Cape Town - South Africa is blessed with plenty of unique traveller-loving perks. We have biltong, the big 5 and 2 of the world's 5 oceans colliding on the southernmost tip of the African continent. We have the Karoo, and Table Mountain, and we have the longest wine route in the world!
Another unique South African treat is our roadside farm stalls, or 'padstalle' – as the Afrikaans call them. These quaint little gems scattered all over the country probably first came about due to the long distances between SA’s small towns, and travellers needing to stop over and recharge.
If we think about it, the Cape of Good Hope was once an entire 'padstal' in itself - when Van Riebeeck and his gang used Cape Town as a much needed 'padstal' between continents.
So, in honour of our heritage and nostalgic love for padstalle, here are some of the farm stall treasures found in our country.
Some are hipster and happening, others have an old-school charm, and most will welcome you with open arms, delicious home-made fare and some cleaner-than-BP washrooms. Shame on you if you ever drive by one without stopping…
N1
Veldskoen - De Doorns
What to buy: Wine and grapes
Matjiesfontien's Lord Milner Hotel
What to buy: Old-style English Breakfast
Hartland Karoo Butchery - Laingsburg
What to buy: Biltong and Droëwors
Kuilfontein - Springfontein, South Free State
What to buy: Carrot Cake and Coffee
Off the N1
Vetkuil - between Beaufort West and Aberdeen
What to buy: a Steri Stumpie
Potbelly - Klapmuts
What to buy: Home-made bread
Jasmyn Market - Hartbeespoort
What to buy: Fresh bread
N10
Polka – Graaff-Reinet
What to buy: a real Karoo lamb burger
True Living - Cradock
What to buy: home-made lemonade and venison products
Daggaboer - between Cradock and Cookhouse
What to buy: Roosterkoek (no dagga available, unfortunately)
N9
Kapoet - Willowmore
What to buy: The best ever lamb pie
Kamdebo - Aberdeen
What to buy: Wool slippers
Sophie’s Choice - Willowmore
What to buy: Afternoon tea
N2
Nanaga - Outside Port Elizabeth
What to buy: One of their famous pies
Tredici - Swellendam
What to buy: A brownie
Dassiesfontein - Overberg
What to buy: Moerkoffie
Houwhoek - Elgin
What to buy: Stop for lunch
Peregrine - Grabouw
What to buy: Elgin Valley fruit and wine
The Orchard - Grabouw
What to buy: Chicken pies
Ou Meul Bakery - Riviersonderend
What to buy: The best pies in SA
Crossways Country Kitchen - between Jeffrey's Bay and Port Elizabeth
What to buy: See the sustainable farming community
Oudebosch - Tsitsikamma
What to buy: Locally made jams and preserves
Finebush - Tsitsikamma
What to buy: Alcohol-infused preserves and marmalades
Klipheuwel - Klein-brak River
What to buy: Roosterkoek
Off the N2
Padlangs - Patensie
What to buy: Old-school tractors and toys
Le Chameleon - Humansdorp
What to buy: Good coffee and wine
Tolbos - Patensie
What to buy: Old-school sweets wrapped in newspaper cones
Hops Valley Padstal - Waboomskraal
What to buy: Beer and pizza
La Rosa Blu Cafe - Waboomskraal
What to buy: Burgers
The Fox - Napier
What to buy: Beer
Rotunda Farm Stall - Midlands
What to buy: Locally made cheese
Mac Bananas - Port Edward
What to buy: Pancakes
The Barn - Midlands
What to buy: Locally made cheese
Red Apple - Bushman's River
What to buy: Good coffee
Oakley Farm Stall - Bushman's River
What to buy: Fresh farm bread
N7
De Tol - near Citrusdal
What to buy: Freshly baked breads and pizza
Die Winkel - Paternoster
What to buy: Snoeksout
Kardoesie - Citrusdal
What to buy: Home-made pies
Route 62
Ronnie’s Sex Shop - outside Barrydale
What to buy: Beer
Clark of the Karoo - Barrydale
What to buy: Karoo 'Oysters'
Diesel and Creme - Barrydale
What to buy: Milkshakes
Karoo Hotel - Barrydale
What to buy: Gourmet Karoo fare
Dung Beetle Bar - Barrydale
What to buy: Home-made chips
N3 (and off the N3)
Zandspruit Farmstall - Van Reenen's Pass
What to buy: Home-made jams
Piggly Wiggly - Midlands
What to buy: Locally produced cheeses
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
Affie plaas - Robertson
What to buy: Local wine
Karoobos - Hofmeyr
What to buy - Karoo bitlong and droëwors
The Karoo Lamb - Nieu Bethesta
What to buy: Well, karoo lamb
The Wheelbarrow - Tzaneen
What to buy: Specialty burgers
The Cabin - Ladybrandt
What to buy: Home-made pies
Constantia Farm Stall - Ladybrandt
What to buy: Cherries
Die Kontrei - Barkley East
What to buy: Farm breakfast
And back again after a devastating fire, Tankwa Padstal - Between Calvinia and Ceres
What to buy: A 'dop'
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