Four padstals worth planning a road trip around

A road trip isn’t a road trip unless there are top-notch car snacks to enjoy on the drive. And no place stocks great car treats quite like an authentic roadside padstal.

Pies, roosterkoek, home-made jam from a local’s small kitchen, loose nuts and dried fruit, freshly squeezed juice and, of course, those quirky finds you will just not find anywhere else – these are the old-school favourites that make farm stalls the gems they are.

Even better are the stops that can also provide you with a delicious warm meal before taking on the next leg of your trip. Hello, full farmhouse breakfast!

Here, we look at four farm stalls around the country that will have you planning a road trip just so you can visit…

Karoo Padstal,
Northern Cape

Halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town on the N1, Karoo Padstal has everything you need. “Padstal. Deluxe Coffee. Deli. Karoo lamb. Stretch your legs, unleash your dog. Local crafts and gifts. Fresh air. Clean toilets.”

After a hearty breakfast or lunch in the beautifully styled restaurant, browse the deli offerings, pick up a few local crafts and enjoy your time in this corner of the world. Lunch options include farm-style bread, legendary Karoo lamb pies, and a harvest-table lunch made up of fresh local produce.

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Lillies & Limes Country Shop,
Limpopo

If you’re travelling through Limpopo on Vaalwater Road before Modimolle, this padstal is an oasis that will make your road trip feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. Lillies & Limes Country Shop has all the essentials to make up a good farm stall, but the real drawcard is the Sunday lunch. You can expect a three-course set menu served under the trees, with dishes such as potato-and-leek soup, roast fillet of beef or home-made chicken pie, and lemon mousse cake with citrus custard for dessert.

This is the stop you’ll be reminiscing about long after the holiday has come to an end.

Peregrine Farm Stall,
Western Cape

Mention to anyone who’s driven through Grabouw on the N2 that you’ll be taking the same route, and you’re sure to be told to stop at Peregrine Farm Stall. A road-stop institution, this buzzing, always packed road-trip highlight has everything you could possibly need – for a road trip and any other occasion.

They’re well known for their pies (vegetarian and vegan included) and other baked goods, but they also have an extensive wine collection, fresh juices, local produce and other farm-stall essentials, as well as an expansive cafe where you can sit and enjoy a hearty meal finished off with a tasty, sweet treat.

Don’t have anywhere to travel to? Make Peregrines the destination.

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Nanaga Farm Stall,
Eastern Cape

Nanaga Farm Stall began in 1969 when Lynn Lake started selling cabbages out of her car boot. Fast-forward a few decades and Nanaga has expanded into the giant it is today, while keeping the rustic calm it has always been known for. Famous for its roosterkoek, pies (they sell up to 3 500 a day!) and fresh pineapple juice, the farm stall, located on a dairy farm at the intersection of the N2, R72 and N10 highways, is an absolute must-stop. Whether it’s for a sit-down meal or a quick pit stop to stock up on delicious treats, a visit to Nanaga is never a bad idea.

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What to find more Neighbourhood Gems near you? Browse our directory for the best chef-recommended spots around the country.