylish decor, tasty drinks, and delicious food from all over the world await you.