From fine dining to local cuisine, Bloemfontein has it all

IIf you want to meet gregarious locals, visit Get Together on Nelson Mandela Drive. Don't be put off by the fact that the eatery is situated inside a converted car wash attached to a busy petrol station; rather concentrate on the delicious, Afrikaans-style fast food delicacies such as vetkoek (deep-fried fritters filled with spicy mince).

If haute cuisine is your style, treat yourself at De Oude Kraal Country Estate, 35km south of the city. It is situated on a merino sheep farm that dates back to 1885. There are blesbok and black-headed herons in the gardens and five-course set menus in the dining room. Free State food traditions are reflected in caramelised sweet potatoes, clove-rich denningvleis (lamb) and malva pudding taking star roles in a gastronomic performance deluxe.

Another treat is the food at The Blue Gem, which serves a mixture of local and international cuisine in a modern setting. You can find everything you might be dream of there - sushi, pasta, steaks - you name it!