The Windmill Restaurant image

The Windmill Restaurant

Restaurant

This landmark Dutch windmill houses a family-friendly restaurant with a mezzanine floor and terrace. People often mention service, waffle, great, restaurant, good, friendly, experience, staff, amazing, Great,


Address

1 Jan Smuts Rd, Hartbeespoort, 0216, South Africa

Website

www.instagram.com

Contact

+27 79 890 6420

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.20 (2.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 8 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (29) waffle (21) great (18) restaurant (17) good (17) friendly (16) experience (11) staff (11) amazing (9) Great (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Teneal J. 2 years ago on Google
    💜 9 January 2022 - Absolutely cute little market before you enter the actually restaurant. They have this big board to tell you all the activities in harties. Which is absolutely amazing considering if you love adventures. My partner and I went to the waffle restaurant and the waffles are to die for! The Windmill is also very cute. 💜 27 March 2022 - We went back here. I'm just coming back to write a second part to my experience coming here again. We went to the restaurant on the top this time and the view is absolutely amazing. The food came very fast and the waiter was always helping and serving us. Not really crazy over their food compared to the places I've been but it's convenient for a place like theirs otherwise coming here again was yet again nice.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Stephanie C. 1 year ago on Google
    Pretty average. Menu is pretty limited and the food was okay. Food came out super fast which makes me think it was already made and not cooked fresh. Crockery wasn’t fully clean. Waiter was friendly.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bennie R. 1 year ago on Google
    More than 10 year old. A must for n Sunday drive to the dam and treat yourself to something sweet or savoury. Staff is very friendly and helpful. We were seated quickly and given menu. Drinks Oder was quick and the filter coffee was great. I ordered a banana waffle with ice cream. We’re given syrup’s with the waffles. Staff constantly asking if everything was good. Lovely views from any of the seating area in the garden. Jasmine freshly farmer market a mere 25 meters away for all your local produce. Lots of small stalls on Sunday that we were there. I believe there is a bookshop in the top area. Parking is safe and acces controlled. I can recommend Windmeul wafel house as a place to treat yourself or someone special
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 sunelle b. 1 year ago on Google
    Great service. It was busy but they tried to accommodate us as soon as possible. All the staff wore a smile and greeted everyone so friendly. Food was mouthwatering and good priced. Lovely view from the outside deck. Bathrooms are clean. Its the perfect place for a Sunday afternoon lunch. There are so much to do around the Windmeul Wafelhuis. Love the vibe. Enough parking. Just love this place!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jane Schultz (. 1 year ago on Google
    The worst waffles we have had in a long time. Tasteless. Makes cardboard look good. The menu is confusing. I tried to order a caramel waffle but was told that I can't have caramel with my waffle. My husband wanted a custard waffle and received a soggy mess with horrible hot custard. When you pay almost R100 for a waffle you do expect a bit more. Unfriendly service too.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tsholofelo W. 2 years ago on Google
    The breakfast was delicious! High quality produce is used to create the food in this place. A community feel, in nature, with great service. I'll be going back.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stefan K. 10 months ago on Google
    This was my first time here, and I have to say.... YUMMMYYYYY!!! Thank you to our waiter, Jade, who made it fun and suggested an amazing waffle. The atmosphere wasn't too busy and was just chilled. (Arround 4pm) and scenery were so beautiful. Take note that a lot of bees are interested in your waffle, too. I will surely return with the rest of my family to come and experience the delight.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 C V. 1 year ago on Google
    We always go for the sweet waffles that's always very nice. Today we tried the savory waffles.... Quite expensive and really not worth it we ordered one rump stroganoff, there was literally 2 slices of meat cut in stir-fry size. And the mince waffle was very soupy and bland. After my 1st bite I had heart burn. We had spinach and butternut served with it. The Butternut was delicious however the spinach tasted like it was not washed off properly we could still taste some ground and hard stuff. Like always the servuce was good and fast and waiters is very hands-on. I will go again but definitely not for savory waffles.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 MJV V. 2 years ago on Google
    its a fairly quiet Monday... the food not too bad.... however you really need look at your crockery.... milk in a DIRTY jug... when last did you wash it...tomato sauce lid... old oil used for chips... cracked cups... not great....
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lucian R. 2 years ago on Google
    An excellent breakfast or lunch spot with everything on a homemade, fluffy waffle! Great service, the food comes quick, no beer on tap but you do get an ice-cold frosted glass when you order a beer, great potion size and ample (COVID-friendly). I would love to see a few more savoury waffles added but that's just about the only negative. Whilst waiting for your food pop into the Jasmyn store next door and you'll be pleasantly surprised!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Waiona S. 1 year ago on Google
    Me and my parents had a wonderful lunch at this Dutch themed restaurant. The restaurant is situated inside, as the name implies, a windmill. It is very spacious and has a sophisticated atmosphere. The hake and chips was truly exquisite. Really worth the visit. The staff was friendly and helpful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jason H. 1 year ago on Google
    Loveliest pancake and ice cream. Staff are great bunch with amazing personality and the food service is very quick. Thank you for lovely Sunday.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Brenda E. 1 year ago on Google
    Waiters were super friendly and efficient. My sister had the cheesecake waffle which was amazing and plentiful! I had the French toast waffle and was underwhelmed unfortunately.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leon 1 year ago on Google
    A beautiful and tranquil environment to enjoy a coffee and a meal under the lush green trees
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Semigrasie C. 1 year ago on Google
    We had lunch today. We sat outside in garden under the trees. The food was great. My mother and I ate the oxtail waffle with veggies - It was delicious! My wife & children enjoyed the chicken & cheese waffle. They were also very impressed. My daughter then ate as a desert - the bar one caramel waffle. She was also impressed with it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carolyn B. 2 years ago on Google
    For the sweeter than sweet tooth - you must try the Sundae Serenade Waffle. Filled with an overflow of fruit salad, nuts, cream & ice-cream, this is a MONSTER of a waffle. Not for the feint hearted. Cappuccino is also great.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lutchmee M. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome service

  • 5/5 Varuschka R. 2 years ago on Google
    Saw this place on someone else's feed...had to try this..great atmosphere, freindly staff and awesome savory pancakes.❤

  • 3/5 Desiree L. 3 years ago on Google
    Great coffee milkshakes and friendly staff with a daily fresh supermarket on the spot.

  • 4/5 Thomas M. 3 years ago on Google
    Had a really good time, and the most amazing fish & chips. Judging by the extent of the parking lot, this place must get really busy over weekends. The farm product shop is also well worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Keolyn G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great service and friendly staff.

  • 4/5 Brett D. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing service and great food

  • 5/5 Andre van W. 1 year ago on Google
    We quite enjoyed the food here today. The service was a bit "immature" but ok. We had a breakfast waffle and a savory mince waffle. For dessert we had the Whirlwind waffle. Delicious!

  • 5/5 Quewin H. 3 years ago on Google
    Quality foods and services! And also a lekker boere vibe!

  • 5/5 Laurian M. 2 years ago on Google
    What an awesome experience. The service is excellent! My hubby had the Windmill breakfast and I had a waffle with ice-cream. Both were fresh and absolutely delicious. We received our food a few minutes after ordering which was great as we were starving! The cappuccino and double espresso coffees were great too! So worth the drive for an awesome experience. We will definitely be back!

  • 5/5 Wonder M. 2 years ago on Google
    The windmill is such a beautiful site to behold while you're shopping by Jasmyn Farm Products. There is a restaurant attached to the windmill structure.

  • 4/5 Herman R. 1 year ago on Google
    The place was busy, but the service was fast.. the waiter knew the menu well and was able to serve our large group of 14 people easy. The outdoor tables was next to a grass play are for the kids.. they loved it!

  • 5/5 Theunis De L. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent atmosphere and always same experience visiting, breakfast was very good, other meals especially Sunday roast is excellent 👍 Location is also good with farm vegetables below, bookshop above which is totally a must

  • 5/5 Amanda Jade N. 9 months ago on Google
    Great food. Great aesthetic. Lots of fun and lively.

  • 5/5 Shann de S. 10 months ago on Google
    A really good eating experience. After having just arrived back from the Netherlands, found the Dutch food to be tasty and well prepared.

  • 5/5 MJ S. 9 months ago on Google
    Wonderful service! Super friendly and very quick. Our waiter was fantastic, he had a great attitude was very friendly and helpful. Would come again especially because of him. Had a wonderful much needed breakfast after attending a wedding the night before.

  • 4/5 Jade McFadzean (. 9 months ago on Google
    The staff were exceptionally friendly, service was exceptionally quick and efficient. The food was fairly average, however, it was still enjoyable. The premises is stunning, with gardens perfect to take a stroll in after your meal. One note to take is to not be confused between this, The Windmill Restaurant, and another similar restaurant below named Windmeul Wafelhuis, as it can be confusing when you're new to the area.

  • 5/5 Akiel R. 10 months ago on Google
    Efficient and excellent service. The restaurant is busy however we didn't wait long for our food. The food was good. The market outside the area is great as well, we purchased a unique piece of a Lazy Susan. The fruit and vegetable market is excellent as well with their local produce.

  • 5/5 Carina A. 9 months ago on Google
    It is a tranquil environment, really enjoyed my food and the sound of the different birds while eating. Would definitely recommend them.

  • 5/5 Nic M. 2 months ago on Google New
    Fantastic restaurant upstairs in an authentic looking windmill. True Dutch fare available mixed in with some more common fair. Probably our best experience around Hartbeespoort dam. Much much better that “little Paris”. Excellent food and quickly served.

  • 4/5 Natasha P. 3 years ago on Google
    Super efficient service ...waiters are always friendly .. food is good.

  • 2/5 Kovendra N. 3 years ago on Google
    It's been a food disappointment in a good setting and friendly staff. Just do not order the food sadly.

  • 5/5 abigale l. 3 years ago on Google
    Place was nice and the service was great, definitely visiting again on my birthday

  • 1/5 Zanne vd L. 3 years ago on Google
    Not much available

  • 5/5 Hendrik Petrus V. 3 years ago on Google
    Was very nice and fast.The waiters is friendly and know there work..Also very clean.

  • 4/5 Kearabetswe N. 3 years ago on Google
    Food was good,service excellent

  • 5/5 Yashkar A. 3 years ago on Google
    Food was awesome

  • 4/5 Brian E. 3 years ago on Google
    Very good, value for money.

  • 2/5 Pieter V. 3 years ago on Google
    Unfriendly service from the moment we walked in till the time we left. Food was average. Burger patties petite and nothing special. Chicken livers was tasty but we won't spend our money here again.

  • 5/5 Stefan N. 3 years ago on Google
    If I could give 10stars, I would have! Beautiful setting, generous portions, amazing vibe!

  • 5/5 Anoo S. 3 years ago on Google
    Oh my the waffles were just so delicious. My family had a wonderful experience..

  • 5/5 Lisa Lai T. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome staff and service. Yummy food

  • 3/5 Ilze O. 3 years ago on Google
    Never eaten a waffle with chicken and cheese... But i must say it was really good! Friendly service....and lovely atmosphere with table's in the garden. Enjoyed it....

  • 5/5 Ben de B. 3 years ago on Google
    We stopped for breakfast over the weekend. Received excellent service. Our food order came very quickly. Management is visible and attending to any issues. Food portions was a good size. Thank you!

  • 4/5 Nerisha C. 3 years ago on Google
    This restaurant is quite well known as a result of the fact that it literally looks like a windmill and it is located right next door to a farmers market. It also specializes in Dutch cuisine. I tried the double portion of Krokketen (see picture). This cost about R89 a serving. We were a party of four with two diners ordering the double beef and cheese savory pancakes (at about R98 a serving) and the fourth diner ordering the rump steak with additional pepper sauce meal which cost about R160. The diners eating the savory pancakes enjoyed them although by South African standards, the pancakes were small in size. The rump steak was done to order but the presentation was slap dash and the steak itself had a thick piece of fat that had not been rendered. The pepper sauce was extremely mild. All in all, more attention to detail would have improve the taste and the experience-especially as it is one of the more expensive meals on the menu. I would not recommend the krokketen. Having had the fortune of tasting the real thing in Amsterdam, this comes no where close to the real thing. The inside was a mushy mixture if about 60 percent potatoes and about 40 percent mushy mince. Nothing to write home about. Service was mediocre with our waitress demonstrating the same haste and lack of attention to detail that the steak meal spoke of. This speaks volumes if you take into account that the restaurant was not busy/full when we were there. Being first time visitors, I asked the waiter what she would recommend. I.mentioned having tasted Dutch food in Amsterdam. Her response was that she did not personally like to try "new" foods and could therefore not advise as to the "dutch" items on the menu. And this is a restaurant that specializes in Dutch cuisine!! The worst however was the fact that we then made use of the "in house" bathroom at the end of the meal and discovered that the ladies bathroom did not have actual soap in the bathroom! Instead, there was this watered down hand sanitizer type of offering. The thought of the servers and /or kitchen staff handling food after "washing" their hands with only this stuff, is just gross!! This needs to seriously and immediately be attended to!! All in all, this looks like it has been a good restaurant to go to however over time, it has come to rely more on its reputation than actual service and quality of experience, which is just sad. A major draw card for this restaurant must be the fact that it is located immediately next to a great farmers' market. The prices and range of produce is fantastic and well worth the visit.

  • 4/5 Brett M. 3 years ago on Google
    This is a pleasant restaurant with pretty views. It is spacious, the food is tasty and the waitron we had was friendly and helpful.

  • 1/5 Navar S. 3 years ago on Google
    1 star because I can't give it 0 stars. No vegan options at all. Only vegetarian option is a salad. No alternate milk options for hot drinks. Only warm meal for a vegan customer is a plate of chips. That too wasn't even done well. Restaurant not willing to assist to try and make some sort of vegan meal. Will definitely not go back.

  • 5/5 Adela W. 3 years ago on Google
    Fruit and vegetables very cheap and great quality

  • 3/5 Rust S. 3 years ago on Google
    They have been pretty crowded since about a couple years ago, but made zero effort to expand. Perhaps they enjoy the status of a faculty where people "wait to be seated" on Sundays.

  • 4/5 Jason Chris S. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome food at very reasonable prices, however you do tend to hear the manager shouting at staff in the kitchen at times... a bit unpleasant

  • 5/5 Lourens Du P. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit

  • 5/5 Morné J. 3 years ago on Google
    Quality food with amazing service. Friendly staff.

  • 4/5 Qhinqa T. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent service from this place. They were fast and friendly. The meal was amazing.

  • 5/5 Suzi P. 3 years ago on Google
    The perfect place for people who like Europe

  • 3/5 Alex G. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful outdoors but a little cramped indoors. Not suitable for vegans.

  • 4/5 Ludwig O. 3 years ago on Google
    Great view and good food

  • 5/5 Al G. 3 years ago on Google
    The service was so quick ! All of the waiters were running around the entire time we were there making sure they gave the fastest service possible. The restaurant was packed and our food came in so quick and hot we had to wait for it to cool down, before even tasting it the manager was already asking how our food tastes. The mince and cheese pancake was surprisingly filling for its size. The Windmill hamburger was a homemade patty on a fresh roll, very delicious and the chips were proper slap chips and also delicious. Fantastic experience and great food !

  • 5/5 Christo P. 3 years ago on Google
    Great food great service. Clean all around they even sanitize the tables before you sit down.

  • 1/5 Chante H. 3 years ago on Google
    Very unpleasant experience. Won't return

  • 5/5 daryn k. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place large choice

  • 4/5 eve m. 3 years ago on Google
    The restaurant was perfect with superb service.

  • 5/5 Ashlyn S. 3 years ago on Google
    Really delicious and hearty home-style food. Service is very friendly and very fast. Definitely worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Ceinwyn-Leigh B. 3 years ago on Google
    Brilliant service and our food was literally served in 5 minutes.

  • 2/5 Marunel de B. 3 years ago on Google
    Did not order food. Menus are old and very dirty. The menu itself does not supply a variety of food. If you're in the area and in need of a quick meal the menu is sufficient.


Call +27 79 890 6420 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Restaurants nearby

Last updated:
()