10 must-haves at the inventive Pear Tree

Sushi calamari, Cereal Killer shakes, vegan food and wine pairings

Last updated: 28 January 2025

It may be the smallest restaurant on the Hermanus strip, but Pear Tree packs a punch. You’ll find inventive dishes like bang bang cauliflower, vegan meatball pasta, falafel with a secret ingredient and a host of tempting spritzers. Plus, a vegan food and wine pairing.

We’ve got the inside scoop on 10 crowd-pleasers according to the owner, Petri Hendricksz.


Fresh is the word at Pear Tree in Hermanus. Image: Pear Tree 

1. BANG BANG CAULIFLOWER

A good proportion of the menu is vegan, and there are plenty of small plates. This inventive take on a favourite is a bestseller, says Petri. It’s cauli nuggets with sesame oriental dressing and mayo that “goes bang in your mouth”.

This is one of the favourite dishes on the menu. Image: Pear Tree

2. SUSHI CALAMARI 

This is a sure-fire bestseller and a menu stalwart. It’s an inventive dish of Patagonian calamari stuffed with sushi rice, salmon, sesame seeds and nori. It’s a great choice for a laidback meal looking out over Walker Bay, where whales play in season.

A bestseller at Pear Tree. Image: Pear Tree

3. VEGAN MEATBALLS

Say meatballs and the last thing that springs to mind is vegan, right? Not at Pear Tree, their vegan meatballs are served with linguine and a Napolitana sauce.

Meatballs and linguine are given a makeover. Image: Pear Tree

4. PINK FALAFEL TACO 

It’s falafel as you know it, but “with a twist”, says Petri. The base is chickpeas, with beetroot added for the delicate pink colour, and then Pear Tree’s “secret ingredient”. It’s enclosed in a soft shell taco with hummus, chimichurri and crispy onion to make an easy-to-eat little package.

Pear Tree adds a secret ingredient to its falafel. Image: Pear Tree

5. ROOT VEG GNOCCHI

Beetroot pops up again in the gnocchi, again a traditional dish but with a twist. First, baby beets and baby carrots are roasted, and then it’s all brought together with a carrot purée, chimichurri and crispy onion.

It’s finished with goat's cheese or vegan cheese. Just tell your server your dietary requirements when you order.

Root vegetables add a flash of colour to gnocchi. Image: Pear Tree

6. VEGAN FOOD AND WINE PAIRING

There’s a three-course meat, chicken and sushi pairing, and a vegan offering too. You get pink falafel taco, rice balls and bean salsa, and cauli nuggets with oriental dressing.

The dishes are paired with Lomond Syrah (spice, violets and blackberries on the nose; white pepper and dark fruit on the palate), Pear Tree Chenin (peachy notes, with zesty nectarine and orange) and 7 Springs Pinot Noir (earthy, with black currents, mulberries, prunes and olives). 

The three-course wine pairing is popular. Image: Pear Tree

7. CHICKEN AND PRAWN CURRY

Curry doesn’t have to be blow-your-taste buds hot; instead, it’s about finely balanced flavour. Pear Tree’s chicken and prawn curry is served with lemongrass sushi rice, coriander and poppadoms. 

Creamy curry is cooled with crunchy sambals. Image: Pear Tree

 8. WHISKEY OR KOMBUCHA SPRITZERS

There’s the ever-popular Aperol spritz and Campari spritz, as well as more unusual options. Like a whiskey spritz or gut-friendly margarita spritz made with kombucha, tequila, triple sec and lime.

Get your fix during the Spritzer Hour from 5pm to 6pm daily.

Spritzer Hour runs daily from 5 – 6pm: Image: Pear Tree

9. CHOCOLATE PLATE 

All vegan all the time, this dreamy dessert is a plate heavy with a warm chocolate brownie, chocolate ganache, meringue (made with chickpea brine), and ginger and coconut ice-cream.

The chocolate plate. Image: Pear Tree

10. CEREAL KILLER

Just as decadent as the desserts are the milkshakes. Your inner child will love the Cereal Killer, made with Rice Krispies and marshmallows. But the secret ingredient, says Petri, is strawberry Steri Stumpie.

There are other milkshakes too, like Berry Pavlova, topped with mixed berries and meringue, and Choc Peanut (peanut butter, banana and triple chocolate cake).

The decadent Cereal Killer. Image: Pear Tree

MORE ON PEAR TREE

Pear Tree Restaurant is open: Daily, 9am - 9pm
Find them: Hermanus Waterfront | Marine Drive | Hermanus
Contact them on: 028 313 1224 | info@peartree.co.za | @peartreehermanus

By Lorraine Kearney

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