Ingrid’s guidebook
Our favourite restaurant and activities
Here are some of our favourite restaurants and activities in Knysna, Brenton-on-sea and the surrounding area.
One of our favourite restaurants in Knysna is île de païn a café-style restaurant situated on Thesen Islands. They specialise in distinctive and appetising breakfasts and lunches and authentic artisanal breads. www.iledepain.co.za
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île de païn - lunch & breakfast restaurant & artisan bakery
Long StreetOne of our favourite restaurants in Knysna is île de païn a café-style restaurant situated on Thesen Islands. They specialise in distinctive and appetising breakfasts and lunches and authentic artisanal breads. www.iledepain.co.za
Caffe Mario is a lovely Italian style restaurant to eat at. We love their pizzas, paninis and coffees. Book to avoid disappointment because they are very popular during season.
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Caffe Mario
17 Hedge StCaffe Mario is a lovely Italian style restaurant to eat at. We love their pizzas, paninis and coffees. Book to avoid disappointment because they are very popular during season.
A great place to have dinner and soak up the atmosphere of the Knysna Waterfront on a warm evening. Lovely fresh sea food and great gift shop.
Shop 19 Knysna Quays, Waterfront Drive Knysna.
www.34south.biz
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34 Degrees South
Shop 19 Knysna WaterfrontA great place to have dinner and soak up the atmosphere of the Knysna Waterfront on a warm evening. Lovely fresh sea food and great gift shop.
Shop 19 Knysna Quays, Waterfront Drive Knysna.
www.34south.biz
Take a stroll along Brenton on sea beach. Look out for sea life such as dolphins, whales and the many sea birds such as the red beaked musselcracker.
If you are feeling energetic you can run or walk along the beach all the way to Buffels bay which is a 5km walk or run each way, so 10km in total.
For either a bite to eat or a coffee and something sweet head to the Brenton Haven hotel. The Butterfly Blue Restaurant and Cocktail lounge have beautiful views of the sea and beach below.
Brenton on sea is not a safe swimming beach. Only swim between the life savers designated swimming area which are marked with flags. Also note that life savers are not on the beach all year round but only during the busy tourist seasons.
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Brenton Beach
198 State President C R Swart RdTake a stroll along Brenton on sea beach. Look out for sea life such as dolphins, whales and the many sea birds such as the red beaked musselcracker.
If you are feeling energetic you can run or walk along the beach all the way to Buffels bay which is a 5km walk or run each way, so 10km in total.
For either a bite to eat or a coffee and something sweet head to the Brenton Haven hotel. The Butterfly Blue Restaurant and Cocktail lounge have beautiful views of the sea and beach below.
Brenton on sea is not a safe swimming beach. Only swim between the life savers designated swimming area which are marked with flags. Also note that life savers are not on the beach all year round but only during the busy tourist seasons.
Take a drive to Buffels Bay only 28 minutes away. Another lovely beach for a walk or run. Great beach for swimming but only near the restaurant side of the beach.
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Buffels Bay
Take a drive to Buffels Bay only 28 minutes away. Another lovely beach for a walk or run. Great beach for swimming but only near the restaurant side of the beach.
For great breakfasts, lunches and good coffee, try the https://www.oakleafknysna.co.za/ They have a good selection of tasty, reasonably priced and beautifully presented food. Included on the menu are a good selection of vegan dishes and a menu specially prepared for dogs so your fury friends are welcome to. We love the relaxed and atmosphere and the mediterranean inspired decor.
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Oak Leaf Brunch Cafe, Gourmet Deli & Coffee Bar
168 Duthie DrFor great breakfasts, lunches and good coffee, try the https://www.oakleafknysna.co.za/ They have a good selection of tasty, reasonably priced and beautifully presented food. Included on the menu are a good selection of vegan dishes and a menu specially prepared for dogs so your fury friends are welcome to. We love the relaxed and atmosphere and the mediterranean inspired decor.
Eat at The lookout deck restaurant at Look out beach, Plettenberg bay. The restaurant has one of the best views and is right next to the beach. Good fish and chips and other basic food, nothing fancy.
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The Lookout Deck
Hill StreetEat at The lookout deck restaurant at Look out beach, Plettenberg bay. The restaurant has one of the best views and is right next to the beach. Good fish and chips and other basic food, nothing fancy.
Eat at the East head cafe www.eastheadcafe.co.za. It's a nice family restaurant and has a great view of the Knysna heads. Get there early for lunch. It's very busy in the tourist season.
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East Head Café
25 George Rex DrEat at the East head cafe www.eastheadcafe.co.za. It's a nice family restaurant and has a great view of the Knysna heads. Get there early for lunch. It's very busy in the tourist season.
The Bell Tavern is one of the closest places to eat. Just a short 5 minute drive from Brenton lake. It's quaint and old and some of the waiters have worked there a long time. A real local spot for lunch and tea. Service can be slow so don't go there if you are in a hurry. After eating you can wonder around the Belvedere estate.
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The Bell Tavern
169 Lower Duthie DrThe Bell Tavern is one of the closest places to eat. Just a short 5 minute drive from Brenton lake. It's quaint and old and some of the waiters have worked there a long time. A real local spot for lunch and tea. Service can be slow so don't go there if you are in a hurry. After eating you can wonder around the Belvedere estate.
If you take a trip to Plettenberg Bay I would highly recommend Ice Dreamland. They make the most delicious pizzas and gelato. We never miss a trip to eat there when we visit our house.
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Ice Dream Land
A15 Plettenberg Bay's Airport RdIf you take a trip to Plettenberg Bay I would highly recommend Ice Dreamland. They make the most delicious pizzas and gelato. We never miss a trip to eat there when we visit our house.
When we are in Knysna we always make a plan to eat at Maillards which is in the Industrial area. Their pizza toppings are pretty different and really delicious. They also make fantastic coffees and cakes. They are only open for lunches and please check there online what days they are open.
Maillard Baking Co.
5 Uil StWhen we are in Knysna we always make a plan to eat at Maillards which is in the Industrial area. Their pizza toppings are pretty different and really delicious. They also make fantastic coffees and cakes. They are only open for lunches and please check there online what days they are open.
Also in Knysna's industrial area Red Bridge Brewing Co is a Knysna-based micro-brewery specializing in hand-crafted small-batch beer. Visit their taproom for beer tastings and purchases.
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Red Bridge Brewing Co
5 Noble StAlso in Knysna's industrial area Red Bridge Brewing Co is a Knysna-based micro-brewery specializing in hand-crafted small-batch beer. Visit their taproom for beer tastings and purchases.
The Knysna Gin Distillery is right next to Maillards in the Industrial area. If you wish to order pizza next door and drink gin with your meal they are happy to allow you to eat and drink at either venue. A lovely relaxed atmosphere and delicious gins to taste.
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Knysna Gin Distillery
5 Uil StThe Knysna Gin Distillery is right next to Maillards in the Industrial area. If you wish to order pizza next door and drink gin with your meal they are happy to allow you to eat and drink at either venue. A lovely relaxed atmosphere and delicious gins to taste.
Situated on the water's edge of Knysna's trendy Thesen Harbour Town, Sirocco is evocatively named after the warm wind that blows across the Mediterranean. Sirocco is a vibey lunch and dinner time venue, a meeting place for those who appreciate relaxed sophistication, cutting-edge design, friendly service, and great food. A great place to eat for those special occasions. Making a booking would be adviseable.
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Sirocco Restaurant
Long StreetSituated on the water's edge of Knysna's trendy Thesen Harbour Town, Sirocco is evocatively named after the warm wind that blows across the Mediterranean. Sirocco is a vibey lunch and dinner time venue, a meeting place for those who appreciate relaxed sophistication, cutting-edge design, friendly service, and great food. A great place to eat for those special occasions. Making a booking would be adviseable.
Walking and other activities
You will be spoilt for choice when looking for walks in the area. Here are just a few we have done.
One of our favourite walks is Fishermans walk Brenton on sea. There are currently 4 points at which users can access Fisherman’s Walk, only two of which are official, signposted points of entry. These two official entry points are both located at Steenbras Street, more or less opposite the Sheercliff’s development, and opposite Freesia Road. This walk is not recommended for very young children or people who can't negotiate lots of stairs and some rocks, however if you just want to do part of the walk you can walk along the cliffs and not take the steps down to the beach. Our 9 and 11 year old boys manage it fine. There are many benches on which to sit and take in the lovely view along the cliff walk.
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Brenton-on-Sea
One of our favourite walks is Fishermans walk Brenton on sea. There are currently 4 points at which users can access Fisherman’s Walk, only two of which are official, signposted points of entry. These two official entry points are both located at Steenbras Street, more or less opposite the Sheercliff’s development, and opposite Freesia Road. This walk is not recommended for very young children or people who can't negotiate lots of stairs and some rocks, however if you just want to do part of the walk you can walk along the cliffs and not take the steps down to the beach. Our 9 and 11 year old boys manage it fine. There are many benches on which to sit and take in the lovely view along the cliff walk.
Look at this website or others for lots of awesome walk and hiking suggestions. There are some many walks to do in the surrounding area, you will be spoilt for choice. www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/gardenroute/bysuburb/knysna/category/walks-and-hiking
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Knysna
Look at this website or others for lots of awesome walk and hiking suggestions. There are some many walks to do in the surrounding area, you will be spoilt for choice. www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/gardenroute/bysuburb/knysna/category/walks-and-hiking
We recommend you take the John Ben boat from Knysna and go and eat at the new restaurant. During December and January, there is a bar which is accessible by boat. There is also a short hike which is included with the John Ben experience.
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Featherbed Private Nature Reserve
Waterfront DriveWe recommend you take the John Ben boat from Knysna and go and eat at the new restaurant. During December and January, there is a bar which is accessible by boat. There is also a short hike which is included with the John Ben experience.
Go walking at the Robberg nature reserve. Look out for whales and seals along the route. www.capenature.co.za/reserves/robberg-nature-reserve/
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Robberg Nature Reserve
Go walking at the Robberg nature reserve. Look out for whales and seals along the route. www.capenature.co.za/reserves/robberg-nature-reserve/
Visit the Goukamma nature reserve. Activities include whale watching, swimming, horse riding, hiking and walking, canoeing, angling, bird watching and picnicking. https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/goukamma-nature-reserve/
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Goukamma Nature Reserve
Visit the Goukamma nature reserve. Activities include whale watching, swimming, horse riding, hiking and walking, canoeing, angling, bird watching and picnicking. https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/goukamma-nature-reserve/
If you are a keen kite surfer or want to learn to kite surf this is the ideal spot. You can kite surf right in front of the house. I will send you the contact number for the local kitesurfing instructor.
Lake Brenton
If you are a keen kite surfer or want to learn to kite surf this is the ideal spot. You can kite surf right in front of the house. I will send you the contact number for the local kitesurfing instructor.
Scootours Knysna
23 Sawtooth LaneKeep the kids busy on a scooter tour
Take the family to the Water park. Lots of fun for the whole family. Set in a beautiful natural setting on a 24-hectare estate, Adventure Land offers you a day never to forget. Relax on the large lawns or on one of the wooden decks.
Enjoy a picnic or have a braai and watch your family and friends enjoy the water activities and playground. For the hungry, there is a take-away kiosk. Centrally situated between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna with easy access off the N2. Closed between May and Mid September.
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Adventure Land
Take the family to the Water park. Lots of fun for the whole family. Set in a beautiful natural setting on a 24-hectare estate, Adventure Land offers you a day never to forget. Relax on the large lawns or on one of the wooden decks.
Enjoy a picnic or have a braai and watch your family and friends enjoy the water activities and playground. For the hungry, there is a take-away kiosk. Centrally situated between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna with easy access off the N2. Closed between May and Mid September.
Sightseeing and reserves
We recommend this as a family outing. www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za
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Knysna Elephant Park
We recommend this as a family outing. www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za
Go and see the rescued big cats at the Jukani big cat sanctuary. www.jukani.co.za
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Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
N2Go and see the rescued big cats at the Jukani big cat sanctuary. www.jukani.co.za
If you want to see African wildlife go to the Plettenberg bay nature reserve www.plettgamereserve.com
The game reserve is only about a half an hour drive from Knysna.
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Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve
Uplands RoadIf you want to see African wildlife go to the Plettenberg bay nature reserve www.plettgamereserve.com
The game reserve is only about a half an hour drive from Knysna.
There is so much to do in Plettenberg bay. The town is about about a half an hour drive from Knysna. Lovely beaches and great restaurants.
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Plettenberg Bay
1 Crescent StreetThere is so much to do in Plettenberg bay. The town is about about a half an hour drive from Knysna. Lovely beaches and great restaurants.
Book a boat trip or tour with Ocean Odyssey, whale watching, Marine Eco tours, and Knysna heads adventures.
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Ocean Odyssey Whale Watching Knysna
TH22 Long StBook a boat trip or tour with Ocean Odyssey, whale watching, Marine Eco tours, and Knysna heads adventures.
Sightseeing
I highly recommend taking a trip to the Featherbed nature reserve. Book a trip on one of their boats for a trip to the reserve or take a sunset cruise. Go to the knysnafeatherbed website. Also look at oceanodyssey for whale watching tours, eco marine tours, sup hire.
Featherbed Nature Reserve
I highly recommend taking a trip to the Featherbed nature reserve. Book a trip on one of their boats for a trip to the reserve or take a sunset cruise. Go to the knysnafeatherbed website. Also look at oceanodyssey for whale watching tours, eco marine tours, sup hire.