Hope Villa's Favourite Knysna Eateries!

Two of these favourites are favourites because they are a mere 100 metres stroll in the direction of the Heads from Hope Villa, with the most unbeatable views!

SENZA is the perfect sundowner spot!  They have an extensive cocktail menu and  are situated right on the rocks at The Heads.  Their menu is varied and changes seasonally.  The chef, Michael, is passionate about food and pleasing his clientelle.  He prepares his seasonal Chef’s Specialities, together with a large selection of pizzas, pastas, seafood and more!  The service can sometimes be a bit slow, but when one is sitting in such an awesome location, sipping on a cocktail, gazing out at the sea, does it matter?!  They are open daily from 12h00 till late.

The second “must-do” restaurant at The Heads is EAST HEAD CAFE  - “... more than just a café or coffee shop, it is a local landmark where family and friends have a good time with good food and casual wine, enjoying life.”   They are open daily from 08h00 until 15h30.  Listed as the # 1 Restaurant in Knysna on TripAdvisor, this spot is well worth a visit.  Their menu is extensive, produce is fresh and local and cooked with passion – breakfasts, lunches, toasted sandwiches, salads and cakes and bakes – and the best cappucinos!  Service is friendly and efficient and your kids will be happy to entertain themselves in the play area on the verandah while you relax and take in the awesome view to The Heads!

Moving further away from The Heads, we love to pop in to ILE DE PAIN, on Thesen Island.  Ile de Pain, which means Island of Bread, is open every day except Mondays.  I love the decor and the cappucinos!  Actually everything is to love – friendly and efficient waitrons, fab light meals or cakes...  Apart from the tantalising menu, they also offer a wide selection of artisnal breads, baked in wood-fired ovens on the premises.  My favourites are the baguettes and the wheat and rye sourdough Companio.  Treat yourself to an almond croissant (or two!).

While at the coast - eat seafood!  FRESHLINE FISHERIES has become a local and visitor favourite since it opened.  Apart from being a fresh seafood wholesaler they now also offer a fantastic, rustic restaurant.  All their fish is caught with handlines as they believe in environmentally friendly and sustainable fishing.  Restaurant paitrons can select fresh Kingklip, Gurnard, Snoek, Hake and more, as well as prawns, crayfish, calamari, mussels, to name but a few!  The restaurant is outdoors, the floor is beach sand, on colder evenings big pit fires are lit between tables to keep the chill at bay and meals are served in enamelware.  No fancy frills but you dont need that when the food is so honest and tasty!  The chips are probably the best in Knysna and the prices are unbelievably good!  Remember that this restaurant is not licensed though so feel free to take your cooler box with you with your tipple of choice.  

All the abovementioned restaurants you will find on our Google map (under the Location tab on our website).

(All information correct at time of publication of this blog).