Wide horizons, dusty roads, and sheep farms stretching to the skyline define the Karoo. Yet the real magic of travelling through this semi-desert lies in what waits at the next stop.
Houw Hoek Farm Stall/Olga Ernst/Wikimedia Commons
Pull off the N1, drift along the R62 or veer towards a gravel road, and you will find farm stalls perfumed with fresh bread, cafés humming with local gossip and dining rooms where Karoo lamb remains the undisputed hero.
The best way to experience this region is one bite at a time. This guide follows a classic Karoo road-trip route and highlights where to eat, from morning coffee to long, slow lunches, writes Lee-Ann Steyn.
Morning stops: Padstals and coffee breaks along the N1 and R62
Tankwa Padstal, R355
Remote and iconic, Tankwa Padstal feels like a mirage in the middle of nowhere. Travellers stock up on droëwors, biltong, cold drinks and strong coffee before tackling the long gravel stretches of the Tankwa Karoo. The shelves are packed with local preserves and homemade treats that travel well in a cooler box.
Peregrine Farm Stall, Grabouw
Many Karoo road trips begin in Cape Town and head inland via the N2 before connecting to Route 62. Peregrine Farm Stall in Grabouw is a classic first stop. Freshly baked pies, farm bread, apple juice from the valley and strong coffee make it easy to settle into road trip mode early. Stock up here before the landscape shifts from orchards to open plains.
Veldskoen Padstal, Laingsburg
Named after the leather shoes once sold here, Veldskoen Padstal has become a dependable stop in the Hex River Valley. The region is famous for its table grapes during harvest season, and the shelves reflect a strong local focus. Expect homemade rusks, cookies, preserves, jams, nuts, dried fruit and Breede Valley wines, alongside freshly baked pies and sausage rolls that tend to sell out quickly.
The adjoining café offers both indoor and garden seating, making it an easy place to pause properly rather than grab and go. Breakfasts, light lunches, sweet treats and good coffee round out the experience, with meals prepared fresh to order.
Smitswinkel Farm Stall, R62
The R62 between Montagu and Barrydale offers some of the most scenic driving in the country. Smitswinkel Farm Stall provides a cosy pause with homemade ginger beer, farm breads and shelves stacked with regional produce.
Houw Hoek Farm Stall, Houw Hoek Pass
Just beyond the pass, Houw Hoek Farm Stall has long been a favourite with travellers. Its pies are legendary, and shelves brim with preserves, baked goods, and local treats. It works well as a breakfast stop if you are leaving early and aiming to reach Barrydale or Oudtshoorn by lunchtime.
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Lazy Lizard, Prince Albert
Prince Albert has quietly become one of the Karoo’s culinary capitals. Lazy Lizard, housed in a converted bus terminal, serves hearty breakfasts, generous lunches, and excellent coffee. The courtyard invites travellers to slow down beneath the trees before exploring the town’s galleries and olive farms.
Diesel and Crème near Barrydale
Retro booths, chrome details, and towering milkshakes define Diesel and Crème. Burgers, bacon and cheese, roosterkoek, and thick-cut chips make this a lively midday stop on the R62.
Die Boekklub Koffiewinkel and Padstal, Merweville
Merweville’s charm lies in its simplicity. At Die Boekklub Koffiewinkel, farm-bread sandwiches and homemade cakes are served in a historic setting that feels timeless. A small padstal section makes it easy to grab extra snacks for later.
Ronnie’s Sex Shop, Route 62
Despite the name, Ronnie’s is not what first-time visitors expect. What began as a farm stall evolved into one of Route 62’s most famous watering holes. Walls layered in memorabilia, a lively bar, and a steady stream of travellers give it an unmistakable character. It is less about fine dining and more about soaking up road trip folklore with a cold drink in hand.
Beans About Coffee, Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn anchors the Klein Karoo and makes a natural pause on a longer loop. Beans About Coffee is known for quality brews, light lunches and a relaxed atmosphere. It works well as a mid-morning coffee stop before exploring the Cango Caves or heading deeper into the interior.
Long lunches and local flavour: Restaurants rooted in place
Knus Karoo Kombuis, Prince Albert
Traditional Karoo cooking takes centre stage at Karoo Kombuis. Slow-cooked lamb, bobotie and seasonal vegetables celebrate the region’s produce without fuss. The setting feels authentic and welcoming, echoing the rhythm of the surrounding countryside.
Gay’s Guernsey Dairy, outside Prince Albert
A short drive out of town leads to this beloved dairy farm. Creamy cheeses, yoghurt and light lunches draw travellers looking to taste the region’s agricultural roots. It is an ideal stop to pick up picnic ingredients.
Inni Kraal, Colesberg
Colesberg often serves as a halfway mark between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Inni Kraal offers hearty plates of Karoo lamb chops, potjies and pub-style comfort food.
O for Olive, near Prince Albert
Café O showcases its range of extra virgin olive oils, olives and tapenades alongside other olive-based products, all available to purchase. Guests can settle in for tea and cake, fresh breads, light lunches, tapas or a guided tasting that highlights the estate’s produce.
The patio and outdoor seating area open onto manicured gardens and gentle water features, with sweeping views of the Swartberg Mountains completing the setting.
A historic dining detour: Matjiesfontein
The Lord Milner Hotel Dining Room
Victorian elegance defines the dining room at the Lord Milner Hotel. Classic Karoo dishes and traditional service transport guests to another era, making this more than just a meal stop.
The Laird’s Arms Pub
Across the platform, The Laird’s Arms offers a relaxed alternative. A cold lager and a generous pub lunch suit travellers in search of something uncomplicated and satisfying.
What to eat in the Karoo: Signature flavours to seek out
Karoo lamb stands as the region’s culinary icon. The unique vegetation of the semi-desert lends the meat a distinctive flavour that locals defend fiercely.
Biltong and droëwors appear in nearly every town, often made according to family recipes passed down through generations.
Roosterkoek and vetkoek provide simple comfort, especially when filled with cheese, jam, or spiced mince.
Rusks, fig preserves and homemade jams remain essential additions to any road trip stash and make easy souvenirs to take home.
Planning your Karoo food road trip
The N1 and R62 form the backbone of most Karoo journeys, yet smaller gravel roads often hide the most memorable food stops. Keep a cooler box in the boot, carry cash for smaller stalls and allow extra time in your itinerary. A quick coffee break often turns into a long conversation with a local farmer or café owner.
Travelling through the Karoo becomes richer when meals are treated as destinations rather than pit stops. Each town offers a taste of place, shaped by climate, culture and community.
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