For the Gourmand - Restaurants & Dining
While it's a very difficult business to sustain with so few year-round residents in the area, we're very fortunate to have some great restaurants in our neck of the woods.
Great Brak
There's no better place to start than the Transkaroo Restaurant, located in the old Great Brak train station just across the bridge from The Island. Perfect for an evening stroll. In April, 2014, Stefan Jamneck, the award winning owner/chef sold the restaurant to his chef and maitre d' (husband and wife duo, Maurice & Nicolette Fouche). You can expect the same care from the kitchen - Maurice worked for Stefan for 2 years before becoming the new owner. Very reasonable prices with cozy seating indoors as well as out (don't be startled by the occasional train whizzing by!). Come hungry if you plan to order the signature Lamb's Neck. Reservations recommended (tel: 044 620 4163). Read TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews. During the peak holiday season when there often large groups, you may have a long wait for your food to be served - if you are offered the opportunity to be served sooner, take it!
De Dekke restaurant is a favourite place to go on nights you feel in the mood for beer and pizza (many other items on the menu, as well, of course) - or for a night of langarm or sakie-sakie dancing! Incredibly busy during the season, as parking lot chock-a-block with bakkies will tell you. Read TripAdvisor reviews.
Peperboom Coffee Shop on Long Street in the village is a popular brunch destination - friendly service, good food and a play areas for children.
Earlier this year, the wonderful Julia sold her Tafeltjie Dek on Kortstraat (behind Peperboom) - but she is staying on to help the owner with the transition through the season - it is still the place to go for the best home-made lemon meringue pies in the whole Western Cape! You can also treat yourself to breakfast, lunch and coffee.
Another charming place for brunch or lunch is Die Ou Pastorie Teetuin on Long Street. Wonderful, friendly service in a beautiful sun-dappled garden. If you're interested in more than food, inside you'll find various knickknacks for sale - or you can get your nails done in the cute little shed in the garden.
Of course, no trip to The Island would be complete without a visit to the "all-you-can-eat" seafood braai at De Vette Mossel - even more so if you have guests from overseas (though they won't fully understand host Niël du Bois' Afrikaans commentary throughout the evening...). Bring your own cooler of drinks (wine is available) and be prepared for an evening of fun. You'll need to reserve at least a week in advance during the season - yes, it's that popular!
And new as of Dec 12, 2014, is Great Brak's very own oyster bar, "Oyster World". Located near the Hardware Store in the village, they enjoy an absolutely delightful setting right on the bank of the Great Brak River - perfect for lunch. Check out this blogpost from my visit there.
Mossel Bay
Cafe Gannet (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) with its seafood specialities (linefish, oysters...) has undergone renovations in the last few years and is hit with most visitors. If you're able to, try to get an outdoor table where you'll enjoy a view over the Mossel Bay harbour.
Fynbos Gourmet Restaurant (TripAdvisor reviews) offers a classical menu in a charming setting. It has been rated the #1 restaurant in Mossel Bay by TripAdvisor reviewers.
Delfino's (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) outdoor deck is extremely popular - and for good reason: it is the perfect place for enjoying a beer and pizza while watching the surfers at The Point.
Herold's Bay
Within about a 5-iron shot from Ernie Els' place, the upper deck at Dutton's Cove (TripAdvisor reviews) is the perfect place for a sundowner and a snack after a round of golf.
George
If you're looking for a fantastic Italian meal and attentive service La Locanda (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) is highly recommended. The owner makes his own buffalo-style mozzarella as well as a selection of authentic Italian deli sausages on his small holding in Hoekwil (near Wilderness). These are also available for purchase separately, should you wish to take them home.
Travel Bugs (TripAdvisor reviews) on York Street is a favourite place for lunch (see if you can get a seat in the garden in the back). The friendly, helpful staff always make guests feel right at home.
The Meade Cafe (TripAdvisor reviews) is another special place for brunch or lunch while out running errands in George.
And of course, no trip to the Garden Route Mall is complete without a stop by Ocean Basket for some hake & calamari (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews). Reasonable prices, quality food time & time again, and always great service from the friendly staff.
Wilderness
If you're in the mood to splurge or celebrate, there are two great fine-dining options in Wilderness: Cinnamon Boutique Restaurant (read Tripadvisor and Eat Out reviews) with its attentive staff and excellent menu, or Serendipity (read Tripadvisor and Eat Out reviews). Serendipity is run by a friendly and energetic couple, with award-winning chef Lizelle Stoltze cooking up wonderful creations in the kitchen while husband Rudolf attends to guests in the front of house. If you get there early, you may enjoy sitting on the veranda with its stunning vista of the Touws River - perfect for a romantic pre-dinner cocktail!
If you're looking for something more casual, but something that will satisfy not only your appetite, but also your conscience, try something organic at Zucchini's (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) at the Timberlake Village between Wilderness and Sedgefield.
Knysna
Funky and unique, Firefly Eating House - you'll see it on your left before you enter Knysna when coming from Great Brak - is the perfect spot for a romantic, yet original, dinner for two (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews).
Great Brak
There's no better place to start than the Transkaroo Restaurant, located in the old Great Brak train station just across the bridge from The Island. Perfect for an evening stroll. In April, 2014, Stefan Jamneck, the award winning owner/chef sold the restaurant to his chef and maitre d' (husband and wife duo, Maurice & Nicolette Fouche). You can expect the same care from the kitchen - Maurice worked for Stefan for 2 years before becoming the new owner. Very reasonable prices with cozy seating indoors as well as out (don't be startled by the occasional train whizzing by!). Come hungry if you plan to order the signature Lamb's Neck. Reservations recommended (tel: 044 620 4163). Read TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews. During the peak holiday season when there often large groups, you may have a long wait for your food to be served - if you are offered the opportunity to be served sooner, take it!
De Dekke restaurant is a favourite place to go on nights you feel in the mood for beer and pizza (many other items on the menu, as well, of course) - or for a night of langarm or sakie-sakie dancing! Incredibly busy during the season, as parking lot chock-a-block with bakkies will tell you. Read TripAdvisor reviews.
Peperboom Coffee Shop on Long Street in the village is a popular brunch destination - friendly service, good food and a play areas for children.
Earlier this year, the wonderful Julia sold her Tafeltjie Dek on Kortstraat (behind Peperboom) - but she is staying on to help the owner with the transition through the season - it is still the place to go for the best home-made lemon meringue pies in the whole Western Cape! You can also treat yourself to breakfast, lunch and coffee.
Another charming place for brunch or lunch is Die Ou Pastorie Teetuin on Long Street. Wonderful, friendly service in a beautiful sun-dappled garden. If you're interested in more than food, inside you'll find various knickknacks for sale - or you can get your nails done in the cute little shed in the garden.
Of course, no trip to The Island would be complete without a visit to the "all-you-can-eat" seafood braai at De Vette Mossel - even more so if you have guests from overseas (though they won't fully understand host Niël du Bois' Afrikaans commentary throughout the evening...). Bring your own cooler of drinks (wine is available) and be prepared for an evening of fun. You'll need to reserve at least a week in advance during the season - yes, it's that popular!
And new as of Dec 12, 2014, is Great Brak's very own oyster bar, "Oyster World". Located near the Hardware Store in the village, they enjoy an absolutely delightful setting right on the bank of the Great Brak River - perfect for lunch. Check out this blogpost from my visit there.
Mossel Bay
Cafe Gannet (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) with its seafood specialities (linefish, oysters...) has undergone renovations in the last few years and is hit with most visitors. If you're able to, try to get an outdoor table where you'll enjoy a view over the Mossel Bay harbour.
Fynbos Gourmet Restaurant (TripAdvisor reviews) offers a classical menu in a charming setting. It has been rated the #1 restaurant in Mossel Bay by TripAdvisor reviewers.
Delfino's (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) outdoor deck is extremely popular - and for good reason: it is the perfect place for enjoying a beer and pizza while watching the surfers at The Point.
Herold's Bay
Within about a 5-iron shot from Ernie Els' place, the upper deck at Dutton's Cove (TripAdvisor reviews) is the perfect place for a sundowner and a snack after a round of golf.
George
If you're looking for a fantastic Italian meal and attentive service La Locanda (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) is highly recommended. The owner makes his own buffalo-style mozzarella as well as a selection of authentic Italian deli sausages on his small holding in Hoekwil (near Wilderness). These are also available for purchase separately, should you wish to take them home.
Travel Bugs (TripAdvisor reviews) on York Street is a favourite place for lunch (see if you can get a seat in the garden in the back). The friendly, helpful staff always make guests feel right at home.
The Meade Cafe (TripAdvisor reviews) is another special place for brunch or lunch while out running errands in George.
And of course, no trip to the Garden Route Mall is complete without a stop by Ocean Basket for some hake & calamari (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews). Reasonable prices, quality food time & time again, and always great service from the friendly staff.
Wilderness
If you're in the mood to splurge or celebrate, there are two great fine-dining options in Wilderness: Cinnamon Boutique Restaurant (read Tripadvisor and Eat Out reviews) with its attentive staff and excellent menu, or Serendipity (read Tripadvisor and Eat Out reviews). Serendipity is run by a friendly and energetic couple, with award-winning chef Lizelle Stoltze cooking up wonderful creations in the kitchen while husband Rudolf attends to guests in the front of house. If you get there early, you may enjoy sitting on the veranda with its stunning vista of the Touws River - perfect for a romantic pre-dinner cocktail!
If you're looking for something more casual, but something that will satisfy not only your appetite, but also your conscience, try something organic at Zucchini's (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews) at the Timberlake Village between Wilderness and Sedgefield.
Knysna
Funky and unique, Firefly Eating House - you'll see it on your left before you enter Knysna when coming from Great Brak - is the perfect spot for a romantic, yet original, dinner for two (TripAdvisor and Eat Out reviews).