Gastronomic Garden Route

Great Places to Eat on the Garden Route

by Emma Gass, 8 May 2008

There's so much to discover on the Garden Route - endless beaches, mysterious forests, dolphins and whales and, of course, the superb food along the way.

As you wind your way along the N2 from George heading east towards Port Elizabeth, you'll encounter farmer's markets, farm stalls and a padstal (roadside shop in Afrikaans) here and there. There are also many excellent restaurants to try out in the towns along the route, which I made a point of doing on a recent trip along the Garden Route.

Eating became a great way to stock up on energy and get a bit of relaxation between activities. In fact, it can easily be justified as a Garden Route activity in itself.

Here's a selection of my great finds:

On the Beach

On the beach in Keurbooms is where you'll find Ristorante Enrico, or just plain Enrico's to most people. A wonderfully relaxed venue where wooden tables and big umbrellas are scattered across the lawn that tumbles down to the beach.

Enrico, being a true blue-eyed Italian, offers traditional antipasti (appetizers) and makes a mean pizza, but it's his super-fresh seafood dishes that are a clear favourite with the regulars. Spend the morning on the beach and then wander up the hill for a fabulous, siesta-inducing lunch or come to watch the whales, the dolphins, the sunset, and then stay on for a leisurely dinner.

Breakfast & Brunch

Thesen Island is a charming section of Knysna spanning 19 small islands in the lagoon. With clean, quiet streets and crisp, white clapboard houses, it has a distinct village atmosphere.

Tucked around a corner on Thesen Island you'll find the buzzing little bakery and cafe of Ile de Pain. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients and offering an amazing variety of hot-from-the-oven baked bread, this charming eatery has found its way into the hearts of the locals.

Wander in and find a seat in the cosy, casual interior or grab a table on the shady terrace before tucking into a delicious meal. With an extensive and imaginative breakfast menu and a reputation for the best coffee in Knysna, Ile de Pain is the perfect midmorning brunch spot.

Don't forget to buy some fresh bread to have with your picnic lunch later!

Dining Out

There's no shortage of restaurants on the Garden Route, and some really good ones at that. You could easily try a different place every night, but for a really classy take on traditional South African fare you should check out Nguni's in Plettenberg Bay.

Traditional South African staples like lamb chops, bobotie (Cape Malay dish) and biltong (dried and salted meat) get a thoroughly modern, gourmet makeover. Found in an old Cape style cottage, Nguni's is stylishly decorated in bold black and white, with interesting old photographs of the area on the walls.

Opening onto a large courtyard, the vine-covered veranda is the ideal spot for those balmy, summer evenings.

Knysna Oysters

You couldn't possibly travel along the Garden Route without stopping for oysters in Knysna. Oysters have been cultivated in the picturesque Knysna lagoon for many years and The Knysna Oyster Company was the first to do so.

Situated on the edge of the water, with a magnificent view of the Knysna Heads, this establishment still offers delicious oysters at the Oyster Tavern. Grab a sunny pew, order some chilled wine and make sure the Tabasco sauce is handy before making your choices from the menu.

While there we ordered a selection of both cultivated and wild oysters and had fun determining the differences between the two - it was also a great excuse to order more oysters!

Readers' Comments:

Have you had a memorable meal on the Garden Route? Let us know.

Print this page |  Send to a friend

Related content