Peddlars — Restaurant in Western Cape

Ever driven past a place and then later wished you'd stopped to explore? Well, today was not going to be that day!

I'd already been out early this Saturday morning for what became a rather painful physiotherapy session. I opted to take a soothing drive through the rich, green tree-lined avenues of the Constantia winelands en route to breakfast at home.

As I passed Peddlars & Co, a chalk-enscribed blackboard blandly beckoned me to try out their coffee and breakfast. I was already a few hundred metres down the road, and a few cerebral arguments later, when I succumbed to the temptation and coerced the steering-wheel into a careful u-turn. And what a great choice it was!

The quaint, humble and gabled farmhouse facade belies the wealth of surprises waiting for one once through the deli door. Had it not been for my hunger, coupled with the lingering discomfort in my leg, I'd have spent more time browsing the delicious farmstall preserves and other delicacies.

Instead, I meandered around the varied tables to the tarpaulin--covered couches and leather lazyboy fronting onto the lush garden. With the gas-heater taking the edge off the early spring chill, I ordered my first coffee, a standard cuppacino, and full-house breakfast from Kirby, the friendly and professionally prompt waitress who took care of me through the morning.

Once the coffee was delivered, and while waiting for my meal, I set about wrapping up some admin on my mobile device. It wasn't long before Kirby arrived with breakfast in hand. I was pleasantly excited by the presentation, and more so by her nothing's-a-problem-attitude when I asked to change location so as to eat indoors.

She considerately seated me at a table where I'd be out of the draught while still being able to enjoy the garden and deli views. I added an Americano with warm milk beside, and set about savoring the delicious and hearty breakfast before me.

Everything was as I'd ordered, and warm to boot. With my appetite satisfied and the table cleared at appropriate times, the thought of another cup of quality coffee, and the warmth of the heater, drew me back to the corner couches where I paused a while to ponder the morning that had been and the afternoon to come.

Before I knew it, the sky had cleared and alas, it was time to leave. After an uncharacteristically spontaneous 10h30 detour, and a memorable Peddlars & Co 2-hour-visit later, this satisfied traveler rejoined the tarred trail on my...

So here's where they went horribly wrong and why my whole group of friends and formerly-loyal customers have ditched the place: Pricing. Yes, I get it. It's in Constantia. Constantia = expensive, right? Craft beer = cool. Therefore, Constantia + craft beer = stratospheric pricing. It's a sad mentality, but that appears to be how the beer menu prices were set. Let's take "Citizen", the Constantia-brewed ale. At every other bar and craft taphouse I've been to, the average price of a pint of it is R35. Peddlars - R65 CBC's excellent Pilsner is normally R35 - R40. Peddlars? Let's make it R49 CBS's weissbier is also normally R35 - R40. Peddlars? Let's make it R52 Jack Black is normally also ranging from R35 - R40. Peddlars? R49

Now these are not small differences. These are gigantic disconnects between the average pricing in many different venues, some of an equivalent level of "class" and a couple quite a few notches up. As someone who has been going to Peddlars since the 1990s, this pricing feels like a slap in the face and I can't honestly see how it could ever be justified. No amount of crowing about the peaceful setting and atmosphere can balance that.

My previous review compared the pricing here to premium tourist-trap pricing. I retract that. This is something entirely more ludicrous, being more on par with international airport pricing. Sorry Peddlars my old friend, I'll try my best to hang onto my fond memories of all the years that you were awesome, but now you're dead to me. If anyone wants me, I'll be hanging out in The Toad or Tiger's Milk. Pull in, I'll buy us each pint of the best for the cost of one pint at this shell of it's former self and I'll probably even still have change for...

Always wanted to go there seeing as we do our sunday drives passed the place and for Date night me and le wife decided hey lets go. No regrets service was super fast, it wasnt packed (it being middle of the week and all) but service was on par i cant say many places were that efficient like these guys well done.

Menu's are well put. atmosphere is great we were inside (cause its cold) but the outside when i went to vape was really nice so thats a next time.

Waiter i am sorry i never took your name down but he was great so was the other servers that assisted, well spoken, professional and on point.

Food was good the chorizo mmm grilled to perfection the peri peri was nice just little tomato ish for my liking but otherwise i devoured it bread was amazing.

mains wise the burger was great but ill ask to take the tomato out im not against tomato just the patty slid around ahahah. The Chips omg i cant help but say you better than Steers (since steers dont make chips like they used to)

Well priced as well especially if you look around even compared to Spur price vs quality this place hits the nail.

Def will come back My only complaint is im not sure if i like the sauce on the burger could be me i am full of nonsense aswell but ill def come back.

had the jelopino burger with bacon.. and they were not Stingy with the bacon the patty was great pretty much what i want in a burger not a generic patty...