This is an independent review of some of Knysna's popular restaurants done recently by one of our guests who is a frequent visitor to Knysna.
A Very personal view of Knysna dining 2010 ...
Daniela`s on Leisure Island
Visited on 2 occasions with some friends. First visit was exciting as it had recently opened and Daniela seemed to be a serious and dedicated cook.
The food was first class, expensive but justifiably, so our repeat visit was just so disappointing, the food was still expensive but quality and care had declined.
Sorry, wouldn`t risk it again 4/10
Cornuti`s at the Heads
Recently opened (previously Paquitas) and a great improvement .Fabulous setting and if you are prepared to be patient and you`ve satisfactorily assessed your last bank statement then you will enjoy the excellent cooking provide here. we each had a different pasta and collectively thought they were worth waiting for we`ll give it a good 7/10.
This was a lunchtime excursion to a rather interesting `safari` lodge hotel/restaurant. Situation is stunning and the lunch options were different and appealing. We dined well and at a reasonable cost considering the hotel rating. Was it worth the journey from Knysna? Our little party concensus was yes although the chips didn`t live up to the expectation. 6/10
Pembrey`s a little out of town
On the only occasion we have dined at Peter Vadas `s fusion restaurant we were full of admiration for the imaginative board menu and the wine list which indicated an interest in the finer things in life.
The food throughout the meal was carefully prepared and nicely presented. Unfortunately we were the only diners and that stifles conversation a little
Would we return? We will return 7/10
This is a restaurant we have dined at on one occasion in 2001 and thought it very moderate. However the reviews are superb and that warranted another assessment. I spoke to the owner, Brian, beforehand and he promised us a memorable meal. He was right for the wrong reasons. Fish should have been much better, chips were tres ordinaire, service was not attentive and the result was a most disappointing evening.
When one comes to Knysna the general quality of the restaurants is good so it was a bummer to waste an evening 4/10
Drydock lagoonside (Waterfront) restaurant
Elizabeth & Lamla provide an extensive standard menu with a most acceptable wine list.
Everthing reads well and on occasions the food was better than average `factory-style` fodder but we have been disappointed as often as we have come away satisfied. A pleasnt enough restaurant where one can dine pretty comfortably at a reasonable price 6/10
Cruise Cafe at Featherbed Ferry terminal
Again a restaurant where the quality can be variable we have had some super evenings in this bistro/contemporary restaurant and also seen some great sunsets!
Fine wine list and would like to recommend but no comebacks please! 6+/10
Sirrocco on Thesen island
The less said the better about this pretentious,dull contemporary/fusion restaurant. Michael Hebenl could do with livening the place up and lowering the prices
Not our sort of place 3/10
An institution- Austrian- born Markus has created and maintained an unmissable culinary feature of Knysna.
Always busy, totally reliable -- breakfast, lunch, Sunday brunch—you know what you`re going to get and you`ll love it.best bread in RSA and the world`s finest chocolate mousse cake made from the most expensive of chocolates.
JJ`s at waterfront
Have gone there on all of our last 12 visits to Knysna. Why?
Justin and Karel are so invitingly friendly and a cuddle means a lot these days. Still haven`t absorbed all the things there are to see around this delightful place but we think the food and Justin judged wines(!) are a sufficient reason for multiple returns
Certainly the food is not the finest in Knysna and the prices are steep but the fact that we are so loyal must indicate something.
Yes we love it here and would heartily recommend for one of your precious evenings in Knysna 7/10
Firefly on Simola road a few yards off main N2
Several visits here and we`ve had enough. First time was brill. second time –ok but now feel that we have seen and tasted all they have to offer and find Madam a little overbearing. Wines are expensive and we have come out thinking this is probably the most expensive meal we`ve had in Knysna and no—it wasn’t worth it
If we had only been there once the rating would have been higher
than it is today 5/10
Trattoria da Vinci Sedgefield Mall (25 minutes drive)
Recommended by Markus of Ile de Pain this was a very worthwhile excursion for a fun evening with Mr Loopy at this very popular and rather simple restaurant a little way westwards on the Ns 2.
do not underestimate the food quality . it was damn good and everything we had was tasty and so reasonably priced.
If you have run out of ideas in Knysna this is well worth a go
6/10
If you go to Sunday brunch at Simola (highly recommended) then suggest you have good light, inexpensive supper at Ocean Basket also highly recommended and reliable
Tides on
We have left this to be the last review because it is a difficult one.
There is no doubting the standard of cooking and it is probably the best restaurant in Knysna since La Loerie closed perhaps 5 years ago.
The style doesn`t change and nor do the dishes vary very much in the 12 years we have been coming to Michael`s rather dull restaurant which has recently appeared more colourful with wall
pictures. His cooking and presentation is sublime but the downside is coming to terms with Michael. He is a man of very limited natural charm which is really rather unimportant. His acts of friendliness are sadly a poor act and on our last visit (we went twice in Jan.2010) he was downright rude to us & our guests.
This is frankly unacceptable but we would still risk his wrath and enjoy his cooking in the future.
Beware-----do not tell his fantastic front girl, Mavis, that you would like to pay by Amex as this seems to bring on a touch of the apoplexies 8/10
