Mossel Bay is a food lover’s dream. The wide selection of Mossel Bay restaurants makes it the ideal holiday destination for foodies, including those with special dietary requirements. It also helps that most of these eateries have killer ocean views which basically means you’re getting the best of both worlds. So now that you know Mossel Bay is child-friendly, here’s where to take the family to eat.
The Merchant Coffee
For those Monday mornings that require a great WiFi connection and good coffee, The Merchant Coffee has got you covered. This trendy coffee shop serves all-day breakfasts with both indoor and outdoor seating and even has a little gift section. If you’re going for breakfast, I’d suggest you get there early though because their delicious croissants are quite popular and sell out fast. If you came with a little one, they also have a small lounge style setup with a mat and Lego blocks to keep the kiddies entertained while you have your coffee.
www.themerchantcoffee.business.site | +27 65 399 3850
Carola Ann’s
This eatery is ideal for the health conscious traveller to enjoy a guilt-free meal. Carola Ann’s serves breakfast, lunch and wholesome smoothies all made with fresh locally sourced ingredients. The portions are generous and their cappuccino is served is mugs – just the way I like it! They also cater for vegans and vegetarians which makes them a good supplier of food for special events.
www.carolaann.com | +27 44 690 3477
Café Gannet
Considered to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Mossel Bay, Café Gannet is the perfect place for a stylish night out. With its sophisticated décor, the restaurant is both a feast for eyes and taste buds. Gannet is the full package; serving delicious cocktails from their trendy bar, oysters and an a la carte menu, it caters for even the most refined palate. I enjoyed the prawn curry (which was flavourful yet mild and exactly to my liking) and the deconstructed apple crumble served with vanilla ice-cream. Café Gannet also has a private dining room, making it upmarket yet accessible to those who’re just looking for a great night out.
www.oldposttree.co.za/cafe-gannet | +27 44 691 3738
Sea Gypsy Café
This Mossel Bay harbour restaurant has a casual vibe with indoor and outdoor seating. They serve deliciously fresh seafood and I’d highly recommend the deep fried calamari. Being situated on the harbour wall in Mossel Bay, Sea Gypsy also has great sea views and is a cool spot to grab a quick beer and snack basket. If I could offer one tip though; don’t feed the Seagulls because they’ll just keep on coming back and become a nuisance for the rest of the patrons – which should go without saying!
www.seagypsy.co.za | +27 44 690 5496
Piza ė Vino – Hartenbos
“Love and Pizza – unite the world”. If that tagline doesn’t lure you to a restaurant, few other things will. Piza ė Vino is situated on the first floor of the Hartenbos Seefront and offers beautiful views of the ocean. In true Italian style, their pasta portions are big and moreish. Having said that, this is not where you come to have a burger or salad; this is the place for pizza and of course pasta made the traditional way. They also have a very delectable dessert menu so be sure to leave some space for it!
www.pizaevino.co.za/hartenbos | +27 44 333 0203
Inverroche Gin Making Experience – Wilderness
You’re not cool until you’ve graduated from gin school! The gin revolution has taken Cape Town by storm and it’s quite surprising considering gin is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world.
The Inverroche Gin School is operated by RPRX (Real People Real Xperiences) from The Wilderness hotel, conveniently situated just off the N2 highway. I would happily categorise the gin-making experience as one of the best things to do on the Garden Route purely because it’s such an interactive and fun process. The steps to making your very own craft gin includes:
- Choose your base recipe
- Select complimentary botanicals
- Distill gin
- Dilute your gin to the correct strength
- Bottle, label and brag!
www.rprx.co.za/listing/gin-school
Kaai 4 Braai Restaurant
This casual and quirky restaurant situated in the Mossel Bay harbour has stunning wrap-around views making it the perfect spot for sundowners and early dinner which will eventually end in late night laughs. Everything is centered around the large fire and you can choose from over 14 Roosterkoek (bread prepared on the fire) fillings. The menu also offers South African favourites like braaivleis and potjiekos.
www.kaai4.co.za | +27 44 691 0056
Jackal on the Beach
This historical Santos Pavilion is one of only two beach Pavilions still being used today, the other being the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. The building has been beautifully restored and is known today as the Jackal on the Beach eatery. The restaurant has direct access to Santos Beach as well as an enclosed deck outside dining area which is perfect for sunset views over the ocean. Their pizzas are also an absolute must to try – especially the tempura prawn! However, their tasting menu deserves a special mention; craft beer, craft rum, craft brandy and craft strawberry gin are just some of the drinks you can look forward to sampling!
www.thejackal.co.za | +27 44 690 4567
Stars Restaurant
Stars is a little gem of a restaurant situated in the Bayview Centre. This is not your average ‘mall’ restaurant; amazing views are synonymous with Mossel Bay and Stars is no different. They’ve also recently incorporated a shake bar that serves yummy ice-cream, milkshakes and great coffee. The shake bar has its own chill zone with comfortable sofas and bean bags for a more relaxed vibe. The restaurant has an extensive menu featuring all the favourites: pizza, seafood, burgers as well as a notable wine selection.
www.starsmb.co.za | +27 44 690 3045
Delfino’s Restaurant
If you’re visiting this beachfront restaurant on a beautifully sunny day, you simply have to sit on the deck. Delfino’s is another one of the popular Mossel Bay restaurants on the beach as it has direct access in addition to an adjacent kiddies play area. The restaurant is also a great option for breakfast before going to visit the Cape St. Blaize Cave and Lighthouse as it’s situated within close proximity. And if you’re going with that option, I suggest ordering the Deluxe breakfast – trust me, you’ll thank me!
www.delfinos.co.za | +27 44 690 5247
De Vette Mossel Beach Restaurant – Great Brak River
It doesn’t get more uniquely South African than De Vette Mossel in Groot Brak Rivier. A nine course seafood menu is prepared in true West Coast style on an open fire and served as a buffet at this outdoor beach restaurant. Mussels in half shell are served as part of the first course and the shell becomes your fork and spoon thereafter! All this feasting ends off with koeksisters and a lekker mug of moer koffie so be sure to come hungry.
De Vette Mossel has officially gone ‘green’ in August 2018 and does not serve plastic straws, uses only alien vegetation for firewood and all leftover foods are donated to the poor. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for opening days and times.
www.devettemosselgrootbrak.co.za | +27 79 339 0170
**All meals during our stay in Mossel Bay was arranged and sponsored by Mossel Bay Tourism. As always, all views are my own, uninfluenced and completely honest.
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