This landmark restaurant offers great food with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, as well as fine views and friendly service.

The food

The food is first-rate in all categories with daily specials based on what’s fresh and available. East Head supports the “go local” movement by making use of local sources for ingredients like fresh veggies and greens, smoked fish and cheese, locally made biscotti and jams and even a local blueberry supplier when in season. Breakfast dishes include holiday favorites like their Eggs Hollandaise (a traditional Eggs Benedict); for a touch of decadence, ask to swap the ham with smoked salmon. Lunch choices vary from spicy curries to a very satisfying wholewheat wrap with hummus and veggies. You can’t go wrong with any of the seafood specials, like the calamari/prawn combo, and the light and crispy fish and chips are highly recommended.

The wine list

The menu offers craft beers, delightful cocktails and mocktails (the virgin mojito is a refreshing thirst quencher) and a list of reasonably priced South African wines, along with the standard coffee options and milkshakes.

The service

Staff members are genuinely friendly – starting with the first hello at the door. No matter how busy this popular café gets, the waiters remain consistently focused on making sure you have good experience.

Ambience

East Head Café is a landmark location situated at the mouth of the Knysna Estuary, with gush-worthy views of the lagoon and Indian Ocean. The café itself is light and airy, with lots of white, pops of modern African color and big windows. In fine weather, the patio is the place to be – and kids have their own colourful play area. In busy times the parking lot fills up, so be prepared to park a little further away and walk a bit.

And…

Don’t be shy – have a breakfast martini or a glass of Zorgvliet Cap Classique as suggested on the menu.