The Garden Route and the Little Karoo Restaurants

Most medium-size towns along the Garden Route offer a decent selection of restaurants, and the smaller towns of the Little Karoo usually have one or two good restaurants and a handful of lesser eateries. On the Garden Route the emphasis is often on seafood in general and oysters in particular. (Knysna has an oyster festival in July.) Restaurants in the Little Karoo feature fresh ostrich meat and organic mutton or lamb, which is delicious accompanied by a good South African red wine. Look out for farm shops between towns. These make excellent comfort stops where you can buy traditional home-baked fare, dried fruit, and other snacks for the road.

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  • 1. Ile de Pain

    $$

    Almost every South African you meet along the Garden Route will tell you to visit Ile de Pain. Its stellar reputation is well deserved, because owners Liezie Mulder and Markus Farbinger have an uncompromising attitude toward quality that shows in their superb wood-fired breads and mouth-watering pastries. Local and organic suppliers are used wherever possible, the perfectly executed menu changes seasonally, and everything is made on the premises. For something different, try a red cappuccino made from traditional rooibos plant. It's very, very busy in season but you can watch the activity on Thesen Harbour as you wait.

    8-10 The Boatshed, Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa
    044-302–5707

    Known For

    • Folks come from far and wide for the baked goods
    • Plenty of choices for vegetarians
    • Enthusiastic staff

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner
  • 2. Serendipity

    $$$$

    Start your evening at this award-winning restaurant with pre-dinner drinks on the patio overlooking the river, then move inside to a candlelit table for a fabulous five-course menu that takes classic South African ingredients and gives them an original, modern twist. The menu changes frequently with acclaimed chef Lizelle Stolze combining locally sourced fresh meat, fish and vegetables that are beautifully presented and paired with husband Rudolf's selection of fine wines. Dishes could include Cape salmon served with sautéed vegetables and hollandaise sauce, or desserts with a South African touch, such as saffron-infused milk tart. There are also four luxurious guest rooms upstairs, all with river views and a large communal balcony. if you're not staying here, there's a guest shuttle to drive you to and from your accommodation.

    Freesia Ave., Wilderness, Western Cape, 6560, South Africa
    044-877–0433

    Known For

    • Some of the region's best food
    • Excellent service
    • Attention to detail

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch, Reservations essential
  • 3. Zucchini

    $$

    This popular spot is all about free-range, organic, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients, and chances are the garnishes on your plate will have been freshly picked from the organic herb garden outside. The vegetarian-friendly menu changes regularly and features a range of dishes served either roasted or raw. Meat eaters, you have not been neglected. Venison frikkadells (meatballs) are served with a buttery potato mash and beetroot chutney, hearty steaks come with potato wedges, and slow-cooked springbok shanks are dished up with roasted vegetables. You can also sample four craft beers, locally made cloudy cider, or freshly pressed juices. The setting is a wooden cottage where guests are encouraged to linger over their meal. Zucchini is part of Timberlake Farm Stall, which has a number of shops.

    N2, Wilderness, Western Cape, 6560, South Africa
    044-882–1240

    Known For

    • Rustic atmosphere
    • Lots of choices for vegetarians
    • Coffee roasted on site
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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