Whale Coast Restaurants

Take a helping of warm and cosy for ambience with a dollop of comfort food and one is sure to be having a traditional South African meal at Annie se Kombuis. Located on the west coast of the Western Cape, this Hermanus eatery is firm favourite with visitors all year round. Annie’s is all about traditional South African food. With an outstanding range of venison fillets to the likes of Kudu, Eland, Oryx (Gemsbok), Springbok and Ostrich the menu has exotic appeal. The traditional fare is all the favourites prepared the old fashioned way: Bobotie, Smoorsnoek and Waterblommetjies and many other pies and offal dishes. The Oxtail remains a popular choice. For those that believe in pudding (and rightly so) there’s sweet custard, Malva pudding and Cape Brandy Pudding – hard to resist! The wine list supports local wine producers of the Overberg region. With a great selection on offer, wine lovers will not be disappointed. Annie’s also hosts popular music evenings as entertainment for visitors to the sea-side town and locals alike.

Burgundy restaurant embraces the best local produce that the fisherman’s village of Hermanus has to offer. Patrons can expect the freshest daily catch dished up and served in style at this charming eatery. The restaurant is housed in the oldest building in Hermanus and is ideally situated on the sea front with the harbour close by. Patrons can really just sit back and soak up the sites and sounds of the village while taking a meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Burgundy is focused on presenting the freshest catch of the day. Expect cuisine that is rich in texture, colour and flavour. Other menu items include meat dishes as well as lighter options such as cakes served with aromatic coffee. The freshly baked bread will be hard to resist, no matter the time of day. The restaurant also has a wine list that reflects the wines of the Overberg region. Wine lovers will not be disappointed with choice for the perfect accompaniment with a main meal. Don’t miss out on the incidental whale watching that the restaurant’s view offers.

Mere meters from the sea shore of Grotto beach in Hermanus is Dutchies, a delightful Dutch eatery. Guests are easily charmed by the select, Dutch inspired menu and the cosy atmosphere that the restaurant presents. Dutchies abounds with atmosphere and guests love the personal attention of the restaurant owner mingling with visitors. In summer outdoor seats under umbrellas, soaking up the view is a must. The Hollandse Biefstuk on offer for mains is a clear indication that this is proud to be Dutch establishment. Other menu items include Calamari, a Seafood platter and Chicken kebabs. The dessert menu is just a delight with African Dream which is Amarula ice-cream dipped in chocolate and crowned with a chocolate slab and Blueberry Cheesecake. The restaurant charges a small fee for corkage.

EAT restaurant is located in the tranquil Hemel – en- Aarde Valley of Hermanus. Living up to its name, this eatery encourages, if not demands that patrons do just that: EAT. Guests can choose to be seated indoors or enjoy sit back and soak in the spectacular views from the restaurant’s courtyard. Either way the atmosphere of the restaurant has upmarket and relaxed. EAT’s contemporary menu has a variety of items to suit every appetite. Try the Sweetcorn fritters as comfort food. While those with a more demanding palate will appreciate the Pear, Blue Cheese and Caramelised Cashew Nuts as an appetizer. End with a delectable dessert of Deep Fried Ice-cream with caramelised berries. The mains on offer caters for the not so hungry in the form of snack baskets, while the carnivores will certainly tuck into the Rib Eye or Rump steak selection without being asked twice. The restaurant offers some great entertainment in the summer months. EAT offers a relaxed setting that is wheelchair friendly.

Fusion, situated on the cliffs of scenic seaside town of Hermanus, presents visitors with the unique opportunity of whale watching while making menu choices. The restaurant is located at an ideal spot for viewing whales, and while this is true, it does not distract from the great food on offer. The outdoor seating is just meters from the ocean under shaded umbrellas, and in summer this is perfect spot to soak up the sites and sounds of the harbour. The family owned eatery is open throughout the day. Early birds can enjoy breakfast while holiday makers who have lost their sense of time can be seated for brunch, a lingering lunch or dinner. Menu features are: Fillet Medallions with a Black Pepper Brandy Cream Sauce or the Speciality Burger, which is a beef patty, topped with proscuito ham, brie and fig chutney served on a ciabatta. For the seafood lovers there is fresh Black Mussels steamed in white wine and fresh herbs tossed with lemon and herb crème fraiche served with a home baked garlic loaf. Fusion is a fully licensed restaurant with an assortment of local wines as well as local and imported beers. The restaurant is wheelchair friendly and has an enclosed smoking section.

A restaurant called Heaven. Perched with a panoramic view of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, one will certainly feel as if one is in heaven, and with the culinary delights on offer, one will have a taste of heaven too. The atmosphere and tranquil mood of the place it dominated by the stunning views of the valley. Guests will undoubtedly find themselves asking to be seated on the balcony with a glass of wine where one can just sit in awe of the surrounding beauty. Heaven offers the best of fine food. The menu has a Mediterranean feel with a choice of breads that are baked daily. Steak lovers will fret over choices like the French with Camembert and black cherries; Italian with caramelized onions, buffalo mozzarella and pesto or Greek with caramelised onions, feta cheese and roasted tomatoes. The Pavlova and refreshing melon and ginger sorbets come highly recommended for those who can’t live without pudding. Heaven’s menu changes every two weeks to ensure the inclusion of locally produced ingredients. Heaven also hosts private functions.

Paradsio restaurant, located in Walker Bay, offers visitors Italian at the sea-side. The authentic feel and welcoming atmosphere ensures that Paradiso is frequented by Hermanus locals and holidaymakers alike. The restaurant is housed in an old fisherman’s cottage. The sandstone walls and original wooden floors gives the eatery a very individualistic character. The open plan kitchen is another unique feature to Paradiso and allows guests to witness the bustle of the kitchen. The menu is mostly Italian but with some South African influence and does well catering for all tastes. Pizzas are thin based and made in wood burning ovens. Over and above the traditional toppings look forward to exciting combinations like Chicken, Dijon crème fraiche and avocado and Double Smoked Ham with dried Fig and mint. There are also pastas and salads to choose from as well as some seafood like the Trio of Prawn Platter. The wine list has a local selection but there are specialty Italian wines for those who want to go all out Italian. Take advantage of the outdoor seating on those warm summer evenings.

Noted as the oldest operating restaurant in Hermanus (since 1985), Rossi’s presents honest, unpretentious food in the form of pizzas, pastas and steaks in one of the town’s original fisherman’s cottages. Rossi’s is a vibrant family friendly restaurant. Guests will enjoy watching the open plan kitchen and the hive of activity that goes on there when seated indoors. The décor is simple and welcoming. One can also elect to sit outside and take in the view of the stunning Overberg mountain on warmer days for more al fresco style dining. Expect good value for money and menu options for kids. There is a selection of pizzas and pastas on offer. The house speciality is the ‘Rossi Pizza’ while the wood oven baked Line Fish is a must for fish lovers. The restaurant is fully licensed and has a small selection of locally produced wines which are most affordable. Rossi’s meals are also available as takeaways.

Seasons restaurant is located in quaint sea-side town of Hermanus. Here guests can enjoy the culinary delights of chef pair Anli and Andre van Vuuren, who promise tantalizing food for all seasons. The restaurant setting is all about tranquillity and the warm coffee colours of the interior create a welcoming ambiance. Guests can also choose to dine outdoors in the lovely little courtyard – the prefect spot on a balmy summer’s evening. The inter-continental menu has some Asian and German influences. Dishes include Beef Fillet accompanied by potato-bacon galette, oven braised Springbok Shanks, Tuna loin on sushi rice or Duo of Baby Chicken served with apricot couscous and thyme sauce. Chef Anli has a particular passion for pudding so expect to be wowed with the likes of Orange Tiramisu, Hazelnut Parfait, a handmade Belgian chocolate platter and Goat’s cheese served with Baklava and yoghurt foam. The wine list, mainly local, caters for all tastes and pockets. Expect a range that extends to expensive boutique winery choices. The restaurant offers an unforgettable five course gourmet menu with dancing at New Year.

Enjoy superb cuisine in an elegant setting where the focus is on affordable fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. The chefs at the Class Room are all talented young graduates of Warwick’s Chef School who have compiled an a la carte menu offering something for every palate. Mouth-watering creations include roast duck, springbok shank, rabbit pie, grilled rump, beef tongue, line fish and more. This beautiful restaurant, which can accommodate up to 100 guests, is also the perfect venue for any special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries and birthday celebrations. The Class Room is open from Wednesday to Saturday for a la carte lunch and dinner. On Sunday, the focus moves to up-market family dining with a three-course set menu and mini table dessert buffet.

The Milkwood Restaurant is idyllically set in a nature conservation area in Onrus near the coastal town of Hermanus. Here guests can savour the seafood of the area, which is the restaurant’s specialty, as well as delicious venison dishes. The nature reserve setting provides guests with the opportunity to observe the wild life in action, as well as the luxury of a fabulous ocean view. The wooden deck for outdoor dining is perched on the river bank, which makes for a great summer evening spot. In the evenings the restaurant is transformed into a romantic location with candle light and the sound of the ocean nearby. The restaurant is open throughout the day serving meals as early as breakfast. Day time treats like cake and coffee are also on offer. The restaurant’s specialty is its seafood. Popular choices are the Line Fish, Seafood Platter and Calamari. The main courses are rounded off well with sweets like Crème Brule and imported coffee and a choice of superb specialty liqueur coffees. The restaurant gets its name from the stunning Milkwood trees that surround it.