3 Best Restaurants in The Garden Route and the Little Karoo, South Africa

Almost every South African you meet along the Garden Route will tell you to visit Ile de Pain. Its stellar reputation is well deserved, because owners Liezie Mulder and Markus Farbinger have an uncompromising attitude toward quality that shows in their superb wood-fired breads and mouth-watering pastries. Local and organic suppliers are used wherever possible, the perfectly executed menu changes seasonally, and everything is made on the premises. For something different, try a red cappuccino made from traditional rooibos plant. It's very, very busy in season but you can watch the activity on Thesen Harbour as you wait.

Start your evening at this award-winning restaurant with pre-dinner drinks on the patio overlooking the river, then move inside to a candlelit table for a fabulous five-course menu that takes classic South African ingredients and gives them an original, modern twist. The menu changes frequently with acclaimed chef Lizelle Stolze combining locally sourced fresh meat, fish and vegetables that are beautifully presented and paired with husband Rudolf's selection of fine wines. Dishes could include Cape salmon served with sautéed vegetables and hollandaise sauce, or desserts with a South African touch, such as saffron-infused milk tart. There are also four luxurious guest rooms upstairs, all with river views and a large communal balcony. if you're not staying here, there's a guest shuttle to drive you to and from your accommodation.

This popular spot is all about free-range, organic, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients, and chances are the garnishes on your plate will have been freshly picked from the organic herb garden outside. The vegetarian-friendly menu changes regularly and features a range of dishes served either roasted or raw. Meat eaters, you have not been neglected. Venison frikkadells (meatballs) are served with a buttery potato mash and beetroot chutney, hearty steaks come with potato wedges, and slow-cooked springbok shanks are dished up with roasted vegetables. You can also sample four craft beers, locally made cloudy cider, or freshly pressed juices. The setting is a wooden cottage where guests are encouraged to linger over their meal. Zucchini is part of Timberlake Farm Stall, which has a number of shops.