With a name like Camel Horse Café, you already know this Barrydale spot has a sense of fun and happily, the food more than lives up to the charm. A relaxed, family-run café on Route 62, it has quickly become a much-loved stop for travellers and locals alike, earning glowing reviews and a near-perfect rating since opening. It's a natural addition to any Karoo Escapes day in the Klein Karoo.
A family affair
Camel Horse Café opened its doors in Barrydale in 2023 as a proudly family-run business with a simple mission: to serve fresh, homemade food that the whole family can enjoy. The owners are hands-on and genuinely hospitable, visitors regularly mention the friendly staff and the owner stopping by the table for a chat and the charming decor and outdoor terrace make it feel like a real home away from home. It's also notably accommodating: one traveller with specific dietary needs praised the kitchen for going out of its way to get her meal exactly right.
Eatery, bakery and pantry
The café is really three things in one, an eatery, a bakery and a pantry, so there's something for every kind of visit. Breakfast is a highlight, from cinnamon pancakes and flaky croissants to perfectly cooked scrambled eggs and toasted sandwiches, all washed down with good coffee or a proper latte.
Lunch brings fresh, well-prepared plates and lighter, healthier options too, think crisp Caesar salads and daily specials such as fish and chips. And then there's the cheesecake, which has earned the café a devoted following all on its own. The bakery and pantry display also means you can pick up freshly baked goodies to take with you on the road.
Perfectly placed
Part of the appeal is the location. Camel Horse Café sits at 6 Tennant Street, in the heart of Barrydale just off Route 62, an easy stroll from the village's shops and galleries, including the wonderfully eclectic Papa Joe's Collectibles just along the same street. It makes an ideal base for a morning of pottering around town, with breakfast at one end and a slice of cheesecake at the other.
Plan your visit
Camel Horse Café is open seven days a week from 7:30am, with later closing (until around 8pm) on Mondays and Fridays and roughly 5pm on the other days, though, as with any small-town café, it's worth confirming current hours before you go.
Whether you're after a hearty breakfast, a relaxed lunch or simply that famous slice of cheesecake, Camel Horse Café is a delightful pit stop with a warm heart. Build it into your Karoo Escapes wanderings, settle onto the terrace, and enjoy a proper taste of Barrydale's homemade hospitality.
Camel Horse Café6 Tennant Street, Barrydale
Phone: 074 180 7241 | Email:
[email protected]Web: camelhorsecafe.wixsite.com (also on Facebook)
Open 7 days from 7:30am; until 8pm Mon & Fri, until 5pm other days