It’s not unusual to go roadtripping in South Africa. Whether for sightseeing, wine-tasting, good food, or just to have fun, everyone’s done it. It’s also the best way to get your hands on the best milkshakes in the country, writes Joshua Kearney.
A gourmet milkshake, by Victor Rutka, for illustrative purposes/Unsplash
Starting the trip
For all that the trip may be worth it, it’s a pretty long drive. Starting in Cape Town, it’s 245 kilometres East – over 3 hours just driving, not including traffic or other disruptions. For the best experience, start by following the R-101 all the way up.
This route will take you through Paarl and Worcester, so you’ll have plenty of stops and plenty of places to see if you feel like slowing down a bit. Keep following the road until the R-318. That’s your turn off, and it will bring you down and around through Montagu (another small town worth a visit) onto the R-62 Eastbound.
Just keep following the road until you reach Barrydale.
Drinking it in
As you come into town, you’ll pass by an inconspicuous, rustic little place by the name of the Diesel & Crème. Sharing the space with the Karoo Moon Motel, this restaurant is secretly home to what I would consider the unquestionably best milkshakes in South Africa.
Converted from an old mechanic’s shop and petrol pump, it’s not just the food that’s attractive. Beyond the unforgettable style, the place is just oozing with charisma. A certain kind of nostalgia seems to cling to it.
Once you’ve got the menu in hand, you’ll be shocked to see the sheer range of milkshakes they have on offer. Not just the classics of vanilla or chocolate or mint, but delectable exotics too – honeycomb, Nutella, mixed berry, espresso, and more.
They don’t just offer milkshakes either, so if you’re hungry, enjoy some equally lovely food alongside your drinks. If you’re quick or lucky, you can grab a vetkoek or several every Sunday.
Rolling onwards
Once you’ve had your fill of Barrydale (and I really would recommend taking a walk through Circa Labyrinth after your meal), it’s time to begin the drive back. Only, you won’t be going along the R-62 again.
Instead, follow the R-324 South, past Drupkelder. Keep following it, through Suurbraak, through Buffelsjagrivier and Swellendam. You’re almost there, but not yet. Not too far past Stormsvlei, you’ll reach our second destination on this trip: Riviersonderend.
A second taste
In Riviersonderend, you’ll find a second delightful stop: the Padloper Coffee Shop, a beautiful little family-run shop just off the main road.
Much like the Diesel & Crème, the Padloper offers a similarly lovely, rustic experience. Settle in for a while in one of the most beautiful cafes I’ve ever been to, taking some time to unwind with tea or coffee… or a second milkshake, if you’re so inclined.
However, the real star of the show here isn’t the drinks, but the food. More specifically, it’s their cheesecake. It can be hard to make a good cheesecake, finding the right balance between density and fluffiness while keeping the base properly crunchy. I can say with certainty that the Padloper unequivocally succeeds.
Round trip
Once you’ve finished with the best of the Padloper, it’s time to head home. To get back into Cape Town, just follow the main road. You’ll pass through Caledon, Bot River, and Grabouw on your way there.
Much like any of the towns I’ve mentioned in this list, every one of them are worth visiting on their own merits – if not necessarily their milkshakes.
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