Karoo Bar & Kitchen is a South African restaurant at 18 George Hudson Street in central York. Its relaxed dining room is built around warm hospitality and uncomplicated comfort food, with recipes shaped by the owners’ early years in Cape Town.
The menu reflects South Africa’s varied culinary influences, including Cape Malay spice, European traditions and local favourites. Bobotie pairs warmly spiced minced beef with a savoury egg custard, while Cape Malay curry combines aromatic spices, ginger, mango, sweet potato and chickpeas.
Slow-cooked dishes are an important part of the kitchen’s character. Braised oxtail, lamb shank and sticky babyback ribs sit alongside ostrich fillet, boerewors, schnitzel and burgers, while beetroot and butternut pie and a vegan tomato and pepper tart give vegetables a substantial role.
South African wines join Yorkshire and international beers to complete the experience, and small bowls such as biltong, boerewors meatballs and cheesy mielie bites make sharing easy. Guests with allergies or dietary requirements should confirm the current ingredients and preparation methods with the team.
Address: 18 George Hudson Street, York YO1 6JL, England
Karoo York Menu
Small Bowls
BILTONG
A South African delicacy made from air-dried, seasoned beef, sliced thin for the perfect bite. Rich, savoury, and packed with umami, our biltong is marinated with a blend of spices and vinegar, then cured to tender perfection
TOAST OF THE WILD
Biltong butter served with sliced gherkins and roast red peppers. All ready to spread thickly on toasted ciabatta
BOEREWORS MEATBALLS
Home-made pork and beef meatballs with classic boerewors seasoning served in a rich tomato, chilli and spinach sauce
PAN FRIED KING PRAWNS
Choose from a rich tomato and chilli sauce or classic garlic butter with a wedge of lemon. Served with toasted sourdough
BAKED CAMEMBERT
Oven baked Camembert round dressed with fresh rosemary and studded with garlic cloves. Drizzled with a honey glaze. Served with toasted sourdough bread. Ideal for sharing
PIKANTE VARKE
Our version of Pigs in Blankets. Spicy paprika sausage wrapped in smoked streaky bacon and drizzled in a delicately spiced honey and chilli glaze
LEMON & PEA BITES
Smashed peas infused with lemon zest and a crunchy vegetable crumb. Served with regular or plant-based mayo
TEMPURA GHERKINS
Cornichons dipped in a light tempura batter and fried until golden. Served with a spicy chipotle mayo dip
CHEESY MIELIE BITES
Mielie (corn) meal balls stuffed with feta and tiny red peppers, fried until golden and crisp, served with our house chakalaka
CORN WEDGES
Sweetcorn Cob Wedges Tossed In Maple Syrup & Mild Smoky Spices
CHEESY GARLIC BREAD
Sourdough ciabatta smothered in our signature cheese sauce and garlic butter. Topped with even more cheese to tug and pull on as you please
MRS B’S LOADED FRIES
Skin on fries smothered in Mrs H Ball’s Classic Chutney with chopped red onion, fresh coriander, some chilli for heat and mayo of your choice (standard or plant based)
Classic Dishes
BOBOTIE
A warmly spiced Cape Malay classic featuring curried minced beef gently baked beneath a golden, savoury egg custard. Infused with hints of fruit chutney, sultanas, and aromatic spices. Served with basmati rice and sambals
CAPE MALAY CURRY
A vibrant blend of sweet and savoury, this traditional Cape Malay curry features a rich tomato-based sauce infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and turmeric. Accents of garlic, ginger, and mango add depth and a subtle sweetness, while sweet potatoes and chick peas soak up the fragrant gravy. Served with fluffy basmati rice and naan bread, this dish captures the soulful essence of Cape Town’s multicultural cuisine. Add Chicken Breast £2.5 | King Prawns £3.5
CHICKEN SCHNITZEL
A classic inspired by our European Ancestors. Crumbed and Fried Chicken Breast. Served with any two of our side dishes and a sauce of your choice
BEETROOT AND BUTTERNUT PIE
A rustic celebration of seasonal produce, this golden-crusted pie is filled with roasted butternut squash, tender beetroot, apples, and plump sultanas spiced with Coriander, Ginger, Cloves and Cardamom. Served with any two of our side dishes
TOMATO AND PEPPER TART
A crisp vegan pastry shell cradles a rich layer of slow-roasted tomato sauce, topped with grilled courgettes, sweet red and yellow peppers and juicy cherry tomatoes. Baked to perfection and finished with a fragrant parsley and pumpkin seed crumb. Served with any two of our side dishes
CHICKEN AND CHORIZO SOSATIE
Succulent chunks of marinated chicken breast and spicy chorizo sausage are grilled alongside sweet peppers and juicy cherry tomatoes. Threaded onto a skewer and kissed by the grill, this vibrant combination delivers smoky depth, juicy bites, and a burst of Mzansi sunshine in every mouthful. Served with any two of our side dishes
Side Dishes
SKIN ON FRIES
Crispy & Lightly Salted.
SWEET POTATO FRIES
Crispy & Lightly Salted
MIELIE PAP
Sadza, Ugali, Nshima, Pap: One Africa, many names. A Creamy African Staple. Buttered ground corn cooked until soft. Served with a drizzle of our marrow bone beef gravy and our signature Chakalaka Sauce
SEASONAL VEGETABLES
Our Chef’s selection of steamed vegetables. Please let us know if you don’t want butter on them
POTATO AND PEA KROKET
Crushed potatoes and peas in a crispy gluten-free cider vinegar batter
STEAMED BASMATI RICE
Coloured with Tumeric, our yellow steamed rice is a staple in South Africa
BUTTERED / OLIVE OIL MASH
Smooth potatoes with either butter or olive oil
GARDEN SALAD
Salad leaves, red onion, tomatoes and tiny peppers in a light vinaigrette dressing
CORN WEDGES
Side portion of our smoky spiced ribs of sweetcorn tossed in maple syrup
Signature Dishes
BRAISED OXTAIL
A favourite of the Early Settlers, a generous portion of oxtail, slow-braised for hours until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and infused with a rich, velvety gravy. Served with any two of our side dishes
HOG ROAST
Simple Crispy Pork Belly with Swaledale Sausagemeat baked with a hint of fried leeks. Served with our rich beef gravy and two side dishes of your choice
OSTRICH FILLET
Lean, tender ostrich fillet pan-seared to a perfect medium-rare, showcasing its rich, beef-like flavour with a subtle gamey edge. Served with a sauce and two house side dishes of your choice
LAMB SHANK
A generous Yorkshire lamb shank, slow-braised until the meat yields effortlessly to the touch of a fork. Served with a choice of two of our house side dishes
PAN FRIED SALMON FILLET
Perfectly pan-seared salmon fillet, crisped to golden perfection on the outside while remaining tender and flaky within. The salmon is seasoned simply with salt and cracked black pepper and served with a sauce of your choice (although we recommend the Shallot Infused Saffron and Orange Cream
SIRLOIN STEAK
A hand-cut 10oz* Angus Sirloin steak, expertly grilled to your preferred doneness, boasting a rich, beefy flavour and tender bite. Served with a sauce and two sides of your choice. *Raw Weight
BABYBACK RIBS
Fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs, slow-roasted and basted in a sticky tamarind and black treacle glaze. The glaze delivers a bold balance of sweet molasses depth and tangy tamarind sharpness, with hints of ginger, mild chilli and star anise. Served with your choice of two of our side dishes
Gourmet Burgers
All burgers include two sides. Choose any two sides from our selection to complete your meal. Gluten-Free Option Available. Prefer it bun-free? Ask your server for our gluten-free ‘Naked’ burger option. Pick your patty: Angus Beef, Boerewors, Grilled Chicken Breast, or Beyond Meat™.
HOT LIPS
A fiery twist on a tropical classic. This juicy, grilled patty is stacked with sharp aged cheddar, a slice of grilled pineapple for a sweet kick, and smothered in our signature smoky chipotle mayo. Served on a toasted bun, it’s a perfect balance of heat, sweet, and savoury — guaranteed to make your taste buds tingle. Warning: May cause spontaneous lip smacking
FETALICIOUS
A bold blend of tang and zest! This gourmet creation features a succulent grilled patty topped with crumbled feta cheese, crisp pickled gherkins, and a generous drizzle of creamy Dijon mustard dressing — all nestled in a toasted artisan bun. Fetalicious: It’s salty, sharp, and seriously satisfying
STICKY BANDIT
Get messy with flavour! This mouthwatering burger features a juicy patty glazed in sticky monkeygland sauce — a sweet and tangy South African-inspired blend of chutney, garlic, and spices — topped with melting cheddar cheese and served in a toasted sesame bun. It’s bold, saucy, and unapologetically delicious. Sticky Bandit: One bite and you’re hooked
FIGGY STARDUST
A celestial bite of sweet and creamy indulgence. This dreamy burger stars a juicy patty crowned with velvety brie cheese and preserved green figs, bringing a lush contrast of savoury and sweet. Served in a toasted bun, it’s a flavour constellation that’s out of this world. Figgy Stardust: Glam, jam, and a whole lot of brie brilliance
KAROO HOUSE
Simple, satisfying, and straight-up delicious. A perfectly grilled patty served with fresh tomato slices, crisp lettuce, and sweet red onion, all tucked into a toasted bun. No frills — just honest flavour and timeless appeal. The Karoo House: Where great burgers begin
South African Wines
House wines available in 175ml, 250ml, 500ml. Bottles 750ml.
Sauvignon Blanc – House Selection
Light and Fruity with hints of Apricot and Peach. 12.5%
Chenin Blanc – House Selection
The prefect balance of green apple and richer stone fruit. 12.5%
Chardonnay – House Selection
Aromas of Crisp Apple and tones of Citrus Fruits. Unoaked. 13%
Rose – House Selection
Delicate medium bodied Rose derived from the young-vine grenache. 14%
Signature Beers
BREW YORK GOLDEN EAGLE
Golden Eagle, inspired by the most noble of the American birds of prey is a classic Czech style pilsner made with super soft water and noble Saaz hops for a refreshing and crisp finish with just a hint of spice. 4.5% Vegan
BREW YORK CALMER CHAMELEON
The green dream of super juicy and resinous hops Columbus, Mosaic, Simcoe and Idaho 7 uniting in a super smashable pale ale. 4.1% Vegan
CASTLE LAGER
Pure South African ingredients come together to form a lager which is somewhat bitter, somewhat dry, but never sweet. 5.0% Contains Gluten
WINDHOEK LAGER (NAMIBIA)
Brewed using Hallertauer hops that give a complex aroma and a refreshing bitterness. 4.0% Contains Gluten
Ciders
GOLDEN DELICIOUS XIDER
A very inviting pale golden colour with a subtle sparkle with a natural floral sweetness and sour tropical fruit notes. 4.5% Gluten Free
GRANNY SMITH XIDER
The palest of yellow ciders with a fresh and bright acidity on the nose. Crisp, tart and refreshing with a delightful fizz. 4.5% Gluten Free
BERRIES & CHERRIES
A special blend of Strawberry and Raspberry with notes of Blueberry, finished off with a refreshing burst of juicy Apple. 4.0% Gluten Free
MANGO & PASSION FRUIT
A refreshing blend of zingy passionfruit and juicy mango. 4.0% Gluten Free
Cocktails
ESPRESSO MARTINI
Absolut Vanilia Vodka, Kahlua, Sugar Syrup & a double shot of Espresso
NEGRONI TWIST
Aperol, Malfy Con Arancia Gin, Red Vermouth & Aranciata Rossa Soda
CAMPS BAY COOLER
Coconut Rum, Mango Rum, Kwai Feh Lychee Liqueur & Pineapple Juice and Soda
BAIN’S OLD FASHIONED
Bain’s South African Grain Whisky, Maple Syrup & Orange and Vanilla Bitters
Gin
Classic gins single £3.50, double £4.50. Premium gins single £4.50, double £6.00. Signature gins single £6.00, double £7.50. Mixers £2.50.
Gordon’s Dry
Classic
Gordon’s Premium Pink
Classic
Hendrick’s Gin
Premium
Malfy Con Arancia
Premium
Spirits
Single 25ml and double 50ml prices shown.
Klipdrift
Brandy
KWV 10 Year Old
Brandy
Bacardi Carta Blanca
Rum
Captain Morgan Spiced Gold
Rum
Coffee
AMERICANO
An Americano starts its life as a double shot of espresso which is then diluted by combining it with freshly boiled water. Let us know if you would like milk (either hot or cold) served on the side
CAFE LATTE
Latte (Italian, ‘milk’) is another popular coffee drink hailing from Italy. It typically consists of a single espresso shot mixed with steamed milk
ESPRESSO
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee served in a demitasse
Cool Drinks and Soda
PEPSI / PEPSI MAX / LEMONADE
SODA
With Blackcurrant, Lime, Cream Soda
COKE GLASS BOTTLE (330ML)
Original Coke, Diet Coke or Coke Zero Sugar