When taking a family road trip, its always fun to break the drive by popping in to one of the farm stalls along the way. From fudge and cookies, to jams, sauces and pickles, toys, gifts and crafts – farm stalls are a treasure trove brimming with unique items. Many also offer on-site restaurants with delicious food made from fresh local produce.

Here are our family’s 5 favourite farm stalls in the Eastern Cape (in no particular order):

1) Nanaga
Located in the middle of the intersection of the N10, N2 and R67, Nanaga is widely known for its farm pies and fresh-off-the-fire roosterkoek. Its always a hive of activity, with many Port Elizabethans travelling to Nanaga as a day destination, and everyone else travelling between Cradock, Grahamstown, Port Alfred, PE and pretty much anywhere in the Eastern Cape stopping for a snack and shopping break.
They have a lovely shop full of arty delights, and jam-packed full of delicious goodies to eat in the car or take home. Our favourites are the family sized lamb pies, which make a delicious dinner when you arrive back home, and the Nanaga mint chutney, which pairs perfectly with the pie.

Famous for its pies and roosterkoek

2) Tam’Jazi
This colourful farm stall is situated on the R67 near Alexandria, between PE and Port Alfred. Its bright primary coloured flags, green lawns and playground lured us in, and we just love their shop and gardens. The owners of Tam’Jazi clearly have a sharp sense of humour, and its great fun reading the quirky signs, and seeing the clever decorations around their pristine animal touch farm. The shop is full of gorgeous knick-knacks and perfect gifts, and we have never left this farmstall empty handed.

Tam’Jazi’s garden and touch farm is really quirky

3) Padlangs
In the scenic citrus farmlands of Patensie, Padlangs offers a stunning shop, brimming with locally produced goods, and a charming country restaurant and tea garden. This is another farm stall that is a day destination for PE and J’Bay residents, and is a must stop for those travelling through the Eastern end of the Baviaanskloof. We love their vanilla fudge, and all the freshly baked goodies in their tea garden. Padlangs is the perfect place to enjoy Sunday lunch in the country.

Pic courtesy of rnews.co.za

4) Bathurst’s Big Pineapple
The tiny town of Bathurst boasts the world’s biggest artificial pineapple, standing a whopping 16.7m high. The ground floor contains a shop full of pineapple products, and you can go on a self-guided tour of the top 2 floors, learning more about pineapple farming and the history of this bizarre building. The view from the top (under the giant spiky leaves) of the surrounding pineapple farmlands is lovely, and the colourful structure makes for some great holiday photos. We found the world’s most delicious pineapple spread here (Val’s Pineapple Curd) – it was so good that we actually travelled all the way back there from PE to get some more! Make sure you buy more than 1 jar, or you’ll regret it.

Bathurst’s bizarre big pineapple

5) Grass Roof
This delightful farm stall does not require a road trip, as it is located right on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth’s Western suburbs. Named for its distinctive roof made of grass, Grass Roof boasts a deli brimming with quality produce and a lovely restaurant and coffee shop with a huge kids play area. It is a really popular destination and is packed on weekends. We love sipping a cappuccino with a wonderful countryside view and stocking up on their fabulous fresh farm eggs and artisan breads. Don’t leave without buying one of their colourful macaroons!

Grass Roof farm stall in Port Elizabeth

Did we leave anyone out? Let us know about your favourite farm stalls in the comments section below!