Porterville Restaurants

Rijks Country House in the Tulbagh winelands of the Western Cape offers guests a fine dining experience that is all about country hospitality and making the most of the beauty of its natural surroundings. The wine estate has three restaurants to choose from, each offering something special. Que sera is the fine dining lounge and offers an la carte menu as well as a buffet breakfast menu while The Iceberg Terrace seats guests outdoors under the pergola for breakfast and light lunches. Both venues boast magnificent views of the vineyards. At night the terrace restaurant’s pergola is adorned with fairy lights and candles providing patrons with a romantic, star gazing dining experience. The Mon Ami dining hall hosts private functions. Rijks offers game, seafood and traditional South African dishes as well as an award winning wine list form its private cellar. Rijks Country House is open for breakfast through to dinner daily. Come with plenty of time to spare for wine tasting.

Located in the idyllic village of Koringberg, Cornberg Café is situated in an old farm barn with picturesque views and private ambiance. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinners, and a good dollop of relaxation, diners enjoy a simple a la Carte menu brimming with seasonal dishes. Start the day with a wholesome breakfast, or unwind in tranquility over a hearty pub lunch, Cornberg Café is your relaxed country experience in the heart of Koringberg.

The True Love Cafe in Koringberg, in the heart of the Swartland wheatfields, is a celebration of what is simple and pure and true. It is a place of contrasts. Quiet calm in the refreshing Koringberg air, and loud laughter as old friends and new get together in the retro pub. Old masters on walls which are papered with newsprint. Ed Hardy tattoo designs and vintage portraits celebrating a mother's love. For Fiamma Forsdick, owner of the True Love Cafe, coming to this sleepy dorp has felt like coming home. After 27 very successful years in the restaurant and catering business, she was ready for something different. “I just love this place,” she says. “The people of Koringberg are genuine and decent. There's a great atmosphere here.” Fiamma's establishment is certainly adding to that atmosphere. The restaurant alone is worth the hour's drive from Cape Town. Fiamma, who was trained in Switzerland and was the owner of the cookery school, Yum, as well as seven previous restaurants, is serving deceptively simple, country food. “No towers or artistic drops of balsamic,” she declares. But the simplest cookery leaves the least room for error, and it is easy to recognise the touch of a master in her dishes. The menu changes regularly, depending on what is in season, so its worth asking what's on offer when you make your booking. Or just pop in, you'll be sure to be delighted by the experience. Opening hours are 09:00 until late, Wednesday to Sunday. To book, contact Fiamma Forsdick at 072 572 0586 or 022 423 8386.

Readers Restaurant is located in Tulbagh’s historic Church Street. Here patrons are delighted by the fine food on offer. The Curious Cats gift shop, that is housed with the eatery, gives Readers a quirky edge that is enough reason to return. The lime washed Cape Dutch Style stead sets the scene for the genuine Cape hospitality that is synonymous with Readers. In keeping with the Cape Dutch feel, the restaurant boasts wooden floors and crisp white table cloths on solid wooden furniture, all the elements for fine dining. Chef Carol Collins presents an exciting menu which offers traditional fare with a fresh interpretation. Signature dishes include the Springbok fillet with a Gooseberry and Amarula sauce and the Lamb Strudel. The Trio of ice-cream dessert is ever popular with exciting (if not a crazy) flavours such as curry and balsamic. The wine list supports the best of the Tulbagh region. Cat lovers will spend plenty of time post pudding inspecting the feline paraphernalia in the gift shop section of the restaurant.

Manley Food and Wine Lodge finds itself part and parcel of the picturesque Tulbagh village, a winelands town that is becoming ever popular as a food and wine destination in the Western Cape. Manley’s Cape Dutch setting exudes the kind of welcome that is synonymous with country hospitality. The newly renovated Manor House delivers a cosy ambience with its Oregon pine ceilings and exposed thatch work while the friendly service reminds one that food is all about people. The restaurant promises hearty, honest and unpretentious food. The focus is on fresh local ingredients and not so much on frilly presentation. There are delicious full English breakfasts with freshly baked breads on offer as well as divine whey fed pork for dinner. Manley’s is adamant about delivering really good food all round since the staff and owners are quite proud to state that they indulge in their own food first and foremost.

Pielow’s restaurant is a gem of fine dining located in the quaint town of Tulbagh. This intimate and elegant eatery promises guests fine food in a stunning setting. The restaurant forms part of the Oude Herberg guest house. Its tiny dining room exudes ambience with its quiet sophistication. In the summer the courtyard offers the best seating for a late evening of food and drink with friends, or an afternoon bite while watching the town’s rugby team in action. The contemporary menu incorporates the best local produce that can be sourced. Popular dishes include the roast pork with caramelised apples and the rack of lamb with home-made mint sauce. The list is vast with a great selection of local wines. Guests can also enjoy the fact that the restaurant has its very own patch of vineyard and bottles its own home groen shiraz and sauvignon blanc under the Pielow’s label.

For authentic Boland hospitality and the best of traditional Cape Cuisine, Paddagang Restaurant in Tulbagh is a must try. The restaurant is located in the town’s historic Church Street. The Cape Dutch building and manicured garden charms one into feeling that one is revisiting a time gone by. In keeping with the Cape Dutch setting, the restaurant is laid out with yellow wood furniture. In winter the two fireplaces create a warm ambience while dining in the court yard is a must in summer. The menu represents traditional Cape Boland fare with all the long lost favourites such as Bobotie, Smoorsnoek and Waterblommetjie bredie. Paddagang supports a host of local wines but also two gems from it’s own “padda” label: Paddarotti and Brulpadda. Paddagang can be hired as a function venue.

Waverly Hills promises the freshest, finest and where possible, organic ingredients in all their South African inspired country cuisine. Located just outside of Tulbagh, Waverly Hills’ boasts splendid views of the valley. Here guests can indulge in views of the farm’s vineyards and olive orchards while enjoying al fresco dining on the patio. In winter the restaurant has a blazing fire place to keep visitors comfortable and cosy. A mother and daughter team heads up the kitchen and delights patrons with menu items that range from starters like Yoghurt-cheese-bacon bundles drizzled with olive tapenade dressing and Best Biltong Pate. The mains on offer cater for all palates from items such as Red Curry, Rump steak and Chicken stuffed with sundried tomato and feta wrapped in bacon. The restaurant also offers a must try food and wine pairing which comprises five mezze bites with five organic wines.

Located on Grootwater Farm, !Khwa ttu Restaurant entices with lighty, hearty and creative dishes picked fresh from the garden and baked fresh from the oven. Housed in a 40 seater restored original farmhouse, perched on the hills, diners enjoy dining with a view and cooling tea garden complimented by famous vineyard wines. The menu focuses on fresh products, homemade breads and decadent cakes. Weekends beacon 3-course meals and imaginative deserts. Enjoy culinary creations from resident Swiss chef and a menu filled with hearty creativity at !Khwa ttu Restaurant in Darling.

Die Sitrus is a coffee shop, a deli and a grill all under the same roof. The coffee shop is open 7 days a week offering breakfast, lunch; take away meals, sandwiches, homemade cakes, tarts and a Sunday lunch roast. The deli is stocked with Cederberg products made in-house or by the community as well as other gourmet products. Die Sitrus grill is open 5 nights a week for dinner. The beef is aged to perfection, trimmed to their specifications, and melt-in-the-mouth tender. Just when you think it can’t get any better, the homemade dessert selection will leave you with a difficult decision!

Die Tolhuis Restaurant was started by Reint and Karien Grobler, former journalists with a great sense of fun-living and a passion for ‘trustworthy’ food. After selling their paper they created Die Tolhuis Restaurant into what it is today – a place where one forgets about time and truly enjoys a day’s outing. Set between the mountains with a spectacular view, the restaurant entertains the whole family. Kids can have fun in the play area while moms and dads relax under the shady wild olive or almond trees, or the large fireplace during winter. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, from Tuesday to Sunday. The food reflects our traditional South African cuisine and the menu varies slightly from summer to winter. Come and experience friendly hospitality and tasty food, and portions that will make your eyes bulge.

Housed in a 115 year historic house, in the historical precinct of Modderfontein, this heart warming country retreat invites cosy family get-togethers, intimate dinners and languid lunches. Dine alfresco soaking up the lush park like gardens or appreciate the beauty of nature shaded by an old oak tree. Benches and umbrellas welcome relaxed outdoor lunches. The dining room is perfect for old fashioned intimacy as is the enclosed veranda for those who enjoy a little more privacy. Ideal for families, lovers and friends, dining at 33 High Street creates a memorable experience.

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.

A ride out into the picturesque Bainskloof area near Wellington calls for a long lazy stop at Linda’s Kitchen. Here guests are promised the best country style cuisine in a cosy environment. The outdoor deck seating is all about the view. With the mountain range as backdrop and the Witte river in close proximity, the Bainskloof Corner Lodge is an ideal setting for that gourmet country meal. Head chef Linda Trautman’s signature dish is the slow cooked Lamb neck in red wine sauce served with sautéed broccoli and fine green beans and steamed basmati rice. The perfection in this dish lies in the fact that it is slow cooked over a wood burning fire. The restaurant has a local wine list that supports the Bainskloof region.

Oude Wellington’s charm is hard to resist. Ideally situated on a working brandy distillery in the Cape Boland, the restaurant offers great dining that reflects the best of cape hospitality. In winter the thatched restaurant offers a cosy setting with fire places while warm summer days call for meals to be enjoyed under the oak tress with views of the vineyards. The country menu offers traditional fare with a contemporary twist that incorporates the freshest seasonal ingredients. Divine starter choices to the likes of Biltong soup and Snails in Phyllo on Tzatziki await guests. Mains on offers include rare delicacies like Rabbit casserole as well as old traditional favourites like slow roasted Lamb Shank. The wine list comprises wines from the Oude Wellington Estate as well as prized potted brandy and Grappa.

Seasons is a contemporary restaurant located in the Wellington winelands at Diemersfontein Estate. The restaurant boasts breathtaking views of the Paarl mountain ranges and well known landmark, Paarl Rock. Guests to Diemersfontein can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Seasons. The second storey balcony is the ideal spot for a casual brunch or lunch while enjoying the beauty of the Estate’s surroundings. The summer and winter menu is influenced by the availability of the freshest seasonal produce. Popular menu items include Prawn and Avocado Tortellini, Lamb Knuckles or lighter options like the Roasted Garlic and Goats Cheese Risotto. And who can resist trying the Espresso Creme Brule or Toffee Springrolls with a dark rum syrup for pudding? The restaurant’s wine list supports the best on offer of surrounding regions. Snack platters cater for those who visit the estate for wine tasting. Guests also have the option of enjoying the estate’s stunning setting to the full with a gourmet picnic.

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.

Organically grown produce captures the flavours of country cuisine, direct from the garden complimented by intense and bold wines from Cloof estate. The menu entices with butternut ravioli, tossed in burnt sage butter, rocket and pumpkin seeds and shaved parmesan or chicken Caesar salad layered with cos Lettuce, croutons, crispy bacon, Italian cheese and creamy lemon Garlic and anchovy dressing. Round off the meal with a decadent chocolate pudding bursting with liquid chocolate centered pudding. Disccover all this and more at The Cloof Kitchen and wine farm every Tuesday to Sunday.

This 100% black owned restaurant immerses the palate in custom cuisine and cultural diversity. Offering African delicacies, this establishment shows an attractive exterior and interior dressed in artistic creations collaborated by local artists. Located adjacent to Mbekweni shopping centre, Chippa’s Restaurant is a welcoming break from everyday dining.

One can easily fall in love with the Breede Valley while visiting Opstal Estate’s restaurant near Worcester. Here, fine dining and sweeping views of the stunning surroundings marry to create a memorable eating experience. The restaurant offers an outdoor deck for al fresco dining on sunny days and loads of atmosphere in winter with its cosy fire place. Guests can expect a menu that represents the best of traditional fare from breakfast through to dinner. The lunch menu is light with offerings like Calamari, gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as schnitzel and quiche. Dinner, which the menu refers to as the ‘Main Event’ offers sophistication on a plate. Carnivorous guests will be spoilt for choice between items such as Deboned Leg of Lamb, Roast Pork Fillet and Braised Lamb Shank. The speciality desserts are displayed on the specials board and the restaurant offers a selection of locally sourced wines. The venue also hosts conferences and weddings with cottages for overnight stays.