Garden Route · South Africa
Best restaurants in Wilderness
Most of Wilderness's restaurants sit within a few streets of each other in the village. George Road has Pomodoro, Ilali and Mozambik almost side by side, and the lanes around Leila's Lane and Beacon Road hold Blue Olive, The Green Shed, Backline and the Milkwood Village shops, with The Girls on the Square on Owen Grant Street. A second cluster lies out on the N2 towards Sedgefield, at Timberlake Village and at Oysters R Us across the road, and a third is at Hoekwil. Cafés, bakeries and breakfast places make up a large share of the list, while dinner menus lean towards pizza, seafood and grills.
For a meal by the water, Salinas Beach Restaurant sits at the mouth of the Touw River, facing west over the sea and the lagoon, and has a separate sushi menu. Serendipity serves a five-course, South African-inspired table d'hôte dinner on the banks of the Touw River estuary, Monday to Saturday from 18:00. Pomodoro is a family-run trattoria that has been in the village since 2005, and Ilali has local musicians playing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Out at Timberlake, Naughty Monkey Cafe pours coffee from its own Pause Roastery beans, and Oysters R Us keeps West Coast Pacific oysters in a temperature-controlled seawater tank.
Where to eat in Wilderness: our curators' picks by occasion →
Where to eat in Wilderness, by occasion
- Sea view
- Salinas Beach Restaurant — At the Touw River mouth, facing west over the sea and lagoon; the upper deck is used for sunset cocktails.
- Date night
- Serendipity Country House & Restaurant — Five-course South African-inspired dinner on the Touw River estuary, paired with regional wines. Monday to Saturday from 18:00.
- With children
- Cornerstone Creek Restaurant — Hoekwil restaurant with a dedicated outdoor play area, a kids' menu and separate breakfast, light-meal and dinner menus.
- Seafood
- Oysters R Us - Wilderness, Garden Route — West Coast Pacific oysters and hand-made sushi on a farm, plus a deli corner for building a picnic platter.
- Coffee
- Naughty Monkey Cafe — Coffee from its own Pause Roastery beans, sold to take home, with carrot cake and double lemon meringue.
- Pizza
- Wilderness Beach House Backpackers Lodge — Wood-fired pizzas on a hillside deck over the Indian Ocean, about 100 metres from Wilderness Beach; non-residents welcome.
- Breakfast
- Heritage Bakery — Rondevlei bakery-café best known for its croissants, set back from the highway, with two alpacas on the property.
Top 10 restaurants in Wilderness
Ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many diners have reviewed each place.
- 1
Mozambik Wilderness
★ 4.8 (1375 reviews) · Seafood · RR
Wilderness branch of Mozambik, a chain serving Afro-Portuguese food inspired by Mozambique.
- 2
Oysters R Us - Wilderness, Garden Route
★ 4.8 (628 reviews) · Seafood · RR
Opened on 1 December 2012 by two business partners who had bought a farm in Wilderness while working in Johannesburg.
- 3
The Commonage
★ 4.9 (261 reviews) · Cafe · RR
Community-focused café serving exceptional coffee, homemade meals, and artisan goods in the heart of Wilderness.
- 4
Serendipity Country House & Restaurant
★ 4.8 (363 reviews) · South African · RR
A fine-dining restaurant serving a five-course, South African-inspired table d'hôte dinner menu.
- 5
Jammwich
★ 4.9 (161 reviews) · Breakfast · RR
Garden Route gourmet sandwiches with inventive fillings and fresh ingredients in a relaxed Wilderness setting.
- 6
Joplins Steak Bar
★ 4.7 (619 reviews) · Grill · RR
Casual steakhouse in Wilderness serving quality cuts and hearty meals near Pirates Creek.
- 7
Peron CoffeeBar
★ 4.9 (102 reviews) · Coffee Shop · RR
Artisan coffee and fresh pastries in a cosy Wilderness station stop.
- 8
Bistro Celeiro
★ 4.8 (140 reviews) · Mediterranean · RR
Portuguese-inspired bistro tucked away on Seven Passes Road serving hearty home-style meals in the Wilderness forests.
- 9
Figtree Bakehouse
★ 4.7 (169 reviews) · Bakery · RR
Artisan bakery in Timberlake Village serving freshly baked breads, pastries, and wholesome breakfasts.
- 10
The Girls on the Square
★ 4.6 (2018 reviews) · Cafe · RR
First opened in 2001 beside the Touw River in Wilderness as The Riverside Kitchen.
All 29 restaurants in Wilderness
✦ Editor's pick
Oysters R Us - Wilderness, Garden Route
RRSeafood · Wilderness
Fresh oysters and seafood platters served beside the N2, halfway between Wilderness and Sedgefield.
✦ Editor's pick
Serendipity Country House & Restaurant
RRSouth African · Wilderness
Garden Route gem serving wholesome, home-style meals in a tranquil country house setting in Wilderness.
Jammwich
RRBreakfast · Wilderness
Garden Route gourmet sandwiches with inventive fillings and fresh ingredients in a relaxed Wilderness setting.
Peron CoffeeBar
RRCoffee Shop · Wilderness
Artisan coffee and fresh pastries in a cosy Wilderness station stop.
The Commonage
RRCafe · Wilderness
Community-focused café serving exceptional coffee, homemade meals, and artisan goods in the heart of Wilderness.
Bistro Celeiro
RRMediterranean · Wilderness
Portuguese-inspired bistro tucked away on Seven Passes Road serving hearty home-style meals in the Wilderness forests.
Mozambik Wilderness
RRSeafood · Wilderness
Portuguese-inspired flame-grilled seafood and peri-peri chicken in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere along the Garden Route.
Figtree Bakehouse
RRBakery · Wilderness
Artisan bakery in Timberlake Village serving freshly baked breads, pastries, and wholesome breakfasts.
Joplins Steak Bar
RRGrill · Wilderness
Casual steakhouse in Wilderness serving quality cuts and hearty meals near Pirates Creek.
Cornerstone Creek Restaurant
RRCafe · Wilderness
Country escape in Hoekwil serving hearty food, live music, and creek-side charm near Wilderness.
Ilali Restaurant
RRSeafood · Wilderness
Contemporary Garden Route dining in Wilderness, blending local ingredients with global flavours in a relaxed setting.
Naughty Monkey Cafe
RRCafe · Wilderness
Popular roadside cafe in Wilderness serving wood-fired pizzas, hearty breakfasts, and excellent coffee in a relaxed garden setting.
The Girls on the Square
RRCafe · Wilderness
Relaxed all-day dining in Wilderness village square serving hearty breakfasts, generous lunches, and homemade comfort food.
Heritage Bakery
RRBakery · Wilderness
Farm bakery serving fresh breads, pastries, and café fare in a rustic Wilderness setting with a petting zoo.
Hoekwil Country Cafe
RBreakfast & Brunch · Wilderness
Family-run country cafe in Hoekwil serving homemade bakes, hearty breakfasts, and fresh farm fare.
Mugg & Bean On The Move Wilderness
RRCafe · Wilderness
Reliable Mugg & Bean grab-and-go spot in Wilderness for quality coffee, generous breakfasts, and quick meals.
The Tea Junxion
RRCafe · Wilderness
Cosy Wilderness Heights cafe serving hearty breakfasts, light lunches, and proper tea in a welcoming garden setting.
Wilderness Beach House Backpackers Lodge
RRPizza · Wilderness
Backpacker lodge with ocean views, wood-fired pizzas, and a laid-back bar vibe steps from Wilderness Beach.
Amare Vita
RRFamily-friendly · Wilderness
Family-friendly Wilderness restaurant serving hearty meals with a welcoming atmosphere near the lagoon.
Backline Lounge Bar
RRPizza · Wilderness
Laid-back Wilderness lounge bar serving pizza, cocktails and good vibes near the beach.
Blue Olive Restaurant
RRMediterranean · Wilderness
Mediterranean flavours meet Garden Route charm at this relaxed Wilderness spot with coffee, cocktails and all-day dining.
Merchant & Maiden café pizza bar
RRPizza · Wilderness
Artisan pizza and café fare in Hoekwil's historic church building, just minutes from Wilderness beaches.
Pomodoro Restaurant
RRItalian · Wilderness
Family-run Italian trattoria serving authentic wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta in the heart of Wilderness.
Salinas Beach Restaurant
RRSushi · Wilderness
Beachfront sushi and seafood with sweeping views over Wilderness lagoon and ocean.
The Green Shed Coffee Roastery
RRCafe · Wilderness
Artisan coffee roastery and wholesome bakery tucked away in Wilderness, serving freshly roasted beans and homemade treats.
Timberlake Village
RRBakery · Wilderness
Organic farm village with artisan bakery, deli, coffee shop and kids' play area between Wilderness and Sedgefield.
Augusta
RRBreakfast · Wilderness
Relaxed Wilderness eatery serving hearty breakfasts and comfort food near pristine Garden Route beaches.
Pollocks @ Wilderness
RRItalian · Wilderness
Relaxed Italian bar and grill in Milkwood Village serving wood-fired pizzas and grills with a welcoming neighbourhood vibe.
Views Restaurant
RRSouth African · Wilderness
Elevated hotel dining with sweeping ocean views and classic comfort dishes in Wilderness.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I eat with a sea view in Wilderness?
Salinas Beach Restaurant sits at the mouth of the Touw River facing the sea and the lagoon, with an upper deck for sunset drinks. Views Restaurant at Views Boutique Hotel looks over Wilderness Beach, and Wilderness Beach House Backpackers has a hillside deck over the Indian Ocean that is open to non-residents.
Where can I eat breakfast in Wilderness?
Mugg & Bean On The Move in Milkwood Village opens at 6:30am every day. Blue Olive serves coffee, pastries and brunch dishes in the morning, Naughty Monkey Cafe at Timberlake does bagels and waffles, and Heritage Bakery at Rondevlei is known for its croissants. Views Restaurant also serves breakfast daily.
Where can I hear live music while eating in Wilderness?
Ilali Restaurant on George Road has local musicians playing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Wilderness Beach House Backpackers has live music on its deck on Sundays and an open mic on Thursdays. Cornerstone Creek in Hoekwil also hosts live music.
Which Wilderness restaurants are good with children?
Cornerstone Creek in Hoekwil has a dedicated outdoor play area and a kids' menu. Oysters R Us has a play area on its farm, and Timberlake Village, where Naughty Monkey Cafe is, has large play areas for small children. Ilali also has a kids' menu.
Which Wilderness restaurants are open on Sunday?
Mugg & Bean On The Move in Milkwood Village is open every day from 6:30am to 8pm, and Views Restaurant is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ilali has live music on Sundays. Serendipity is closed on Sundays, serving dinner Monday to Saturday only.
Where should I book for a special dinner in Wilderness?
Serendipity takes bookings for its five-course table d'hôte dinner on the Touw River estuary, paired with regional wines; its kitchen is led by award-winning executive chef Lizelle Stolze. Pomodoro, a family-run trattoria open since 2005, has outdoor terraces in the village and dishes such as saltimbocca alla Romana.