All Roads Lead To Downtown

If you’re looking for a cosy spot to grab a bite to eat, look no further than Downtown Café in the heart of Windhoek.

This little eatery, with a nightclub attached, has quickly become one of my favourite spots in town thanks to its great music, inviting atmosphere, and delicious food.

Firstly, there’s just something about the vibe.

The café has a modern interior, with white walls, glass and mirrors that make you feel right at home as soon as you walk through the door.
The seating area is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of natural light streaming in through the windows.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or settling in for a long chat over a drink, you’ll find the ambience here to be just right.
But let’s get to the real star of the show: the food.

Downtown Café has an extensive menu of tasty treats, ranging from burgers to seafood and even light meals. During my recent visit, I tried several dishes that really left a good taste in my mouth.

First up was the beef burger and chips for N$100.

Now, I’m a bit of a burger connoisseur, if I do say so myself, so I’ve tried my fair share of them over the years.

But I have to say, this one was easily one of the best I’ve ever had. The patty was juicy and flavourful, cooked to a perfect medium-rare.

The bun was soft and slightly sweet, and the toppings (lettuce, tomato, cheese and bacon) were all fresh and tasty. But what really took this burger over the top were the chips.

They were perfectly crispy and seasoned just right – not too salty, not too bland. I could have eaten a whole plate of them on their own!

The only problem is that I asked for a chicken burger . . .

I only realised halfway into my first bite that they got my order wrong, so I decided I would just eat it anyway.

Later on, I tried the N$100 wings and chips. I’m very picky when it comes to wings. I judge a place by how well they are able to pull this particular dish off, and I believe it could easily make or break any eatery.

These ones were a game changer. The sauce was tangy and sweet, with just the right amount of kick. The wings themselves were tender and juicy on the inside, and they came with a side of the same delicious chips as the burger.

I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed these – I’ll definitely be ordering them again.

Finally, I sampled the russian and chips at N$55. This dish was simple, but incredibly satisfying.

The sausage had a nice snap to it and was seasoned perfectly, and the chips were once again crispy and delicious.

Sometimes the simplest meals are the most satisfying, and that was definitely the case here.

The experience reminded me of eating a ‘russian and porsie chips’ with my friends after school in my youth.

It was quite comforting.

Of course, Downtown Café offers plenty of other dishes as well, like boneless chicken drumsticks, deep-fried calamari rings, grilled prawns, an array of steaks and platters.

One thing that really stood out to me during my visit was the quality of the ingredients used in the dishes. It was clear that the café takes pride in sourcing high-quality, fresh ingredients, and it showed in the taste of the food.

I appreciate a restaurant that cares about where its food comes from and takes the time to prepare it with care. Downtown Café definitely fits the bill.

Finally, I have to give a shout out to the staff.

Aside from the burger mishap, they were incredibly friendly and accommodating during my visit, taking the time to answer my questions about the menu and to make recommendations.

It’s always a pleasure to dine somewhere where the staff genuinely seems to enjoy what they’re doing, and that was definitely the case here.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a delicious meal in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, Downtown Café is definitely worth a visit.

Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty burger, some finger-licking wings, or a simple and satisfying sausage, you won’t be disappointed.

– Anne Hambuda is a poet, writer and social commentator. Email her at annehambuda@gmail.com.