The West Coast holds many treasures along it’s six routes and we’ve sniffed out 15 great spots where your dog is welcome to join you! Don’t leave your favourite furry friend behind, here are the top pet-friendly places on the West Coast Way:
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.Pet-friendly Culture Route
Grace’s Getaway, Yzerfontein
A central hub to get accommodation in Yzerfontein is Yzerfontein Accommodation – an local accommodation agency for short and long stays offering a wide range of places to stay with many pet-friendly options too. One of these are Grace’s Getaway. A compact self-catering base from which to explore the town and would be most suitable for a couple with a small well-behaved dog. It’s simple, but comfortable and it’s the view that will hold you in awe. There are no gates or fences, so keep an eye on your dog as it will go snooping!
Contact and book: +27 (0)22 451 2210 | +27 (0)83 453 2336 | [email protected] | www.yzerfonteinaccommodation.co.za
C-Bobejaan, Yzerfontein
This self-catering apartment has three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a built-in braai on the covered stoep. Relax on a sun lounger and watch the swell of the sea while your dogs enjoy running on the lawn, being kept perfectly safe behind a fence.
Contact and book: +27 (0)22 451 2210 | +27 (0)83 453 2336 | [email protected] | www.yzerfonteinaccommodation.co.za
!Khwattu, R27
It’s hard to believe that a place like !khwa ttu is pet-friendly, especially considering that there is a fair amount of game roaming around! But they welcome well-behaved dogs in all of their accommodation options as well as being allowed to take them (on leashes) on walks, cycle trails and even the restaurant (seated outdoors).
Contact and book: +27 (0)22 492 2998 | [email protected] | www.khwattu.org
R27 Roosterkoek, Yzerfontein
The roosterkoek menu will have you deliberating fiercely as you struggle to pick which toppings sound right for the occasion. Go simple with just cheese, or spice it up with some biltong! Chicken mayo, jam and egg & cheese are among some of the other flavours you can experience.
They have their own resident doggie and provide your 4 legged furry friends with water!
Telephone: +27 (0)72 447 9344 | Facebook
Wild Flour Coffee Shop, Yzerfontein
A quirky restaurant and gift shop with locally-made crafts, preserves and treats. They serve breakfasts (until 14h00) light meals and toasties, along with coffees, shakes, wine, beer and pink gin! Dogs are welcome outside with a water bowl provided.
Telephone: +27 (0)22 451 2315 | www.westcoastway.co.za/yzerfontein/
Yzervark Bistro and Iron Pig Pub
A rustic pub and restaurant with different specials during the week, including 2-for-1 burgers on Thursdays, pizzas and live music on Fridays and free coffee on Saturdays and Sundays. The bar serves craft beer and gins, along with having various second-hand items and art pieces for sale. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome, but note that they have big dogs of their own, although they are generally kept inside if other dogs are present.
Telephone: +27 (0)79 352 4137 | www.westcoastway.co.za/yzerfontein/
Chicory Cheese Cafe, Darling
This charming eatery has a menu with a healthy twist with delicious options for vegetarians. Sip on a cappucino while deciding between a flapjack stack or poached eggs and ham, or indulge in a red velvet smoothie while tucking into a cajun chicken wrap or Vietnamese rice springrolls! Darling beers and wines are also available and their deli stocks everything from sweet potato bread to miso paste. Dogs welcome to join you outside.
Telephone: +27 (0)76 975 6197 | www.westcoastway.co.za/darling/
Pet-friendly Foodie Route
Slip Slops, Paternoster
A relaxed and comfortable self-catering spot within walking distance from the beach, shops and restaurants. There’s an indoor and outdoor braai area so you can braai whatever the weather and a small splash pool for hot days. Sleeping six, it is well designed for big groups. Dogs are welcome here and thanks to high walls, they will be very safe.
Website: www.westcoastway.co.za/paternoster-cape-columbine/
Voorstrandt Restaurant, Paternoster
This is one of the only pet-friendly restaurants and it’s perfectly positioned right on the beach so you can enjoy walkies before lunch! Your dog is welcome to join you outside (leashed) while you tuck into delicious seafood and a cold one. Their prices are very reasonable and you couldn’t get closer to the beach if you tried!
Telephone: +27 (0)22 7522 038 | www.westcoastway.co.za/paternoster-cape-columbine/
Heron’s Rest, Veldrif
This haven in the sleepy town of Velddrif is perfect for a group of people as it sleeps twelve in total, with four in a separate self-contained cottage. However, couples are welcome too (with breakfast included!) Outdoors is where you really want to be here – watching abundant birdlife enjoying the indigenous garden and magnificent starry sky at night. Small dogs are welcome by prior arrangement.
Telephone: +27 (0)71 141 7313 | www.westcoastway.co.za/heronsrest-velddrif/
Die Vishuis, Veldrif
Think fishing nets above your head and bokkoms drying in the sun! This restaurant, housed in a national monument along Bokkoms Laan, will see you licking your lips over their seafood dishes while watching pelicans and seagulls sunning themselves on the jetties. Small dogs are welcome to join you on the stoep.
Telephone: +27 (0)22 783 1183 | www.westcoastway.co.za/heronsrest-velddrif/
Pet-friendly Wild Route
Vensterklip, Elands Bay
This working farm is a good spot to go away with a large group of people with different budgets and needs! There’s almost every kind of accommodation available, with the camping area and two cottages across the road being pet-friendly options for well-behaved small dogs (who won’t eat the chickens).
Telephone: +27 (0)22 972 1340 | www.vensterklip.co.za
Die Wit Mossel Pot, Elands Bay
Both a bohemian and surfer’s delight, this much-loved spot is famous for both it’s quirky décor and, as the name would suggest, their white mussel pot. They also serve breakfasts and light meals along with their popular seafood platters. Don’t expect to leave in a hurry – in fact you may decide to spend the night too! Well-behaved dogs are welcome to join you outside.
Telephone: +27 (0)82 496 8931 | www.westcoastway.co.za/wit-mossel-pot/
Pet-friendly Tractor Route
Die Plaasmoll Padstal, Hopefield
Part plant nursery, part shop, part art gallery, part restaurant, part pub and part farm zoo, this padstal will keep the whole family entertained for hours! “Re-use and recyle” are key here, so expect to find some interesting uses for different items, including milkshakes served in chutney bottles. Their portions are as huge as their homemade pies are tasty, making this a worthwhile visit if you need a break on the Scenic Route. Well-behaved small dogs are welcome to join you outside, but be aware that there are farm animals and other dogs.
Telephone: +27 (0)74 924 8478 | www.plaasmol.co.za
You and your dog are going to have a wonderful West Coast time, but if your dog needs a vet for any reason, the Yzerfontein Veterinary Clinic comes highly recommended by the locals. Dr Anel Coetzee loves animals and birds of all kinds and she will go out of her way to assist if the need arises. You can call Anel on 022 451 2087 to book an appointment, or on 083 868 0520 if it’s an emergency.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.
West Coast Way is South Africa’s road trip with the most twists. South Africans and visitors can explore a unique collection of themed routes to do adventure-filled Cape West Coast self-drive trips or a West Coast Holiday. The new West Coast Way “basket” of free routes on offer include the West Coast Way Scenic Route, the West Coast Way Berg Route, the West Coast Way Foodie Route, the West Coast Way Cultural Route – as well as the newly launched West Coast Way Wild Route, all of which are designed to showcase the many attractions and activities that are already on offer on the Cape West Coast and inland areas – but may be unknown to many. For more information on West Coast Way’s #WestCoastTwist and the list of 101 Things to Do on the West Coast visit www.westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Connect with West Coast Way on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at WestCoastWaySA.