Cape Winelands Restaurants

Once upon a time, long long ago, there was a beautiful Victorian house in a small, romantic little town. It was situated at number 5 Ryneveld Street - a place we now call home. When conceptualizing our new restaurant, we became aware of the special qualities of the number five. Five is the number of harmony and balance. Five is the number of perfection. Five is the number of senses in the human body - touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight. Five is the number of basic tastes - sweet, sour, salt, bitter and umami. Our restaurant comprises five rooms namely the dining room, study, library, bedroom and radio lounge. We welcome you to 5 Ryneveld, where we will provide you with an exciting dining experience, stimulating your five senses by exploring the five basic tastes. 5 Ryneveld is a cute and quirky meeting place for those embracing a playful and sophisticated atmosphere. It will be shaped by the friends, family and other warm-hearted people who meet, eat and play there. Welcome home...welcome to 5 Ryneveld.

Located along the historic strip, Dorp Street. Binelli’s resides in a beautifully renovated Cape Dutch building that exudes characters and charm. Sparkling chandeliers, plush interior and sexy white leather couches create a chic and sexy vibe, perfect for enjoying funky cocktails and tasty tapas. The menu oozes finger licking and mouth-watering morsels of flavour such as prawn tails, currywurst and caperberries to mention a few. Soak up Binelli’s cool flavour and contemporary surrounds along Main Road in Somerset West.

Set in a rustic old farmhouse and with superb views from every side is the Buena Vista Social Cafe, Somerset West. Diners may also choose to eat outside in a pretty hacienda-style area. The cuisine is primarily Cuban with tantalising tapas and a wine list that perfectly accompanies the dishes. For a wonderful Cuban dining experience in cosy and welcoming surroundings, Buena Vista Social Cafe excels!

Col’Cacchio Pizzeria is set at the Simonsplein Centre, a vibrant location at the centre of the university town of Stellenbosch. The eatery offers a selection of pizzas, pastas and salads that is a cut about the rest when it comes to variety and versatility. In keeping with a European feel, the restaurant opens onto a quaint courtyard with a fountain for dining outside on laid back, true Capetonian – style days. The indoor section is inviting with its rust coloured and art filled walls, creating a relaxed atmosphere where good food can be enjoyed to the maximum. Expect a selection of as much as fifty pizzas to choose from, each with their own Italian name and signature crisp thin base. Choices range from the traditional to the gourmet. Col’Cacchio is certainly a treat for the health conscious as many of the menu offerings are endorsed by the heart foundation. Patrons that are allergy sensitive will be suitably impressed with the wheat-free varieties on offer. Furthermore, the restaurant chain is committed to procuring organic ingredients where possible. Popular, rather exotic, menu choices include the Tre Colori with smoked salmon, sour cream and caviar, and the Fantasia with caramelized onion, Brie, and sesame seeds. The restaurant also has an award winning wine list.

The health conscious will love 8 Restaurant at Spier Estate in Stellenbosch. With its Farm-to-Table inspired menu and all the focus on wholesome, organic and fresh produce, visitors can indulge in an eating out experience that is guilt free. Not only is the restaurant strictly health orientated, the procurement of the produce is also green all the way. 8 Restaurant has a casual mood that demands relaxation from its patrons. That aspect, combined with the significance of the number 8 in the eatery’s name, adds dimension to one’s perception of the place. The number 8 signifies balance, cycles, harmony, infinity and abundance which is a clear indication of the restaurant’s approach to its food and means of sourcing produce. Visitors to 8 Restaurant can expect exciting combinations of predominantly raw ingredients. All items are natural and organic and geared at optimal nutrition. The signature dish is Chicken Pie that is served with seasonal vegetables and herbs. The establishment is licensed, so enjoying a glass of wine with one’s meal is a sure option, however, one cannot expect to find carbonated drinks on the menu. The restaurant is also has a deli for a bout of healthy shopping.

Java is all about location. Situated at the pulse of Stellenbosch, this spot is ideal for soaking up that special energy that this university town is known for. The laid back and unpretentious atmosphere makes it an accessible lunch or dinner option for those that like easy food. Uncomplicated burgers, pizzas, wraps and sandwiches can be found on the menu and breakfast is served all day. Java cafe also serves up a very decent cup of coffee (living up to its name), which is perfect for those that want to make use of the internet and Wi-Fi terminals.

Lafayette is perfectly placed along the oak lined Andringa Street in Stellenbosch. The restaurant is a cosy, intimate eatery that offers an Italian bistro style food with no shortage of wines to choose from. Lafayette achieves in creating an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming. One has a choice of seating. Dine indoors at winter time in the rustic Italian setting of the restaurant or outside in the courtyard around the open fire on a balmy summer’s evening, either way Lafayette’s intimate setting is all about romance. The Tuscan inspired menu calls for all foods to be home made. Expect extravagant pasta to the likes of ravioli with spinach and ricotta in a blue cheese, bacon and yoghurt sauce. Other dishes include local speciality dishes of tripe, vegetable stew with warm tabouleh, and rich Tuscan style soups. On Thursday evenings guests are treated to an outdoor fire from which the evening’s meals are cooked. The restaurant has a wide selection of wines by the glass as well per bottle.

Fantastic fusion food is the order of the day at this quaint restaurant in Franschhoek. The menu offers the best that fusion cuisine has to offer with superb salad, meat and seafood options to name a few. The wine list comprises some of the best that Franschhoek valley has to offer and is well-priced. A charming venue for great food in beautiful surroundings, Monneaux Restaurant is well worth a visit.

The small plate-dining menu makes it the perfect spot to relax and linger over a lavish meal and picturesque surroundings. The menu proffers expansive choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner with sumptuous breakfasts making a great start to the day. Relax in the comforts of the plush yet understated décor, where comfort embraces and food delights at The Common Room.

Umami is Japanese for ‘deliciousness’ a word coined to describe a taste that is beyond sensory. Located in the heart of Stellenbosch on Dorp Street, this trendy eatery is set on unleashing the ‘deliciousness’ of its global fusion menu (with a South African twist). Add to that the restaurant’s philosophy of ‘if we can make it ourselves we will’ visitors can expect nothing short of a culinary journey in a single meal sitting. The restaurant reflects a stylish yet earthy simplicity with its wooden furniture, rough bricks walls and fireplace. The outside seating is shaded and has a lovely relaxing view despite the surrounding hustle of town life. The lunch menu is fresh and light with homemade pizza, sandwiches and salads to choose from. The dinner menu, with its four course tasting option, is plainly focused on presenting guests with a flavoursome eating experience. A la carte offerings will have patrons succumbing to the likes of the Baby Calamari starter with a lime Risotto, Bernaise Beef Fillet for mains and an ice cream trio of Roasted Pistachio, Segafredo Coffee and Vanilla Koeksister for pudding. Umami offers a philosophy to food in a trendy upmarket atmosphere.

The dramatic décor dressed in red and black is softened by the hanging lanterns, nostalgic of a eatery in Shanghai. The sushi is balanced with the finest ingredients, enjoyed with steaming hot or cold sake. Try the sashimi, nigiri, terkanki or maki for a full rounded experience. There is a small wine list for those who really cannot do without. Wine, Women and Sushi is an authentic and enjoyable dining experience.