Garden Route Restaurants

Relax in true Caribbean style, sipping Pina Coladas while savouring delectable starters of Coco Loco Hoppin' Jons (Jalapeno chillies stuffed with feta, crumbed and deep-fried) enjoying the laid back vibe tropical atmosphere. With a large garden and cosy restaurant, Banana Jam Café serves authentic Caribbean tastes lit by a roaring fire and enchanting night-lights while dining outside. With Jamican BBQ’s in the summer and a buzzing atmosphere, patrons can enjoy fast service with friendly attentive staff. Rated by locals as the best Banana Jam burgers in town with the largest rum collection in the country; Banana Jam Café is your suburban island escape to the breezy shores of the Caribbean.

Located in the leafy Southern suburbs of Kenilworth in a house built in the late 18 hundreds, Bardelli’s best-kept secret lies in their great quality food served in generous portions and fantastic value for money. Sourcing only the finest local products and imported ingredients with award winning pizza, fresh salads, calamari and fillet options, Bardelli caters for simple and complex palates with ease and passion Italians are so renowned for. Upon arrival, delight your senses with the smell of hearty pasta and thin crust pizzas lingering in the wood-fired oven touched by the subtle sounds of Italian café style music in the background. Tables chequered in red and white warmed by flickering candle lights make for a cosy and intimate dining experience with cooling wooden tables and chairs enhanced by the mysterious memorabilia of old Italy. This small family friendly restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere and comprehensive menu with a well-priced wine list and delectable choices of local and international deserts.

Bomo Terrace embraces alfresco dining at its best, cradled by the lapping ocean, mysterious backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountain and positioned on the extensive terrace for alfresco sophistication at its best. Begin the day with silky Eggs Benedict or crispy croissants layered in fresh butter and preserves or a delicious Boma terrace brunch complimented by the warming sun and enigmatic beauty of the bay. Bomo Terrace inspires reconnection and welcoming faces guided by the protective spirits seen everywhere over the doorposts in Bali.

Chalkboards wet the appetite with spreads of lamb shank, oxtail and venison, succulently prepared and garnished with all the trimmings and sauces. Retro specialities such as pepper steak, sole meuniere and malva pudding serve up delightful alternatives to the traditional ambience of steakhouses. Brad’s Grill provides a bustling atmosphere with a casual attitude ideal for hearty diners and provides a good selection of Cape wines ideal for complimenting flavourful grills.

Caffe San Marco’s relaxed atmosphere, great views and Italian influence, as well its sidewalk location in the V & A Waterfront means patrons can sit back, sip on a gourmet cup of coffee and people watch. A truly Italian experience, Caffe San Marco offers patrons an authentic slice of that la vita e bella, or the beautiful life. Nestled in the bustling Waterfront, looking out over the harbour where the seals frolic and water traffic goes to and fro, Caffe San Marco’s menu is made up of a selection of delicious fare to satisfy and delight. Whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner, a light snack or a cup of the best coffee, Caffe San Marco has something to offer. Real Italian food, made the traditional way, each meal is freshly prepared and made to order. The beef carpaccio is one of the house specialities cut from the finest fillet, garnished with the finest salina capers. There are a range of pastas and salads made with authentic Italian ingredients. There is an extensive breakfast menu, served until 12pm, as well as a selection of gourmet sandwiches. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, Caffe San Marco offers an the best views, the finest coffees and fabulous food, while being the perfect place to watch the world go by.

Easily located within the scenic Garden Route and famously known by locals as the place to enjoy made to order, thin crispy pizzas straight from the traditional wood-fired oven with wheat free bases available. Dine on outdoor terrace or within the large garden on balmy summer days choosing from an array of delicious pastas, potatoe bakes, salads and voluptuously filled pita breads. Leave enough space for decadent deserts and smouldering coffees for a pleasant, well-rounded day out.

Located at one of Knysnas most impressive landmarks this premier restaurant in The Garden Route is the place where patrons can indulge and gather, sharing pizzas, sundowners and tasty antipastos. Offering seductive Italian cuisine and classic cocktails, Cornuti Knysna oozes Rivera chic in a chilled out atmosphere catering fine wines and fresh produce for their signature mouth-watering dishes.

Offering contagious entertainment for young and old where some dine and dance the night away to fathom hunger buster meals, this lively venue has it all in one place for a great night out with family and friends. Serving a variety of seafood dishes, pizzas, pasta and delicious snacks, patrons soak up the atmosphere and delightful menu before setting off home smiling after a fun-filled evening with family and friends. De Dekke Restaurant is located in the De Dekke Shopping Complex in Great Brak River close to the towns of George and Mossel Bay in South Africa's scenic Garden Route.

Delight your taste buds with wholesome hearty food in a relaxed intimate setting distinctly Mexican. The colourful lighting and authentic memorabilia blended with funky tunes transports you to the lively back streets of Mexico. Aromatic spices dressed with vivid colours and flavours tantalise your taste buds with an abundance of margarita and tequila to put out the flames for those brave enough to sample the chilli on tap. Seating just 22 patrons inside - this hip and happening tequila shrine offers great value for money and starter portions large enough to pass around the table. On balmy summer days, laze around beneath the old El Dinal by the river while satisfying your palette with tacos, burritos, enchiladas and temptingly delicious frozen margaritas.

The perfect setting to enjoy lazy breakfasts and alfresco lunches indoors or on the sheltered terrace marvelling at the awaking of the early morning or lingering sunset; East Head Café is where friends and family meet to reconnect for good food and casual conversation cooled by cocktails and wine. East Head Café boasts quality and service accentuated by flavour and freshness using the best local ingredients for sumptuous breakfasts and creamy cappuccinos. Indulge in a selection of the finest wines by glass or bottle complimented by fresh battered fish and chips or a delicious gourmet burger from the Café style menu. Kids are welcome and catered for ensuring parents get much needed time to relax and enjoy the well thought out setting and food. With a kiddies menu complimented by colouring boards, blackboards and toys, kids can be kids without the worry and stress associated with dining out. You can be forgiven spending a little more time here than expected, enjoying delicious food on a balmy summer days or curling up to the crackling fireplace.

Discover a new love for burgers with Gourmet Burger. A fusion of flavours inspired by exotic combinations transforms an ordinary seeded bun into a gastronomic voyage of discovery. With innovative décor and eclectic twists, Gourmet Burger serves up real comfort food in a fun loving setting, elegant enough for a woman and satisfying enough for a man. Feast your senses on gourmet burgers and delectable Lindt milkshakes for a “tongue in cheek” fine dining experience that will have you coming back for more. From burgers to shakes and the finest Paul Cluver wines, you will find Gourmet Burger’s understated and relaxed ambience a fun and gastronomic dining experience.

With delightful mountain views and sun facing aspect, Greens offers substantial breakfasts, lunches and dinners in an open, spacious setting warmed by natural earthy tones and textures. Enjoy a selection of substantial breakfasts from traditional English to delectable Eggs Benedict and for healthier options Muesli with yogurt and fresh fruit platter. Bustling lunchtime favourites range from open sandwiches and deluxe burgers to crispy thin wood-fired pizzas. With options of dining inside or alfresco under the sun-warmed terrace scattered with umbrellas, Greens entices and ordinary meal into a gourmet experience with breakfast a speciality and servings of fresh Kingklip, Fillet Steak and Pasta available for a heartier alternative. Greens is easily located within the bustling hub of the Southern Suburbs.

The menu is fresh and flavoursome serving up sumptuous and hearty food you can relate too. From healthy homemade buffet style breakfasts and lunches to deliciously wholesome iced smoothies, this bistro has become a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. Savour the taste of perfectly roasted chicken or a succulent piece of steak with a pile of frites and mayo alongside a refreshing glass of wine in this ‘friendly, warm and vibrant heart of Hout Bay'. The interior is smooth and elegant with rich wooden tables, contrasting orchids and chairs giving it that home away from home feel. Inspirational quotes grace the blackboards suspended from exposed beams enhancing the ambience with a touch of feel good purpose. The food is freshly prepared, seasonal and organic. La Cuccina is open from Tuesday to Sunday for early breakfast until 5pm.

Located at Knysna waterfront, Limani Blue offers Greek cuisine that compliments a diversity of cooking styles, ingredients and flavours. Coloured by a unique and colourful history, this eatery refreshes the palate with mouth-watering Greek buffets, decadent deserts and a wonderful setting. Winner of the Top Restaurants of the Year Award with an impressive fifth award and Southern Cape, Food and Wine Society Award, Limani boasts an impressive reputation and cuisine. Indulge in a fall of the bone shoulder of Lamb - slow roasted in the oven over-night, seasoned with garlic, fresh oregano, Lemon & Olive oil compliment by smooth glass of wine. Limani Blue will explode the palate with its voluptuous cuisine in an authentic Greek setting right in the heart of Knysna.

Melissa’s The Food Store in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront is owned by Mark and Melissa van Hoogstraten. They have taken their love of food and fine things and translated into Cape Town’s best known deli. Visitors can feast on range of deliciously prepared meals, snacks and tasty treats. The Melissa’s range is made up homemade delectables prepared with the best ingredients and lots of love. All the food is freshly prepared with the intention that good food should be made using only the best ingredients. The ethos at Melissa’s is great food made with highest quality ingredients: the value of quality food produced in a traditional, old-fashioned way using locally sourced, seasonal, all natural local ingredients. Melissa’s at the Waterfront serves breakfast, lunch and light suppers, as well as a buffet from which patrons can choose a range of freshly made quiches, pies and assorted salads. Breakfast delights include fresh baked croissants with homemade jams and preserves, eggs Benedict and a traditional English breakfast, as well as healthier options including homemade muesli, yoghurt and fresh seasonal fruit. For lunch or dinner, diners can feast on deliciously prepared fresh sandwiches, homemade chicken and leak pie, sweet potato wedges with garlic aioli, Asian seared beef carpaccio and a range of yummy home cooked pastas and fresh salads.

Indulge your senses with an extensive variety of gourmet pizzas in an authentic Italian pizzeria touched by dark wood, deep colours, low hung chandeliers and a warm ambient glow from the wood-fired oven. With a wide choice of vegetarian and wheat free options available, Morituri Pizzeria caters for most pampered palates to the health conscious with ease and creativity elevating wheat free dining to a gastronomic status. Enjoy enticing combinations such as Red Pesto, Proscuitto & Rucola (Rocket) pizza or delectable pastas and prawns tossed with Thai Pesto, Rosa Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Garlic & a hint of Fresh Chilli. With a good selection of wines flattered by uncomplicated recipes and a vibey ambience, Morituri Pizzeria boasts the belief they make the definitive wood-fired thin-based pizza in Cape Town. To believe it, you have to try it.

Warmed in shades or burned orange, golden yellow and striking floral drapes this cool restaurant tempts the palate with exotic selections of Portuguese dishes and traditional fare. Seduce the senses with a starter of Caldo Verde - a traditional soup with potatoes, kale and sliced Chorico, perfect for cold winter evenings or the Prego Frenchado - cubes of pan-fried steak served with a wine sauce mopped up with delicious bread to soak up the heavenly homemade sauce. For main course, the Bacalhau Assado - grilled salted codfish - prepared in true Portuguese fashion and served with baby potatoes, strips of green pepper and a vinaigrette sauce will explode the palate. Now into its ninth successful year, O’Pescador Restaurant knows what it takes to keep the belly satisfied – excellent food, great service and mouth-watering flavours!

Enjoy laid-back atmosphere and great food with locals in a warm welcoming setting with possibly the best pizzas in the Garden Route. From beautiful salads, pastas, grills and seafood, Pomodoro’s dishes exude traditional recipes sourced straight from Italy. For serious palates who enjoy seriously good food, indulging on an authentic Italian menu coupled with a well-partnered wine or drink, diners can expect true Italian hospitality with a cosy ambience for a relaxed, warm experience.

One of the most famous restaurants in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront is Quay Four. Patrons can choose between the tavern downstairs which serves good pub grub and seafood, or Upstairs @ Quay Four, which offers diners a more sophisticated eating experience, overlooking the bustling harbour. With live music every night, Quay Four’s Tavern downstairs hums with activity all year round. The water laps the edge of the restaurant, and diners are usually treated to a show from the harbour’s resident seals while they enjoy a cold beer, thirst quenching cocktail and feast on a delicious meal. There is selection of light meals, salads and traditional pub grub – one of the most popular dishes is the traditional fish and chips. There is also a huge variety of fresh seafood, including oysters, mussels, prawn, crayfish and fresh line fish, as well as a selection of seafood platters. For the more carnivorous diners, there is a delicious range of fine cuts of meat from the grill. Upstairs the focus is on fine dining. Diners can feast on a choice of lobster, fine seafood. All meals are complimented by an outstanding wine list, as well as superior service. Quay Four prides itself with its reputation for good, fresh food and friendly service, and time and time again it delivers.

This cheerful authentic Indian restaurant delivers a variety of beguiling tastes within a split-level setting with cool al fresco dining to soothe the palate. Serving traditional Indian cuisine with a variety of mouth-watering curry dishes on mopped up with fragrant flavoured garlic or butter naan breads made in the traditional clay oven. Delight in spicy Mumbai with starters of Tandoori Chicken and Chicken Tikka made in the clay oven. The food is meticulously prepared by experienced & qualified chefs from India all served with ethnic style in copper kadai, handis, tavis and balti.

This little gem in Harfield stimulates the senses and warms the palate with its bold cuisine and finger licking morsals of delicious seafood, tapas and platters. With a few tables elegantly scattered around contrasted by dark woods and bold colours, Ruby Tuesday oozes chic opulence and good value for money. Enjoy gourmet burgers dinging al-fresco or gather inside sampling the revitalising colours and décor while eating mouthfuls of delightful creations from the menu.

Sevruga has become one of Cape Town’s most renowned restaurants. Famous for its sophistication and elegance, the ethos behind Sevrugs is to offer patrons the best possible raw ingredients combined with awesome professional and creative suppliers, as well as craftsmen, to create a truly amazing experience. With over 200 of the finest South African wines to choose from and a sophisticated menu, patrons are spoilt for choice. On offer is the finest caviar and oysters, as well as the freshest fare from the sea; all meals are expertly prepared by some of Cape Town’s finest chefs, and the sushi bar is overseen by Alan Huang, considered to be the best in his field. Diners can choose from elaborately prepared meals to sushi, from meat dishes to seafood, as well as being able to opt for lighter meals, salads and a range of freshly prepared sushi. The chef’s specialities include Kingklip and Langoustine with tarragon butter, pomme neuf and a lemon beurre blanc sauce and the Wharf Fillet, which consists of fillet and a crayfish tail with a garlic and lemon velouté. The flavours are strong, but the ingredients are simple and perfectly matched. Sevruga is fast becoming the word in fine dining at the V & A Waterfront.

With its Mediterranean feel, trees and open air space, Sirocco has all the right ingredients for long, lazy lunches in the sun. Situated on the Main Road in Kalk Bay, Sirocco is a seasonal restaurant that only opens in Summer, specialising in fresh food. There are decadent and healthy options on the menu for breakfast, with freshly squeezed juices and baked goods on offer. The menu consists of relaxed yet sophisticated food, from Eggs Benedict to fresh salmon and cream cheese croissants. Gourmet salads are popular choices on the lunch menu, with fresh line fish and calamari competing as favourites. Draw out the experience with excellent local wines or cocktails and experience the energy and magic in Kalk Bay during season. Breakfast and Lunch Monday to Sunday, 8am until 4pm from 1 October until 30 April only.

Brimming to capacity most evenings, The Butchers Grill offers spacious seating indoor and out perfect for balmy summer evenings under the idyllic Millwood tree. With a succulent range of prime cut mature beef on display available for your picking and choice of cooking it yourself over an open fire you can spend time on enjoying the simple things in life in the company of good friends and flavourful food. The interior is handsomely furnished with natural wood and engaging collection of photographs from Hout Bay Museum some of which date back to the 19th centaury. Enjoy an idyllic summer evening dining al-fresco or a satisfying Saturday lunch grilling succulent steaks with friends while enjoying a refreshingly crisp beer. The Butchers Grill House offers good service and the best steaks this side of the bay.

This bustling buffet fusion offers global dining under one roof bursting with rich diversity of gourmet cuisine. Experience the classic Italian pizzeria, authentic Eastern noodle bar and an array of gourmet sandwiches, fresh fruit salads, Artisan-style breads, designer salads and hot tasty dishes to mention a few. This emporium of tasty delights meets international trends with focus on using exceptionally fresh quality fruits and vegetables. Indulge in a classic Italian pizza and Panini made the traditional Italian way or discover the taste of the orient with authentic wok fried dishes reminiscent of the bustling smoky streets of Hong Kong. If you are opting for refreshing alternatives, enjoy a flavour bursting smoothie, fresh fruit salad or choose from a selection of gourmet sandwiches all freshly made on the premises. If the temptations of global dining does not tickle your taste buds, then just follow the lingering aroma of freshly baked Artisan bread where you will be delighted by the discovery of indulging treats of heavenly baked apple pie. This relaxed restaurant atmosphere offers breakfasts, lunch and suppers with enticing selections of sushi proudly displayed on the conveyer bar. Come and discover why The Food Lovers Market with its stunning interior and store décor is fast becoming known the oasis for food lovers.

Enjoy decadent dining at its best at The Grand Restaurant. A superb array of local and international dishes leaves diners spoiled for choice, though the fish cakes are a must-try. A wonderful wine list proffers plenty of options for the perfect accompaniment. A bright and breezy patio allows for al fresco dining when the weather permits. On less favourable days the cosy but nicely laid-out dining room provides lovely surroundings in which to enjoy the sumptuous meals.

The Grand Cafe and Beach is one of the trendiest places to be seen in Cape Town. Beach cafe style meets Parisian chic with vast crystal chandeliers, Persian rugs, rich fabrics and antique furniture. This eclectic mix of style and panache is set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain, with views that are out of this world. The menu is melange of old meets new, with fabulous east meets west fusion, as well as tried and tested classics and modern contemporary dishes. Pushing the envelope with its unique style, the Grand Cafe and Beach offers patrons a unique dining experience. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu is exciting and varied, and is filled with strong flavours, fresh ingredients and fabulously innovative combinations. The Grand favourites include tempura prawns, classic Caesar salad, bouillabaisse, fillet béarnaise and an out of this world crayfish sandwich. The Grand Cafe and Beach also offers diners fabulous thin crusted gourmet pizzas, served on long wooden platters. With a sun deck and sea sand beach that is gently lapped by the ocean, fabulously opulent decor and delicious food, the Grand Cafe and Beach offers all the ingredients for a perfect meal.

The Green Dolphin Restaurant is one of Cape Town’s premier jazz hotspots. Located in the V & A Waterfront, on the water’s edge, patrons can sit with Table Mountain as their backdrop, watching the seals at play while taking in the smooth sounds of some of the finest jazz the Mother city has to offer. Relaxed, intimate and jivey, the Green Dolphin is a popular haunt for tourists as well as Capetonians who are looking for a great night out. The menu is varied and has a little something for everyone. With plenty of fresh seafood on offers, as well as delicious meat and vegetarian speciality, diners will be delighted. The seafood chowder and fresh mussels with a creamy white wine sauce with chilli, coriander and garlic are a must on the starter menu. And the venison kebabs and prawn and crayfish duo are a tasty treat for those with a bigger appetite. The wine list offers some of the finest wines from around South Africa, the perfect complement to any of the dishes on the menu. With jazz every night of the year, fabulous food, unsurpassed views and a wonderfully warm and welcoming atmosphere, the Green Dolphin should be on everyone’s list of places to eat in Cape Town.

The Lookout Restaurant lies on the picturesque Lookout Beach, boasting unsurpassed views and freshly prepared mouth-watering food. This jewel in the crown of the Garden Route boasts a reputation as one of the most popular restaurants in the Western Cape. Perched along the rolling shores of Keurbooms Beach and lagoon flanked by the magestic Tsitsikamma Mountains patrons can enjoy an unforgettable dining experience sampling fine cuisine, fine wines and frolicking Whales. Feast the palate on a diverse menu ranging from hearty breakfasts, scrumptious brunches, light meals and voluptuous seafood. Meat lovers indulge in succulent char grilled steaks matured on the premises rounded off by decadent deserts for an unforgettable dining experience. Dine in sophisticated ambience or relax under the cool shade of the midday sun, indoors or alfresco savouring the extensive menu and well appointed wine list at Lookout Restaurant and Deck in Plettenberg Bay.

If superb seafood and wonderful in a convivial and inviting atmosphere is what you’re after, look no further than The Med Seafood Bistro. This cosy restaurant is a great choice for a satisfying meal for all the family or a light bite with a couple of good friends. A charming, family-run establishment, the team behind The Med have two decades of experience to call upon, and it shows in the quality of the service and the volume of regular clientele. A warm interior full of deep colours and mirrors creates a stylish setting in which to relax and enjoy the delicious offerings from the extensive menu which caters for all tastes though the emphasis is on superb seafood presented simply with local ingredients. The perfect accompaniment from the extensive and award-winning wine list is just waiting to be chosen to round off a dining experience to remember.

Wine and dine freshly caught harvests offloaded each day. Experiment with fresh ideas and discover delightful innovative ways to lay back these snappy delicacies. These succulent treasures are available in a variety of combinations, ready and fresh from the estuary beds perfect with a glass of champagne.

Wharfside Grill, regarded as one of Africa’s best seafood restaurants exudes a bustling maritime ambience that transports you onboard the decks of historic ships and their sea-faring days. Here you can indulge in the taste of exotic seafood such as Lobster, Crayfish and Kingklip while marvelling at nautical artefacts and local sea life. The private deck scattered with umbrellas is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine while enjoying the stunning scenery and vibrant harbour atmosphere. The Wharfside Grill boasts seating for 350 hungry shipmates and six intimate and private dining cabins capture the character and flavour of historic ships such as Queen Mary, Union Castle and the infamous Shipwreck who fell victim to ravages of the Cape Storms. The extensive menu offers an impressive selection of Lobster, Prawns, Calamari and freshly caught fish including chicken and succulent steak while vegetarians can enjoy harvest from the land onboard the Landlubber’s Luck. Alongside the extensive menu, you can explore the excellent variety of Cocktails, Spirits, Beers, Ciders and Wine. The Wharfside Grill is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is within easy access from Cape Town, Fish Hoek and Constantia Nek.

Willoughby & Co, in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront, is best known for its deliciously prepared fresh seafood and sushi. Named Best Seafood Restaurant for 2007/8 by the V & A Waterfront Restaurant Guide, Willoughby & Co offers diners sublime food, great service and an outstanding wine list. Using only the finest ingredient and freshest seafood Willoughby & Co is committed to providing its clientele with a menu that reflects modern food trends that are innovative, delicious and for the most part unique to the restaurant. Whether it is sushi, mussels, freshly shucked oysters, fresh line fish or carnivorous dishes from the menu, diners are guaranteed to be dazzled by the outstanding quality of food that is produced by Willoughby’s. There is a full Japanese kitchen where signature dishes such as Rainbow Reloaded and Soft Shell Crab in Ponzu Sauce are prepared under the watchful eye of Asian Chef Sam. The renovations in 2008 gave an entirely new dimension to the restaurant, creating more seats inside. Diners can sit at the sushi bar and watch as their meal is prepared, alternatively there is a seated area in the mall where diners can feast on a variety of fresh seafood, sushi, oysters and a selection of other dishes. Famous for quality, freshness and consistency, Willoughby’s is great value for money.

Immerse the senses with natural surrounds and food seasoned with the seasons for country dining mixed with modern sensibility. Embracing a self-sustained, locally sourced approach to food captured by simplicity – Zucchini’s Restaurant menu springs to life with flavourful dishes and taste experiences that will entice the natural foodie. Fresh, vibrant food straight from the surrounds of Timberlake organic garden graces the menu with lighter meals of fresh organic spinach and smoked salmon salad, layered sandwich style (seasonal) dressed with spinach, cucumber, zucchini, fennel, rocket, raw nuts and smoked salmon, drizzled with olive oil and fresh lemon juice and pieces of orange, to mention a few. For delicious sarnies, choose from traditional springbok burger on a bagel with lettuce, balsamic onions & tomatoes or for The Hungry - slow cooked shanks with butter mash and veggies. Zucchinis Restaurant is the ideal place to linger the day away immersed in natural beauty and delicious food located at Timberlake Organic Village in Wilderness.