Our favourites – summaries of those recommended on our destination pages – plus “one-offs” that are definitely worth a try if you’re in the area! Links to restaurant website (where available) for easy booking.
WESTERN CAPE:
Barrydale
Retro diner serving fabulous burgers, milkshakes and more. Very funky decor.
The Jam Tarts
Daytime eatery serving good food made with local produce – and great cakes!
Mez Karoo Kitchen – charming, small restaurant offering Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fare using seasonal produce. Open Thurs – Sat eves & Sun lunch.
Ronnie’s Sex Shop
Pub and café a few kms outside the town itself (don’t be put off by the name!) – with good burgers and toasties from the Road Kill Café!
Botrivier
Lovely bar serving craft beer and good pub food
Restaurant in converted railroad siding serving up freshly made wood fired pizza, ribs, burgers and traditional Sunday roast
Kalk Bay
The best sea food with exquisite views of the sea, but it doesn’t come cheap.
This place is always full so the atmosphere is up there with the best. Wonderful baked goods and delicious food ordered from the blackboard of daily specials.
Numerous bars and eating areas, all with sea views, and serves great fish and chips.
Matjiesfontein
The wood panelled bar inside the hotel. Pub grub and fun atmosphere.
A la carte menu using locally sourced produce. Karoo inspired food -evenings only.
Great coffee and homemade cakes – daytime only.
McGregor
Wonderful fresh food sourced locally and written up on a blackboard menu.
Breakfast and lunches served on the stoep. Good home cooking using local produce.
Paternoster
Delicious and well presented food and there is a substantial wine list with some off-beat choices. Best to book over weekends.
Situated on the rocks above the beach with spectacular sea views. It is small and intimate with a menu to suit. Booking essential.
The red roof building that has been here for ever! Situated right on the beach – paddling in the sea is de rigour between courses. Serves great fresh fish.
The chef has been acclaimed as one of the up-and-coming ones to look out for. He only cooks if you book in advance and the menu is really creative – he classifies it as Strandveld cuisine.
Prince Albert
Great home cooking and best bakery in town (daytime only).
Lah-Di-Dah
Quirky shop and farm stall with lovely garden for summer and cosy conservatory in winter. Breakfasts and light lunches (daytime only) – the burgers here are delicious! Licensed.
à la carte dining in art gallery amongst a changing backdrop of artworks. Fine Karoo food and great service. Licensed and open every evening.
Fantastic indian food with a karoo twist in great setting – the local’s best kept secret! Open Weds, Fri & Sat evenings – not licensed and booking is essential.
Riebeek Kasteel
Kasteelberg Country Inn & Bistro
The food, often with a French flair, is excellent and has a changing menu. In summer The Secret Garden comes into its own – outside pub and braai area offering great burgers and steaks.
Fabulous Italian inspired food and mouth-watering pizzas.
Pub and bistro with great vibe and decor – large garden at the back complete with outdoor bar. Their food philosophy – “local is lekker”.
EASTERN CAPE:
Nieu Bethesda
Sneeuberg Brewery and 2 Goats Deli
A delightful craft brewery with 4 beers to taste – and the cheese and meat platter consisting of home made goat’s cheeses is the perfect accompaniment. They also roast their own coffee. Lovely garden for the summer and old wooden interior for colder days.
Willowmore
This delightful restaurant is in the main road, housed in an old Victorian building. The restaurant is inside the antique shop where you can’t help but browse and be enchanted. The food is fabulous – home cooking at its best with local, fresh produce used. Sophie, herself is always around and is a great host. A fabulous place to stop en-route to wherever!
NORTHERN CAPE:
Nieuwoudtville
Open every day and a popular place in town for eating, drinking and watching sport on the big screen.
Situated on Papkuilsfontein farm, serving great home cooked lunches and decadent cakes in a beautiful setting.
Sutherland
Housed in one of the oldest Victorian buildings in town and extravagently decorated with lots of collectables and antiques. The food is karoo cooking with a twist and the lamb shank is excellent.
FREE STATE:
Clarens
Coffee and eatery situated in the Windmill Centre in a lovely stone building under corrugated roof. Good coffee and breakfasts!
Slightly off the square but worth finding. Charming building with “lounge” area on stoep complete with chandeliers hanging from the corrugated roof. Comfort food all day is their credo.
6 different home-brews to choose from or taste. Great building and basic menu of sausages and rolls or cheese/meat platters. Open 7 days a week.
Rosendal
In the centre of the village on the main road. Comfortably furnished with squashy sofas and scrubbed wooden tables they serve good meals utilising local, seasonal produce. Open Thursday – Sunday.
Smithfield
The owner is the chef and changes the menu daily. His food is delicious and inspired by flavours of the Middle and Far East. Booking essential and bring your own wine.