Eastern Cape Restaurants

Located in the historic and charming town of Graaff Reinet, the Coldstream Restaurant finds itself ideally set in the shade of Norfolk Pine trees. With the beautiful 130 year old Dutch Reform Church as its neighbour, the restaurant exudes a special ambience of a time gone by. In good weather, lunch on the open terrace is a must to make the most of splendour of the Karoo. The lunch menu has items from the grill as well as lighter meals, cakes and desserts. Dinner at Coldstream leaves patrons spoiled for choice, with the best Karoo Lamb and Ostrich dishes on offer. The menu boasts a host of local specialties as well as dishes that are inspired by International Cuisine. The restaurant also offers a good selection of wines as a compliment to great cuisine. The Coldstream Restaurant is welcomes visitors for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make a reservation for dinner to avoid disappointment.

Exuding contemporary French cuisine infused with a South African twist, Elephant Walk invites comfortable relaxation and casual surrounds. Dine on succulant venison and steaks or tender lamb neck, slow-roasted with peppers, celery and tomato. Selections such as curries and seafood make for interesting alternatives. Enjoy high quality organic produce at this quaint countryside retreat.

Nestled among the dunes of Nahoon Point Nature Reserve, Footprints Café is the place to get away from it all and within close proximity of the famous Nahoon Reef. Offering a superb menu and the best cup of coffee in East London, here diners can relax and soak up the tranquil surrounds complimented by stunning sea views and perfect location.

Capturing a fresh take on traditional fine dining, Ginger Restaurant invites a friendly air and chic atmosphere. Embracing a combination of the freshest and finest ingredients, dishes evoke subtle flavours of the Eastern Cape influence. Relax following the last trail of the sunset sipping cocktails before retiring to the lower dining area graced by parquet flooring or the upper floor warmed by carpets and adjacent open plan kitchen. With beautiful views and vivid taste experiences, diners can enjoy the open setting or retreat to the private ambiance of a personlised dining experience. Ginger Restaurant is synonymous with fine dining and opulent cuisine perfect for lunches and dinners.

Perched high on a hilltop surrounded by tranquil 360-degree views, Michaelas of Cintsa offers dining on the expansive wooden deck with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and frolicking whales. Skilfully decorated with characterful designs harmoniously blended with nature, diners immerse the senses in spectacular views and decadent cuisine. Try springbok for starters or the basket of baby spring rolls hinted with chilli and sweet and sour sauce. For mains, a delicately fragrant Thai chicken & prawn curry, superb ostrich fillet medallions and a good selection of fresh seafood. The deck menu offers a selection of tramazzinis, open sandwiches and delicious assorted platters and salads with bread freshly baked bread on the premises. For desert try the melt-in-the-mouth heavenly cheesecake topped with fruit or the decadent mud-pie. Michaelas of Cintsa evokes languid lunches and relaxed ambiance complimented by breathtaking views for a little slice of heaven on a hilltop.

One can easily fall in love with the Breede Valley while visiting Opstal Estate’s restaurant near Worcester. Here, fine dining and sweeping views of the stunning surroundings marry to create a memorable eating experience. The restaurant offers an outdoor deck for al fresco dining on sunny days and loads of atmosphere in winter with its cosy fire place. Guests can expect a menu that represents the best of traditional fare from breakfast through to dinner. The lunch menu is light with offerings like Calamari, gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as schnitzel and quiche. Dinner, which the menu refers to as the ‘Main Event’ offers sophistication on a plate. Carnivorous guests will be spoilt for choice between items such as Deboned Leg of Lamb, Roast Pork Fillet and Braised Lamb Shank. The speciality desserts are displayed on the specials board and the restaurant offers a selection of locally sourced wines. The venue also hosts conferences and weddings with cottages for overnight stays.

Pielow’s restaurant is a gem of fine dining located in the quaint town of Tulbagh. This intimate and elegant eatery promises guests fine food in a stunning setting. The restaurant forms part of the Oude Herberg guest house. Its tiny dining room exudes ambience with its quiet sophistication. In the summer the courtyard offers the best seating for a late evening of food and drink with friends, or an afternoon bite while watching the town’s rugby team in action. The contemporary menu incorporates the best local produce that can be sourced. Popular dishes include the roast pork with caramelised apples and the rack of lamb with home-made mint sauce. The list is vast with a great selection of local wines. Guests can also enjoy the fact that the restaurant has its very own patch of vineyard and bottles its own home groen shiraz and sauvignon blanc under the Pielow’s label.

Pioneers restaurant finds itself in the historic Parsonage Street in the “Gem of the Karoo” – town of Graaff Reinet. Parsonage Street boasts the most national monuments than any other street in South Africa. A dream come true for a foodie with an interest in history. The restaurant itself is housed in a national monument that is part of the history of the town. Guests can choose to be seated in any one of the four dining rooms, on the stoep or outside in the garden. Patrons can appreciate the beauty of the landmarks while delving into Pioneers’ a la carte menu. There is good honest food on offer with a few adventurous dishes to satisfy a more demanding palate. Signature dishes include Baby Beef Bombay, Kudu Schnitzel, Rolled Fillet with banana and ham filling covered with an aromatic curry sauce. Pioneers has become synonymous for a good evening out- hosting Karaoke and Jazz evenings. In summer, the shaded beer garden is an oasis in the Karoo.

Readers Restaurant is located in Tulbagh’s historic Church Street. Here patrons are delighted by the fine food on offer. The Curious Cats gift shop, that is housed with the eatery, gives Readers a quirky edge that is enough reason to return. The lime washed Cape Dutch Style stead sets the scene for the genuine Cape hospitality that is synonymous with Readers. In keeping with the Cape Dutch feel, the restaurant boasts wooden floors and crisp white table cloths on solid wooden furniture, all the elements for fine dining. Chef Carol Collins presents an exciting menu which offers traditional fare with a fresh interpretation. Signature dishes include the Springbok fillet with a Gooseberry and Amarula sauce and the Lamb Strudel. The Trio of ice-cream dessert is ever popular with exciting (if not a crazy) flavours such as curry and balsamic. The wine list supports the best of the Tulbagh region. Cat lovers will spend plenty of time post pudding inspecting the feline paraphernalia in the gift shop section of the restaurant.

Rijks Country House in the Tulbagh winelands of the Western Cape offers guests a fine dining experience that is all about country hospitality and making the most of the beauty of its natural surroundings. The wine estate has three restaurants to choose from, each offering something special. Que sera is the fine dining lounge and offers an la carte menu as well as a buffet breakfast menu while The Iceberg Terrace seats guests outdoors under the pergola for breakfast and light lunches. Both venues boast magnificent views of the vineyards. At night the terrace restaurant’s pergola is adorned with fairy lights and candles providing patrons with a romantic, star gazing dining experience. The Mon Ami dining hall hosts private functions. Rijks offers game, seafood and traditional South African dishes as well as an award winning wine list form its private cellar. Rijks Country House is open for breakfast through to dinner daily. Come with plenty of time to spare for wine tasting.

Noted for serving the best thin crust pizzas and delicious half-kilo pastas, Rome Restaurant goes big on wine glasses and wine. Enjoy juicy steaks, roasted lamb necks, eisbeins or lamb shanks for lunch or dinner. Sit back with a newspaper and frothy cappuccino enjoying scrumptious breakfasts with homemade jam and roosterkoek? Rome Restaurant provides simple hearty fare for a lighthearted approach to dining.

Exuding a café style ambiance and great family meals, Bluewater Café tempts the palate with breakfasts, light meals, salads, pastas, seafood, steaks and deserts. Enjoy smoked salmon and chives scrambled eggs for breakfast. Starters wet the appetite with camembert prawns followed by hearty mains of either Mediterranean penne or grilled sirloin steak 300gr concluded by caramel pancakes. Whether dining in the balmy summer sun or soaking up the romantic evening setting, The Bluewater Café embraces flavourful cuisine and well paired wines for a perfect dining experience.

Waverly Hills promises the freshest, finest and where possible, organic ingredients in all their South African inspired country cuisine. Located just outside of Tulbagh, Waverly Hills’ boasts splendid views of the valley. Here guests can indulge in views of the farm’s vineyards and olive orchards while enjoying al fresco dining on the patio. In winter the restaurant has a blazing fire place to keep visitors comfortable and cosy. A mother and daughter team heads up the kitchen and delights patrons with menu items that range from starters like Yoghurt-cheese-bacon bundles drizzled with olive tapenade dressing and Best Biltong Pate. The mains on offer cater for all palates from items such as Red Curry, Rump steak and Chicken stuffed with sundried tomato and feta wrapped in bacon. The restaurant also offers a must try food and wine pairing which comprises five mezze bites with five organic wines.