The Test Kitchen, Woodstock, Cape Town
The country’s number one restaurant, The Test Kitchen, is based at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock and is the brainchild of award-winning chef, Luke Dale-Roberts. While the restaurant is renowned for its menu, the venue is not uptight or overly elaborate. The experiences take you around the world, starting off in the Dark Room, before finishing up with the full taster and wine flight experience in the Light Room. This is more than a meal, it’s an experience. Booking essential.
The Restaurant at Waterkloof, Somerset West
A modern space, featuring spectacular vistas, Waterkloof Wine Estate’s signature restaurant is literally taking quality Winelands dining to new heights. Chef Czarnecki places an emphasis on using only the freshest seasonal ingredients, such as free-range eggs, farm-reared Schapenberg lamb, and a variety of common and rare herbs and vegetables – many of which are grown and sourced at Waterkloof. The menu is seasonal, and subject to change, but what always remains consistent is the incredible quality.
Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, Constantia, Cape Town
Ranked the fourth best restaurant in the country in the 2017 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards, you will struggle to find a more beautifully situated restaurant than The Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia. But not only does the venue boast incredible views of the Constantia valley, but with chef Ivor Jones running the kitchen, you can expect the same cutting-edge cuisine and laid-back atmosphere that Liam Tomlin’s original eatery became famous for.
Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort, Constantia, Cape Town
Another fabulous restaurant in the Constantia Valley, Greenhouse at The Cellars Hohenort has a number of awards on its shelves thanks to three sensational tasting menus alongside an a la carte menu, expertly paired with some of Cape Town’s best wines.
Camphors at Vergelegen, Somerset West
Beautiful trees and expansive lawns set a relaxing scene where fine dining at Camphors, named after the forest of Camphor trees, is a favourite with both local and international food lovers. The signature restaurant of the estate with its seasonal menu reflects a modern take on classic favourites that are designed to complement Vergelegen’s award-winning wines.
La Colombe, Constantia, Cape Town
After having moved from its original home at Constantia Uitsig, La Colombe – now based at Silvermist Estate in the Constantia Valley – has grown its reputation through the hands of celebrated chefs like Franck Dangereux, award-winning maestro Luke Dale-Roberts, and now the exceptionally talented Scot Kirton. Since taking the reins, Kirton has seamlessly integrated classic and modern French cuisine with an Asian influence, with each dish combining to create a fantastic all-round dining experience.
The Shortmarket Club, City Bowl, Cape Town
Headed up by Wesley Randles, the mentee of Luke Dale-Roberts, the Shortmarket Club moves away from the Asian-style tapas of The Pot Luck Club and embraces more classic dishes – steak, duck-fat potatoes, and chocolate soufflé – with a twist.
Overture, Stellenbosch
Based at the Hidden Valley Wines in the iconic Cape Winelands, under the guidance of Chef Owner Bertus Basson, Overture is a favourite destination for its exemplary service and fine dining experience. Regularly placing amongst the top 10 venues in the country, it has been awarded three stars in the Rossouws Restaurant Guide for five years running.
The Pot Luck Club, Woodstock, Cape Town
One of the coolest places to be is the Pot Luck Club. Located in the Old Biscuit Mill, the Potluck Club is all about sharing their delicious food and encourages guests to order for the table and for everyone to dig in to the meal. Booking essential.
Jardine Restaurant, Stellenbosch
The Renowned George Jardine has brought his signature skills to the Jardine Restaurant in Stellenbosch. With a focus on seasonal flavours, showcasing local, organic produce, the regularly changing menu offers bold, contemporary fare, while the venue itself is warm and intimate.
Foliage, Franschhoek
Based in the famed gastronomic wonderland of Franschhoek, Foliage is a comfy, casual and a family friendly venue offering dishes with the freshest local ingredients. Chef Chris Erasmus is well-known for his foraging abilities and at Foliage he uses a variety of indigenous flora and fauna to create something quite incredible and unique.
Wolfgat, Paternoster
This iconic West Coast restaurant takes guests on a food adventure, with seven tasting courses designed to showcase indigenous ingredients that are specific to the West Coast. Focusing on seafood – for which the area is famous – Chef Kobus van der Merwe brings his foraging skills to the table with local plants and seaweed added to the dishes.
Jordan Restaurant, Stellenbosch
Jordan Restaurant is one of the first signature Chef restaurants in the Cape Winelands, with George Jardine’s brand of contemporary fare focusing on the flavours of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Thali, Gardens, Cape Town
The brainchild of Chef Liam Tomlin – of the Chef’s Warehouse and Canteen – Thali recreates the laid-back, fine dining atmosphere of the former, with an Indian lilt. A fantastic culinary experience that captures the tastes and scents of India, Thali offers a set of tapas menus, ranging from sambals, poppadoms and tandoor to remarkable flavoursome curries. Thali does not take bookings, so be sure to arrive early.
La Tête, City Bowl, Cape Town
An upscale eatery based on the bustling inner-city Bree Street, La Tete first opened its doors in 2016 and has quickly become a favourite for locals. Subscribing to the farm-to-fork principle, the menu changes daily, but the team never fails to inspire and delight with dishes such as mussels with bacon and cider, chard and anchovy, roast shallots, ox heart with chips and horseradish and beef and kidney pudding.
