Hermanus in the Overberg is the place to be for some of the best land-based whale-watching in the world.
From July to December, southern right whales make Walker Bay their home and the cliffs of Hermanus are crowded with people craning their necks to catch a look at some of nature’s most spectacular creatures.
There’s a resident whale crier who summons visitors when a sighting occurs, so you’re not likely to miss the big moment.
Below are Where To Eat In Hermanus South Africa
The big question, however, is where to eat and drink while there. No longer the sleepy little village it once was, Hermanus has hot competition in the restaurant stakes.
(Not to mention the culinary hot spots of nearby Stanford or the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.) Here are 14 ideas for eating in the town, ranging from classic Italian to country markets, with an emphasis on enjoying food at your relaxed best.
For an indulgent breakfast: Betty Blue Bistro
Celia Rabie’s pretty brunch-and-lunch spot is guaranteed to lift your mood. The white interior bursts with pops of yellow and all sorts of quirky touches.
The sunshine floods into the food, too. Try a yellow breakfast made with corn fritters, scrambled eggs, yellow peppers and tomatoes; or a yellow salad loaded with pineapple, passionfruit, sweetcorn, almonds and coconut flakes.
Other innovative dishes include coconut, lemon and poppyseed toast with mascarpone and caramelised fruit.
For a scenic lunch: Bientang’s Cave
Located right at the water’s edge near the cliff side, Bientang’s Cave can justifiably claim to have that all-important quality of location location location.
The menu specialises in seafood of all kinds, from fresh oysters to crayfish. The bouillabaisse is delicious and the seafood potjie, packed with prawns and mussels, is known far and wide.
There are good meat dishes like fillet steak and burgers, but the thing to eat here is fish in its many guises. The wine list is a prize winner and there is no BYO.
For a sunny day: The Burgundy Restaurant
If you’re overnighting in Hermanus, what can be more delightful than a delicious breakfast with superb coffee at Burgundy, plus an unparalleled view across the bay to the shore on the other side? The eggs Benedict (also available in a banting option) is perfect, with succulent smoked salmon.
You could also go for lunch and get stuck into one of the best steaks in this part of the world.
(The green pepper sauce is a delicious add-on!) Burgundy’s extensive menu ranges from very good pastas and fabulous lasagna with chips, a specialty, to burgers and plenty of seafood options. The excellent wine list features many of the area’s top wines, all well-priced.
For sampling local wines: Creation Tasting Room
The menu here is centred around the incredible estate wines, so you can look forward to a seven-course paired extravaganza.
Specific dishes will change as the seasons do, but you can expect to see local produce used in inventive ways – such as pickled hake with flavours of sweetcorn, coriander and apricot, topped off with a poppadom.
For a fish supper: Fishermans Cottage
This homely spot changes its menu regularly based on what’s available and at its best, and is written up on the famous blackboard.
Some of the specialties, however, include a seafood curry, roasted bone marrow and freshly-caught and simply prepared linefish.