Here’s a selection of restaurants with picturesque gardens that will soothe your soul as you eat and drink to your heart’s content.
Port Elizabeth
1. The Rose Garden Tea House
Who could resist a cuppa here? Credit: @floradalenurseries
The Rose Garden Tea House is conveniently located in the middle of the Floradale Nurseries & Garden Centre, so you’ll be greeted by floral blooms and a garden paradise upon entry. Breakfasts and lunches are their specialities and the scones are a huge hit.
Address: 63 B Circular Drive, Charlo
Contact: coffeeshopportelizabeth.co.za; 0413681295
Durban
2. Nonna at Makaranga, Kloof
Exquisite garden views from Nonna. Credit: @MakarangaGardenLodge
Where to begin, the cuisine or the exquisite location? The Nonna menu presents a sophisticated, contemporary fusion of Italian and Southern African fare. Dine indoors or out. The sprawling gardens and lawns at Makaranga are serene with 18 ponds and a labyrinth to wander through. The outdoor area is both family- and wheelchair-friendly.
Address: 1A Igwababa Road, Kloof
Contact: makaranga.com/nonna; 0317646616
3. Blue Zoo in Mitchell Park, Berea/Morningside
This could be your party venue… Credit: @bluezoo.co.za
Address: 6 Nimmo Road, Morningside, Berea
Contact: bluezoo.co.za; 0313033568
The lush surrounds and vibrant flora might explain why the Blue Zoo’s tea gardens, set in Mitchell Park, is still the place to be over a hundred years on. Established in 1914 this is the oldest restuarant in Durban. The grounds are shaded and spacious, and perfect for unwinding.
4. The Chocolate Garden, North Coast
The cool, calm and collected Chocolate Garden. Credit: @thechocolategardensa
Address: 1 Robert Armstrong Road, Canelands
Contact: decharmoy.co.za; 0325338187
Inside the De Charmoy Estate’s fragrant edible gardens, you might wander through The Chocolate Garden, an exotically curated dining paradise. The tropical flora and resident giant tortoises bring a touch of the family’s Seychellois heritage with a vibrantly flavoured menu to match.
Cape Town
5. The Greenhouse Restaurant at Babylonstoren, Stellenbosch
The enchanting Greenhouse by night! Credit: Babylonstoren
Address: Klapmuts Simondium Road, Simondium, Paarl
Contact: babylonstoren.com; 0218633852
The Greenhouse Restaurant was custom built in France and is a vintage-style conservatory that provides the perfect moment of repose after a stroll through the Babylonstoren gardens. The menu is always seasonal and fresh with artisanal homemade bakes and spreads served in summery picnic style.
6. Table Restaurant at de Meye, Stellenbosch
Have a seat at The Table! Credit: @thetableatdemeye
Address: De Meye Farm, Muldersvlei Road, Klapmuts, Stellenbosch
Contact: thetablerestaurant.co.za; 0726960530
This restaurant on the De Meye wine farm is a homely, family-run outdoor eatery with produce sourced locally and from its farm and gardens. The set menus champion specific ingredients every week to be paired with your choice of the De Meye wines.
7. The Stables and Camphors at Vergelegen
The perfect picnic spot! Credit: @vergelegenwines
Address: Lourensford Road, Golden Acre, Somerset West
Contact: vergelegen.co.za; 0218472100
You can enjoy fine and fragrant dining at both the Stables and Camphors restaurants at the Vergelegen Wine Estate. Picnic dining experiences are available during the summer season and meals can be shared beneath sunny, leafy canopies.
8. The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal
A view of Werf from the garden. Credit: Boschendal
Address: R310 Pniel Road, Boschendal Estate, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek
Contact: boschendal.com; 0218704207
Creativity and fresh seasonal produce is at the heart of the Werf Restaurant’s philosophy and based at Boschendal, you can only imagine the fabulous wine pairings.
9. Little Stream Tea Garden, Constantia
Credit: @littlestreamConferenceCafe
Address: Klein Constantia Road, Constantia
Contact: www.littlestream.co.za; 0877012771
The Little Stream Café’s grounds provide a peaceful and leafy shaded setting for parties and corporate functions. There’s so much to choose from the menu, you’ll have to come back time and time again.
10. The Company’s Garden, Cape Town
Credit: @thecompanysgardenrestaurant
Address: 15 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town
Contact: thecompanysgarden.com; 0214232919
The restaurant’s location and open setting makes sharing a meal all the more spectacular. The kitchen serves traditional South African fare, light meals and teatime favourites in this oasis of green in the heart of the city.
11. Gardener’s Cottage at The Greenhouse Nursery at the Montebello
A beautiful spot for your next Insta post! Credit: @thegreenhousenursery
Address: 31 Newlands Avenue, Newlands
Contact: montebello.co.za; 0216893158
The Gardener’s Cottage is the perfect pretty place to grab a cuppa under the shady and fragrant camphor trees.
12. Starlings Café, Claremont
The Starlings ‘blanketed garden’. Credit: @StarlingsCafe
Address: 94 Belvedere Road, Claremont
Contact: starlings.co.za; 0216716875
Sit at the main Starlings café, in Belvedere Road, with a friend and you’ll be forgiven for thinking that you are having lunch in your pal’s back garden. Cosy and familiar, enjoy breakfasts and lunches or arrange a business meeting for a quick garden getaway.
13. Garden Lounge at The Vineyard Hotel
Credit: @vineyardhotel
Address: Colinton Road, Newlands
Contact: vineyard.co.za; 0216574500
The Garden Lounge at The Vineyard brings elegance and sophistication to any tea date. These gorgeous grounds and splendid views will make you forget you’re in one of the busiest suburbs of Cape Town.
14. Kloof Street House, Gardens
Credit: @kloofstrhouse
Address: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Contact: kloofstreethouse.co.za; 0214234413
The Kloof Street House has a number of vibrant and chic outdoor areas to lounge in. It’s classy and contemporary with a touch of jazz to take your evenings from zero to a vibey va-va-voom in no time at all.
15. Rumbullion at The Roundhouse, Camps Bay
Did someone say ‘sundowners’? Credit: The Round House
Address: Round House Road, Camps Bay
Contact: theroundhouserestaurant.com; 0214384347
The Rumbullion in Camps Bay is an outdoor entertainer’s dream. Here, venue plus view offers every opportunity for a magnificent summer.
16. Blue Water Café at Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie
You won’t get tired of this view… Credit: @imhofffarm.co.za
Address: Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie Road
Contact: imhofffarm.co.za; 0217834545
Warm and friendly, the grounds are extremely child-friendly and excellent for kids parties. Definitely try out their popular wood-fired pizzas – including wheat-free alternatives.
Pretoria
17. Milk Plum Café in Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Credit: milkplumcafe.co.za
Address: Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria
Contact: milkplumcafe.co.za; 0128045840
Outdoor and indoor meld together seamlessly at Milk Plum Café.
18. Royal Café & Nursery, Monument Park
Explore things bright and beautiful. Credit: @royalcafenursery
Address: 25 Solomon Mahlangu Drive, Monument Park, Pretoria
Contact: royalgarden.co.za; 0123471017
The Royal Café is the sweetest little go-to spot for when life gets a bit hectic. The vibe is cosy and relaxed with some room for exploring if you’re up for a quick walkabout.
19. Blue Crane Restaurant (Austin Robert’s Bird Sanctuary)
Take a break, riverside. Credit: bluecranerestaurant.co.za
Address: 156 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk
Contact: bluecranerestaurant.co.za; 0124607615
For a riverside retreat, pop in at the Blue Crane for a taste of nature or for an evening of entertainment.
20. Willow Feather Farm, Irene
Where to next? Happiness, hmm… Credit: @WillowFeatherFarm
Address: Portion 37, Doornkloof, Rietvleidam, Irene
Contact: willowfeather.co.za; 0636902583
For all things green, Willow Farm is the place to be. There’s a great sense of community and love for what they do wthin the Willow team, so grab a cuppa and take it all in.
Joburg
21. Moyo at Zoo Lake
A good afternoon waiting to happen. Credit: @moyoZooLake
Address: Zoo Lake Park, 1 Prince of Wales Drive, Parkview,
Contact: moyo.co.za; 0116460058
The Zoo Lake Moyo hangout is a vibrant, but most importantly tranquil, escape from the busyness of city life. Take a moment to slow down and sync to the Moyo rhythm.
22. Gabriella’s Tea Room, Parktown North
Cosy with lovely natural lighting. Credit: gabriellastearoom.co.za
Address: 43 7th Avenue ,Parktown North
Contact: gabriellastearoom.co.za; 011442 187
Drawing from various global palates, this tea room offers deliciously diverse daytime dining in a gorgeous, homley outdoor space.
23. Toadbury Hall
A picnic paradise. Credit: @ToadburyHall
Address: Plot 64, Beyers Naude Drive Extension, Elandsdrift
Contact: toadburyhall.co.za; 0105937523
The Toadbury Hall Country Hotel wedding and conference venue promises endless delights for the eyes and tummy. Eat at any of the four restaurants: the Bijou Restaurant, Otter’s Deli, WildWood Brasserie or the Badger’s Boma – they all share views of the tip-top gardens.
24. Under the Trees Garden Café at Schäffler’s Nursery, Lyndhurst
Carrot cake, hmm? Credit: @Schafflers
Address: 28 Johannesburg Road, Lyndhurst
Contact: schafflers.com; 0117860242
This family-run business has a lot of heart and soul, which extends to the café that shares nursery space and a menu with wholesome, colourful meals.
25. The Secret Tea Garden at Norscot Manor, Fourways
The perfect garden event venue! Credit: @norscotsecretteagarden
Address: 16B Penguin Drive, Norscot Manor Recreation Centre, Fourways, Sandton
Contact: secretteagarden.co.za; 0114671191
There shouldn’t be anything secret about these lawns. It’s a great place for entertaining and is child-friendly with a jungle gym that’ll have the little ones imagining themselves in a garden castle.
26. Leafy Greens Café, Muldersdrift
Wholesome iced lattes Credit: @leafygreenscafe
Address: Rocky Rodge Road, Beyers Naude Drive, Muldersdrift
Contact: leafygreens.co.za; 0105954563
At Leafy Greens, healthy has never looked so much fun. Run by SA’s emerging healthy food guru Antonia Hoddinot (née de Luca), you’ll be sampling the yummiest food sourced from their organic garden.
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