WHEN IN HERMANUS, EAT LIKE A LOCAL - My Summer Guide

WHEN IN HERMANUS, EAT LIKE A LOCAL

The Cape Overberg offers an extensive array of coffee shops, bistros and restaurants for hungry and thirsty holidaymakers, but the range of choices can also be bewildering, especially to irst-time visitors. The best source of information is usually the locals who live in a holiday destination such as Hermanus all-yearround.

Here are some pointers to help you navigate your way through the culinary maze.

Rise and shine… it’s breakfast time! Some of the best daytime eateries and coffee shops in Hermanus are tucked away in side streets, and visitors need some inside knowledge to track them down.

When you’re walking around the town centre, Betty Blue Bistro on Main Road is easy to find. Betty Blue has become one of the most popular spots in town. Not only do local supporters meet here for coffee, breakfast or lunch – foodies flock to Betty Blue from all over the Western Cape.

High Street runs parallel to Main Road and here you will find another local gem, CanD’s Kitchen. Honest, homemade comfort food is their trademark; they serve great coffee, delicious breakfasts and a daily harvest table with scrumptious fresh salads.

For the true coffee aicionado Tulip is a must. An old house has been converted into this vibrant coffee shop and breakfast joint. If you want to rub shoulders with the locals, this is where you’ll find them in the mornings, reading the newspaper and discussing all the latest issues in town.

Feed the Family The Christmas holiday season is a time for family get-togethers and celebrations. When relatives and friends are planning a day out, especially if accompanied by children, they need a restaurant that caters for larger groups and where children are welcomed.

Rossi’s in High Street, the oldest operating restaurant in Hermanus, has been a family favourite for more than 30 years. Other options include the Eatery near PnP, and Cattle Baron in the centre of town near Lemm’s Corner, which offer generous portions and excellent value for money. Ocean Basket, always a family favourite, is in the Village Square and boasts a new summer menu packed with delectable salads, starters, prawn platters and of course the country’s favourite fish ‘n chips.

Heading in the other direction towards Stanford, you’ll ind Stanford Hills where families can gather on the shaded farm stoep or enjoy a picnic next to the dam while the children explore the farm.

For a lip-smacking tapas, the trendy vibe at Burgundy Tapas will chase away any Christmas blues. It’s next to Market Square just above the Old Harbour, you can also pop around for a hearty meal at The Burgundy, one of the town’s most iconic restaurants.

Food for thought While diners in Hermanus are spoilt for choice, there are a handful of restaurants where the innovative culinary skills of the chefs guarantee guests an exceptional dining experience, be it for lunch or dinner. Among them are Fisherman’s Cottage, an intimate little restaurant in a heritage cottage on Lemm’s Corner; the Barefoot Cook, also housed in an authentic isherman’s cottage is tucked away in Aberdeen Street; and Lizette’s Kitchen at the Voëlklip circle, is in another historic building with a hundred-year-old history.

There is also Pear Tree in the Village Square, a tiny eatery with seating that spills on to the piazza - and the popular, Char’d Grill & Wine Bar, also in the Village Square, where the steampunk décor is as impressive as their ‘New Wave’ steaks that take pride of place on the menu.

Also highly recommended is La Pentola on Marine Drive where celebrity chef Shane Sauvage serves up excellent fusion cuisine with a dollop of sea views. For authentic Italian cooking, look no further than Fabio’s Ristorante just off Main Road in St Peter’s Lane.

And if you’d like to enjoy a memorable meal without venturing into town, there is an excellent restaurant at The Village named Eat, that has a loyal following among the locals. In Sandbaai VB’s is tucked away and sheltered from the wind offering an array of dishes, but be sure to try out their pizzas.

A meal with a view Some restaurants are so ideally situated that the views are as much a part of the dining experience as the food. A great example is Bientang’s Cave, where the ocean laps against the rocks mere metres from your table.

The brand-new Ficks Restaurant is a must for visitors. With the famous Fick’s Pool right next to it, it offers something for all your senses.

Other restaurants that offer superlative sea views include Harbour Rock, in the New Harbour; Lemonicious upstairs at Village Square and the Milkwood Restaurant at Onrus Beach. The epitome of a beach restaurant, however, is Dutchies on Grotto Beach, perfect for those balmy summer evenings.

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