Broaden your brood’s culinary horizons with a foodie holiday

The summer holidays are here and it’s time to hit the road for a much-needed family getaway. This time, why not centre the trip on good food? 

There are plenty of destinations offering children’s menus, excellent fresh local produce, regional delicacies and the opportunity to broaden the whole family’s culinary horizons. 

Four foodie family getaway ideas to get the taste buds tingling:

Feast of food fun in Western Cape

Take it nice and slow as you head for the West Coast and be sure to stop at some of the many farm stalls dotted between Cape Town and Lambert’s Bay. Farm stall padkos is the best part of any road trip and the kids won’t disagree!

Stock up on local mayos, mustards, relishes and preserves or indulge in home-baked rusks and artisanal bread.

Vygevallei Farm Stall on the R27 near Yzerfontein has ducks, bunnies and pot-bellied pigs for the kids, while Moose Farm Stall in Hopefield is legendary for its fresh croissants, cakes and coffee.

Feeling brave? Introduce the family to droë bokkoms, sometimes referred to as fish biltong. This salty fish snack (salted and dried mullet) is a West Coast delicacy. 

The West Coast is also famous for its cheese, wine, roosterkoek served with lashings of butter and apricot jam, and an abundance of seafood.

Rent a cottage in the fishing villages of Yzerfontein, Jacobsbaai or Paternoster, and indulge in scrumptious seafood platters, mussel pots or good old fish and chips up and down the coastline. 

TikTok star Dirk Swart got mouths watering earlier in 2020 with his video review of the Muisbosskerm near Lambert’s Bay, which he describes as a “secret restaurant in South Africa”.

And how can you resist? Sandy toes, fresh fish on the braai and views for miles. Swart has been going there since he was little, which means youngsters should like it, too. They’ll love the beachfront position and the novelty of eating with a mussel shell!

Explore new culinary horizons in Stellenbosch

Less than an hour from Cape Town, Stellenbosch makes for a great day trip. Why not explore some of the at least 150 wine farms making up the Stellenbosch Wine Route?

Jeanneret Momberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch, believes it is the perfect destination for a family foodie vacay.

“First, there is just so much to do with the kids. From horseriding to bike trails and eco-scooters, you can keep them occupied for hours on end – and they’ll definitely work up an appetite!

“Second, many of the farms accommodate children by offering grape juice tastings [while the adults delight in chocolate and wine tastings], generous platters and picnics under the trees.”

Besides stuffing their faces, the kids will be in awe as they observe the ancient art of sabrage — removal of a champagne cork using a sword — as practised at Kleine Zalze, Villiera and The House of JC Le Roux, among others.

‘Support Stellenbosch’: They need feet through the town

Alternatively, jump on an open safari vehicle for a safari with a difference on the 120ha Waterford Wine Estate. This three-hour adventure among the vines includes wine tastings, snacks and some of the best scenery in Stellenbosch.

The “Support Stellenbosch” initiative began in September as a means to stimulate the town’s tourism recovery and there are still some good offers up for grabs in term of travel packages, accommodation, and experience discounts.

Get brood in mood for food on Route 62

The R62 is one of South Africa’s most celebrated road trips. A 2017 CNN travel poll, as voted by tourists and travel journalists, declared the scenic and fun-filled route between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn as the top road trip destination in the world.

We recommend a night at Dream Resorts and Hotels’ Avalon Springs in Montagu, where mum and dad can relax in the resort’s hot spring pools while the kids head off to the water slides, putt putt or play area. 

You’ll be well fed too…

“Although Avalon Springs has fantastic self-catering facilities, Cogman’s Restaurant is a great option for those in the mood for our signature gourmet burger, crispy Vietnamese spring rolls, slow-cooked lamb shank and more,” Dream Hotels & Resorts marketing manager Sharmila Ragunanan said.

“It’s an extensive menu for those too lazy after a day’s wallowing in the springs to light up the braai!”

Once you leave Montague it’s a hop, skip and a jump to Oudtshoorn and on to the Garden Route – just be sure to enjoy the R62’s smorgasbord of villages, galleries, arts and crafts shops and farmstalls along the way. 

Garden Route an ideal foodie holiday destination

Peter Dros, sales and marketing director of Fancourt in George, says the beauty of a foodie holiday on the Garden Route is not only the plethora of unforgettable excursions and family adventures available, but the quality of the region’s produce.

“It is really is a garden brimming with fresh seasonal produce sourced from respected, ethical suppliers up and down the Garden Route.”

With four restaurants on the estate, Fancourt’s chefs spend a lot of time on neighbouring farms sourcing organic produce, including various cheeses, meats, vegetables, honey and olives.

Their French-inspired bistro, Monet’s, is a popular choice, while the Club Lounge will keep the entire family happy with their selection of toasties, gourmet burgers, chicken strips and shoestring fries. 

“The Garden Route also has a wonderful wine route,” Dros said.

“Families can enjoy wine and grape juice tastings, platters of cheese and cured meats surrounded by staggering views.”

Alternatively, introduce the family to wild and cultivated oysters in Knysna, famous for this delicacy.

Strawberry fields forever for the kids

If your children love strawberries (which kids don’t!), Dros recommends making a beeline for Redberry Farm just down the road from Fancourt.

“They can load their punnets with big, juicy strawberries, ride the Redberry Express and rally into teams to tackle the largest hedge maze in the southern hemisphere, perfectly shaped like a strawberry!”