Restaurant
Joe’s Beerhouse
Windhoek's best-known pub restaurant since 1991, serving game dishes, steaks, kapana and German classics amid a huge collection of Namibian memorabilia.
NICE Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant, wine bar and live music venue of the Namibian Institute of Culinary Education, a chef-finishing school on the edge of Windhoek West.
At a glance
- Type
- Contemporary restaurant and chef school
- Area
- Windhoek West, Windhoek, Namibia
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- nice.com.na
Good to know
- Wine bar
- Courtyard
- Live music
- Conference facility
Why we recommend it
NICE stands for the Namibian Institute of Culinary Education, and the name sums up its double life. It is a chef-finishing and hospitality training school, and it is also one of Windhoek's best-known places to eat and drink. The idea was that a profitable restaurant would fund the training, so diners help to develop the next generation of Namibian chefs simply by eating here.
The project was initiated by Wolwedans, the NamibRand desert camp operator, with Stephan Brückner and the German-trained chef Ralf Herrgott as co-initiators. It is housed in the renovated and expanded Brückner family home on the corner of Mozart Street and Hosea Kutako Drive, on the eastern edge of Windhoek West. Travel News Namibia's early description of the building mentioned a glass-fronted kitchen, a bar, courtyards and wine cellars, and the training programme took on students who already had kitchen experience for an 11-month course.
The school side remains central to the business: NICE still describes itself first as a chef-finishing and hospitality training school. Today it also presents itself as a restaurant, wine bar, conference facility, live music venue and dance club, as well as a school, and calls itself a social hub in the heart of the city. That range is reflected in the crowd: business lunches, after-work drinks, family meals and late nights with music all happen here. The menu changes over time, so check what is current, but expect a mix of more refined plates and relaxed dishes, with wine taken seriously.
The website does not list opening hours or a menu, so it is best to call ahead or check its social media before visiting, especially if you want to catch live music or a particular event. Booking is sensible for dinner and for larger groups. Early coverage also mentioned Friday happy-hour sundowners and Sunday brunch with garden space for families, so ask whether these still run. Dress is smart casual.
NICE is a short taxi ride from Independence Avenue. It suits couples, friends and colleagues, and anyone interested in supporting a training project while eating well. If you are in town for a few nights, it is also a good choice for a relaxed drink in the courtyard.
NICE Restaurant and Bar FAQs
What does NICE stand for?
The Namibian Institute of Culinary Education, a chef-finishing and hospitality training school with its own restaurant and bar.
Where is it?
On the corner of Mozart Street and Hosea Kutako Drive, on the eastern edge of Windhoek West.
Who started it?
It was initiated by Wolwedans, with Stephan Brückner and chef Ralf Herrgott as co-initiators.
Is it only a restaurant?
No. It also operates as a wine bar, conference facility, live music venue and dance club.
Does eating here support the school?
Yes. The restaurant was set up to generate income that funds the chef training.
Do I need to book?
It is sensible for dinner and for groups; opening hours are not published online, so call ahead.
What should I wear?
Smart casual is appropriate.