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Find fabulous food and local vibes in the Karoo village of Prince Albert

Discovering new places to visit and to eat outside of Cape Town city centre is not just for the travel reviewers and foodie critics. Anyone with a car, a sense of adventure and a taste for life – and of course, good food - should visit the quaint town of Prince Albert at least once.

 

In fact, a trip to this little Karoo town is so fascinating that you might be tempted to take some of the tastes back home with you.

 

Tracking down Karoo flavours

 

Heading out from Cape Town, it may feel like you are on the road to nowhere when traveling into the far horizons of the Karoo, but nestled at the foot of the towering Cape fold mountains of the Swartberg, you will soon discover the entrance to Prince Albert village down Church Street. Its a street of history and colour, identified by the white-washed and gleaming entrance of De Bergkant Lodge at the top of Church road leading you into the village centre where an array of simple and classic eateries await you.

 

Be Wined, Dined and Entertained

 

With the perfect accompaniment of The Showroom Theatre offering its own unique menu of theatre, cabaret and film entertainment, your only choice should be “An early dinner, dear?” or “Let’s meet up for dinner after the show.”

 

Seasonal Sensations

 

Every meal in Prince Albert will be one that follows the seasons. Your day should start off with a good breakfast to power you through a travel focused day. With three swimming pools set within lush lawns, breakfast is served in the dining room on the edge of the largest of the De Bergkant Lodges' swimming pools.

 

Breakfast with the Red-breasted Cardinals

 

On the sunny patio next to the chattering bird feeder filled with jostling red-breasted Cardinal birds, De Bergkant Lodge hosts invited you to meander your way through a breakfast of kings. Start off with local yogurts and fresh figs, both Swiss and local cheeses and German Black Forest Ham, brewed coffees, cappuccinos and latte’s, freshly baked croissants and sweet pastries with homemade jams. Follow it all up with a lovingly prepared full English breakfast with seasonal additions of wild mushrooms or butcher bought sausages.

 

Mountain Fare and Fresh Air

 

Lunch time in the Karoo usually finds you out exploring in its beautiful landscapes so its best to take a snack pack with you to either revive you after a long mountain hike or to line your stomach in preparation if you have chosen a local wine, beer or witblitz tasting later on. Pop into La-Di-Dah just across the road from De Bergkant Lodge to pick up some cold refreshments or take a few packets of Pajo's Biltong sold in a shop just a little further down main Church street.

 

Destination-divine Dining

 

When it comes to booking a destination-divine dinner, your hosts Michael and Renate are your first line in recommending the best restaurant to choose for your personal tastes for each particular night of dining out and for the freshest and most available quality ingredients according to the best farmer's fare of the season.

 

Let's take a quick glance at the food offerings available for our De Bergkant Lodge guests when wanting a 4-star luxury stay in the Karoo town of Prince Albert:

  • The Real Food Company
With delicious bistro aromas wafting from the kitchen, this is the place to enjoy uncomplicated contemporary food in a casual setting. Their dining approach is creative, innovative and the owners are obsessive about local, sustainably sourced and ethically produced ingredients. For those interested in learning more, they offer entertaining cooking classes for the novice as well as more advanced cooks. 
  • African Relish

African Relish is famous for being a Recreational cooking school which offers select groups a themed half or full day cooking class. Diners @ their Chef's Café will experience South African produce re-imagined into delectable dishes of cuisine or can take home something delicious from their Deli featuring all tastes from Karoo classics to vegetarian dishes together with a selection of healthy pastas, breads, butters, preserves and condiments and relishes, along with sweets and wine. Their popular cookbook is a great take-home treat too for visitors interested in the culture and rich story-telling offered by the Karoo country lifestyle.

  • O for Olive
Recently refurbished, Café O offers tea, cakes, fresh breads, light lunches, tapas and tasting sessions. The newly added patio and outdoor area, complete with manicured garden and water features, is complemented by a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and an ideal setting for special functions. With ingredients sourced locally, their talented team led by Adriaan serves up a host of farm-fresh dishes for meat lovers and vegetarians and all their delicious products are available for purchases off the shelf, so you can take some of the magic home with you.
  • The Bush Pub
Another local hangout with new owners, the Bush Pub is the perfect place on the edge of town when looking for a 'whettie' – here you can expect to drink local beer with local people on Pastorie Street, which sees a popular crowd on Sundays. Generally a good all round venue, the Bush Pub plays back up for when the more gourmet-styled restaurants are closed.
We highly recommend you speak with Renate @ De Bergkant Lodge to get the best recommendations on dining experiences both in the village of Prince Albert and a little further afield.

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