Rawsonville Restaurants

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.

With the Hex River Mountains as its backdrop and an olive plantation that surrounds the restaurant, Olivenbosch Restaurant, located in Worcester offers guests a dining experience with a splendid view and real Boland hospitality. Visitors can take advantage of the beauty of the natural surroundings by choosing to be seated on the outdoor deck in summer. Rainy winters, with a snow capped mountain in the distance, will however demand a table closer to the fireplace and glass of wine from local selection on offer. The a la carte menu is mainly Mediterranean with menu items that satisfies tastes all round. The restaurant is very much family orientated, with a kids’ room to occupy the little ones. Guests can also enjoy the social aspect of the eatery that caters for sport fans and those that love karaoke. Don’t miss the Sunday buffet.

Located just off the popular Route 62, Nuy Valley Restaurant serves a wide variety of local cuisine spilling off the top quality menu. A la carte and buffet meals entice the palate with delicious Sunday meals and booking only evening dinners highlighting special occasions. The boutique wine cellar pairs fine wines with delicious cuisine, perfect for those occasions that require something special.

Dieu Donne restaurant finds itself in Franschhoek, arguably, the culinary capital of the country. The Drakenstein mountain is a magnificent backdrop to the wine farm on which the eatery is located and thus sets the scene for tranquil lunch or dinner. The restaurant is housed in an underground cellar and promises patrons fine dining with its extensive menu and wine pairings from the farm’s own offerings. Dieu Donne is also a popular lunch venue. Guests soak up the best of the summer weather with al fresco style dining on the ground terrace while the lawn (with a sandpit near by to occupy the kids) is available for families who would like to picnic. Blankets are provided and the restaurant has a children’s menu. Dieu Donne delivers a ‘world menu’ which includes French Huguenot Provincial fare, with a unique combination of African, Asian & Mauritian influences. The open planned professional kitchen makes dining an interactive experience and adds to the energy that the restaurant exudes. A point of interest at this location is the micro brewery. Visitors are welcome to taste the beer the farm yields. Wine tasting is also recommended. Dieu Donne is also a prime wedding and function venue.

High up on the Franschhoek pass with sweeping views of the valley is Haute Cabriére Cellar Restaurant. Built into the flank of one of the surrounding mountains, it is a wonderfully romantic setting.Cellar-master, Achim von Arnim's Pinot Noir vineyard is on the slopes immediately below, producing premiere Methode Champenoise and classic cultivar wines.A special menu to compliment these wines has been devised by chef-patron Matthew Gordon, who with his wife, Nicky, oversee the smooth operation of this award-winning restaurant.Fresh Salmon trout bred in the cold stream water that flows down the mountains, vegetables and herbs, fruit from the surrounding plum, peach and pear orchards, seasonal berries, goat's milk cheese from Paarl and line fish delivered daily from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, mussels from Saldanha Bay, oysters from Namibia as well as lamb and game from the Karoo are on offer.The combination of fine wine and food, the elegance of the underground venue and the stunning views have in combination put Haute Cabriére Cellar Restaurant in all the top 10 listings in South Africa.Need to know?May: Lunches daily Dinners Friday, Saturday, Sunday eveningsJune till end September: Lunches daily Dinners Friday and Saturday eveningsOctober till end April: Lunches and Dinners daily

A blackboard features a mini al carte menu with Escargot, Frog Legs and Foie Gras poele as starters. Main include idneys a la moutarde (mustard), Kudu fillet au vin & purrees, Duck Magret a la plancha, Chateaubriand au vin, Tournedos Rossini & gratin dauphinois, fresh tuna ratatouille when available and Chef’s specials, usually with seasonal produce available on that particular day. The delicious desserts include fine pastry apple tart ice cream caramel sauce and decadent chocolate biscuit dessert with ice cream.Also available on the blackboard is ‘Le Menu du Jour’ which is a special 2 or 3 course. In winter, a soup of the day is included as well as a homemade Terrine du Chef and over starters. The main course is always centred around the Piece de Boeuf 300g (sirloin or rumpsteak or rib eye with frites and sauce to choose) or the fresh fish of the day (usually Kingklip or Red Roman or Cod).During summer, more options are added to the blackboard like homemade Terrine of duck, Encornets a la Basque, Gambas Salad citrus vinaigrette, crayfish, bouillabaisse, more fish dishes, more offals like sweetbreads and onglets.The wine list comprises all the Chamonix Wines, a selection of wines from the Winelands and a private French wines list.

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.

Absolutely stunning sweeping views of the Franschhoek Valley provide the perfect backdrop for this restaurant’s delicious contemporary country cuisine. It’s the perfect setting for a very lazy, long lunch, and their lunches are legendary! La Petite Ferme delivers innovative food using fresh local ingredients. Consistently voted one of the 'Top 10 Restaurants' by Wine Magazine, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Franschhoek, the French pocket of the Cape Winelands, has become renowned as the culinary capital of South Africa, so it’s not surprising to find oneself in a gem of an eatery like Topsi & Co. A scrawled daily menu on paper set on an easel, the antique silver salt and pepper pots, the water jugs, the fresh flowers and the open kitchen will make one feel right at home as if in a great aunt’s kitchen. And then there is food: hearty, comforting and exciting. Expect traditional fare that has been reinvented with flair. The menu changes daily to make the most of the fresh seasonal produce. Menu items include homemade Springbok sausage with chilli jelly and Warthog loin with mustard seed onion gravy with cabbage and samp. A firm, delectable favourite remains the white mold cheese and figs stuffed with walnuts, poached in red wine with citron. The restaurant does not sell wine, but visitors are invited to bring their own. Guests are encouraged to walk into the kitchen and check out what’s cooking. Alternatively, sit back and take it all in: the delightful smells from the stove, the clatter of pots and the chatter from the parrot – just like at aunty’s house.

Look through the glass wall into the kitchen and be amazed by the spectacle of owner and Chef Pierre creating stunningly beautiful 'artwork' on your plate. These creations also happen to taste great and Le Bon Vivant is known for sophisticated diners and a memorable experience.Le Bon Vivant is set an intimate converted house which is smaller than most of the purpose-built restaurants in Franschhoek. The ambience is fairly quiet, making it ideal for a more romantic evening. Despite the sophisticated surrounds, Pierre has added some unique and whimsical touches such as the lamp shades made from kitchen collanders.In addition to the full a-la-carte menu, Pierre also offers a five-course 'surprise' menu which takes the form of smaller 'tasting' courses, both complemented with a well chosen wine list. Tables are available in the shaded garden next to the restaurant for lunches or dinner on warm summer evenings.Need to know? Open 6 days a week for lunch and dinner. Closed on Wednesdays.

The Dutch East Restaurant finds its home in the historic French Hugenot settlement town of Franschhoek in the Western Cape. Easily one of the most picturesque towns in South Africa, Franschhoek has also earned the reputation of being the culinary capital of the country. The Dutch East, with its fusion of traditional Dutch and eastern influence offerings, stands out as a unique eatery in a predominantly French cuisine environment. The restaurant is relaxed and upmarket. The earthy interior manages to achieve a clean, minimalist simplicity in its décor that is stylish and inviting. High A-frame ceilings, red bricked walls and chandeliers set the mood. The menu aims to present food that is both appetizing to the taste buds and appealing on the eye. With the restaurant philosophy of maintaining and complimenting the true flavour of the main ingredient of the dish by preparing it fresh and simply, Dutch East certainly plates up dishes that are a flavoursome feast for the senses. Menu options include the likes of Seared Tuna with black sesame halva and a soy emulsion with whipped mango for starters, Lamb Shoulder with spinach cream, crackling and corn bites for mains and Fried Milk Tart with whipped cream and berry compote for dessert.

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.

A must-visit spot for Salmon lovers, this friendly establishment proffers everything from smoked to sashimi. Salmon from all over the world is on offer in an exciting multitude of different creations and presentations as well as some alternative seafood options. Not a place for meat seekers, this trendy venue sticks to what it does best and has achieved a brilliant reputation for doing so. The wine list comprises a nice variety of bottles, white and champagnes, in particular, with a good selection available by the glass. A great spot for al fresco dining, there is a quaint pebbled courtyard to relax in. When the weather is less favourable, there is plenty of seating inside, whether you fancy sitting at a table in comfortable chairs or perching at the bar. A deli section offers a nice selection trout and salmon for diners to take home with them after a fantastic meal.

Sushi D Okami is such a place. A place where people meet, eat and drink traditional Japanese hospitality and indulge in tantalising cuisine. The concept here is based upon Wakon Yogai principals, blended with Western knowledge and global experience of Old Japan and modern society. The menu is refreshing, tantalising and tasty and sure to transport the palate on a taste through Japan. Experience the Japanese culture and tradition at Sushi D Okami in Main Road, Franschhoek.

Exuding an urban restaurant feel, Reuben’s caters with local flavour and a menu that entices simple wholesome goodness. Fresh flavours dominate generous portions set in a sophisticated bistro setting. Presentations are flawless and dishes brim with local flare. Pamper the palate at this urban retreat in the heart Cape Town’s waterfront for an unforgettable dining experience.

The interior welcomes with a relaxed ambiance, set in the heart of Franschhoek and boasts a comfortable and stylish setting catered for enjoying South African favourites and excellent presentation. The menu brims with succulent steaks and fresh seafood, translated into classic and well-loved dishes, sustainably sourced. A kiddies menu compliments a perfect family day out, enjoyed alongside the covered play area while adults focus on great food, fine wine and comfortable stylish surrounds. Take home some tasty braai meat from the adjacent butchery on your way out!

This friendly Franschhoek family restaurant makes everyone feel right at home. Here you can sample true South African dishes (a rarity in Franschhoek's restaurants who mostly serve 'French' cuisine) and check out photos of Franschhoek in bygone days. Join them for breakfast, lunch & supper.

Brimming with homemade preserves, baked goods, hearty pies and classic and unusual items, the emporium caters for all palates. Small tables adorned with 1930’s European art compliment the black and white checkered flooring, contrasted by a striking Egyptian crystal chandelier. Intoxicate with senses with freshly baked breads, cakes, and tarts or sit down and enjoy a filling sandwich or platter with a cup of deluxe coffee or freshly squeezed fruit juice.

Local lad, Reuben Riffel, is much fêted. The food is wonderful - Brasserie style. It is necessary to book even in winter but it is easier to get a luncheon booking. Sit in the shady courtyard under the white stinkwood trees. There's an interesting pub section where the bar-counter is the wing of a Dakota airplane. During the day one can eat in a different sectioon of the courtyard where light food from their deli is served. Open seven days a week.

Located in Franschhoek, the Western Cape’s little pocket of France, is the aptly named restaurant The French Connection. This French Bistro style eatery offers an enticing menu that caters for tastes. Well known chef Patron Matthew Gordon (owner of the renowned Haute Cabriere) is the creator of the restaurant’s menu. Focusing on presenting only the freshest ingredients, The French Connection’s diverse lunch menu ranges from salads such as grilled calamari & chourico sausage with wild rocket and paprika dressing and a selection of pitas as well as more substantial meals like veal schnitzel. The dinner choices will keep guests happy with items such as Roast Duck, Fresh Mussels (with French Fries) and an excellent steak selection. The restaurant has a good selection of wines sourced from the Franschhoek valley to round off the dining experience. The French Connection is a firm favourite for locals and foreign visitors alike.