If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable dining experience, you can’t do much better than the Cape Winelands, whether you’re after fine dining or relaxed family fare. It’s not difficult to choose the top 5 restaurants in the Winelands, seeing as five of South Africa’s top 10 restaurants are found in this delicious region. Here they are:
The Kitchen at Maison, Franschhoek
The Kitchen at Maison is one of Franschhoek’s most awarded restaurants – and for good reason. The combination of superbly prepared food, fine wine and a beautiful location are pretty irresistible, especially with their new philosophy: food at its most fundamental. Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg has simplified the menu to be as pure and simple as possible, with most of the food produced on the farm and the rest sourced nearby. The result is a taste sensation.
Foliage, Franschhoek
Foraging is taken to new heights at Foliage, the deliciously wild restaurant in Franschhoek whose menu changes daily depending on what can be found and what ends up on the plate. The delicate artworks on the plate are testament to how delicious – and beautiful – foraged edible plants and mushrooms can be. Chef Chris Erasmus has a field-to-fork ethos that makes a meal at Foliage a true adventure.
Overture Restaurant, Stellenbosch
With celebrated chef Bertus Basson at the helm, you can be sure Overture is something special. Basson’s emphasis is on traditional South African food with a modern twist, and for 10 years Overture has been combining the best of South Africa’s culinary heritage with superb wines at the foot of the Helderberg Mountain at Hidden Valley Wines. A must-visit for any foodie.
Camphors at Vergelegen, Somerset West
At Camphors, the food and wine are intricately married as Vergelegen’s classical wine varietals are partnered with the ever-changing menu. Named after the ancient camphor trees planted on this beautiful estate in 1700, Vergelegen’s signature restaurant relies heavily on seasonal inspiration and offers dishes aligned on a flavour profile spectrum: light and delicate to full and rich.
The Restaurant at Waterkloof, Somerset West
With beautiful views from a glass promontory, Chef Gregory Czarnecki has the ideal platform on which to display his exciting menu. Complemented by Waterkloof wines, there are both degustation and a la carte menus on offer, filled with fresh seasonal ingredients presented in intricate rainbows on the plate. A real adventure for the palate, The Restaurant at Waterkloof offers something different – and delicious.
Of course, while these are the top five restaurants rated by the critics, the Winelands is filled with many other superb options to suit any occasion. You could quite easily spend a month eating your way through the Winelands and not run out of new places to try!
