Nieu Bethesda Quick Eats and Drinks Guide The Village Inn Restaurant Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Pub fare & Karoo lamb dishes.Open Mon-Fri 08h – 14h.Dinner from 17h – 19h30.Open weekends from 08h to 20hClosed on...
Things to do
The Owl House The Owl House, often associated with Nieu Bethesda, is a key reason travelers detour off the N9 National Road near Graaff-Reinet. At first glance, the shuttered home seems typical of the region,...
Doornberg Guest Farm
Welcome to Doornberg Guest Farm, an oasis of Karoo hospitality, only 9 km from the beautiful village Nieu Bethesda. Doornberg Guest farm is an old established working Karoo guest farm. The farm is near the...
Welcome to Nieu Bethesda
The charming village of Nieu Bethesda is set in the fertile valley of the Sneeuberg Mountains. It is so secluded that development took a back seat leaving a rare historical integrity. It has become a popular retreat for artists and because of its unique appeal, this is a place that no visitor should miss.
Nieu-Bethesda is a village in the Eastern Cape at the foot of the Sneeuberg, approximately 50 kilometres from Graaff Reinet. It was founded in 1875 as a church town.
Come and experience wonderful Karoo hospitality when visiting the wonderful town of Nieu Bethesda.
Where to eat
Nieu Bethesda Quick Eats and Drinks Guide
The Village Inn Restaurant
Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Pub fare & Karoo lamb dishes. Open Mon-Fri 08h – 14h. Dinner from 17h – 19h30. Open weekends from 08h to 20h Closed on Sunday nights. Elbé 0723860594
Aunty Evelyn Se Eetplek
Karoo dishes. Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Open daily 08h – 20h. Book in advance Evelyn 0838735526
Zalig
Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Coffee & cocktails. Pizza, pasta & Karoo specials. Tuesday- Friday 10h to 20h Open Sat & Sun 08h to 20h Closed Friday 13th Sept until 17h. Open for dinner. Open Mon 23rd Sept 08h-20h Lorraine 0833243322
Die Waenhuis Restaurant
Where Karoo flavours come alive! Open evenings, Mon-Sat from 17h. Closed Sundays Booking ahead recommended. Aubrie 0829442109
Karoo Food Experience 6 small plates tasting menu & A la carte menu. Open Fri – Mon. Closed for Spring Break 13 – 30 September Bookings essential Barbara 0721106254
Roosterkoek, lamb, afval, potjiekos & braai packs. ALWAYS OPEN Mon – Sun 07h30 – 18h. Chrissie 0825797460; 0765951259
Manna
Cake, pastries & coffee in a garden setting. Open Sun 09h – 16h. Please call to confirm André 0726369167
Boetie’s Pub
Listed as one of the top 10 offbeat bars to visit! – Beer, wine & spirits. Braai facilities Open Mon – Fri 16h till late Open weekends 11h till late Boetie 0782062925
The Brewery and Two Goats Deli
Locally brewed craft beer cheese platters, deli & coffee roastery Open daily 8h – 19h André 0810157996
Die Winkel
General Dealer. Firewood, braai packs, cold drinks, fresh vegetables – A MUST VISIT! Open daily 8h – 19h. Saju 0627496795
Bruno’s Restaurant
Karoo Pizzas Open 7,8 Sep Open 20-23 Sept Open 12h to close. Ludolf 0828052693
Yaffa Yashar
Handmade & Healthy Produce. Coffee Bar with Cake & Tartlets Kefir Yoghurt, Cream Cheese, Raw Honey, Healthy Preserves & much more! Gluten-free buns made on order. Open Sun – Fri 09h – 15h Closed Saturdays Closed 19 Sept Yaffa 082 489 2027
Fenkies
Freshly baked bread, vetkoek & roosterkoek. Pickles, Jam, Marmalade. Please order a day in advance. Fenkie 0663532027.
Denise’s
Freshly baked vetkoek & roosterkoek. Please order two days in advance. Denise 0673212613.
Things to do
The Owl House
The Owl House, often associated with Nieu Bethesda, is a key reason travelers detour off the N9 National Road near Graaff-Reinet. At first glance, the shuttered home seems typical of the region, until you see the arch leading into the Camel Yard and the cement owls with glass bottle eyes guarding the perimeter.
Created by Helen Martins between 1945 and 1976, the Owl House is an example of outsider art. Disillusioned by her mundane life, Martins transformed her environment with light, color, and texture. Known locally as Miss Helen, she was a reclusive figure who enlisted local workers, especially Koos Malgas, to help create sculptures of mermaids, camels, and pilgrims, all journeying to a mystical east.
Using cement, glass, mirrors, and wire, Miss Helen’s imagination crafted a magical world influenced by Bible stories, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and everyday objects. Her work inspired many, including playwright Athol Fugard, who wrote “The Road to Mecca,” later adapted into a film.
Website: https://theowlhouse.co.za/
Tel: 049 841 1733
Email: admin@theowlhouse.co.za
Guided Walking Tours
Unwind and Explore the Majestic Karoo with Wide Open Spaces
Seeking a unique escape into the vastness of the Karoo? Wide Open Spaces offers unforgettable guided walking adventures crafted specifically for the Great Karoo.
Led by passionate and knowledgeable guides, explore lesser-known trails, immerse yourself in the tranquility of this magical region, and discover the hidden gems of the Nieu Bethesda landscape. Learn about the fascinating flora and fauna, the rich local culture, and savor delicious meals along the way.
Wide Open Spaces caters to all experience levels, ensuring a truly rejuvenating experience for every Karoo adventurer.
Open to the public for tennis, bowls, hiring of the venue and a weekly braai on Saturday evenings.
Stefan & Lisa Jacobs Martins Street Tel: 084 261 3512 OR 082 703 7178
E-mail:nieubethesdasportclub@gmail.com
Visit “Marette se Bank”
Enjoy the viewpoint overlooking the village of Nieu-Bethesda at a bench erected by Yvonne (van Niekerk) du Plessis in loving memory of her 46 year friendship with Marette (Wolfaardt) Pienaar who passed away in 2007. Best at sunrise & sunset. Accessible via the Riverdene Road.
Ganora Guest Farm Excursions
Bushman Rock Art, Anglo Boer War Engravings, Medicinal Plant Walk, Private Fossil Museum, Hiking & Mountain Bike Routes, Birding and more available at Ganora Guest Farm. Guided tours available by appointment.
Tel: 049 8411 302 or 082 698 0029
E-mail:ganoraguestfarm@gmail.com
Nieu-Bethesda Camino_Slackpacking the Karoo
The Nieu-Bethesda Camino is a 100km walk over 5 x days with scenic Karoo and mountain views. There are set group dates throughout the year powerd by Slackpacking the Karoo (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 072 460 3621
E-mail: info@slackpackingthekaroo.co.za
Kareelaagte Guest Farm
360-degree Karoo Sunset Tour, interact with farm animals, beautiful rustic, gravel roads on top of the mountains ideal for hiking, 4 x 4 vehicles and mountain bikes on Kareelaagte, a working farm.
Tel: 082 822 5311 or 049 8400 350
E-mail: kareelaagteguestfarm@gmail.com
The Lookout Studio
Antoinette Kriel offers workshops, courses and events in the tranquil setting of our Karoo village.
Tel: 083 556 3043
E-mail:info@creativejourneys.co.za
Walk the Labyrinth at Gregg Price Gallery
The Labyrinth at Gregg Price gallery is a space for visitors to enter and enjoy at any time. It is a replica of the medieval labyrinth found at Chartres Cathedral in France.
Tel: 083 258 3104
E-mail:greggcprice@gmail.com
Stone Folk of Ongeluksloot
The Stone Folk, by artist Ryno Greeff, is a permanent outdoor installation of stone figures carefully placed in the landscape of Ongeluksloot, on the farm Doornberg, outside the small Karoo village of Nieu Bethesda in the Eastern Cape.
Tel: 082 447 5117
E-mail:ryno@hot.co.za
Walk the Poplar Forest & Ancient Water Furrow
Walk in the poplar forest and follow the ancient water furrow supplying Nieu-Bethesda with water. Perfect for picnics.
Directions: Access it easily past Boetie’s Pub, taking a left from Hill street.
Walk the Sir Frederic Suspension Bridge
Walk the Sir Frederic Bridge suspended over the Gats River to connect to sections of the village. Beautiful views of the village.
Directions: Access via Parsonage or Pienaar Street signage.
