Make Yourself at Home

The Midlands MagazineJanuary 12, 2024

The Olde Duck is a cosy restaurant run by Jeannine Bonsma, who started it 20 years ago, sold it, and then rebought it in 2014. She has partnered with her daughter, Bronwyn Penny, who bought into the business in 2020.

 

The restaurant is situated on a quaint working dairy farm, Marlin Farm, in Underberg. Whether you are just passing through for a snack or enjoying a delicious lunch with friends or family, this is an ideal, idyllic spot overlooking the rolling countryside with the Drakensberg mountains in the distance.

 

There is so much more on offer than just food – you can make yourself at home here. The owners pride themselves on their delicious menu offering breakfast, lunch and treats. There are salads, their popular 200g homemade beef burgers, toasted sandwiches and savoury pancakes, to name a few. Their coffees are made from their handcrafted blends. Their top-rated and award-winning “Best in the Berg” cappuccino is a must-try, which the owners suggest must be paired with their homemade carrot cake or homemade scones. With the addition of their deli, visitors can also purchase and stock up on fresh produce and products.

 

While the restaurant space caters to all ages, everyone can also enjoy the big gardens. They are notably designed to accommodate playful kiddies who love jungle gyms, bike tracks, splash pads and an animal farm, where ducks, donkeys, cows and other animals roam.

 

For outdoor enthusiasts, other additional features that you can utilise include cycling and running trails that start from the premises and cover a distance of 30 kilometres towards the mountains.

 

Next to The Olde Duck, there is also a women’s clothing, toy and decor shop, called Vanilla Rose, where visitors can browse their unique pieces.

 

With a love of people and sharing their beautiful restaurant, shop and deli with all who visit, Jeannine and Bronwyn aim to create a space, or “perfect destination”, where holidaymakers and travellers can stop, have a coffee and bite to eat, do their morning runs or cycles, or just enjoy the lush countryside and gardens.

 

076 415 7378

vanillaroseaccents@gmail.com

@the_olde_duckĀ 

Words by Alicia Du Plessis