Se7en Eats Out in Swellendam…

I have one or two blog posts still to come in our series on the Swellendam Winter School. Possibly the most important question about a holiday into the countryside is where and what to eat. It just so happens, that typically when you take a visit into the country you head straight for the very South African icon, Die Padstal (the roadside store), and feast up on traditional bites to eat… and then ride straight past the country towns so as you dash on to your destination, this would be a mistake when it comes to Swellendam. In fact, it would be a terrible error of judgement, to pass this country town by.

One of the most important things I learnt about my visit to Swellendam… this is a town that takes food seriously. Never pass by this little town again. There are a number of really good places to stop for a feast and I am going to tell you about the three that I visited…

Woodpecker Pizzadeli

Woodpecker Pizzadeli Restaurant is a pizza/pasta family friendly restaurant, right on the Main Road as you head into town. The service was super-friendly and they went the very extra mile to catering for a media team, with all sorts of obscure dietary requirements. EXTRA mile in every way and I have a feeling that they are champions of accommodating all sorts of folk, young and old and picky or not picky, which is always good to know.

They put on a magnificent spread so that we could try all their tastes and flavours…

From pizza to pasta, this was not your regular menu… it is packed with all sorts of interesting tastes and flavours and general loveliness. Not to mention, vegetarian or vegan or even pescatarian, not a problem at all.

I have to mention the puttanesca sauce, it was absolutely next level. So much so that on many a cold winter evening since then I have thought of driving through to Swellendam specifically for that.

After that entire feast, the thing that really struck me was the family with small kids at the next table. Just a glance past our table of very grown up feasts and treats, they were tucking into some delicious looking bowls of regular Spaghetti Bolagnese. The sort of food children love eating, with no extra bells and whistles… it looked absolutely delicious and they were thrilled to have their bowl of pasta photographed. And their mum happily announced that they are regulars and they would never drive through Swellendam without stopping by. Good to know… since Swellendam is half way to so many places… stop next time!!!

Tredici – The Baker’s Dozen

On the second day of our visit in Swellendam we were treated to a sumptuous breakfast at Tredici – The Baker’s Dozen. This is the sort of place that you stop for coffee and end up eating breakfast, lunch and dinner… yes, the feasting is that good. I am never going through Swellendam with out stopping here for a coffee and a pastry, it just wouldn’t be a visit to Swellendam without it.

We didn’t actually stop for the delicious looking pastries… so I have to go back there… we had a buffet breakfast, which was a display of food worthy of their own cook book…

Firstly, we were welcomed with my favourite breakfast: fresh fruit, yogurt and honey…

Followed by the most excellent buffet… and an opportunity to try so many flavours…

A huge selection of platters, cold meats, egg dishes, stuffed mushrooms, cheeses, bakes and flavours… and when last did you have haddock… what a treat!!!

The selection of coffees and presentation was superb, superb!!! And to top it all, when I ordered another coffee and we had ran out of time… it was transformed into a “coffee to go” in a flash!!!

We weren’t the only folk enjoying breakfast there. In the middle of the week and nowhere near school holidays, this eatery is clearly very popular with locals and travellers alike… busy, busy, busy… and just put this on your “If you are dashing through Swellendam, then at least stop here” list.

The Republic

Our last stop as we were leaving Swellendam was a visit to The Republic for Lunch. After a busy few days, we were all ready for a relaxing lunch under the oak trees.

As I understand, The Republic is a new restaurant, and already famous for their home-brewed gins.

Inside and out… it is prettiness…

And on a sunny day… ice-cold pretty drinks where a winner…

And then an array of beautiful platters emerged so that we could try all sorts of flavours from the menu…

With all the beautiful flavours, I would highly recommend adding The Republic to your agenda, it is opposite the Drostdy Museum. So easy to find… and it is unlikely that you could pass through town without stopping here. If just for a beautiful drink… and the pumpkin fritters are “hmmmmm” divine!!!

Here is a quick look at the menu…

All The Restaurants that were part of the Media Week:

• Woodpecker Pizzadeli
• Tredici – The Baker’s Dozen
• Lilly’s at The Millstone Manor
• The Republic – will add the website link asap.
• Iki Gai

Gallery

All the photographs from our visit to The Woodpecker Pizzadeli Restaurant can be found by clicking the image below.

All the photographs from our visit to Tredici – The Baker’s Dozen Restaurant can be found by clicking the image below.

All the photographs from our visit to The Republic can be found by clicking the image below.

The Swellendam Winter School Series

• Swellendam Winter School – Put That on the Map
• A Visit to the Kwetu Guest Farm in Swellendam
• Accommodation in Swellendam… And My Stay at Cypress Cottage
• Kos, Lekker Kos… A Swellendam Winter School Course.
• An Evening Cruise at Umshanti…
• Eating Out in Swellendam
• Our visit to the Zinc Gallery…

I would really like to thank the Swellendam Winter School and the Winter School Community for hosting myself and the media team for a wonderful couple of days. This is not a sponsored post, and the opinions expressed are as usual entirely my own.