Spring has arrived, bringing with it picturesque sunsets and breathtaking flower-filled fields. Here’s our guide of where to view these blossoming beauties with your friends and family, and where find a bite to eat after.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve (Hermanus)

Fernkloof Nature Reserve is the venue for the annual Hermanus Flower Festival and it boasts a breathtaking floral display. The reserve is situated in the Kleinriver Mountains and covers 1800 hectares. Take a walk through the Fernkloof Botanical Gardens and get lost among the ericas, the aloes and more.

A field of ericas. Photo by blavandmaster on Foter.com.

Restaurants in the area:

Barefoot Cook
Best for: Exciting blackboard lunch menu dishes that change on a regular basis.

Betty Blue Bistro
Best for: Colourful and delicious breakfast and lunch menus. Options include pulled pork burgers and green Thai curry.

Café 4 Twenty 
Best for: Freshly brewed coffee and wholesome breakfasts, plus free WiFi.

Running Rabbit Café
Best for: The special teas on offer.

The Postberg Flower Reserve (West Coast National Park, Langebaan)

The reserve is unfortunately not open daily, so calling ahead and booking comes highly recommended. The 14km Steenbok Trail is open during August and September only.

Restaurants in the area:

Breeze at Windtown Lagoon
Best for: Burgers and hand-cut chips.

Geelbek Restaurant (Situated inside the National Park)
Best for: The reasonably priced dessert menu, featuring delicious treats like pancakes with cinnamon and butterscotch sauce.

Pearly’s Restaurant
Best for: The view of the popular Lagoon.

Thali Thali
Best for: The potjiekos buffet on Sundays.

Darling 

The Darling area boasts fields filled with beautiful white daisies, purple skilpadblomme and more during the season of spring. During their flower show, they have craft stalls, tractor rides and live entertainment.

White daisies. Photo by Property#1 on Foter.com

Restaurants in the area:

Bistro Seven (Darling)
Best for: Country-style cooked meals.

Café Mosaic (Darling)
Best for: Their specials and pizzas.

Chicory Cheese Café (Darling)
Best for: The inexpensive menu with a wide range of options for kids.

The Marmalade Cat (Darling)
Best For: Affordable mains.

Clanwilliam 

Clanwilliam is known for hosting some of the best flower shows. You can see everything from rare and endangered species to edible and medicinal flowers.

Proteas. Photo by nooodle12 on Foter.com.

Restaurants in the area:

Michael’s on Park
Best for: Home-cooked meals.

Nancy’s Tea Room
Best for: The view of the Cederberg Mountains from the garden area.

Velskoendraai Farmers Market & Restaurant 
Best for: Farm-fresh produce and fresh meals.

Cederberg/Biedouw Valley 

Before some of the veld became cultivated, it was filled with bulbous flowers. Now there are still a few uncultivated areas where you’re able to view the floral beauties. There are also farms or self-catering cottages available if you choose to linger a bit longer in the Biedouw Valley.

Flowers. Photo by DanieVDM on Foter.com.

Restaurants in the area:

De Tol Plaasstal & Restaurant (Citrusdal)
Best for: A roadtrip pitstop and a home-cooked meal.

Grapevine Restaurant (Vredendal)
Best for: Steaks and pizzas.

Hebron (Citrusdal)
Best for: Their pizzas and specials.

Muisbosskerm Open Air Restaurant (Lambert’s Bay)
Best for: Its rich history, good comfort food and a great sea view.

The Namaqualand Flower Route

At first glance it appears to be a wilderness of widespread semi-desert; dusty plains that stretch on for days with picturesque mountains in the background. But, come spring, it’s transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours. The Flower Route is situated 5 hours north of Cape Town. (Though you can already catch a glimpse of flowers in a small section of the West Coast National Park close to Langebaan.) You and the family can enjoy a series of drives through the towns of Garies, Springbok, Kamieskroon and Port Nolloth to see the colourful spectacle nature has to offer.

The Aloe habitat. Photo by Martin_Heigan on Foter.com .

Restaurants in the area:

The Garies Toeriste Stal Coffee Shop (Garies)
Best for: Purchasing cute souvenirs and grabbing a quick coffee with a bite to eat.

Tauren Steak Ranch (Springbok)
Best for: Their cuts of well matured and grilled steaks.

The Buttercup Coffee Shop & Bakery (Port Nolloth)
Best for: Freshly baked pastries. Enjoy some there with a freshly brewed cuppa Joe, then get a few to go.

Vespetti Restaurant (Port Nolloth)
Best for: Breakfast and lunch with the family. Also, the best view of the ocean and the sunset.

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