What to do in Paternoster

Looking for things to do in Paternoster? This lovely little town, just under 2 hours from Cape Town, offers a perfect weekend getaway. Plan to leave Saturday morning and make your way back to Cape Town on Sunday. If you’re visiting Cape Town for a month, then this town is a great place to get away and have some time dedicated to relaxation.

Before Wilhelm and I left South Africa to move back to the US, we spent a relaxing weekend here with Lena (Wilhelm’s mom). Explore what to do in Paternoster with several recommended stops on your way to and from this charming town.

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What to do in Paternoster: A Weekend Itinerary

Saturday

West Coast National Park

Leave Cape Town and drive towards West Coast National Park. The park is about 1.5 hours outside of Cape Town. Most of the most gorgeous hikes are over 10km, but there are smaller loops you can do or make any of the trails an out-and-back hike. That’s exactly what we did because we only spent 2 hours at the park. The park is also the site of the famous spring flowers that you’d need to book months in advance.

The hike was flat and easy. We didn’t get close enough to the water but managed to see the start of the West Coast National Park Marine Protected Area. We started off here at the Geelbek Bird Lookout. There is a bathroom, a place to fill up your water, and an information center.

Check the entry fees here.

Lunch at Langebaan

Drive another 15 minutes toward Langebaan. The water here is so deceiving because it looks so inviting and gorgeous. Just look at these blue hues! There is even a part of town called “Mykonos” because of the white house and water combination.

However, just like with Cape Town, the water is freezing! These South Africans are made of stiffer stuff than I am because there were several people in the water and tons of people parasailing as well. If you’ve got time, take a class to learn how. You could also go kayaking to explore the lagoon.

It was so windy and gorgeous

We parked here for free at the Paaltjies Launch Site and then walked along the beach toward Kokomo Beach Bar & Restaurant. Turns out, our friend’s aunt and uncle own the place! Although it was a little expensive at R800 total for 3 people with tip, the dishes were excellent, and we splurged a bit.

We ordered fish curry, queen prawns with peri-peri sauce, and a pasta dish, as well as three oysters for me! The oysters were a little on the fishy side but I was excited to try them. Check out the menu below; it’s huge but these are the pages we used.

Arrive at Paternoster

Drive around 40 minutes toward Paternoster.

We stopped at the Paternoster Brewery, which is located right before you reach town, for a quick drink. I suggest whoever is not the driver gets the tasting menu.

My favorite drink was the Raspberry Weiss. If you miss the brewery, it’s okay because I suggest you come back around here for breakfast tomorrow (though maybe it’ll be too early for a beer…).

By now it’ll probably be around 5pm. Check into your accommodation. The town is adorable and it’s safe to walk around. We stayed at Paters Haven.

To dine at many of the restaurants around town, you’ll need to make a reservation. We were lucky because one of the best spots in Paternoster, De See Kat (which means “the sea cat”). Adorable! We got an array of dishes including the catch of the day and sushi.

Sunday

Beach Walk & Coffee

Walk along the beach in Paternoster. We stayed close to this beach and so walked there in the morning. Visit whatever beach is close to you. If you’re brave, jump in! I barely managed to put my toes in the water. Afterwards, we walked to Wolfgat and then down to the other beach from there.

Have breakfast at Mondvol Coffee Shop. We actually had breakfast somewhere else and it was not as cute so I’m not going to share that with you. Instead, we became hobbits and had a second breakfast here. I also bought a great homemade granola and some bread! The space is airy and homey with several couples and families around.

Stroll through the Galleries in Paternoster

One of the best things to do in Paternoster is to visit the cute art galleries and shops. You can easily park your car in the middle and walk between the spots. Each is unique and quirky. Some have a mix of local good and imported knick knacks but you’ll find something interesting for yourself or gifts. I did almost my entire Christmas shopping for my family in the US from Paternoster!

Paternoster Waterfront Shops

Walk in the Art Shed at the Wharf. It’s a lot bigger than it seems so keep wandering through and go around to see the different artists’ shops.

Maneki has a great selection of both local and cute knick-knacks, décor, and home goods. At the time of this post, the Google Maps location was wrong because the shop is in the Paternoster Waterfront complex so I won’t bother linking it.

Next, go into the two shops next to De See Kat. Sealove has items made from plastic bottles. The map location is different than where it actually is (next to De See Kat).

I didn’t manage to get the name of the other shop, plus I can’t find it on Google Maps so you’ll just have to trust me that it’s there; it has quirky clothes, home, and accessory items. We bought a super unique knit octopus as a baby gift.

St. Augustine Road Shops

Along St. Augustine Rd, check out At Botha Art Gallery.

Stop at Stone Fish Studio and Gallery. They had the best ceramic items and I would have loved to get a couple… except that I knew in 3 weeks we were moving back to the US and we had no space in our luggage.

The Trading Post had some cute souvenirs. I got a nice magnet.

Ouzi doesn’t show up on Google Maps but it has nice linen clothing items.

Boho Beach Shop was perfect for buying coffee for my grandfather and uncle as well as trendy jewelry for my cousin.

As you walk around, you’ll see other shops to walk into as well that don’t show up on the map.

!Khwa ttu Nature Reserve & Lunch

After your fill of shopping drive to !Khwa ttu Nature Reserve. There are three exhibit rooms as well as a nice cafe on site that features traditional food from the native San people. Entry is R95 per person for the self-guided option.

You can sit inside or outside at the cafe

The menu has a range of cool options. My favorite dish was the dumplings.

According to the website, there are an estimated 130,000 San living across southern Africa. The San are one of the last hunter-gatherer societies left.

!Khwa ttu has been providing jobs and practical residential training for young San from all over southern Africa. In the self-guided exhibits, you’ll learn about the culture and heritage of the San people.

There are literal cave paintings of Europeans first arriving in Africa. You will learn so much by coming here.

It’s a serious eye-opening experience. The San people are considered the oldest people on earth and have occupied Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa for 20,000 years.

The gift shop also has some unique items like high-quality puzzles (one that I bought for my cousin) and items made by the local community. I loved the artwork in the exhibit and so also got a scarf for my grandma with one of the prints. We also saw a cool turtle as we left!

After spending time here, you’ll just have an hour to drive back to Cape Town.

Where to stay in Paternoster

Find the ideal accommodation for your stay and uncover what to do in Paternoster while exploring. Wilhelm, his mom, and I stayed in a self-catering cottage called Paters Haven. We booked via booking.com and then had to do a bank transfer or cash payment for the stay.

Lots of space and a great view at Paters Haven

As we booked last minute, there weren’t that many options for us over the weekend. But if you’ve got some time to plan, then literally all the guesthouses look super cute.

Where to eat and drink

Now that you know what to do in Paternoster, find the perfect places to eat in this adorable town.

Wolfgat

There isn’t a Paternoster guide around that doesn’t include Wolfgat. This famous restaurant has a seasonal tasting menu for around R1800 per person. Not to be dramatic, but you actually need to book 3 months in advance. Because our trip was short notice, we didn’t stand a chance!

Koekemakranke Coffee Shop

Koekemakranke Coffee Shop looked super cute for an afternoon coffee or morning breakfast. It’s located on the Paternoster Waterfront.

Mondvol Coffee Shop

Mondvol Coffee Shop is great for all-day dining. It’s light and airy with a ton of food options that feel homemade.

De See Kat Restaurant

De See Kat Restaurant, as mentioned above, this place has a little bit of everything from the catch of the day to sushi. The location is great for a waterfront dinner, though you may need to bring a jacket even in the summer for the breeze.

Drinks in Paternoster

The Paternoster Wine & Tasting Lounge looked very nice to have a drink at and people-watch along the main road. And, the Paternoster Brewery is perfect for snacks and a beer tasting.

Other options

Voorstrandt Restaurant has a ton of great reviews. The Noisy Oyster has a fun menu and has a date-night feel. A little bit out of town, Seekombuis is a seafood braai spot; Google Maps reviews are a little mixed because people think it’s too pricey but as a tourist, I think you’d enjoy the experience.