TO DO
Culinary Experiences
THE ALCHEMY OF SPICES
The Alchemy of Spices with Dee Robinson
Join Napier’s Spice Queen, Dee Robinson for a condensed, short spice course in her beautiful garden studio. Learn to blend a masala, and how to incorporate spices into your everyday cooking.
Enjoy a full Indian Thali lunch, which you will help to prepare: sample delicious Indian snacks, various curries, dhals, sambals, chutneys & raitas.
The experience is 3.5 hours long and you are welcome to bring your own wine. These short courses are presented to groups of up to 10 guests periodically, follow the socials to see when. Or make a special booking for groups of four or more, arranged at least 3 days in advance.
EAT & DRINK
Restaurants
Napier offers a delightful variety of dining experiences, from hearty farm stall fare to sophisticated yet relaxed country bistros. Enjoy wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, wholesome country cuisine, and charming retro cafés filled with vintage character.
The village also hosts a variety of monthly pop-up dining experiences, showcasing local flavours and creative menus. Many talented home cooks prepare delicious takeaway meals, making it easy to enjoy homemade country cooking.
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, or a leisurely dinner, you’ll find warm hospitality, fresh ingredients, and the authentic flavours of the Overberg in every bite.
See our EAT & DRINK page for more.
SATURDAY MARKET
Napier Village Market
The Napier Village Market is the perfect Saturday morning destination, where locals and visitors gather and “kuier” country style, celebrating the weekend over a superb coffee, a delicious pancake or aromatic roti.
Situated in a sunny enclave, this sheltered garden of the Napier Hotel is a vibrant hub of community and a showcase of local produce and an array of delicious homemade dishes, to enjoy at the market or take away.
Tables laden with fresh weekly vegetables, plants for the garden, delicious jams, splendid confectionery and wonderful breads make this the place in Napier to slow down and connect on a Saturday morning.
Entrance is in Wilma Stockenström Street, across from the prominent Dutch Reformed Church.
WINE EXPERIENCES
Explore the Agulhas Wine Triangle
If you are interested in wine, then Napier is just the town for you. “What, Napier and wine, impossible!” Napier is in fact right in the middle of the Agulhas Wine Triangle, the newest winemaking frontier of the world. For travellers looking for unique things to do in Napier, exploring this burgeoning wine region tops the list.
Today, wines from the Agulhas Wine Triangle are known for their elegance and clean, layered floral notes, giving wine fundis some of the most engaging, fresh wine styles seen from South Africa in recent years. Best of all, this incredible liquid bounty is within an easy hour’s drive from Napier!
The Agulhas Wine Triangle includes a variety of wine cellars, estates, and brand owners stretching across Elim, Baardskeerdersbos, Cape Agulhas, Napier, Malgas, Buffeljags, Stormsvlei, Sandy’s Glen, and the Overberg Highlands.
Not all wineries have tasting rooms and some of them offer tastings by appointment only, so best to check before you go.
From Napier, Here Is How You Can Map Out Your Wine-Tasting Itinerary
1. Right on Your Doorstep: Napier’s Boutique Wineries
Napier is extremely proud of the wines made locally. You do not have to travel far to experience exceptional cool-climate boutique wines, including those made by:
Skipskop Wines
Fortes Family Wines
Jean Daneel Wines & Bistro
Vindigo Wine & Decor
If you’re feeling lazy, you can also pop in at Vindigo Wine & Decor, Napier’s well-known wine boutique, to buy some of the Agulhas region’s finest.
2. A Short Drive Away: The Elim Cluster
A little further afield, clustered around the historic settlements of Elim and Baardskeerdersbos, you will find an array of celebrated vineyards, perfect for a day trip:
3. Coastal and Scenic Route Explorations
If you want to explore the broader, breathtaking landscapes of the Cape Agulhas region, check out these superb estates:
Gansbaai Route
Lomond Cape Agulhas Wines and Lost Boy Wines for the Wild (found en route to the seaside town of Gansbaai).
Stanford Route
Raka Wines, Boschrivier Wines and Bruce Jack’s The Drift Estate (an easy, scenic ride towards Stanford). While in Stanford, you can also sample wines from Bruce Jack Wines’ The Drift Estate at the Stanford Wine Bar.
Malgas Route
Sijnn Wine of Malgas (located on a stunning route next to the De Hoop Nature Reserve).
Begin Your Wine Journey From Napier
Whether you are a casual wine drinker or a seasoned connoisseur, making Napier your base camp to explore the Agulhas Wine Triangle promises a unique, flavour-filled adventure.
For more information about the Agulhas Wine Triangle, new vineyards opening up, specific tasting room hours, and excellent recommendations on where you can eat along the way, visit the official website.
Visit Agulhas Wine Triangle
KEEP EXPLORING NAPIER
Ready to Taste More of Napier?
Discover more local flavours, warm country hospitality and memorable experiences throughout Napier and the Overberg.