Author / dkvillas

Located up the West Coast, past the West Coast National Park and the coastal town of Velddrif, lies Dwarskersbos, a quaint seaside community and the ultimate escape from anxiety-ridden city living. Here, the perpetual purr of the ocean waves and the caw of seagulls serve as the soundtrack to a perfectly relaxing holiday. And when you’re ready to emerge for a little something to eat and drink, here are some fine establishments to visit in and around the area. Because Dwarskersbos is so small, with limited options for dining out, we have taken the liberty of including restaurants and bars from the neighbouring much larger town of Velddrif, located a short 10 to 15-minutes’ drive away.

Russells on the Port

T: +27 (0) 22 783 0158 | www.russellsontheport.co.za

Nestled into the picturesque Port Owen Marina in Velddrif, a short drive from Dwarskersbos, you’ll find Russells on the Port, a sophisticated and intimate 90-seater restaurant. Head chef Charl Coetzee crafts globally influenced contemporary dishes that are inspired by the seasons and fresh, local produce. Think West Coast seafood, lamb rump, crispy pork belly, and locally sourced game.

Address: 1 Bronwen Avenue, Port Owen Marina, Velddrif

Charlie’s Brewhouse

T: +27 (0) 22 783 0448 | www.charliesbrew.co.za

From the same entrepreneur who brought Velddrif Russells on the Port comes this vivacious, family-friendly establishment with panoramic views of the Port Owen Marina. Here, Head Chef David produces a gastronomic fusion between British pub fare and the finest West Coast flavours, such as sea-fresh West Coast mussels, beer prawns, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers with juicy homemade patties, Eton mess, and silky-smooth homemade ice cream.

Address: 1 Marina Centre, Port Owen Drive

See Kaia Restaurant

T: +27 (0) 83 276 3115 or +27 (0) 71 742 8593 | Facebook Page

Step into what feels like your neighbour’s home and take a seat at a ramshackle table in a colourful lounge as this friendly couple whips up delicious, homemade meals. The Sea Kaia serves unpretentious, rustic cuisine like pizzas, burgers, toasted sandwiches, and breakfasts that will have you rolling out the door, all with a side of West Coast country hospitality at its best!

Please do note that the Sea Kaia is not licensed to serve alcohol.

Address: Hoofwegs (Main Road), next to the Dwarskersbos Beach Resort (Caravan Park)

Soetcase Coffee Shop

T: +27 (0) 83 229 4131 | Facebook Page

A combined arts & crafts store and coffee shop, Soetcase serves a lovely variety of breakfasts, light lunches, pizzas, milkshakes, sweet treats and snacks made with love, and of course coffee. While you wait for your meal, why not take a little meander around the arts and crafts shop? You might find the perfect birthday or anniversary gift!

Address: Pretkor Centre, 8A Main Road, Dwarskersbos

Die Vishuis Restaurant

T: +27 (0) 22 783 1183 or +27 (0) 82 450 5053 | www.dievishuis.co.za

Die Vishuis Restaurant is a typical West Coast jewel, where you can sit down to a scrumptious menu of fresh, local fish and seafood. The restaurant was once a real “vishuis” where fisherman used to salt the Harders (fish) they caught. Today, several features of the original property have been preserved to create a historic, quirky atmosphere with stunning wetland views of the Berg River and its birdlife.

Address: Bokkom Avenue, Velddrif

Teyana’s Restaurant & Pub

T: +27 (0) 22 783 2055 | Facebook Page

Tenyana’s Restaurant & Pub is a casual eatery located on the banks of the Berg River, affording guests beautiful river and wetland views. Immensely popular with locals, you can expect the full spectrum of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, coffees, and drinks with a cuisine focus on fresh, local seafood.

Address: Pelican Harbour, Voortrekker Road, Velddrif

Ek en Djy Vissery

T: +27 (0) 82 781 3878

To steep yourself in quintessential West Coast culture, you’ve simply got to stop in at Ek en Djy Vissery (“me and you fishery”) in Velddrif. This quirky and wholly charming fish shop sells everything from fresh daily caught fish, mussels, pickled fish, roll mops, dried fish (bokkoms), and sea salt to refreshments, Velddrif souvenirs, arts and crafts, and handmade baked treats and jams.

Address: Bokkom Avenue, Velddrif

Die Vis Vlekhuis

T: +27 (0) 71 917 4521 or +27 (0) 22 783 0553 | Facebook Page

Die Vis Vlekhuis is a well-known family restaurant and take away seafood spot located in Laaiplek Harbour. With sweeping Atlantic Ocean views, this landmark site serves delicious fresh fish and seafood, caught that very morning and prepared according to multi-generational recipes. If you’re not a seafood lover, there are the restaurant’s legendary ribs and chips to chow down on. There’s also a bar serving a variety of cocktails, ice cold beverages, beers, and wine.

Address: 43 De Villiers Street, Laaiplek, Velddrif

Lavender & Lime Coffee Shop & Nursery

T: +27 (0) 78 203 8374, | Facebook Page

Towards the back of this verdant heaven of flowers, herbs, succulents, and trees you’ll find a coffee shop that serves all-day breakfasts, light lunches, beverages, and absolutely gorgeous cakes. Lavender & Lime is widely known for its breakfasts and, while waiting for your food to arrive, why not take a picture underneath their enormous Bobbejaandruif Boom (Belhambra tree)? It’s the biggest and oldest one in the region!

Address: 135 Voortrekker Road, Velddrif

Spectacular nature, sweeping beaches, world famous drives, colourful markets, fine dining, ocean adventures, private wine tasting, retail therapy, and even craft breweries and distilleries…when it comes to Hout Bay, there is absolutely no shortage of exciting activities and experiences to keep visitors busy. Here are 10 of our recommended activities in Hout Bay:

Retail therapy at the Bay Harbour Market

T: +27 (0) 83 275 5586

From Friday to Sunday every weekend, the refurbished fish factory in the old part of Hout Bay’s historic harbour comes to life with scores of craft stalls and food and beverage vendors. Peruse the extensive collections of boutique clothing, local art, handmade jewellery, quirky trinkets, and other crafts before sitting down to a delicious meal of freshly made, multi-national dishes from the various food stalls, which you can wash down with wine, craft beer, a cocktail, or healthy fruit smoothie. The Hout Bay Harbour Market is a firm favourite of Capetonians!

Lunch at Fish on the Rocks, a Hout Bay institution

T: +27 (0) 21 790 0001

For decades, this tiny ramshackle fish and chips shop perched on a jettison of rocks at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean has served delicious, steaming takeaway and eat-in seafood caught fresh that very morning. Today, the aptly named Fish on the Rocks is a veritable institution and no visit to Hout Bay is complete without hake and chips or calamari ordered here and enjoyed in the brisk sea air with sweeping views of Chapman’s Peak and the entirety of the bay. Fish on the Rocks is open 365 days a year, from 09:00 to 20:00 (in winter) and 21:00 (in summer).

Take a scenic meander along Chapman’s Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak Drive hardly needs an introduction. Regarded as one of the most dramatically beautiful drives in the world, the road winds its way around the steep cliff faces of Chapman’s Peak with spectacular, panoramic views of Hout Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. There are plenty of places to stop off to admire the view or even enjoy a picnic.

Go for a private wine tasting at Hout Bay Vineyards

T: +27 (0) 83 790 3303

Located right next door to the world-famous Constantia wine region, Hout Bay boasts a cool, maritime climate perfect for the cultivation of classic Bordeaux grape varietals. Perched high atop the northwest-facing slopes of Bokkemanskloof, Hout Bay Vineyards make full use of the valley’s favourable terroir to produce a delicious boutique range of wines, which can be sampled in an intimate tasting setting in the cellar. Winemaker and owner Cathy Roeloffze hosts the private tastings (by appointment only) and guests are welcome to enjoy a glass of their favourite wine afterwards. Tastings cost R50 per person with a minimum charge of R300.

Visit Hout Bay’s Cape fur seal colony

T: +27 (0) 21 791 4441

Right around the corner – the Sentinel Mountain - from Hout Bay Harbour is a large, noisy, and rather odorous colony of Cape fur seals, a visit to which makes for a lovely 1-hour boat outing! Drumbeat Charters South Africa offers daily scenic cruises to Duiker Island’s seal colony, where visitors can watch the mammals basking in the sun, frolicking in the waves, and honking at each other. Drumbeat Charters also do a variety of other cruises in and around the bay, including a one-hour trip to see the shipwrecks along the Kabonkelberg mountain range. More information here.

Go snorkelling with seals

T: +27 (0) 72 296 9132

If you’re a bit of an adrenalin addict and want to get closer – much closer – to the seals, then how about climbing into the water with them? Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling takes visitors on an unforgettable half-day, eco-friendly adventure to Duiker Island, where you’ll actually jump ship to snorkel with the seals. You can even hire waterproof go-pros to record the experience of swimming with curious seals and the kelp forests and colourful ocean life that swishes in the currents beneath your flippered feet.

Eat out in style at one of Hout Bay’s top restaurants

While a little more rustic and casual in its dining scene, Hout Bay has its share of popular, lauded restaurants. Quentin at Oakhurst serves a mix of traditional and modern cuisine in one of Hout Bay’s original farmsteads. Cheyne’s is all about Pacific Rim dining (and they’ve just launched their spring specials!) Considered one of the top restaurants in the world, La Colombe delivers a multi-sensory, multi-course fine dining experience you’ll never forget. For something a little more casual yet still sophisticated, there’s Dunes Restaurant right on the beach; Chapman’s Peak Hotel with its stunning views and great vibe; the Lookout Deck in the harbour area; Massimo’s for Italian cuisine; and a bevvy of others.

Walk on the beach to Mariner’s Wharf

T: +27 (0) 21 790 1100

Conceptualised and built during the 1980s by Hout Bay’s very own Stanley Dorman, Mariner’s Wharf Harbourside Emporium boasts restaurants, shops, and markets steeped in a beguiling maritime ambience. In other words, it’s the perfect place to end up for a meal or an ice cream after a walk along Hout Bay beach.

Go on a Boozy Tour in the Historic Harbour

Hout Bay Harbour Distillery: +27 (0) 82 443 9360

Urban Brewing Co.: +27 (0) 21 791 1130 or +27 (0) 82 474 9745

Located in the heart of the historic harbour, the Hout Bay Harbour Distillery offers visitors a combined tour of their gin distillery and Urban Brewing Co.’s craft beer operation, which is right next door. The tour includes a gin and beer tasting, a complimentary beer of your choice, a tour of both facilities, and a short talk on the process of gin and craft beer production.