Stellenbosch Restaurants

Set within the deHuguenot Wine Estate, this is fine dining at it’s best. Mountainous views of Groot Drakenstein envelop the senses greeted by a 200-year old giant oak tree. Summers welcome dining on the terrace or balcony on the finest dishes from the enticing menu, while winter warms the palate with a crackling fireplace and hearty dishes prepared the according to the ‘slow food principle’. The interior is dressed in soft hues of grey and large windows capture the natural light making dining at deHuguenot Restaurant and unforgettable one.

The breathtaking Banhoek Valley is a home to Zorgvleit Wine Estate. Located on the perimeter of Stellenbosch, this wine estate boasts The Herenhuis restaurant with a historic presence that dates back to 1692 and offers patrons gourmet renditions of traditional South African cuisine. Much of the charm of the establishment is embedded in its history. The homestead of the farm that houses the restaurant has been meticulously restored with every effort to retain the original ceilings structures. This aspect paired with the paintings (specially commissioned to capture the beauty of the farm) creates a particular ambiance that has guests feel transported to a time gone by. Chef Darius van Rensburg and owner Marietjie van der Merwe combined forces to forge a menu that is a fresh interpretation of the traditional. Popular dishes on the summer menu include the crayfish cocktail and the linguine with smoked mountain trout. The wine estate’s deli also caters for traditional picnics to be taken under its oak trees, while Sundays afford family and friends braai (barbeque) picnic options. The restaurant also has a selection of award winning wines from its own farm on offer. Booking for lunch or dinner is recommended.

In its name, Overture Restaurant alludes to “An introduction to great things”. This exquisite eating establishment is set on the equally breathtaking wine farm, Hidden Valley, in the quaint Stellenbosch countryside. The menu is small and select, if not subject to change daily, to make the most of local seasonal produce. With award winning chef Bertus Basson running the show, patrons will certainly feel indulged in the culinary experience the restaurant offers. The menu caters for the sophisticated palate with dishes to the likes of Duck Liver Parfait (to start), Confit Lamb Shoulder or Silverfish (for mains) and Date and Rum Souffle for dessert. All menu items are paired and complimented with wines selected from the farm. For the foodies who eat to be swept away by the flow of flavours (not mention the eating with the eyes), Overture offers 3, 4 and 5 course menus (with or without wine). Feel free to take the advice of the in house sommelier, should one be undecided about wine choices. Overture has been listed as one of Eat Out Magazine’s Top Ten Restaurants for the past two years.

Housed inside a historic Cape Dutch homestead, perched on the banks of Earste River, Spier Hotel Restaurant is a comfortable and inviting establishment flanked by garden views, sprawling lawns and the Helderberg Mountain range. The interior pampers with elegant surrounds, large white leather banquet seating and wooden tables contrasted by lime green hues. Whether sitting down for a languid lunch, or seeking relaxation in the lounge bar, or sipping sundowners on the shady terrace, Spier Hotel Restaurant will seduce and meet your expectations promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Stellenbosch is almost synonymous with good wine and it's no surprise that this is where Ernie Els has chosen to open his brand new restaurant, The Big Easy, named after the man himself. The Big Easy is situated in the historical oak tree lined Dorp Street inside an elegant Cape Dutch-style house called La Gratitude. Built in 1798, this grande old lady is a combination of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture and has been tastefully renovated to provide the home for Ernie Els’s new signature eating spot. Here you can enjoy the finest cuisine prepared with the freshest ingredients inlaid-back luxury with a hint of history.The Big Easy Wine Bar and Restaurant offers a wide selection of more than 170 fine wines from the Stellenbosch region to complement their superlative food. In addition, new discoveries from the local wine industry will please the most discerning connoisseur. The most exciting news is that patrons will be able to enjoy wines from the cellars of the owners, at a cost that does not bear additional mark-ups.

The Guinea Fowl Restaurant is located on the Stellenbosch wine route on Saxenburg farm , one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa. It is renowned for its seafood, game and guinea fowl specialties. Visitors can delve into an extensive menu that caters for light, informal lunches to a full a la carte menu for occasion dining all while soaking up the ambiance that the farm effortlessly offers. Taking lunch on the vine covered terrace in summer, while watching the kids being taken for a ride (literally) on the farm’s minature horse will please young families, while adult parties and couples will love the fine dining experience that the restaurant offers. The menu is a feast for fish lovers, who have the assurance that the chef himself selected the daily catch. The Guinea Fowl also prides itself in its presentation staying true its belief that dining should satisfy the senses. Not to be forgotten in winter, the indoor setting, centred around the glowing fireplace, is perfect for long sips from the exclusive Saxenburg wine list. The Guinea Fowl makes for a fantastic venue for hosting corporate functions in its lapa, while its romantic vineyards set the scene for weddings.