Cape Winelands Restaurants

A venue steeped in history, Basic Bistro is bustling restaurant enjoying a large local following and is a popular stop for tourists and travellers alike. Supported by a dedicated team serving sumptuous fare all day long, this endearing eatery offers a menu that has something for everyone from simple toasted sandwiches to delicious dinners with an Asian twist. The hamburgers are a must-try. As well as these staples, there is a specials board which changes regularly to keep the offerings fresh and new. A great place to stop for a while and rejuvenate, try Basic Bistro, Stellenbosch.

Located in the breath taking beauty of the Stellenbosch winelands Boschendal Wine Estate offers its visitors Le Café for a laid back breakfast or lunch venue. The eatery is housed in the original slave quarters of the farm. Enjoy a light summer lunch or tea time treat in the cool that the canopy of ancient oak trees provide. Parents will appreciate the lawn as a place of play (amongst the ducks) for the children. In winter guests will feel right at home indoors in front the cosy fireplace. The restaurant has a change of menu at winter, when warm bredies and Bobotie are called for. The summer offerings include home-made lemonade and the best scones. Other menu items include omelets, Quesidillas, salads, and quiche. Desserts range from cheese cakes to Ice –cream Sundays and Pavlova. The restaurant also has a selection of Boschendal’s finest wines to round off lunch. The estate also offers deli style picnics (Le Pique Nique) and houses a buffet restaurant (Boschendal Le Restaurant).

The setting leans towards up market styling with a touch of classic contemporary and Asian influenced dishes. Tables dressed in red and white tablecloths and neatly wrapped cutlery set the stage for delicious starters such as spiced calamari followed by Asian braised lamb shank and decadent chocolate tart cardamom ice cream with pear. The hardboard menu proffers various dishes and specials including lighter meals such as gourmet sandwiches. Pair your meal with a bottle of wine from the expansive wine list and soak up the bistro style setting at Chez d’Or.

Situated on Vrede en Lust Wine Estate, Cotage Fromage is world-class country bistro and deli experience, complementing the excellent Vrede en Lust wines with light, sophisticated and delicious cuisine.This Mediterranean style restaurant is run by Matthew Gordon, noted caterer Duncan Doherty and baker Jean-Pierre Smith. The emphasis is on healthy food made with the freshest ingredients.A bakery and a deli stocked with local and specialty cheeses, olives and cured meats serves the restaurant and offers visitors the chance to buy fresh country goods for their own kitchens.Enjoy breakfast or a leisurely lunch in the heart of the Winelands. Visitors can taste and buy Vrede en Lust's award-winning wines, play a game of Petanque or Boules on the two competition sized courts, go for a peaceful stroll among the vineyards ortake a more energetic bike ride up into the forests to take in the spectacular view of the Franschhoek Valley.Need to know? Open 7 days a week from 8am till 5pm from 1 September to 31 May. From 1 June to 31 August the Cotage is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm. Live entertainment on Sunday afternoons.

For sumptuous South African and Bistro-style fare, Die Eethuis is well worth a try!Separate lunch and dinner menus make for an exciting range of offerings which go perfectly with a well-priced wine list that includes a champagne selection with bottles from both the local area and further afield.A quaint courtyard provides a brilliant spot for dining al fresco when the weather is warm. The interior is modern and showcases some intriguing artwork.An unassuming and brilliant spot for tasty South African cuisine, try Die Eethuis, Paarl.

For something a little more laid back and funky try Fandango Café and Cocktail Bar. Situated right at the pulse of Stellenbosch town centre on Bird Steet, this establishment is a great location for sitting back and soaking up the Stellenbosch vibe while enjoying a bite to eat. Fandango is more than just an eatery. Not only is the café also an internet spot but it also specializes in bicycle rentals – believing that cycling is the best way to appreciate the picturesque quality of the town. The café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a wide menu selection to choose from. Favourites amongst regulars include the Prawn Stir fry and asides such as potato bake keep hungry patrons smiling. The freshly baked puddings are also hard to resist. The wine selection has more then 45 wines to choose from, catering for all preferences. Summer nights at Fandango calls for exotic cocktails and entertainment. Visitors will relish in the relaxed atmosphere of the Jazz and Blues evenings. Fandango offers a variety of evening entertainment throughout the year.

Freedom Hill Restaurant offers country-style hospitality on its stunning wine estate in the Franschhoek region. With views of the Berg River Valley and Simonsberg Mountains, Freedom Hill has an exquisite back drop for a meal sitting any time of day. Enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace or sundowners in the late afternoon for a laid back time out. Not limited to lighter meal variations, the restaurant also has a well rounded and complete lunch and dinner menu with starters, mains and pudding. The menu offers a selection of mouth watering canapés as finger food to compliment a social drinks meet (and eat) or as a nibble between meals. The a la carte menu is an explosion of flavours with starters such as Sardine and Mascarpone Cheese Quiche, or Quail Breast with Nougat Salad. The main courses cover a variety of meat dishes as well pasta. Dessert is a decadent affair with the likes of Vanilla and Amarula pan cotta with fresh strawberries or, a chocoholic’s dream: Double Chocolate Mousse with Pistachio Nuts. Be sure to enquire about the daily specials. Not only is Freedom Hill an eatery worth visiting, it is also a wedding and function venue. Personal wine tastings are available to guests.

This bistro affair captures the best of the nature and flavours from the kitchen into a well-rounded dining experience. The glass conservatory flows out on the alfresco style terrace flanked by panoramic views of the valley in the nurturing atmosphere of the working orchard. The open plan kitchen invites a culinary performance dining indoors and the terrace cradled by fruit trees embraces the great outdoors.

A restaurant that offers Oemf: Outstanding Excellence More Frequently. This “eethuis” (eating house), located in a small business park off Dorp Street Stellenbosch, delivers genuine, wholesome food that calls for seconds. The restaurant is has a Victorian elegance with its wooden floors, solid wood furnishings and feminine touches. The sound of bird chatter in the background adds a certain homely charm to the place. It is a restaurant with many faces. Not only is it a relaxed spot for local office workers to grab a bite or a coffee, but it is also an alternative to take-away dinners. The wholesome, home-style cooked meals may be collected on pre order to be taken home and enjoyed. What a pleasure! The menu changes on a weekly basis and regular visitors are kept one step ahead by having the menu emailed to them on Mondays. Besides the regular menu items, there is also a range of snack like options to compliment after work drinks at the bar. And if what one is after is not the menu? Patrons are at liberty to request dishes to satisfy in- the- moment cravings. Thursdays are Malay inspired with curries, samoosas, and other favourites. Oemf Eethuis is a one stop, all stop spot that hits the spot every time.

Set in a beautifully restored manor house, this elegant venue is a great spot for fine dining and fantastic views.Enjoy impeccable service as you sample the best of traditional cuisine. A stunning setting with the option of a veranda to truly take in the mountainous vista, Pontac Manor is a superb fine dining venue.Take some time out to enjoy a sumptuous fine dining feast and wonderful views at Pontac Manor.

Housed in a quaint and beautiful cottage set at the bottom of the estate, Sofia’s depicts a nostalgic rural Italy ambiance. Dine within the characterful interior on deliciously chewy ciabatta mopped up the estate’s rich and fruity award-winning olive oil. Then sample the antipasto with ingredients sourced from the farm. For starters try the classic Niçoise salad or green asparagus soup served with an asparagus flan. For main courses try butter-soft lamb medallions or pan-fried trout with salmon tortellini and braised fennel. Desserts are sinfully delicious serving classics such as stone fruit crumble with pepper ice cream. Enjoy a classic bistro lunch or dinner within the stunning interior or alfresco on the stoep wrapped in grape vines.

Located in a superb position on Main Street, Franschhoek, this lively bistro offers a great range of wholesome fare. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this eatery in scenic Franschhoek has a wide range of offerings that change to suit the season and are all presented in hefty portions. A wide range of wines from the local area and further afield gives diners a good choice for an accompaniment. The desserts here must not be missed. A place for summer or winter, there is a patio for warmer weather and a cosy interior complete with decadent touches like chandeliers to keep diners warm in colder weather. Great food, great wine and brilliant service await you at The Bistro, Franschhoek.

The Only One restaurant is situated at the entrance of Hartenberg Wine Estate on the Stellenbosch Bottelary wine route. This pleasant eatery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers visitors country hospitality in a tranquil setting. Choose the cosy interior with two fire places in winter to keep warm while tucking into the restaurant’s special winter menu. Not only does The Only One provide traditional cuisine, one can also savour a glass or two of the estate’s award winning merlot or shiraz. Sunny days certainly call for an outdoor breakfast or lunch on the deck overlooking the pond. The breakfast and lunch menu deliver all the usual favourites: English Breakfasts, Burgers, Salads and the like. The deck is a particularly good spot of families with young children as the enclosed outdoor play area is near by. In the evenings the deck area is also a popular place for sipping sundowners. The restaurant also caters for small weddings and corporate functions.

Situated just on the outskirts of Wellington’s town is the charming eatery The Perfect Place. Here guests easily buy into the Turkish proverb that is on the menu: “Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and sweet as love” The bistro style restaurant offers a relaxed and casual atmosphere with all of the olden day frills. The historic Victorian building that houses The Perfect Place dates back to 1890 and doubles up as an antiques shop. The menu is simple offering easy day time food like sweet and savoury pancakes and other tea time items. Visitors with more of an appetite will enjoy the Trio of Sausage. The restaurant also has a wine list that supports vintages from the region. The Perfect Place is a lovely stop for a nibble while visiting the Wellington winelands.

Tokara Wine Estate already has a place on the map with its renowned Tokara fine dining restaurant, but now also caters for a casual eating out experience with its DeliCatEssen. The deli’s café style (and slightly cat obsessed) restaurant hosts breakfast and lunch. The wine estate is located in the Helshoogte pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and overlooks the splendour of False Bay, Table Mountain, and the Simonsberg Mountains. The laid back atmosphere makes it easy to unwind and with the children duly occupied with the outdoor play section and table activities like colouring in, parents really can delve into the menu and chillax. Expect traditional deli fare: Tokara’s own olive oils, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, preserves, pastries, cakes and quiches. The breakfast menu delivers a health breakfast, coconut bread and jam, scrambled egg and bacon and baked egg and spinach. And for the kiddies? Corn flakes or scrambled egg. With the emphasis on fresh, local, organic, preservative-free farm produce one can look forward to hearty unpretentious food. The menu has a quirky element and follows through on the Cat theme with anecdotes to the likes of: Has the Cat got your tongue? The restaurant also offers a buffet lunch on Sundays.

A warm and welcoming bistro set in a beautiful countryside scene in the Winelands of Paarl. A small choice of wines from the estate are available to accompany the tasty traditional food on offer. An endearingly humble spot in which to relax and watch the world go by.

Housed inside a beautifully restored Victorian building, dressed in chandeliers, XO Modern Bistro proffers excellent service, large wines by the bottle or glass and temptingly delicious cuisine. The menu boasts contemporary fare such as delicate duck à l’orange served with red cabbage and potato croquettes, rounded off with a decadent desert or a lovely cheese platter.