The Home of South African

Comfort Food

In the Heart of York


Monday
Closed
Tue - Sat
-
Sunday
Closed
18 George Hudson Street, York, YO1 6JL

Discover

KAROO

Bar & Kitchen

If you're looking for something a little different, something with a bit of soul, come and check out Karoo Bar and Kitchen in York. Our authentic South African recipes will transport you right to the heart of Africa – and our delicious, authentic comfort food will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. So come on down and enjoy some real home cooking!

Welcome

ALL ABOUT US

The Karoo isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling

It sneaks into your bloodstream, unfolds slowly, and by the time you leave, you realise it’s taken root in your soul

Here at Karoo Bar & Kitchen, we serve uncomplicated food with unapologetic flavour, in a setting that’s as laid-back as a Sunday nap

Our menu is built on the dishes that have journeyed with Nathan and Zach since their early days in Cape Town—staunch favourites, lovingly reimagined

We celebrate the true spirit of the Rainbow Nation

From the spice trails of Malaysia and India to the comfort of Northern Europe,

paired with the Western Cape’s finest wines and a 

few cheeky beers from Yorkshire and beyond

we’ve gathered all the ingredients for the perfect get-together

So kick back, raise a glass, and let Karoo do what it does best —

make you feel right at home.





Slow Braised Oxtail

(Potjie)

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.


 

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Hog Roast

Simple Crispy Pork Belly with Swaledale Sausagemeat baked with a hint of fried leeks


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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


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Lamb Shank

A generous Yorkshire lamb shank,

slow-braised until the meat yields effortlessly to the touch of a fork


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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

£8
TOAST OF THE WILD

Biltong butter served with sliced gherkins and roast red peppers.  All ready to spread thickly on toasted ciabatta

£8
BOEREWORS MEATBALLS

Home-made pork and beef meatballs with classic boerewors seasoning served in a rich tomato, chilli and spinach sauce

£7
CHEESY MIELIE BITES

Mielie (corn) meal balls stuffed with feta and tiny red peppers, fried until golden and crisp, served with our house chakalaka

£6
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

£8
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

£10
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

£7
LEMON AND PEA BITES

Smashed peas infused with lemon zest and a crunchy vegetable crumb.  Served with regular or plant-based mayo

£5
TEMPURA GHERKINS

Cornichons dipped in a light tempura batter and fried until golden.  Served with

a spicy chipotle mayo dip

£5
CORN WEDGES

Sweetcorn Cob Wedges Tossed In Maple Syrup & Mild Smoky Spices   

£5
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

£6
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)

£6

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

£16
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

£16
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

£16
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

£16
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

£16
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

£16

SIGNATURE DISHES

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

£25
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

£24
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

£20
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

£22
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

£28
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

£28
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

£22

GOURMET BURGERS

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

£18
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

£18
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

£18
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

£18
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

£14
MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH A CHOICE OF PATTY

Angus Beef  – Rich, juicy, and full of flavour.

Boerewors – A lightly spiced South African blend of beef and pork.

Grilled Chicken Breast – Tender, lean, and grilled to perfection.

Beyond Meat™ – 100% plant-based patty. (Please note: meal is only fully vegan when paired with the Karoo House Burger option)


meatArtboard 5

All of our meat comes from farm-fed, humanely raised animals. 

Tanzanian single origin, single plantation coffee and roasted locally by Dancing Goat in Yorkshire.

All of our wines are sourced from the Western Cape, South Africa.

We offer a range of Beers from Brew York and we stock a range of imported beers from South Africa and Namibia

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

Contact Us