THE MOHAIR MILL SHOP & RETAURANT AT THE CRAGGS. You will find all sorts of interesting products to look at in this shop, not only mohair products of which there are many and varied , also a very special line of beautiful linen, Porcupine Ceramics, African leather goods, cushions, table lamps etc. and when you have worn yourself out wishing or buying you can recover at the little Restaurant for very good coffee and scones. The cakes are not too good tho’, the chocolate rather tasteless, Carrot too dry and the mysterious Cheesecake served in a glass tumbler odd but tasted quite pleasant. A nice venue on the whole. I would rather eat here than at the Birds of Eden Restaurant which is expensive, menu pretty boring and not very good.

THE FERNERY, STORMS RIVER. On the N2 about 5 kms. beyond the Bridge you will see the sign to the right, follow the dirt road for about 8 kms. which is in quite good condition tho’ bumpy and potholed in patches but an ordinary car can negotiate it quite easily. The plantation opens out to an attractive swathe of mown lawn round a large dam covered in waterlillies and Jacanas , commonly known as Lily trotters because that is what they do! The Restaurant is on the perimeter of the domed Fernery , most attractively laid out on either side of a rustic humpbacked bridge. I liked what I had for lunch , Meaty Bean Soup served with homemade bread and my friend had a Warm Couscous Cheese Salad . A limited menu but different and the staff all very friendly and helpful.

Well worth a visit.

THE LAZY BEAN at 9 Grey Street – Good cup of coffee but the Baked Cheese Cake was very sticky and suspect it had been in the Microwave. Pleasant decor, and the service attentive . TIMBERLAKE FARM STALL: The Coffee Shop is small with an attractive deck overlooking a playground and organic veg. garden thus family friendly. Coffee is excellent and Cheesecake marvellous. I had a so called Roasted Veg. Salad which was dreadful. It consisted of a lightly stir fried red cabbage and a few other bits and pieces but on the whole very disappointing and tasteless. I’ll stick to the Cheesecake in future! You will find Timberlake on the N2 between Wilderness and Sedgefield. It can get very crowded on holidays and weekends.

GABRIELLA’S PASTRY SHOP on Tide Street in Knysna, nearly opposite the Fruit and Veg. access onto the Link Road. The approach is very attractive as is the seating inside and through the shop one can sit under a shady tree at bench tables. Wonderful choice of cakes, all delicious, and the coffee is served in Plungers which to me is quite the best way to prepare fresh coffee . Service friendly, quick and efficient.

PERIDOT RESTAURANT at the Groenvlei Caravan Park has a shady patio overlooking a swathe of lawn lined with reeds where the Black Crakes scamper around feeding in full view of the humans. We had a really good breakfast there and can recommend the Gorgonzola Cheese Omlet plus good coffee which we voted the best tasted in a long time. They are open six days of the week, closed on Tuesdays which makes a difference to us since most eateries are closed on Mondays when my friends & I do our coffee shop/Restaurant tastings.

When I do coffee its generally and choice between Silver & Sage ( no the coffee shop was not suppoed to be closing), The Lazy Bean (has just changed hands) and sometimes Subz (there is a story there). Where do you top up when its time to do so?

And as for coffee…

We definitely do it. The Eastern Heads cafe is my favourite spot. I swim down there at dawn most mornings and regard it as my local. Friendly service as well as the stunning view. Eventhe new flats going up (are they REALLY R8 million each?) can’t spoil it. The Coffee Connection has always been John’s choice – great coffee, he likes the pavement buzz and when we’re feeling flush we buy their cappucino beans. The Gallery on Leisure Isle is a soothing spot: quiet and very individual. Good value for money too – though the paintings
certainly aren’t! But the best cup of coffee in Knysna? In our not very humble opinion the best coffee in Knysna is served on our very own stoep. So if you’re passing one day, come in and try it!

Sandy Kent

PS If anyone knows where to find iced coffee (as opposed to a coffee milkshake) in Knysna,
I’d like to know.