Get ready to elevate your dining game and take your taste buds on a cross-country culinary adventure – from buzzing Instagram-worthy brunch spots to trendsetting dining gems.
A trip to Knysna, Wellington, Montagu or Barrydale wouldn’t be complete without including a visit to these restaurants.
1. Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa
Set on the scenic Thesen Island, the recently refurbished Island Café is waiting to serve you a plate of Knysna’s best. Relaxed yet refined and perfect for those wanting to slow down and indulge, the Island Café is where Knysna’s culinary magic happens. Its menu offers a delicious blend of locally inspired and international dishes – fresh coastal flavours, local ingredients plus stunning views of the canal make every meal, from the first sip of wine to the last bite of a perfectly crafted dish, feel like a celebration.
For pub fare with a creative Turbine twist there’s the laid-back Gastro Pub where signature dishes, like the Gastro Beef Burger that comes stacked high with smoky bacon, rich onion marmalade and oozy cheddar, served with golden, crispy chips, gives a whole new take on classic comfort foods. Its drinks menu offers expertly crafted cocktails, including a perfectly balanced Cosmopolitan.
Whether you’re road-tripping the Garden Route or making Knysna a pit stop, head to the Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa’s two in-house eateries – the Island Café (open every day of the week: breakfast 7 to 11 am, lunch from 12 to 4 pm and dinner from 6 to 9:30 pm) or The Gastro Pub (open Monday to Sunday: 2 pm ‘til late) for a seriously tasty detour. www.turbinehotel.co.za
2. Val du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate
Set in the scenic Bovlei Valley, just 10 minutes from Wellington, on a family – owned estate, you’ll find two onsite dining spots. The newly revamped and reimagined Grillroom takes centre stage – featuring an expansive buffet space ideal for breakfast, conferencing and special occasions and a large sundeck and a cantilevered lookout point. Its debut menu celebrates bold South African flavours and traditional dishes. As the sun dips, the deck comes alive with golden-hour dining, cool wines and the irresistible aroma of premium cuts sizzling on the grill. Open daily from 11 am to 9 pm for lunch and dinner, is perfect for long lunches, relaxed dinners or memorable celebrations.
And there’s the family-friendly pizzeria Pizza Vista – generally open Tuesday to Saturday from 12 to 9 pm and Sundays from 12 to 4 pm (closed Mondays) that offers a fresh, up-to-the-minute menu balancing wholesome choices with indulgent favourites. Wood-fired pizzas and sweeping views make it the go-to spot for midweek treats, leisurely catchups or weekend wind-downs – especially when paired with a cocktail and a sunset. Great food, luxury accommodation, stunning views and award-winning wines blend effortlessly into a refined winelands experience at Val du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate, a member of Cape Country Routes. www.vdcwines.co.za
3. Lily Pond County Lodge
Perfectly positioned near Tsitsikamma National Park and the beaches and lagoon of Nature’s Valley, there’s a restaurant where a new chapter in culinary creativity is being written. The restaurant LYS, on a tranquil poolside deck, surrounded by forest, provides the perfect setting for meaningful connection and relaxed indulgence. LYS’ chefs craft seasonal menus inspired by sun-ripened ingredients, global flavours and a sprinkle of holiday magic.
LYS is open for dinner from 6.30 – 9 pm to inhouse guests and the public (pre-booking 24 hours in advance). Spacious, comfy rooms overlooking serene lily ponds, a pool, a patio and a stunning garden create the perfect backdrop for sunset cocktails and elevating the whole experience, a warm, attentive and genuinely caring staff. Close to Bloukrans Bridge, Storms River, just 30 minutes from Plettenberg Bay, Lily Pond County Lodge, a member of Cape Country Routes is a standout destination on the Garden Route – exceptional value and unforgettable in every way. www.lilypond.co.za
4. The St James, Knysna
Stunning panoramic views across an iconic lagoon, great food and a little bit of magic… That’s dining at a charming Knysna hotel’s superb restaurant, The Point. Overlooking lush gardens and the iconic Knysna Heads, this restaurant offers a setting that naturally enhances every meal. It is a space designed for scrumptious food – country style breakfasts, light lunches, teas and snacks and dinners – memorable moments and time well spent.
Although breakfast at The Point is reserved exclusively for in-house guests, forming part of a wider five-star experience, outside guests are welcome to reserve a table for lunch or dinner and enjoy delicious food, paired with wine from the well-stocked cellar. A country-style breakfast with continental buffets, enjoyed alongside lagoon views and the elegant accommodation at The St James, Knysna, a 5-star Cape Country Routes member, provides a great reason to extend your stay. Memorable flavours, warm hospitality and a view that speaks for itself… that’s The Point! Discover more at www.stjames.co.za
5. Arniston Spa Hotel
Way down south where big ocean vibes meet big flavour, the welcome mats are out for you at the laid-back Bistro. Think wide-open spaces, a breezy open-air deck, knockout panoramic views of the ocean and endless coastline. Here the sushi chefs roll out the classics – and then break the rules with some seriously creative inventions. The Bistro is all about fresh, local seafood straight from the world’s biggest pantry: the ocean. Menus mix traditional South African favourites with modern flair and include tapas, sushi, its famous fish cakes and there are halaal, vegan and vegetarian options so everyone’s invited. And there’s more of course – an award-winning wine list packed with standout local gems and a special children’s menu.
The hotel’s Dining Room is where you want to start your day with its legendary breakfast buffet – continental and hot, served daily from 07h00 to 10h00. Relaxed à la carte lunches (The Bistro, Dining Room or poolside with a cocktail) kicks off from 12:00 and if it’s a more polished vibe you’re wanting for dinner, there’s the elegant à la carte Dining Room. Glass-enclosed, sun-soaked and sea-facing, it’s perfect for winter warmth or stylish evenings. This Cape Country Routes member, the 4-star Arniston Spa Hotel is internationally known as one of the world’s great getaways and it’s the place where you can relax, rejuvenate and savour excellent cuisine. www.arnistonhotel.com
6. De Hoop Collection
If you’re seeking a family-friendly escape that includes comfortable accommodation and a fine restaurant with great food in the Western Cape, head to De Hoop Nature Reserve, one of CapeNature’s flagship reserves. In the heart of the reserve in an old building (now renovated) that was used by the farmer in days gone by, there’s The De Hoop Collection’s Fig Tree Restaurant, a veritable scenic and gastronomic oasis.
Open daily from 08h00 – 21h00 for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, teas, coffees and cakes, it’s a total win for families. It’s also licensed – local wines, craft beers and ciders are available. Behind the restaurant there’s a silo that was transformed into William’s Wine Cellar that is home to more than 3 000 wines – you’re spoiled for choice.
In the hands of the passionate-about-food head chef, Marcia Tyobeka, the restaurant offers à la carte menus for breakfast (hearty) and lunch and set (three-course) dinner menus (with a kids meal option). While there’s no special lunch menu for kids the food is so tasty there’s never any hesitation – they happily tuck in. Delicious picnic baskets can be pre-ordered from reception and enjoyed on the beach, under a fig tree or next to the reserve’s 19km vlei.
Aside from its restaurant De Hoop Collection, a member of Cape Country Routes also offers a wide range of comfortable accommodation and loads of kid (and adult) friendly experiences. The delight of De Hoop – relaxed vibes, welcoming staff, great food and stunning tranquil surroundings – it’s a winner all round. www.dehoopcollection.com
7. De Zeekoe Guest Farm
Set against sweeping Karoo veld and magnificent mountain backdrops, just 10 minutes from Oudtshoorn, there’s a restaurant – part of a 3 000-hectare working farm with activities that include walking with wild meerkats, that offers more than great food. De Windpomp Restaurant, a modern, family-friendly dining destination with a farm-to-fork philosophy, offers a dining experience that exceeds all expectations.
Known for its fresh, local and homemade ingredients the restaurant serves hearty country cuisine, including ostrich specialties and is open daily from 08:30 – 17:00 for breakfast (08:00 – 10:00) and Dinner (18:00 – 21:00) – outside visitors are welcome, but pre-booking is essential. All meals are perfectly paired with wines from its wine cellar’s comprehensive collection of local wines. De Zeekoe’s food philosophy is to use fresh, local ingredients and to prepare them ‘simply delicious’ and ‘deliciously simple’. Fresh herbs are picked daily from its garden and used in most of the dishes – in the kitchen they favour homegrown and homemade products above all others.
Most of restaurant’s kitchen staff are locals, trained in the De Zeekoe kitchen, and while they may not have attended fancy cooking schools, they most certainly don’t have to take a backseat to any trained chef. There are also varied vegetarian/gluten-free options. In fact, the restaurant caters to various dietary needs, with gluten-free bread and lactose-free milk available on request (best to advise before arrival). Happiness really does depend on a leisurely homemade, home-baked and thoughtfully prepared meal. In house guests and outside visitors at the Cape Country Routes member De Zeekoe Guest Farm’s De Windpomp Restaurant are invited to enjoy relaxed, scenic meals with views of the Outeniqua mountain in a warm and welcoming setting. www.dezeekoe.co.za
8. Montagu Country Hotel
Whether you’re a Route 62 traveller on the move, a local seeking your daily pick-me-up or someone in need of a relaxed space to work, there are two Montagu restaurants that offer unique flavours, an unforgettable ambience and so much more. The Charlestons – open for breakfast (Mon -Sun: 07:30 am – 10 am) and dinner (Mon – Sun: from 6 pm – last order 9 pm), is a place where classic elegance meets easy-going charm. Serving the kind of food that feels familiar, just with a little dash of something extra, dishes are magically re-invented with clever seasonal twists by chef Gail Meyer. The best breakfasts in Montagu are to be had here – think aromatic coffee, eggs cooked to order, warm buttery scones and everything that goes with the classic full English breakfast and there’s also a fresh buffet of fruit, yoghurt, cold meats and home-baked treats. And, as evening falls the Charlestons turns up the romance… candlelight, crisp linen, silver cutlery and seasonal menus set the scene. Start with a cocktail, add a great local wine and settle in to enjoy a hearty dinner.
Families feel right at home here thanks to a thoughtfully curated kiddies’ menu. And for coffee and drinks, Mondays to Sundays (7am to 10 pm) or a laid-back lunch (or snacks), Mondays to Sundays (10 am to 7pm) there’s the coffee and cocktail lounge Feathers & Flatcaps with its cosy interior, booths, tables and Art Deco chairs and a stunning original bar counter dating back to the 1930s. Here you can start your day with Bootlegger coffee, enjoy artisan burgers and decadent milkshakes for lunch or take a break with locally brewed craft beers and refreshing cocktails.
There’s also a jungle gym for little ones under the shade of a majestic elm tree, while you indulge in by-the-slice cakes, rich brownies and tasty snacks. Whether it’s a quiet dinner, a casual laidback lunch or a special celebration, the Cape Country Routes member, Montagu Country Hotel’s Charlestons and Feathers and Flatcaps always deliver hearty flavours, thoughtful touches, genuine hospitality, style and timeless charm. www.montagucountryhotel.co.za
9. Karoo Art Hotel
Just two and a half hours from Cape Town on the famous Route 62, in the heart of Barrydale, you’ll find an enchanting hotel – Africa’s number 1 art hotel – a living gallery, blending creativity, comfort, character and delicious cuisine. Enjoy traditional Karoo meals (local Karoo lamb), fresh fish straight from the sea near Gansbaai, wood fired pizzas, fish and chips or a range of other delectable options off the menu in the comfort of the in-house restaurant The Grill Room.
There’s also the Bagel and Sandwich Bar where locals often meet for coffee and cake or the Anna Jordaan Bar where you can experience some of the chef’s culinary wizardry, while sipping a locally made Joseph Barry Brandy or savouring one of the many excellent wine options out on the terrace, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll gather that this is a standout stop that offers far more than just a place to rest your head – it’s a celebration of ‘art’. The art of: Karoo country cuisine – produced by an award-winning chef and an inspired kitchen team, the historic bar – operating since the 1890s, the eclectic decor – each of the 17 rooms has its own theme and story, surprise – there’s a vintage bioscope hidden upstairs and the art of a story – you’ll definitely leave here with a good one!
So, whether you’re chasing a memorable road trip, breathtaking scenery, expressive design or award-winning food and wine, the 4-star Karoo Art Hotel, a Cape Country Routes member, delivers it all, artfully and effortlessly. It is a place that celebrates art in bold, joyful ways – it is a place that feeds your imagination as much as it feeds your appetite and one that you’ll be talking about long after the journey home. www.karooarthotel.co.za
