South Africa 2023
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I must start this post expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the love and warm welcome your family extended to my family. You know who you are. Your kindness and hospitality have made us feel not just like guests but like cherished members of your own circle. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives, and your friendship means the world to us. Your love and acceptance have created beautiful memories that we will cherish forever. You all have the deepest appreciation and love from us.
As great as my time in South Africa was, you cannot ignore its past. No single place and no single person is perfect. Every family, team, workplace, and especially country has its problems or something in the past they are not happy about. All we can hope is that the future is brighter and better.
No different than many other places around the world, South Africa has a complex and diverse population and history. This history has created a multicultural society that has resulted in a rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and cuisines. It’s enlightening to explore its vibrant cities like Cape Town, and others to learn about their story.
For many international tourists, South Africa provides good value for money, with affordable options for accommodation, food, and activities. The country offers some of the most scenic drives in the world. The Garden Route along the southern coast is a series of routes that take you through breathtaking landscapes, viewpoints, and ecosystems. The country offers a wide range of natural attractions all along the Indian and Atlantic Oceans contributing to the country’s natural beauty. South Africa is home to some of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves where visitors can embark on thrilling safaris to see the Big Five and numerous other species of animals and birds in their natural habitats.
For those who are seeking thrills, South Africa offers a wide range of adventure activities for adrenaline junkies. You can go shark cage diving, bungee jump from the Bloukrans Bridge, go white-water rafting, or hike the famous Otter Trail. It truly is a paradise for any outdoor enthusiast. You can go hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, surfing, or horseback riding in various parts of the country. The favorable climate in many regions allows for year-round outdoor activities.
What about food and drinks though? South Africa is one of the world’s top wine-producing countries. The Western Cape, in particular, is famous for its wine regions, such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl. You can enjoy wine tasting tours, explore picturesque vineyards, and savor world-class wines. Of course you’ll need something to eat with the wine so below are some great and amazing places to enjoy a meal all around the Western Cape and a few Eastern Cape locations.
Just keep in mind though while South Africa is undoubtedly a fantastic destination to visit, it’s essential to be aware of safety precautions and follow travel advisories to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Some areas may have safety concerns and you need to be cognitive of the load shedding schedule which is a series of rolling blackouts that occur across South Africa daily in various stages to prevent overloading the national power grid when the energy demand exceeds energy production. Don’t let this deter you though. Once you are on your way though, it will be the experience of a lifetime.
Before you get to the food though, on a separate subject, one of the oddest parts of my journey was the complete omission of the show ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ has ever existed in South Africa. Telling people about the show and not being able to pull it up on any streaming search to rent, buy, or stream was weird. To top it off it wouldn’t populate anything about the show or actors while searching. It was like living in an alternate universe. Maybe one day they will be able to enjoy it down there, just not now.
Cape Town Area
Codfather Seafood & Sushi – Cape Town, South Africa
As one the most popular restaurants in Camps Bay for over 20 years the atmosphere here is busy and buzzing and for a good reason. They have an amazing extravaganza of fresh fish, delectable shellfish and delicious, innovative sushi. You actually pick the fish and seasfood you want directly from the fresh fish case display. The freshness, quality, and variety is spectacular. You choose what you want and we had South African Crayfish, tender Falklands Calamari, Kingklip, sardines, and scallops with fries.
Brad’s Grill – Cape Town, South Africa
Brad’s Grill is a restaurant in Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa. The menu features a variety of seafood dishes, as well as their patron’s favorite meat options which I was told was their version of South Africa’s Pepper Steak. I can say without a doubt this steak was out of this world amazing with the pepper sauce and rub. You must visit this place and get the pepper steak and mushroom soup.
The Butcher Shop & Grill – Cape Town, South Africa
The Butcher Shop & Grill serves only the best mature aged meat that you can actually see being aged right there in the restaurant. They butcher your steak to the size and cut you want. Really nice place and the food was delicious and I had South African Beef Prime Rib.
The Greek Fisherman – Cape Town, South Africa
The restaurant offers a large courtyard, centered around a fountain for al fresco dining. They offer fresh seafood and authentic Greek cuisine operating since 1992. You can taste the flavors of the Mediterranean with charcoal grills, tender Calamari, prawns, sardines, and Kingklip. I enjoyed my meal and service.
Zest Restaurant – Cape Town, South Africa
Situated in the heart of Sea Point with an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean, this restaurant offers a quiet escape from the hustle of the busy Sea Point Main Road. With a specialized menu designed for each meal of the day – breakfast, lunch and dinner, Zest isn’t a one-time visit kind of place; rather, it’s somewhere you’ll come back to time and again until it feels like home. My visit was for breakfast and they did a superb job. I had their Buttermilk Flapjacks served with raspberry, ricotta, vanilla & yogurt cream.
Hot Dog King – Cape Town, South Africa
Right in the heart of of the V & A Waterfront stores and attractions is a little shack serving great hot dogs. I had mine topped with Peri Peri sauce and it was wonderful. Whether for a snack or a meal I think you’ll enjoy.
Moro Gelato Sea Point – Cape Town, South Africa
They make gelato by hand, from scratch, and with seasonal ingredients. To help preserve their gelato in a natural way they also use the traditional “pozzetti”, the sunken counters where gelato is protected from air, light and temperature fluctuation. It was a nice treat. I had their vanilla.
Salinas Beach Restaurant – Wilderness, South Africa
Right on the beach Salinas serves fresh food inspired by the coastlines of Spain and infused with local flavor. The calamari head and tails in Cajun butter was so good and amazing and the vegetable soup with fantastic. Really a great restaurant with a fantastic view.
Nineteen89 – Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
This is a family owned restaurant in Plettenberg Bay with a fresh fusion menu, friendly staff and a cool hip vibe. I went with dessert first and had their strawberry milkshake that was an awesome way to get things started. The cider bacon mussels were a treat with mussels steamed in a dry cider and smokey bacon, then coated in a creamy bacon, garlic, spinach, and Parmesan sauce. The entree which was really good was Fusion Calamari Peanut Thai Curry which is peanut Thai curry sauce topped with cajun baby calamari.
Cattle Baron Tsitsikamma Seafood Grill & Bistro – Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
Cattle Baron Tsitsikamma Seafood Grill & Bistro opened its doors in 2012 in the Tsitsikamma National Park. Situated at the Storms River Mouth Restcamp, the restaurant is ideally located next to the ocean, offering sweeping views of the dramatic and beautiful coastline. A place where you can experience the outdoors, stunning marine life, and an adventure-filled vacation with the famous Suspension Bridge, Otter and Dolphin trails, picturesque scenery, and whale watching. It is heaven on Earth here. The lunch meal was very good too. Had the peri peri buffalo wings, snails, onion rings, and chicken bacamberry a flame grilled chicken with Cattle Baron BBQ and topped with grilled bacon, camembert, onions, on a layer of berry coulis.
Marilyn’s 60’s Diner – Storms River, South Africa
It is like the classic diner of the movies! Along the Garden Route, Shake, Rattle and Roll at the retro Marilyns 60s Diner. Proudly sporting the all-American Burger and cold milkshakes, the diner invites you to a throwback of a dining experience altogether. Enjoy jukebox classics and take snaps of the stunning classic cars and motorbike collection, celebrating the sensational 60’s era of none other than Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. The food was pretty good also. I went with the All American burger with cheddar, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, fried onions, and sweet chili sauce.
Millwick’s Cafe at Cornerstone – George, South Africa
Sometimes all you need is a little fresh fruit and grains to get you started. Well this little stop has it all. Loved the fresh mango juice and the crunchie was fantastic. If in the area a great place.
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve – Little Brak River, South Africa
With the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains as a backdrop and sweeping views out over the glistening Indian Ocean below, lies Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. It is simply breathtaking beauty on this 4,200 hectare reserve. It’s a long day out there so you need to make sure you have something in your stomach before you begin your journey. I had their hot ham cheese sandwich and it was good.
Bellevue Restaurant at The Village Lodge – Klein Brak River, South Africa
You will enjoy a great view here with a delicious meal. I had the karoo lamb shank which is slow cooked with rosemary, garlic, and red wine sauce served with creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
Seeplaas – Groot Brakrivier, South Africa
Another destination with a gorgeous view and great food. Service was really friendly and can’t beat watching whales in the ocean early in the morning while you dined. The breakfast pizza was huge and tasty.
Cape Saint Blaize Restaurant – Mossel Bay Lighthouse – Mossel Bay, South Africa
This is a unique restaurant located inside the historic lighthouse of Mossel Bay. With breathtaking ocean views the restaurant offers a memorable and unforgettable dining experience while you soak up the stunning scenery from their one-of-a-kind vantage point. I may have only had tea, but I really loved sitting and relaxing while doing so.
Let’s Frite – Franschhoek, South Africa
They state that each component of the menu is made in house and they want you to experience the luxury taste of fine dining, in the form of fast food. This place is hidden down a little alley and a back road next to the library so you have to know where it is in order to dine here. Once here though the prices were very reasonable, service was fast, and the food was good and better than your normal fast food.
Yama Asian Eatery – Franschhoek, South Africa
Yama Asian Eatery is situated on the main road of Franschhoek. The restaurant takes on a light, minimalist approach that offers spacious seating both inside and outside in the courtyard.They offer a high-quality sushi menu accompanied by an Asian-themed à la carte menu using fresh seasonal ingredients. The dining experience is completed with instrumental music that evokes a sense of calmness to unwind and relax. The food was fantastic as well and had lots of it. I enjoyed salmon California roll, tuna nigiri, crispy squid, chili crunch noodles, stir fried green beans, Torlo Bao, and an entree of duck ramen. Great place!
French Connection Bistro – Franschhoek, South Africa
I figured with being in Franschhoek, with its centuries of French heritage one has to dine in a French restaurant. We’ll I’m glad I did. The food and ambiance was great. I enjoyed the french bread basket, charcuterie board, filet mignon au poivre, and creme brulee.
Col’Cacchio – Franschhoek, South Africa
This place is Italian Flavor with South African flair. Is is a place to bring the family to enjoy artisanal wood-fired pizza and pasta. I enjoyed the aglio peppering pizza and spagnolo pasta with mussels and prawns. The other highlight was finding BOS Tea. This stuff was great, caffine free so I can drink it anytime, and happy as I saw that I’m able to get BOS rooibos ice tea back in America on Amazon. You should try it!
Grande Provence Wine Estate – Franschhoek, South Africa
Grande Provence Wine Estate has over a 325-year history. Nestled in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in South Africa’s Western Cape, there are lush vines spread across 47 acres. Rolling vistas frame the valley floor and heighten the drama of the rugged mountains beyond. This is heartland South African Wine Country at its very finest. I enjoyed their Angels Tears Tasting which was, AT Sauvignon Blanc, AT Muscat, AT Rosé, AT Merlot/Cab Red Blend, and a Nougat Pairing.
Old Road Wine Co. – Franschhoek, South Africa
Many of the places you will visit around town have the older feel to it. Not at all at Old Road Wine Co. as they may be tiny, but they are going for the hip vibe. You can go quirky on your wine tasting adventures here with the Quirky Popcorn tasting, a range of wines as unusual and irreverent as their colorful namesakes: Juliette Sauvignon Blanc, Pardonnez-Moi Cinsaut, The Spotted Hound Mediterranean Blend and The Butcher and Cleaver Cape Blend. The popcorn was tasty too.
Burgundy Seafront Restaurant – Hermanus, South Africa
This is a neat little seaside area with shops and restaurants all along. I really enjoyed my breakfast croissant here.
Icons Restaurant at Cape Town Airport – Cape Town, South Africa
Every adventure ends eventually and you’ll wind up back at the airport for your journey home. This may be the only sit down restaurant in the international terminal in Cape Town, but it was actually pretty good. The South Africa beef was great everywhere I went so had to end with another steak and chips and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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