Beatnik''s Guide to the Overberg

Beatnik''s guide to the Overberg

• Name: Thaya / Beatnik
• Blog address: http://instagram.com/beatnikloves
• Area: Overberg

Best Overberg weekday breakfast

The Gardener''s Breakfast at Madre''s Kitchen is a favourite of mine. Located on a working wine farm in Stanford, the views are dreamy and the food is well worth the drive. On crisp days, Madre lights a fire and invites guests to lounge in the over-sized arm chairs next to the fireplace. (www.stanfordvillage.co.za).

Best date night idea in the Overberg

Ell Eatery in the Hemel and Aarde Valley is not only nestled in a lush, natural dreamscape - it is also sophisticated and serene, with a menu inspired by locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients. Think Crayfish Tails baked in a pizza oven, with tarragon butter and crispy proscuitto for starters; Lamb Shank for mains, and Berry Pavlova for dessert (https://www.facebook.com/ell.spookfontein)

Best Overberg midweek eatery

The Beach Kiosk at Onrus beach serves fish ''n chips in wax paper to starving, barefoot swimmers, straight off the beach. Being a lover of the sea, I find any excuse to meet up there for lip-smacking lunches and soothing ocean views.

great overberg shopping spots

I love the Wonki Ware at the Sir Robert Stanford Estate store (http://www robertstanfordestate.co.za/Home.html) and I go weak for the Le Creuset at Goozi in Hermanus. I''ve long coveted the leather messenger bags and lights at Messenger Creations in Hermanus (https://www.facebook.com/shopmessengerTAT and The Stanford Trading Store in Stanford are pretty much my dream decor stores, filled with carefully selected antique and vintage pieces for every room in the house, from koskasse through to antique beds and French linen. Dassiesfontein (http://www.dassies.co.za/) is an absolute hoot, filled to the rafters with trinkets, jars of eats, antique-style fireplaces and stripped shaker-style furniture, while Tiekiedraai in Gansbaai stocks quirky vintage collectables for lovers of Tretchikoff prints and 1950''s kitchenalia.

Best overberg coffee

Nourish Cafe in Hermanus (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nourish-Cafe/505526919497308?fref=ts)

best overberg sushi

Harbour Rock, in Hermanus (http://www.harbourrock.co.za/)

Best sundowners spot in the Overberg

Anywhere near the ocean, from Pringle Bay through to Struisbaai. Sunsets are particularly spectacular from the beach...

Best overberg market

I love the Hermanuspietersfontein Market in the Hemel and Aarde Valley on Saturday mornings, as well as the Stanford Sunset Market on the last Friday of every month (@sunsetmarketZA)

Best escape from the crowds

Swimming at Die Plaat beach in De Kelders; escaping to unexplored places in the Overberg; road-tripping along the interior and experiencing new restaurants.

A unique Overberg experience

Cantering on the beach with African Horse Company (http://www.africanhorseco.com)

An Overberg Must-do

I would suggest including both the Hemel and Aarde Valley and Stanford on your Overberg itinerary (http://www.stanfordvillage.co.za/). Both verdant areas offer wine farms, award-winning restaurants and acres of natural beauty.

Best child friendly restaurant in the overberg

The Tasting Room at Stanford Hills (http://www.stanfordhills.co.za) is a dream venue for the whole family, offering delectable dishes and seemingly endless views over rolling green hills and vineyards. Children of all ages will enjoy the play area and won''t be able to resist paddling around the lily-filled dam.

Top family friendly activity

Your children will never outgrow the magic of the ocean and one could spend weeks exploring the most underrated and exquisite beaches peppered along the Overstrand, which begin unfolding within an hour of Cape Town.

About the blogger

Thaya is a City-Bowl-expat and freelance writer who has called the Overberg home for the past two years. She has an 11-year-old free-range son to keep her busy, and loves baking, growing vegetables and experiencing the beauty of the Overberg from a canoe/horseback/wave or waterfall. A love of capturing the soulful essence of a place has led Thaya to seek out lesser-known jewels; from folk music haunts, circus-themed restaurants, hidden beaches and crystal pools, to hot springs and all those overlooked places that hold their own brand of magic. When not out frolicking in rivers and embarking on adventures with her son, Thaya hosts music evenings in her town, writes, cooks from her garden and escapes with classic literature.