The Overberg region is dotted with dozens of quaint farm stalls and cafés that cater to weekenders passing through the numerous small towns and country roads on their way from Cape Town to points east. Napier Farm Stall, one of these lovely establishments, is where we stopped for lunch one lazy Sunday afternoon in summer.

The setting is idyllic: a converted farm house sits just back from the road, surrounded by artfully-arranged knick-knacks such as a tin man made from scrap metal and weathered benches; a wooden ladder decorated with empty red boots rests against one wall.

Step up onto the outside patio and you’re in the cool, breezy café, which comprises five or six picnic benches under a canopy of hanging vines, old metal buckets, flowerpots and even an antique bike. Inside is the rustic-chic farm store, which is packed from floor to ceiling with honeycomb, homemade tarts, candles, oils, red velvet rusks, jams, breads, baskets, scarves and other gift items. A potbelly stove sits in the corner and immediately transports you back to 1905.

The café menu, written on three chalkboards, runs to hearty country fare like apple and cinnamon pancakes, oxtail casserole, and meat pies with salad. Milkshakes are a speciality here, and you can also get local wines. All items are cooked from scratch by proprietor Ilze Vos and her crew.

As if it weren’t already charming enough, some Sundays Ilze offers live music to accompany meals, and squirmy kids can entertain themselves with the hula hoops and slide. Not a bad place to pass a couple of hours during a road trip stopover. Apparently people come here from all over the world to experience the farm stall’s pleasing combination of hospitality and charm.