In & around Hilton
Hilton has a good handful of restaurants within a few minutes of the gate, and the Midlands Meander on the doorstep. Here is everywhere we send guests, on one map.
The neighbourhood
Click a pin for details and directions, or a heading above to see just those places. Click the map once to zoom with your scroll wheel.
Eating out
The places we send guests to first. All of them are a short drive from the gate, and most are walkable from the village.
1 km from us
A small French-style café tucked into the beautiful Harrington House grounds on Hilton College Road. It was created by owner Cayleigh Hepburn in memory of her grandfather, and has a deliberately intimate, old-world feel, with garden seating, lawns and a fireplace; occasional Friday-night dinners feature a menu that is only revealed on the day. A truly beautiful spot, right on our doorstep! Contact: 072 395 9924.
3 km from us
A contemporary café inside the Haisley boutique hotel at Hilton Central. It moves from coffee, fresh bakes and brunch into more substantial food such as pastas, lamb chops and steaks, so it works equally well for a morning coffee or a proper meal. Contact : 078 277 2648
4 km from us
An authentic, owner-run pizzeria at the Jacaranda Centre with a very specific speciality: Canotto-style pizza, a close relative of Neapolitan pizza with an unusually large, airy, blistered crust. Owner and chef Mark works with a small pizza team, so this feels much more like a specialist independent pizzeria than a chain pizza restaurant. Contact : 082 072 0203
4 km from us
The Break Room is a beautiful chef-owned café in Hilton, run by professional chef Lee Hankey, who is known for his vibrant personality! Expect seriously good breakfasts and lunches, excellent cheesecake, plant-based options and the famous Sushidogg. The food is quite literally a work of art and absolutely worth adding to your list of things to do. 2 Quarry Road, Hilton. Contact: 076 676 3140.
2 km from us
Set inside Garlington Estate, with the landscaped estate and Midlands surroundings forming part of the appeal. A more leisurely sit-down option for breakfast, lunch or dinner when guests want somewhere quieter and more polished. Great views and really good food. Contact: 033 329 5200 / 079 425 0106.
1 km from us
A modern Midlands café with a broad menu that works from an early coffee or breakfast through to lunch and a relaxed dinner. It is one of the easier choices for a mixed group because the menu ranges from café food and cakes to pizzas, pastas and more substantial meals. Also right on our doorstep. Contact : 033 001 0347
3 km from us
An authentic Irish-style pub and restaurant at Hilton Village Centre, with a warm, relaxed atmosphere, hearty homestyle pub food and a strong Irish influence. Waxy’s was established in 2001 and is known for generous dishes, gourmet burgers, steaks and pub favourites served alongside draught beer and, naturally, Guinness. A good spot for a casual meal, drinks with friends or watching sport. Contact: 033 008 5040.
6 km from us
One of Hilton's old local landmarks, with roots stretching back to the early 1900s. Today it is an informal, family-friendly country pub with pizza, pasta, burgers, pub grub, regular specials, children's play areas and the sort of local atmosphere where visitors mix with Hilton regulars. A great place to watch the rugby. Contact : 033 343 3267
3km from us
Casual chicken restaurant at Hilton Siding specialising in chicken, wings, burgers and takeaway-style meals. A useful middle ground between fast food and a longer sit-down restaurant meal. Contact: 033 001 1607
1 km from us
A bright daytime café at The Avenues with an emphasis on fresh food, local ingredients and relaxed breakfasts and lunches. Sharing premises with Blackwoods Nursery, it makes for a lovely change of pace. Particularly useful for guests wanting a lighter café-style meal rather than pub food or a large restaurant dinner. Contact : 071 589 5566
3 km from us
One for serious coffee drinkers rather than simply another coffee shop. Started by a husband-and-wife team in 2016, Ground roasts its own beans in-house, serves single-origin coffees and puts considerable emphasis on the science of making a genuinely good espresso. Contact : 081 814 0825
4 km from us
Artisan bakery and coffee shop specialising in traditionally made breads and pastries, breakfasts, light meals and locally roasted coffee. Located behind Steers/Debonairs. Contact : 033 343 1344
13 from us
Simple local fish-and-chips takeaway in Hilton for an inexpensive, no-fuss meal. I still cannot verify a proper official website, so I would leave the website field blank rather than send guests to an unreliable directory. Contact: 071 277 5102
Something easy
For the nights nobody feels like cooking or dressing up.
4km from us
Friend House Sushi & Chinese Takeaway. A popular Hilton takeaway at the Jacaranda Centre offering a large selection of freshly prepared sushi alongside Chinese and Thai favourites. The menu ranges from sushi platters and special rolls to dumplings, spring rolls, chow mein, stir-fries, curries and rice dishes, making it a handy option when everyone wants something different. Contact: 078 142 4567
3km from us
Pizza, subs and takeaway/delivery from Hilton Village Centre. 033 880 0155
3 km from us
Flame-grilled burgers, chicken, ribs, chips and takeaway meals at Hilton Village Centre. Contact : 033 343 2942
4km from us
Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken, burgers, wraps and takeaway meals at Hilton Village Centre.
4km from us
This one needs no introduction! The Colonel’s famous fried chicken, burgers, wraps and all the familiar favourites for a quick and easy meal. Contact: 087 803 0702
1km from us
Another familiar favourite that needs little introduction. Burgers, fries, nuggets, Happy Meals and McCafé coffee for a quick, easy meal on the go. Contact: 033 343 6270
3 km from us
The good old South African favourite : A straightforward family option at Hilton Siding for steaks, ribs, burgers, breakfasts and children's meals. Useful for families who want something familiar, an extensive menu and food that younger children will recognise. Situated next to Checkers - convenient and easy to find. Contact : 033 004 0372
6 km from us
Italian-inspired café overlooking the quarry, with coffee and breakfasts alongside tramezzini, tostini, bagels, pizzas, pastas, wraps and pitas. Its position at The Quarry Shopping Centre makes it an easy coffee or casual lunch stop while guests are in central Hilton. Contact : 033 343 4515
Make an afternoon of it
Out on the Midlands Meander and the R103. Further afield, but the drive is half the reason to go.
24 km from us
A genuinely unusual Midlands destination: the family-run estate produced KwaZulu-Natal's first certified estate wine and grows its grapes at about 1,140 metres above sea level. Guests can taste the estate wines, meet the family behind them and settle in for seasonal harvest boards, sharing plates and tapas overlooking the vines, or beside one of three fireplaces in winter. Open Fridays and Saturdays and booking is essential. Contact: 083 463 8503
34 km from us
An intimate Italian country restaurant tucked away in the picturesque Balgowan countryside. Known for traditional Italian cooking and it's rustic, romantic setting, it is more of a destination dinner than a quick roadside meal and is particularly suited to couples or a leisurely evening out. Contact : 082 416 0195
27 km from us
A family-run country restaurant on Currys Post Road with an interesting history: owners Werner and Michele Jacobs converted an old stable block on an original stud farm into the restaurant in 2006. There are breathtaking panoramic views towards the Kamberg and Karkloof Valley, large lawns and a children's play area, with an à-la-carte menu and changing specials. Absolutely worth the drive! ⭐ Contact : 082 802 2837
32km from us
A beautiful farm-to-table destination on Curry’s Post Road, where much of the produce comes straight from Fable’s own gardens and the rest is carefully sourced from local Midlands suppliers. Set among gardens and converted farm buildings, Fable combines seasonal, beautifully presented food with a relaxed country atmosphere, plus a Taproom, regular events, trail runs and plenty of space to explore. Contact: 072 046 7516
33 km from us
Home of the famous Crispy Eisbein. Traditional, rustic Austrian-style restaurant and pub established in 1999, featuring 35 international beers. Contact: 074 377 7597
27km from us
An authentic, Central Texas-style BBQ experience in the heart of Curry’s Post, where the meat is cooked low and slow over wood-fired smokers for hours. Pitmaster Mike Ross brings nearly two decades of Texas BBQ experience to the Midlands, serving Wagyu brisket, beef and pork ribs, pulled pork, handcrafted sausages and classic sides like mac & cheese and cowboy beans. Meat is carved and sold by weight, and when it’s gone, it’s gone - so arriving early is a good idea. Contact: 063 450 5147
30 km from us
This one has a proper story. The restaurant occupies the historic mill site beside the Lions River, with the original mill dating to the 1850s, and this is also where the Midlands Meander itself began in 1984. Guests can eat beside the river and waterfall, with a broad menu ranging from breakfast and lighter meals to seafood, pasta, burgers and Durban curries. Contact: 033 234 4524.
69 km from us
A traditional country pub within historic Rawdons Hotel in Nottingham Road. This is one for guests looking for the classic old Midlands atmosphere - fireplaces, beer, pub food and the character of one of Nottingham Road's long-established country hotels. Contact : 083 406 4968
Get outside
Forest trails start at the property. Everything else is an easy drive through the Karkloof and the Midlands.
0 from us
Step straight out of our gate and into the beautiful surrounding Mondi Forest. Explore kilometres of quiet gravel roads that meander between the plantation blocks for an easy, scenic walk, run or cycle, or take one of the more adventurous cycling and running trails that wind directly through the trees. With such an extensive network of forest roads and trails right on our doorstep, you can make your outing as gentle or energetic as you like. Access: Directly from the property — simply walk or cycle out of the gate.
34 km from us
One of the Midlands’ most significant historical attractions, marking the place where Nelson Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962. Explore the interactive museum telling the story of Mandela’s life and South Africa’s struggle for freedom, then follow the long “Long Walk to Freedom” pathway to Marco Cianfanelli’s remarkable sculpture - 50 steel columns that gradually align to reveal Mandela’s portrait as you approach. Allow some time to walk around; there is also a café and small shops on site. Contact: 087 093 9419 / 072 351 0967
45 km from us
12 platforms and 10 zip-line slides through indigenous forest canopy — the longest slide is 200 m, and the tour takes about 2 hours. Contact: 076 241 2888.
22 km from us
A proper country farmers’ market held every Saturday morning in a rustic farm shed in the beautiful Karkloof countryside. Browse farm-fresh vegetables, artisan breads, local cheeses, preserves, flowers, plants and homemade treats while enjoying freshly brewed coffee and a hearty breakfast. It has a wonderfully relaxed, old-fashioned community feel, with local farmers and producers selling their own goods and activities for the kids - well worth an early Saturday morning visit. Saturday: 08:00–12:00 Contact: 072 902 4196
23 km from us
Horseback riding in the Karkloof for all experience levels. Contact: 083 470 2051.
22 km from us
Once a working mushroom farm, the old growing tunnels and farm buildings have been cleverly transformed into a quirky creative hub filled with artisan shops, studios, eateries and locally made treasures. Wander through the food gardens, browse handmade soaps, chocolates, books, collectables and homeware, stop for coffee or wood-fired pizza, or explore the walking trails. There’s plenty for children too, including a mini zipline, trampoline, climbing area and water slide, with regular workshops, live music and events adding to the mix. Contact: 060 470 1218
35 km from us
Much more than a coffee stop, Piggly Wiggly is a whole Midlands Meander destination set on Highgate Wine Estate. Spend a few hours browsing locally owned artisan shops, crafts, gifts and speciality foods, choose from several eateries, enjoy a wine tasting, or keep the kids entertained with putt-putt, train rides, ceramic and candle painting, chocolate dipping, DinoZone, ziplining, a climbing wall and more. A great family outing with something for virtually every age. Contact Centre: 082 511 2769 Coffee Shop: 060 344 9359
South Africa's famous arts-and-crafts route: restaurants, art galleries, guest farms, wine makers, cheese makers and potters scattered across the Midlands.
55km from us
A bit of a drive, but one worth taking.. One of KZN’s biggest and most vibrant Saturday markets, set on a hill overlooking the beautiful Shongweni Valley and Kirk Falls. There really is something for everyone - a huge variety of local food and produce, artisan breads, cheeses and sweet treats, crafts, clothing, jewellery, art, homeware and locally made products, with a large food court and live music adding to the atmosphere. It’s a great family morning out, with plenty to eat, drink, browse and discover, and regular special events and entertainment throughout the year. Open: Every Saturday, 07:00–13:00 — rain or shine, with undercover areas. Contact: 031 777 4686 Alternative: 083 777 1553
27km from us
Elementary & Co Apothecary is much more than an apothecary. It’s a lovely little creative stop where you can browse natural body products, essential oils, fragrances and soap- and candle-making supplies, as well as their Farm Shop showcasing locally made goods. They also host hands-on workshops, including soap making; a great place to browse, learn something new and discover something a little different. Contact: 033 342 7305
