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Richmond Café & Rooms -
There’s a number of reasons to slow down as you near Richmond, one of which is the Karoo Padstal, 20 km north of the town on the N1. The Groblers are part owners of this upmarket farm stall. The photograph shows the daily harvest table, created by chef Yuriëtta Stevens. Another attraction in Richmond is Modern Art Projects South Africa (MAP SA), owned by collector and philanthropist Harrie Siertsema. It is the largest contemporary art gallery under one roof in the country. -
A reading room/library between two rooms. -
Moody dark-walled lounges with an assortment of vintage objects lead to white, light- filled bedrooms. -
Almost floating between the limewashed walls and cactuses, the little garden room is a space to read, relax, meditate or just be. -
Cool in summer and warmed by wood-burning fireplaces in winter, the rooms are beautifully decorated and cosy. -
Cool in summer and warmed by wood-burning fireplaces in winter, the rooms are beautifully decorated and cosy. -
Cool in summer and warmed by wood-burning fireplaces in winter, the rooms are beautifully decorated and cosy. -
Richmond Café & Rooms -
Richmond Café & Rooms -
Richmond Café & Rooms -
Richmond Café & Rooms -
Richmond Café & Rooms -
Richmond Café & Rooms -
An air of warmth and gasvryheid – this is the Karoo, after all – pervades The Richmond Café & Rooms. Sylvia Johannes holds a milk tart baked by cook Simon Renoster, who prepares local lamb dishes daily for guests who overnight here. -
The clay-bead Mud chandelier in the dining room came with the Groblers from Ladybrand, where they lived for 25 years. “We love finding and collecting eclectic furniture pieces, ceramics and other things, like the school chairs we bought at an auction many years ago.” -
The eclectic pieces found throughout the café and hotel speak volumes about Klaradyn and Nicol’s passion for collecting and repurposing. “We found a stash of Murano glass lights that were rumoured to have been imported in the 1970s.” Repurposed slate flooring used here and in the showers was thrown out by friends renovating down the street. -
Nicol bought the faux-leather gentleman’s lounge chair from a used-furniture shop in Zastron 30 years ago. “The idea was to have it reupholstered, but we’ve never had the heart to do it.”
PHOTOS Marike Willems PRODUCTION Klara Van Wyngaarden WORDS Ted Botha
In an unassuming 150-year-old dorpshuis and its stables in Richmond, Klaradyn and Nicol Grobler have created an oasis of delectable food, warm interiors, a carefully tended garden, hospitality and taste galore.
It should be in a city. The kind of outrageously stylish place that would quickly excite word-of-mouth, become a brunch favourite or the go-to café for a perfect latte, have bookings months in advance for its glorious but understated boutique hotel. Yet The Richmond Café & Rooms is not in any city – far from it – but it’s in the very heart of the Karoo, slightly off the N1, almost halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Be warned, you might not want to leave.
Contact The Richmond Café and Rooms on 079 755 8285.
