A Taste of 'The Mountain' At the Pot ’n Plow in Magoebaskloof

Half way between Haenertsburg village and Woodbush forest, along the R71 in Magoebaskloof, you will find the Pot ’n Plow, a restaurant filled with the buzz of conversation, enticing smells from the pizza oven and the promise of good company. Owners George and Lara Luis are at the heart of it, not just serving food or pouring drinks but creating connections, sharing stories, laughter and the kind of hospitality that makes strangers feel like old friends and locals feel like family. 

This is a conscious decision guided by the belief that these small interactions turn a mountain restaurant into a place of belonging.  For Lara and George, their philosophy shapes every detail of the guest experience, with the sense that love and attention has been put into every aspect. Hospitality begins long before a plate reaches the table and George describes creating this welcoming feeling as “a well choreographed dance,” from greeting and seating to remembering names, getting the order-details right and offering a warm goodbye at the door.

Their hands-on approach has become part of the atmosphere guests remark upon, one of authentic hospitality wrapped in the relaxed ease of mountain living. Children play, families gather, and the rugby on the big screen draws people together in a way that feels uniquely South African. Their philosophy of diligent effort with heart filters through to the whole team. “It not only sets a precedent to each staff member that we are also hard working,” Lara says, “it shows our customers that we care about upholding the standards we have instilled in the team.”

While an efficient team makes a great impression, a restaurant ultimately stands or falls on its food, and the Pot ’n Plow’s menu offers broad appeal. The signature “Snyman Special” wood fired pizza remains, alongside seafood, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. You will find slow-cooked favourites from lamb shank to oxtail, as well as their ‘legendary shawarmas’ and oven-roasted T-bone, but there are also trinchados, Mozambican king prawns, authentic Italian meatballs, or ‘creamy ‘n dreamy pasta alfredo’. 

They support local suppliers and draw on their long experience in the restaurant industry to elevate their food, preparing every sauce and dressing from scratch. “Homemade tastes better,” they insist, and for them this is a promise rather than a slogan. “Making everything ourselves means we have control of what goes into each and every dish,” George explains, “but it also ensures that our dishes are unique, with their own flavour profile.” So it is no surprise that the Pot ‘n Plow won the Best of Polokwane Readers Choice Award for the best dinner in Limpopo.

Creativity keeps both the menu and atmosphere alive. “Nobody likes boring,” Lara says with a smile. “Luckily, we do not serve it.” They innovate through what they eat, what they see and what their guests bring through the door. “We have the privilege to serve a wide array of customers,” she explains. “They share their ideas and experiences with us, and we draw inspiration from that too.” Some experiments flourish, others fade, but each feels natural in a place shaped by the rhythm of ‘The Mountain’, where anything can be reimagined.

Live music has also woven itself into the soul of the Pot ’n Plow. George is a musician, so offering a platform for local artists feels natural to them. South African musicians navigate an industry that is vibrant yet challenging, and creating a space where they can be seen and heard feels meaningful. The restaurant has become known for its Sunday live music, and a lazy lunch with good musicians is something locals treasure. When bigger names play, the energy lifts even higher and the pub becomes a place for celebration.

South Africans love sharing good times, but international visitors also feel the inclusive energy that the Pot ’n Plow radiates, with everyone contributing to the experience guests carry away. The team shares both the bright moments and the difficult ones, building an environment where everyone understands their role. Community spirit, they believe, is the glue that holds everything in place, and while locals appreciate being recognised, visitors often leave planning to return. But more than this, George and Lara have fed firefighters, donated prizes to local events and offered warm meals in times of need.

Looking ahead, George and Lara hope the Pot ’n Plow continues to grow as a place that supports connection. Research shows that people who frequent a familiar pub or restaurant feel happier and more rooted in their community, but this is also a place for travellers heading to waterfalls, ziplines or quiet forest lodges and pausing to savour the flavours of ‘The Mountain’. 

Come for beer, pizza and the rugby, enjoy the live music, or stay for slow-cooked comfort and conversation. This is mountain hospitality at its most heartfelt, a place to savour, to share and to belong.

The Pot ‘n Plow Restaurant & Pub & Fiddlers Green Accommodation:  082 322 2436  | 074 059 0560 | potnplow@gmail.com | www.potnplow.com