Nelleke Elston

Food
This bright and airy venue overlooking the Knysna lagoon mouth serves sophisticated bistro fare – the likes of café Paris steak with garlic and herb butter, gourmet burgers and a fried fish goujon basket. Crispy fried hake and calamari as well as the Cape Malay seafood curry are rumoured to be the best in town.

Vegetarian options include dishes like The Forager - grilled sweet potato, exotic mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, served with a dollop of crème fraîche and their ancient grains salad with slow-roasted vegetables, quinoa, couscous, pearl parley and pesto dressing.

Breakfast is taken seriously here. Think creamy vanilla oats with wild honey and roast almonds, the signature eggs Hollandaise, and a variety of French toasts.

For dessert, choose from the cakes on display, including traditional favourites like moist carrot cake, cheesecake and a famous lemon meringue pie. Alternatively, banana nut sundae or meringue crush are the perfect sweet end to a meal.

Drinks
A good selection of easy-drinking local wines and craft beers are on offer. The cocktail menu includes some unique virgin options as well as the breakfast martini – Bacardi, pineapple juice and lemongrass. Various cocktails using local artisan gins are also on offer.

Service
Waiters are attentive and clearly take pride in their work.

Ambience
Breathe in the fresh sea air on the deck overlooking the Knysna Heads or enjoy the cool calm interior of the restaurant with walls adorned with Afro chic art and beautiful historic photos of the area. The atmosphere is relaxed and festive in the busy summer season.

Best for…
Breakfast before hitting the beach (for those with kids there’s a well-equipped enclosed play area on the deck), or business lunches with a view.

(August 2019)

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.