20 Best Restaurants in The Garden Route and the Little Karoo, South Africa

Carola Ann's is one of the town's not-to-be-missed eateries. The proprietor is passionate about food, and she brings her international experience to whipping up tasty, innovative dishes from locally sourced meat, fish, and veggies in a charming historic house close to the Dias Museum. The various dining rooms are lovely, but you might gravitate the umbrella-shaded patio.

Almost every South African you meet along the Garden Route will tell you to visit Ile de Pain. Its stellar reputation is well deserved, because owners Liezie Mulder and Markus Farbinger have an uncompromising attitude toward quality that shows in their superb wood-fired breads and mouth-watering pastries. Local and organic suppliers are used wherever possible, the perfectly executed menu changes seasonally, and everything is made on the premises. For something different, try a red cappuccino made from traditional rooibos plant. It's very, very busy in season but you can watch the activity on Thesen Harbour as you wait.

Start your evening at this award-winning restaurant with pre-dinner drinks on the patio overlooking the river, then move inside to a candlelit table for a fabulous five-course menu that takes classic South African ingredients and gives them an original, modern twist. The menu changes frequently with acclaimed chef Lizelle Stolze combining locally sourced fresh meat, fish and vegetables that are beautifully presented and paired with husband Rudolf's selection of fine wines. Dishes could include Cape salmon served with sautéed vegetables and hollandaise sauce, or desserts with a South African touch, such as saffron-infused milk tart. There are also four luxurious guest rooms upstairs, all with river views and a large communal balcony. if you're not staying here, there's a guest shuttle to drive you to and from your accommodation.

This popular spot is all about free-range, organic, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients, and chances are the garnishes on your plate will have been freshly picked from the organic herb garden outside. The vegetarian-friendly menu changes regularly and features a range of dishes served either roasted or raw. Meat eaters, you have not been neglected. Venison frikkadells (meatballs) are served with a buttery potato mash and beetroot chutney, hearty steaks come with potato wedges, and slow-cooked springbok shanks are dished up with roasted vegetables. You can also sample four craft beers, locally made cloudy cider, or freshly pressed juices. The setting is a wooden cottage where guests are encouraged to linger over their meal. Zucchini is part of Timberlake Farm Stall, which has a number of shops.

Right on the water's edge in what appears to be a former warehouse, bustling 34° South manages to combine elements of a fishmonger, a bar, a bistro, a deli, a coffee shop, and a seafood restaurant. Choose from the huge array of fresh fish (including sushi), opt for a rustic pizza, or just fill a basket with tasty breads, pickles, cheeses, meats, and other delights. Whatever your choice, enjoy your feast while sitting on the jetty looking out at the boats. 

Mossel Bay's premium seafood house serves fresh oysters and seafood alongside inventive dishes like ostrich fillet with caramelized onions and port-soaked apricots. In summer, it's virtually mandatory to sip a cocktail on the deck of the Blue Oyster bar with its great sea view. If you crave privacy, there's also a private dining room. Tour-bus crowds occasionally descend on this popular spot, located right next to the Dias Museum and Old Post Office Tree but don't let that put you off.

The blue and white tiles on the facade of this popular, casual Italian eatery—a favorite with locals that's usually pretty full—give the place a beach-house feel. Try the pastas or the thin-crust wood-fired pizzas; the potato pizza is so much tastier than it sounds. Salads, seafood, and steaks round out the menu. In summer, get here early to get a seat on the veranda.

A lovely colonial-style house is the setting for this charming restaurant. Eat beneath shady umbrellas in the lush gardens where inviting paths are flanked by nicely trimmed hedges and low stone walls. Sip superb coffee on the cushioned sofa or enjoy some quiet moments on the airy verandah. The food is healthy, tasty, and innovative, and there's a small but comprehensive wine list.

With tables on the lawn right next to the beach, Delfino's has a fantastic view of the bay and the Cape St. Blaize lighthouse. It's great place to spend a sunny afternoon or lazy evening. You can't beat the thin-crust artisanal pizzas with unusual toppings like fried chicken liver or smoked mussels.

The chef always makes an effort to come out of the kitchen to greet patrons at this popular Italian eatery perched above the rocks on Keurboom Beach. The atmosphere is lively and loud and there’s usually a big crowd on weekends and during holidays. Head to the terrace, grab a table under a shady umbrella, and gaze out at the Robberg Peninsula. Enrico also runs fishing trips, so you could even catch your own fish of the day.

This place is favorite with both locals and visitors, and you’ll realize why the minute you tuck into some of the freshest, tastiest food in Plett. The super-friendly staff will talk you through the seafood-heavy menu, but you can’t go wrong with the fish-and-chips. The dining room has a stylish blue-and-white tiled floor, but you'll probably head to the terrace to take in the views the Beacon Isle Peninsula. Although you can pop in without a reservation, don't risk it on a weekend. 

Named after the mythical guardian angel of love, good taste, and good cooking, this restaurant would not disappoint its muse. All the ingredients are sourced locally from farmers in the district, and the menu focuses on such local delicacies as olives, mutton, and, of course, ostrich. Meat lovers often opt for the Trilogy—medallions of beef, ostrich, and venison fillet. Herbivores love the butternut cheesecake.

Painted kingfisher blue, this popular seafood restaurant overlooking the beach and the St. Blaise lighthouse is where the locals hang out. Head to the deck shaded by umbrellas and enjoy some of the area's best fresh seafood. You may be lucky and spot whales or dolphins as you dine. This popular spot is often very busy, particularly on weekends and in high season, but it's worth the wait. There's also a good selection of local wines. 

Slick back your hair, put on your blue suede shoes, and sashay into this red-and-white checkered diner for a burger and fries or an indulgent chocolate toffee sundae. Posters of Elvis, the Beatles, and Marilyn Monroe adorn the turquoise walls while music from a jukebox plays classic tunes. Vintage motorcycles and a flamingo-pink roadster complete the scene.

In an 18th-century townhouse, this light and airy bistro-style restaurant has a lovely outdoor seating area. The kitchen serves breakfast and lunch favorites like eggs Benedict and fish-and-chips. They also have an excellent selection of salads and sandwiches with interesting ingredients such as hickory-smoked pork loin, roasted vegetables, or marinated chickpeas and apricots.

Friendly service, great food, and good value are the highlights of this eatery serving authentic Italian food with a local flavor. Try the pizza with butternut squash, goat cheese, and chopped tomatoes or the prawns panfried with fennel, garlic, and caper butter—both local favorites. It's very busy in season, so book ahead if you can. 

Locals and holidaymakers love this well-established restaurant whose two spacious decks overlook the main beach, the lagoon and the distant mountains. Sip a cocktail as you enjoy a gorgeous sunset view before dining on tasty seafood, a succulent steak or the fresh fish of the day. It's kid-friendly with a pirate ship for them to explore and in season you may well spot a whale or two. It's also fun watching paragliders glide down to the beach as you place your orders with the friendly, charming staff.

Fishing boat crews, ski boat skippers, and other folks who are in the know frequent this casual eatery located right on the beach. Expect a bit of a wait, but it's worth it if you're looking for a great deal. Everything is fresh and well-prepared, but not too fancy. There's also the usual burgers and toasted sandwiches. Many locals can reliably be tracked down to the popular bar on weekday afternoons, especially if there is a rugby or cricket match on TV.

At the turnoff to the Cango Caves, Wilgewandel serves well-cooked simple fare like hamburgers, sandwiches, and ostrich steaks. Shady outdoor tables overlook a big lawn and duck-filled pond. This is a great place for kids, who can jump on a trampoline, go for a camel ride, or hurtle down water slides.

At the Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa, Zachary's Grill Room is well worth the 10- to 15-minute drive from Knysna. Although its locally known as a gourmet destination, the restaurant's color-theme of soft brown, honey, and orange makes it comfortable and inviting. It specializes in high-quality organic and seasonal dishes that might include shiitake mushroom broth, butter-poached crayfish, and venison. There's an excellent wine list and a sommelier on hand to make recommendations.