Dining in Wilderness

Pomodoro is an Italian eatery. The ambiance is warm and cosy - this is the Wilderness locals' favourite hangout. The usual pasta suspects are present and are as good as can be expected. Remember that pasta in South Africa is generally not cooked al dente, so expect what would be overcooked pasta to the Italian palate. Their pizzas, prepared in a wood-burning pizza oven, are excellent. Take-away is provided. There are seafood and steak options on the menu, but I would stick to pizza and pasta. Except for their Rib Eye Steak Salsa Verde. Which is excellent. If the weather permits, ask for a table outside. Reasonably priced wine list. Open all day. Takeaways available.  Tel: 044 8771403

Oysters R Us is located off the N2 8km from Mes Amis in the direction of Knysna. They have a rustic (as in rather ramshackle) restaurant on the dune where the only fare is wild oysters which is kept in large tanks. They will keep shucking oysters for as long as you keep eating them. A small selection of cheese and condiments are available, as is wine and beer. 
Tel: 082 578 6817

The Girls on the Square located in the Palms Garden Square diagonally opposite the Wilderness Hotel. Excellent food and great service. The curries, especially the prawn curry, are superb. Some good meat dishes are also available, but I would stick to the fish and shellfish. Which is great. Great but expensive-ish wine list. Service is excellent. For dinner they do 2 sittings: 18:00 and 20:00.  
Tel: 044 8771648

The Blind Pig is located right next to Girls on the Square. A small, typical pub menu. Great burgers and other greasy pub stuff. Friendly and efficient service. A good range of craft beer available on tap. A great spot to watch live sport and over weekends there be music. No menu is available, but here is a link to their Facebook page. Takeaways available.
tel: 078 860 4820

Ilali is owned and run by 101 on Meade, a well-known and well-respected George restaurant. Their main schtick is cocktails, tapas and pizza. Grilles steak is available as well as a couple of fish dished. The ambience is fresh and cafe-style. If you are into the cocktail-mixer juggling thing, (see here) you will love Ilali. There are, however, other reasons to go. The pizzas are good and the tapas tasty. 
Tel: 044 877 0808

Pollocks in Milkwood Village is owned and run by the Pollock family. The eatery spills out onto the Milkwood square. Their menu is an eclectic one and is, in terms of the styles of food, rather disjointed. Pizzas live cheek to jowl with eisbein, nachos, burgers and fillet steak. That said, their food is very very good and extremely well priced. Reasonably prices wine as well.
Tel: 044 877 0481

Joplin's Steak Bar is the place to feed the carnivore in you. They serve only steak and lamb chops- you will ask in vain for fish or fowl or anything else. The side dishes (mainly French fries) is no more than a supporting act for the main show - the steak.  The ambiance is wooden-huttish and the service great. This is the place to go if you like meat - which is really, really great. Open for lunch. Closed Sundays and Mondays.  Takeaways available.  Tel: 0733478896

Serendipity is a Moet Chandon top 100 restaurant that offers a 4-course set menu with a distinctly African accent. The food is inventive, at best stunning, and seldom bad. An excellent but expensive wine list. If you value fine food, Serendipity is the place to visit. The ambiance is great, the service superb and the food will often knock your socks off. Rudolph, the maître d' and co-owner, is an engaging host and his wife Lizelle, the chef, is prodigiously talented.  Tel: 044 8770433

The Blue Olive is in the centre of Wilderness Village. The deck outside under the Milkwood trees is a most charming spot. Excellent food- you will usually find some form of venison - Kudu, Springbok and the ilk. If the weather is good, grab a table on the deck. The deck bar is also a great place for a cocktail before dining. Service is great, as is their wine list. Open all day in summer.  Tel: 044 8770731.

Salinas is the only beachfront restaurant in Wilderness. Two floors of seating with outside terraces provide great sea views. Bistro style fare: steak, ribs, curries and a few fish dishes and some interesting vegetarian dishes. Salinas is very popular with our guests. Excellent service and an exceptionally well-priced wine list.  Tel: 044 8770001