Elgin Railway Market

Elgin Railway Market is the brainchild of businessman Roger Orpen, who converted the old apple warehouse into a bustling steampunk station market boasting local vendors, live music and a gateway to the beautiful Overberg town.

Inspired by the barn’s railway-side setting, Orpen took his creative cues from the invention of steam and the industrial age, milestones accompanied by the rapid development of rail networks across the world. Creating a beautiful space where art deco meets Victorian, the Market is unlike any other in South Africa.

The next step in Orpen’s plan was to bring a steam train to the Market, which he now does a few times a month in partnership with the Ceres Rail Company. The whistle and steam of the arriving train is a must-see for children (and adults) and a bucket list experience for the passengers who sign up to take the ride. Visitors to the market can greet the train on the station platform or view its arrival from the Market’s leisure deck overlooking the railway.

Once in the venue, market visitors can choose from food vendors purveying everything from fragrant curries (The Curry Pot), to schwarmas (Ardi’s), pizza (Corlie’s Italian Kitchen) and ribs and burgers from The Station Grill. Sample Mexican dishes from El Sombrero and pies, tarts and quiches from Pudding and Pie or cheeses, breads, dips, pates and dolmades from Corne s Deli Delights. Health conscious treats include fresh juices (Splashh smoothies) and low carb breads with various fillings from Le Food. Ella’s Elgin Farm Foods offers local items such jaffels, vetkoek, pancakes and a soup of the day. Visitors can also stop in for a snack from biltong stall Sud-Wes.

Sweets treats are abundant, including home-made cakes from Flour+Love and ice-cream and waffles-on-a-stick from #Rollin. A bar serves local wines, beer and cider and L-Gin, an artisanal gin bar serves up local craft gins.

Ground Central Coffee serves home ground brews and roastery Pater Tom offers flavoursome beans whilst the upstairs wine shop, Sovinho stocks excellent Overberg wines.

A variety of retail offerings can be found on the mezzanine and ground floor with jewellery from Ruby Rose and Shelley Taylor Designs, leather goods from Lotus Leather, classic clothing and oddities from Vintage Salvage, pottery from The Potter at Almenkerk at HandMaiden Crafts, wooden pieces from JAC Wood Crafts and Valley Woodworms Project. Visitors can also grab fresh cut flowers from Oak Valley on the way out.