Keetmanshoop's best place for a good meal is the Central Lodge. Both the Canyon Hotel and Bird's Mansions also have restaurants, the former rather soulless and typical of a large hotel. Both have wide-ranging menus (mains N$45–60 and N$45–75 respectively) that include a couple of vegetarian options.

Once you've run the gauntlet of the very austere bar at the front, Lara's Restaurant (tel: 063 222233), at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Schmiede Street, is an unexpectedly cheerful spot without any pretensions. Portions are huge, and it's chips with everything, but the steaks are excellent and prices are reasonable, at around N$40–50 for mains. It's open 08.00–21.00 every day except Sunday. Uschi's (tel: 063 222445), at the corner of Hendrik Nel Street and Fifth Avenue, offers a variety of snacks and light meals, including an adventurous pizza menu at around N$30–45 – but don't come in a hurry for the latter. It's open 08.00–10.00 Monday to Saturday. Balaton (tel: 063 222539) on Mittel Street opens all day as a take-away and simple restaurant serving spicy Hungarian cuisine. Very warming; ideal for cold winter evenings. The Germanic Trans-Namib Sports Club on Schmiede Street serves pub grub and draught beer.

On the snack front, most of the proliferation of garages have some form of café attached, serving pretty standard fare of pies, burgers and cold drinks – useful if you're pushed for time.