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.

Café Dijon is a pocket of Paris in the heart of Stellenbosch. Ideally located at the centre of town, this quaint eatery is a gem for food lovers who enjoy true French cuisine. Its indoor café is perfectly Parisian in décor and ambience while being seated outside, under ancient oak trees and umbrellas, allows for a relaxed reflection of passers-by on the street in true European style. Expect an impressive and authentic French menu. There are classic hors d’ oeuvres and salads such as Pear, Parma ham and Gorgonzola that are designed to please the palate. The main course selection and restaurant specialties are extended to include regional French dishes to the likes of South West of France Cassoulet. The multi-dimensional menu has an array of asides and desserts and caters well for those who like to round off their eating experience. The combination of true French style and food makes this bistro style establishment a delight any time of day – breakfast, lunch or dinner.

This Authentic Italian Café gastronomically infuses the palate with traditional Italian cuisine on the patio overlooking the water. Considered by many as the most popular restaurant in town, Café Mario serves intimate meals and hearty breakfasts complimented by reasonable Italian wines. A wonderful place to linger the day away, people watching and indulging in flavour infused Italian faire.

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.

Doubleshot puts Plettenberg Bay on the South African coffee map. Doubleshot installed the first Kees van der Westen Mirage espresso machine in Africa, and it now buy its beans from Origin Roastery in Cape Town. Two former Lufthansa flight attendants, Karin and Karin, spent their working years checking out the best coffee shops around the world before opening up their own at The Square shopping center in Plettenberg Bay. To eat, the café offers cakes, sandwiches piled high with local meats and cheeses, and muesli worth skipping your hotel breakfast for. For coffee made with passion do to Doubleshot Coffeebar in Plettenberg Bay.

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.

This authentic African café embraces culture and warmth with delectable meals and traditional hospitality. Offering an array of delights alongside hearty traditional cuisine, Emqolweni Kamama Café tempts the palate with loveliness. Enjoy a relaxing traditional meal while kids have fun in the play park before setting off to experience the culture and hospitality of the traditional Songoma followed by a refreshing Mqomboti (traditional beer) before being swept away by the enigmatic soul of the traditional dancers. Emqolweni Kamama Café is cultural retreat filled with traditional surprises for a truly inspiring dining experience.

With an array of savoury and sweet desires, Florentines bewitches the senses with playful décor and homemade delicacies. Serving mouth-watering freshly baked muffins, cakes and tarts alongside speciality coffee blends, you can relax on comfy couches while enjoying the beautiful gifts and quirky décor. Upon entering, you are welcomed by Florentines and seduced by delightful temptations of sweet and savoury. Enjoy light lunches, high teas and satisfying platters. Florentines is a sweet retreat with melt-in-the-mouth pleasures for a truly sinful experience.

This popular coffee shop is a well-known oasis serving up delights and tantalizing dishes in a peaceful and classic setting. House of Flavour evokes feelings of serenity and peace with every slice of heaven they serve. A well known eatery that embraces a classic and modern atmosphere serving a wide variety of breakfasts, light meals, prime cut beef and succulent prawns and sandwiches. Located in the gentle heart of George, House of Flavour bewitches the senses with a charismatic charm and warm embrace.

On the ground floor of the Alfred Mall in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront, with a view of the bustling Waterfront il Paninaro Paninoteca e Spaghetteria overlooks an area designated for buskers, ensuring that patrons are treated to a wonderful variety of live entertainment, ranging from a marimba band to traditional African gumboot dancers. Whether it is a traditional cooked breakfast, a morning muffin and steaming hot cup of pure Arabica coffee or a more traditional Coppa Salute (fruit yoghurt in layers with muesli & banana) there is no better place to be to start of the day then the veranda of il Paninaro Paninoteca e Spaghetteria. And for a truly traditional Italian treat, the Cannoli is a house speciality – originating in Sicily, these tube- shaped pastry shells are deep fried and filled with a sweet, creamy filling; deliciously indulgent! This traditional Italian eatery specialises in light meals for lunch and dinner. With a range of over 20 paninis to choose from, there is something for everyone. Only the best breads are used, and fillings include: Parma ham, mozzarella and artichoke pesto on Focaccia bread; mozzarella, tomato and pesto on Grissone bread; grilled chicken, sun dried tomato pesto and rocket on Ciabatta bread. Pastas include a delicious homemade lasagne and a variety of pastas with fresh authentic Italian sauces. Alternatively there is a delicious selection of antipasti to choose from, and a wine list that includes both South African and Italian wines.

This stylish restaurant serves unpretentious dining wrapped around a shady Brazilian pepper tree for relaxed and sophisticated dining. With flavourful global cuisine on the menu, Jakes on Summerly enjoys festive dining indoors or in the covered courtyard for refreshing al-fresco dining. Cheerful and friendly Jakes serves breakfasts, lunches and dinners with culinary temptations such as black mushroom and parma-ham sandwich for lunch or salt and pepper calamari tossed in course salt and szechwan pepper for starter. A well-known institution in Cape Town, reputation has it as the place where friends and family meet and share good food around good company. What ever you decide to delight in, you can be sure of a festive dining experience at Jakes in Summerly with efficient service and good hearty food.

Kitch Kombuis in Muizenberg Village is owned by local personality, passionate restauranteur and people person, Derek Harrison. Everything that Derek ploughs his efforts into seems to be infused with his personal brand of magic, from the deliciously different smoothie selection, through to the furniture he’s chosen to decorate his new restaurant with. Not only is Kitch Kombuis a coffee shop with a difference, everything inside is for sale, not excluding the very table you’re seated at. Taking its inspiration from European coffee stations, the coffee shop is located adjacent to the Muizenberg train station. With a counter full of healthy baked treats and delicious sarmies, Kitch Kombuis is designed as a meeting place, greeting place and ‘grab a bite before leaving on the train’ place. Great emphasis is placed on serving excellent coffee and providing light snacks, baked and made by members of the Muizenberg community. Young bakers and pastry chefs deliver fresh snacks daily, while Derek and his assistant whip up excellent coffee and more-ish smoothies. Enjoy a freshly baked selection of croissants, veg pies, quiches, wraps, gourmet sarmies and sweet pastries from breakfast through to lunch.

Liv Green offers healthy alternatives, gourmet in taste - mostly raw foods. When it comes to food, our aim is to satisfy the body and the soul. This is fast and healthy food, naturally grown, and local and fresh. We offer a large range of life-giving, freshly made smoothies and health-boosting juices. We also stock stone-ground flours, preservative and chemical-free foods. Our foods cater for food intolerance, such as gluten, egg, dairy and chemical free. Bio wheat flour is used for all our baking and wraps. This flour is stone-ground and free of preservatives. Fruit and vegetables are bought locally and are seasonal, we only use fresh produce. Our yogurt is from Witterdrift, and full of goodness. Our water is ozone water, used to cook with and for teas and coffees. Our takeaway packaging is compostable and biodegradable. Come and try a delicious healthy breakfast or wrap, while sipping on an energy-boosting smoothie or fresh juice.

This small intimate café exudes opulence softened by chic chandeliers and warm woods. Funky white designer chairs grace an 80-year-old Persian wrapped around a luxurious built in sofa oozing comfort and abundance. Small quaint tables compliment the double volume veranda and terrace for a pleasant alfresco dining experience flattered by 180-degree views of the breathtaking waterside. Illuminated by a cosy log fireplace, stars and Chinese style lanterns, Lunar Café infuses a modern slick décor with 5 star service and first class cuisine. Discover the magical ambience with unsurpassed views at Lunar Café for a trendy relaxed setting.

Myatt Café & Chocolatier is elegant and opulent; the decor is more like a designer haute couture showroom. Crockery from Villeroy and Boch, designer Vitra chairs and Eileen Grey tables all contribute a quintessentially chic experience. Fashioned on a French salon, a leading trend setter, this cafe offers patrons the utmost in style and sophistication, and a gourmet menu of delicious sweet treats and light meals. Breakfast ranges from croissant baskets with either homemade jams or hams and cheeses to fruit and muesli. There is also the Myatt Breakfast Treat, which consists of mini croissants filled with emmenthaler cheese, scone with clotted cream & preserve, selection of finger sandwiches, fresh fruit salad & macaroons, fresh orange or grapefruit juice, Myatt special blend of tea or coffee. Lighte meals include a delicious range of filled sweet and savoury croissants, gourmet sandwiches and salads, as well as a mouth watering range of freshly baked tarts. The High Tea, masterfully prepared by a renowned confectionary chef includes pastries, cakes, mini croissants and finger sandwiches freshly made to order. There is an out-of-this-world range of sweet treats to choose from, and a fabulous range of speciality teas and coffees. All the delicacies are available at the retail counter, along with a delectable delight of imported Belgian chocolates.

The Peppermill Café entices the palate with indulging global tastes and smells that embrace the fresh tastes of the world. Serving a variety of mouth-watering meals alongside condiments, Peppermill Café uses the country’s rich resources to wet the appetite. Start the day with Good Morning Breakfasts boastings eggs, bacon, fruit, crispy croissants, omelettes and decadent pouched eggs topped with hollandaise sauce. If something a little lighter suits your palate, feast on toasted treats or open whole-wheat ciabattas topped with pastrami, Cajun chicken or super healthy hummus brimming with bean sprouts. From salad bowls with Carpaccio to pesto pasta, diners can sit back and enjoy the tranquil setting and indulging menu ranging from light snacks, mezzes, pates, global burgers and deliciously moist homemade cakes and fruit smoothies. Browse the Mill Centre displaying the countries biggest mohair and textile shop including porcupine ceramics while the kids play in the super friendly play area alongside the Angora Goats. The Peppermill Café is a relaxing and entertaining day out for all the family with an extensive Global menu that will satisfy the most discerning palate.

With a good selection of fish, meat, pastas, tapas and famous pizzas, Picasso’s embraces the elements with contrasting glass, rock and wood for a refreshing vibrant setting. The large deck is flattered by majestic views of the Outeniqua Mountains, the perfect spot for sundowners and al fresco dining.

Located in the secure and upscale King George Hotel, The Fairway Terrace is just a stones throw away from pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. Explore a superb blend of classical contemporary cuisine with a gastronomic twist for a unique experience that will tantalize the palate. Offering the only the best of what the Garden Route has to offer, The Fairway Terrace invites relaxation and tranquillity. Serving exquisite Cape and International cuisine with a range of delectable light meals and well paired South African wines, patrons will have to explore off the beaten track to experience this unique eatery.

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.