The best-kept seaside secret, just off Hermanus

Fresh seafood and sushi minutes from Hermanus. Dogs welcome too

Last updated: Wednesday, 19 March 2025

The Overberg Coast is a treasure trove of undiscovered riches, with the most underrated possibly being Onrus. This small seaside town is where you’ll find Milk on the Beach. It’s filled with sunkissed people having beers after a surf; families tucking into seafood and sushi on the lagoon’s edge, and happy kids building waffles and snacking on loaded hotdogs at the Waffle Shack downstairs.

Milk on the Beach overlooks the Onrus lagoon and has views of the beach and the ocean beyond. Image: Fourie Krause/Milk on the Beach  

ONRUS, A SANDY HAVEN 

The hidden little town is a peaceful neighbour to the bustling nearby Hermanus.

It’s quiet and family-friendly: Children play on the beach and splash in the calm lagoon, and surfers and bodyboarders love the warmer waters.

On its edge is Milk on the Beach, that’s perfect for a day of swimming, surfing and sunning. Get there early as parking can be scarce during the summer.

Milk on the Beach has a view all the way to the horizon. Image: Luca Design/Milk on the Beach

WHOLE FAMILY IS WELCOME (EVEN PETS) 

Milk on the Beach lets the view speak for itself. From almost anywhere in the restaurant you can see the surrounding mountains, Onrus Beach and the lagoon.

The interiors are simple (it would be difficult for any decor to compete with the view), paired with eccentric Frenchie and pug portraits.

It’s an invitation: Everyone is welcome at Milk, dogs too. A bowl of treats greets well-behaved pooches at the entrance.

Dogs are part of the family and at Milk there’s a bowl of treats at the entrance for well-behaved pooches. They must be on leashes. Image:  Luca Design/Milk on the Beach  

HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 

You’ll find all sorts of locals popping in and out, from elderly ladies drinking afternoon tea out of colourful china to families coming in fresh from the beach for a Zen Bowl. The Harvest Vibes bowl has avo, shimeji, edamame carrot and more.

Or friends catching up over cocktails and sunkissed surfers grabbing a beer – there’s a daily happy hour from 5pm to 6pm, with local wine at R45 a glass.

Choose your base for your Milk on the Beach Zen Bowl - ginger sushi rice or a mix of quinoa and couscous. Image: Luca Design/Milk on the Beach

FRENCH TOAST WITH WAFFLE CHURROS   

There’s a new summer menu full of moreish dishes. For breakfast, a waffle croissant with bacon, caramelised banana, maple syrup and sesame seeds.

The peanut and coco smoothie bowl is a winner, and for real indulgence, order the blueberry cheesecake French toast. It’s topped with waffle churros, maple syrup, and bacon. 

A waffle croissant for breakfast, with bacon, caramelised banana, maple syrup and sesame seeds. Image:  Luca Design/Milk on the Beach

SEAFOOD & SUSHI IN ONRUS

For the rest of the day, think fresh fish and sushi (there’s even vegan sushi with maki, carrot roses and bamboo rolls), poké bowls, potstickers and amazing five-week old matured sirloin steak.

Cornflake chicken strips with crispy onion and ginger sauce join seared tuna and loaded sweet potato fries on the small plates.

For dessert, the vegan coconut panna cotta with summer fruit salad and chia seed passion fruit syrup is a top tip.

 The sushi is always freshly made with skill. Image:  Luca Design/Milk on the Beach

PLUS, BUILD YOUR OWN WAFFLES

The Waffle Shack, directly beneath Milk, has a BYO waffle counter. You’re spoiled for choice of toppings: Smarties, Jelly Babies, Flake, Kit Kat, Oreo, Milky Bar sauce, Bar One sauce…There are even vegan waffles.

On the savoury side, smaller versions of poké bowls round out amazing sushi. There’s also loaded hotdogs, such as the “German’s Shepherd” - a frankfurter with sauerkraut, German mustard, crispy onions and spring onions.

It also serves beer and wine – rosé is the ideal summer wine – and cocktails for a drink at sunset. Read more about the Waffle Shack in Onrus.

The loaded hotdogs are cheekily named after dog breeds. Image:  Luca Design/Milk on the Beach

DANCE AT DAWN, LET LOOSE AT SUNSET

Milk is getting into the groove with sunrise and sunset discos. Gather at the Waffle Shack downstairs for coffee and rusks as the sun is rising and skip down to the beach, where the DJ is waiting for you. It starts at 6.30am with light stretches and ends with a man singing Frank Sinatra tunes.

Keep an eye out for more upcoming event details on Milk's Instagram Page.

The sunrise and sunset discos take place on the beach, overlooked by Milk on the Beach. Image:  Luca Design/Milk on the Beach

WINE, COCKTAILS & CORONA BUCKETS

The milkshakes are still madly popular, and now there’s a slushy machine serving boozy mango and strawberry slushies. 

The wine list is a small and clever selection of local heroes, like Beaumont Chenin from Bot Rivier with its notes of fresh green apple and pear, and from further afield, like Zevenwacht’s 7even Sauvignon Blanc (green tropical fruit).

If beer’s your bevvy of choice, Milk has two must-try local beers on tap – the award-winning, easy-drinking Old Harbour Lager made by Hermanus Brewery and Honingklip Brewery’s Onrus Ale, Belgian-inspired and brewed with local and imported hops.

When in Onrus, order a local beer. Image: Luca Design/Milk on the Beach

VISIT MILK ON THE BEACH 

Milk on the Beach is open: Daily, 8am - 8pm
Find it: 1 Atlantic Drive (by the main beach) | Onrus River | Onrus
Contact on: 028 316 1516, @milk_onthebeach, Milk on the Beach website

By Lorraine Kearney

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