26 garden eateries in South Africa Posted on 19 October 2018 Tags:Garden Day, Restaurants Here’s a selection of restaurants with picturesque gardens that will soothe your soul as you eat and drink to your heart’s content. Port Elizabeth 1. The Rose Garden Tea House Who could resist a cuppa here? Credit: @floradalenurseries The Rose Garden Tea House is conveniently located in the middle of the Floradale Nurseries & Garden Centre, so you’ll be greeted by floral blooms and a garden paradise upon entry. Breakfasts and lunches are their specialities and the scones are a huge hit. Address: 63 B Circular Drive, Charlo Contact: coffeeshopportelizabeth.co.za; 0413681295 Durban 2. Nonna at Makaranga, Kloof Exquisite garden views from Nonna. Credit: @MakarangaGardenLodge Where to begin, the cuisine or the exquisite location? The Nonna menu presents a sophisticated, contemporary fusion of Italian and Southern African fare. Dine indoors or out. The sprawling gardens and lawns at Makaranga are serene with 18 ponds and a labyrinth to wander through. The outdoor area is both family- and wheelchair-friendly. Address: 1A Igwababa Road, Kloof Contact: makaranga.com/nonna; 0317646616 3. Blue Zoo in Mitchell Park, Berea/Morningside This could be your party venue… Credit: @bluezoo.co.za Address: 6 Nimmo Road, Morningside, Berea Contact: bluezoo.co.za; 0313033568 The lush surrounds and vibrant flora might explain why the Blue Zoo’s tea gardens, set in Mitchell Park, is still the place to be over a hundred years on. Established in 1914 this is the oldest restuarant in Durban. The grounds are shaded and spacious, and perfect for unwinding. 4. The Chocolate Garden, North Coast The cool, calm and collected Chocolate Garden. Credit: @thechocolategardensa Address: 1 Robert Armstrong Road, Canelands Contact: decharmoy.co.za; 0325338187 Inside the De Charmoy Estate’s fragrant edible gardens, you might wander through The Chocolate Garden, an exotically curated dining paradise. The tropical flora and resident giant tortoises bring a touch of the family’s Seychellois heritage with a vibrantly flavoured menu to match. Cape Town 5. The Greenhouse Restaurant at Babylonstoren, Stellenbosch The enchanting Greenhouse by night! Credit: Babylonstoren Address: Klapmuts Simondium Road, Simondium, Paarl Contact: babylonstoren.com; 0218633852 The Greenhouse Restaurant was custom built in France and is a vintage-style conservatory that provides the perfect moment of repose after a stroll through the Babylonstoren gardens. The menu is always seasonal and fresh with artisanal homemade bakes and spreads served in summery picnic style. 6. Table Restaurant at de Meye, Stellenbosch Have a seat at The Table! Credit: @thetableatdemeye Address: De Meye Farm, Muldersvlei Road, Klapmuts, Stellenbosch Contact: thetablerestaurant.co.za; 0726960530 This restaurant on the De Meye wine farm is a homely, family-run outdoor eatery with produce sourced locally and from its farm and gardens. The set menus champion specific ingredients every week to be paired with your choice of the De Meye wines. 7. The Stables and Camphors at Vergelegen The perfect picnic spot! Credit: @vergelegenwines Address: Lourensford Road, Golden Acre, Somerset West Contact: vergelegen.co.za; 0218472100 You can enjoy fine and fragrant dining at both the Stables and Camphors restaurants at the Vergelegen Wine Estate. Picnic dining experiences are available during the summer season and meals can be shared beneath sunny, leafy canopies. 8. The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal A view of Werf from the garden. Credit: Boschendal Address: R310 Pniel Road, Boschendal Estate, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek Contact: boschendal.com; 0218704207 Creativity and fresh seasonal produce is at the heart of the Werf Restaurant’s philosophy and based at Boschendal, you can only imagine the fabulous wine pairings. 9. Little Stream Tea Garden, Constantia Credit: @littlestreamConferenceCafe Address: Klein Constantia Road, Constantia Contact: www.littlestream.co.za; 0877012771 The Little Stream Café’s grounds provide a peaceful and leafy shaded setting for parties and corporate functions. There’s so much to choose from the menu, you’ll have to come back time and time again. 10. The Company’s Garden, Cape Town Credit: @thecompanysgardenrestaurant Address: 15 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town Contact: thecompanysgarden.com; 0214232919 The restaurant’s location and open setting makes sharing a meal all the more spectacular. The kitchen serves traditional South African fare, light meals and teatime favourites in this oasis of green in the heart of the city. 11. Gardener’s Cottage at The Greenhouse Nursery at the Montebello A beautiful spot for your next Insta post! Credit: @thegreenhousenursery Address: 31 Newlands Avenue, Newlands Contact: montebello.co.za; 0216893158 The Gardener’s Cottage is the perfect pretty place to grab a cuppa under the shady and fragrant camphor trees. 12. Starlings Café, Claremont The Starlings ‘blanketed garden’. Credit: @StarlingsCafe Address: 94 Belvedere Road, Claremont Contact: starlings.co.za; 0216716875 Sit at the main Starlings café, in Belvedere Road, with a friend and you’ll be forgiven for thinking that you are having lunch in your pal’s back garden. Cosy and familiar, enjoy breakfasts and lunches or arrange a business meeting for a quick garden getaway. 13. Garden Lounge at The Vineyard Hotel Credit: @vineyardhotel Address: Colinton Road, Newlands Contact: vineyard.co.za; 0216574500 The Garden Lounge at The Vineyard brings elegance and sophistication to any tea date. These gorgeous grounds and splendid views will make you forget you’re in one of the busiest suburbs of Cape Town. 14. Kloof Street House, Gardens Credit: @kloofstrhouse Address: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Contact: kloofstreethouse.co.za; 0214234413 The Kloof Street House has a number of vibrant and chic outdoor areas to lounge in. It’s classy and contemporary with a touch of jazz to take your evenings from zero to a vibey va-va-voom in no time at all. 15. Rumbullion at The Roundhouse, Camps Bay Did someone say ‘sundowners’? Credit: The Round House Address: Round House Road, Camps Bay Contact: theroundhouserestaurant.com; 0214384347 The Rumbullion in Camps Bay is an outdoor entertainer’s dream. Here, venue plus view offers every opportunity for a magnificent summer. 16. Blue Water Café at Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie You won’t get tired of this view… Credit: @imhofffarm.co.za Address: Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie Road Contact: imhofffarm.co.za; 0217834545 Warm and friendly, the grounds are extremely child-friendly and excellent for kids parties. Definitely try out their popular wood-fired pizzas – including wheat-free alternatives. Pretoria 17. Milk Plum Café in Pretoria National Botanical Garden Credit: milkplumcafe.co.za Address: Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria Contact: milkplumcafe.co.za; 0128045840 Outdoor and indoor meld together seamlessly at Milk Plum Café. 18. Royal Café & Nursery, Monument Park Explore things bright and beautiful. Credit: @royalcafenursery Address: 25 Solomon Mahlangu Drive, Monument Park, Pretoria Contact: royalgarden.co.za; 0123471017 The Royal Café is the sweetest little go-to spot for when life gets a bit hectic. The vibe is cosy and relaxed with some room for exploring if you’re up for a quick walkabout. 19. Blue Crane Restaurant (Austin Robert’s Bird Sanctuary) Take a break, riverside. Credit: bluecranerestaurant.co.za Address: 156 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk Contact: bluecranerestaurant.co.za; 0124607615 For a riverside retreat, pop in at the Blue Crane for a taste of nature or for an evening of entertainment. 20. Willow Feather Farm, Irene Where to next? Happiness, hmm… Credit: @WillowFeatherFarm Address: Portion 37, Doornkloof, Rietvleidam, Irene Contact: willowfeather.co.za; 0636902583 For all things green, Willow Farm is the place to be. There’s a great sense of community and love for what they do wthin the Willow team, so grab a cuppa and take it all in. Joburg 21. Moyo at Zoo Lake A good afternoon waiting to happen. Credit: @moyoZooLake Address: Zoo Lake Park, 1 Prince of Wales Drive, Parkview, Contact: moyo.co.za; 0116460058 The Zoo Lake Moyo hangout is a vibrant, but most importantly tranquil, escape from the busyness of city life. Take a moment to slow down and sync to the Moyo rhythm. 22. Gabriella’s Tea Room, Parktown North Cosy with lovely natural lighting. Credit: gabriellastearoom.co.za Address: 43 7th Avenue ,Parktown North Contact: gabriellastearoom.co.za; 011442 187 Drawing from various global palates, this tea room offers deliciously diverse daytime dining in a gorgeous, homley outdoor space. 23. Toadbury Hall A picnic paradise. Credit: @ToadburyHall Address: Plot 64, Beyers Naude Drive Extension, Elandsdrift Contact: toadburyhall.co.za; 0105937523 The Toadbury Hall Country Hotel wedding and conference venue promises endless delights for the eyes and tummy. Eat at any of the four restaurants: the Bijou Restaurant, Otter’s Deli, WildWood Brasserie or the Badger’s Boma – they all share views of the tip-top gardens. 24. Under the Trees Garden Café at Schäffler’s Nursery, Lyndhurst Carrot cake, hmm? Credit: @Schafflers Address: 28 Johannesburg Road, Lyndhurst Contact: schafflers.com; 0117860242 This family-run business has a lot of heart and soul, which extends to the café that shares nursery space and a menu with wholesome, colourful meals. 25. The Secret Tea Garden at Norscot Manor, Fourways The perfect garden event venue! Credit: @norscotsecretteagarden Address: 16B Penguin Drive, Norscot Manor Recreation Centre, Fourways, Sandton Contact: secretteagarden.co.za; 0114671191 There shouldn’t be anything secret about these lawns. It’s a great place for entertaining and is child-friendly with a jungle gym that’ll have the little ones imagining themselves in a garden castle. 26. Leafy Greens Café, Muldersdrift Wholesome iced lattes Credit: @leafygreenscafe Address: Rocky Rodge Road, Beyers Naude Drive, Muldersdrift Contact: leafygreens.co.za; 0105954563 At Leafy Greens, healthy has never looked so much fun. Run by SA’s emerging healthy food guru Antonia Hoddinot (née de Luca), you’ll be sampling the yummiest food sourced from their organic garden. Babylonstoren: All you need to know Related Posts Review: The Hearty & Homely Winter Lunch at Bistro Sixteen82 1 June 2023 A winter menu should evoke visions of heart-warming and comforting dishes that nourish the body... read more The rise of gastronomy tourism: restaurants to try in Thailand 1 June 2023 Gastronomy tourism has emerged as a thriving trend in recent years, capturing taste buds... read more 10 Coffee Shops in Johannesburg to visit 25 May 2023 Finding the best coffee shops in Johannesburg can be tricky, so we've put together a... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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