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Cape Town - If you ever need a reason to go road tripping food should be it.
Whether you're meandering in the Midlands or taking the day to explore the West Coast, any day of travelling should be well-digested with a good meal at your destination.
When travelling in winter especially, a good meal is essential to you having a full-rounded road-trip experience.
Here are 21 of the best up-and-coming off the beaten track restaurants to travel to in SA:
Oep ve Koep – Paternoster, West Coast
Why go? Food writer Kobus van der Merwe has encapsulated the essence of West Coast eating in this quaint restaurant in Paternoster. Van der Merwe cooks from scratch - he literally forages for his ingredients in the area - and the meals he conjures up from his findings are enough to send you to heaven and back.
When: Breakfast: 09:00 to 10:45 (Wednesday to Saturday) 09:00 to 10:30 (Sundays)
Lunch: 12:30 to 14:30 (Wednesday to Saturday) 12:00 (Sundays)
Bookings to be made 24 hours in advance.
Café Bloom – Nottingham Road
Why go? An small village has sprung up around this little cafe in the heart of the Midlands Meander. They serve the freshest buffet style lunches - think gourmet salads and impressive, flavoursome quiches. Stopping here for tea on route to your next destination will revive you for the road ahead.
When: Monday 07:30 to 16:00; Wednesday to Sunday 07:30 to 16:00
Diesel and Crème – Barrydale
Why go? This rough and tough gem is situated right on the iconic Route 62. You'll regret not stopping for their dangerously double-thick shakes, or to have an ice cold craft beer on route to the next stop.
When: Monday to Sunday 08:00 to 17:00
Springfontein - Standford
Why go? Beautiful setting, one of the best set menus in the Western Cape, plus one of the most scenic drives from Cape Town to get there... What more could any traveller ask for?
When: Dinner from Wednesday through Saturday - Lunch from Thursday through Sunday
Le Fournil Bakery - Plettenberg Bay
Why go? Le Fournil de Plett, Bakery and Café offers a wide variety of slow-risen artisan breads baked daily using organic stone ground flour, as well as pastries, deserts and croissants. This is the perfect stop-over brunch spot if you're en route on the Garden Route.
When: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17:00; Saturday 08:00 - 16:00
Fresh - Elgin
Why go? Say no to bad road side food on your next adventure through Elgin. The menu at Fresh changes frequently to include what is seasonal, fresh and, as far as possible, locally available. Many of the “signature dishes” are based on ingredients that grow in abundance in the vegetable garden – amongst many other things artichokes, figs, lemons, tomatoes, pomegranates, pears and apples. Why not get a locally made apple cider to wash the meal down with while you're there?
When: Breakfast: Wednesday to Sunday from 08:30 – 11:00
Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 – 15:30
Polka Café – Graaff Reinet
Why go? If you want a real taste of the Camdeboo, this is where you'll find it. The menu was developed to showcase true south African dishes with a lot of Karoo flavour. From game and venison to lamb shanks and bobotie.
When: Monday - Saturday 07:00 - 22:00
Bar Bar Black Sheep – Riebeek Kasteel
Why go? This cool pub in the Swartland but one of the many reasons to take a roadtrip to Riebeek Kasteel. Sit in the courtyard, sip on some craft beer and try their amazing Black Sheep Lamb burger.
When: Breakfast: Monday to Saturday 11:00 – 18:00
Lunch: Monday to Saturday 13:00 – 18:00, Sunday:11:00 – 15:00
Dinner: Monday to Saturday 18:00 – late
InFood brand – Jeffrey’s Bay
Why go? This brand started in Jeffrey's Bay a few years ago and has since grown and shaped the JBay food and social cafe offering for the better. InFood is loved by locals of this cool surf town, and if you're heading in that direction to temp the Supertubes, this is where you should get your food fix.
When: Monday - Saturday 07:00 - 17:00 Closed Sundays
The Pig and Plough – Winterton
Why go? This farm feel restaurant and deli is wholly aimed at stocking local products and home produce. One of the main draw cards is our own locally grown range of delicious Pork products.
When: Monday 07:30 - 17:00; Thursday - Friday 07:30 - 17:00; Saturday - Sunday 08:30 - 17:00
Clementines Restaurant and Bar – Clarens
Why go? Locals love this old railway station turned restaurant almost as much as the masses flocking to this stunning old sandstone town in the Free State. The oxtail in winter is especially a treat.
When: Tuesday - Sunday 11:30 - 15:00; 18:00 - 22:00
Ruby’s Restaurant – Parys
Why go? Why shouldn't SA's version of the French capital have a Moulin Rouge inspired restaurant? Sip down the generous portions with good craft beer while you experience some of the good old Free State hospitality.
When: Wednesday - Saturday 18:00 - 22:00; Friday - Sunday 12:00 - 15:00
Cluster d’Hote – Sutherland
Why go? Here you can get the low down on traditional Karoo cuisine of the very highest of standards. The cuisine varies on a daily basis, depending on the availability of products in the Roggeveld, but you can always expect certified lamb of origin on the menu.
When: Dinner: Monday to Saturday 18:00 - 21:00
Kuka – Hazyview
Why go? This popular spot in Hazyview has got African cuisine down to a tee. The pina coladas are to die for, and just what the doctor ordered on a long drive towards the Kruger National Park.
When: Monday - Sunday 07:00 - 22:00
True Living – Cradock
Why go? This little gem in Cradock serves only produce sourced from local farmers in the area. The deli and bakery is stocked to the brim, and few people ever leave without some old fashioned biscuits, freshly baked roosterkoek, jams or venison biltong in hand.
When: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17:00; Saturday 08:00 - 13:00
What's your favourite restaurant worth travelling to? Post a comment below or email info@traveller24.com. You can also join us on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts.
