Whether it’s home comforts endearingly crafted with local ingredients, or the high life featuring exotic recipes plated like artwork, the restaurants of the Cape are offering up aromatic temptations to leave your cosy confines for a meal. Here are some of the tried and tested top picks for the winter season:
BOSJES KOMBUIS
Bosjes, R43, Western Cape, South Africa | +27 23 004 0496 | hello@bosjes.co.za
A seasonal menu doesn’t actually happen as often as people think, in restaurants locally and internationally. Some places find their Best Sellers early and never look back.
Bosjes keeps looking forward with sustainability and great taste in mind. This is in everything from their decor choices to their evolving dining menus.
Bosjes Kombuis is all about harmony – with the design, the working farm, their diverse visitors, and what local artisans are up to. Cherry-picking the finest in seasonal ingredients, Kombuis diners can gorge themselves on a Sample Menu (with Mains priced between R120 to R210) that is more than generous and happens to beautifully meld Cape sensibilities and flavours for its dishes.
Whether you’re vegan or faithfully carnivorous, the Bosjes Kombuis team is streamlined and warmly welcoming to all, for a fresh meal that will satisfy, and an evolving menu that will keep you coming back to try something new too.
*PRO TIP:
Bosjes’s other eatery (they have like 3), SPENS, also has a new winter menu, with their ‘Warmers’ dishes priced from just R90 to R160.
LANZERAC MANOR KITCHEN
Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa | (+27)21 887 1132 | info@lanzerac.co.za
For a restaurant that’s at home in what is arguably one of Africa’s finest five-star hotels, Manor Kitchen is surprisingly unfussy in its dishes.
There’s no unrecognizable and too exotic a dish on their menu.
Straightforward feasts veer more to the meaty and seafood-based dishes, however, their stacked restaurant team also churn out hearty and wholly aromatic vegan and vegetarian meals like their Harissa Roast Aubergine complete with pea risotto, asparagus, mint foam, cured lemon, charred leek, and pine nuts.
Come early in the day though, and experience their Afternoon Tea!
Better priced than some other upscale offerings in the City of Cape Town, the Stellenbosch restaurant invites you to savour and gorge yourself on traditional canapes and some Cape-leaning savoury plates. There are scones, petit fours, macrons and a divine selection of finger sandwiches.
R320 per person? Absolutely decent!
And, you can even upgrade to R420 per person and enjoy your Afternoon Tea with bottomless bubbly (a local MCC).
THE VUE SHORTMARKET
Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa | (+27)21 887 1132 | info@lanzerac.co.za
One thing I’ve come to know about the Cape foodie scene is that everything starts and ends with a good drink!
The team behind hidden gem The Drinkery knew this, and brought The Vue to life with a focus on delivering a grand drink and decent view as many of us locals are willing to fork out to experience here.
Their Specials offering transcends seasons though, so come by after 12 midday daily, and live well with a glass of quality Piaff Brut Champagne + 3 oysters, for just R190.
Go big and then go home after savouring 6 freshly caught oysters + two glasses of Piaff Brut Champagne for just R360, OR bring a buddy and secure 12 fresh oysters + a full bottle of Piaff Brut Champagne for R950.
I can’t stress enough to you how they’ll be low on stock come any sunshine in winter or summer, because Capetonians and tourists alike want this dining nirvana: Table Mountain, table-top stocked with bubbles and fresh eats, and really attentive service.
Will you join us?
GALJOEN
Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa | (+27)21 887 1132 | info@lanzerac.co.za
The inventive team responsible for the success of Belly of the Beast and its curated set menu experience, emerged out of the oppressive Cape summer heat, with this cosy and comforting GALJOEN winter adventure: A multi-course winter lunch menu for just R550 per person.
When sustainably-sourced seafood swims into hands skilled in the kitchen, you get morsels of herbacious breads, punchy dressings, and a medley of crunch, slather, and slurp fit for the winter.
The fish of the day could be anything sustainably sourced (except ironically, Galjoen), and the multi-courses often contain familiar Cape casual fine dining favourites like snoek, miso, basil or ponzu ingredients.
It’s never the same menu, and that makes it so much more fun!
*PRO TIP: I say stick to the lighter (and less woodsy) wines, like pick a crisp Chenin or softer Rosé MCC to afford your palate the leeway to taste the note nuances of your composition of courses too.
ATHLETIC CLUB & SOCIAL
35 Buitengracht St, CBD, Cape Town, 8001 | (+27)84 087 5566 | info@theathletic.co.zA
One of the most highly recommended Cape Town stop-ins for those looking to impress, the Athletic Club & Social, is ideally situated in the city proper, with a penchant for drawing in the wealthy, trendy, and business professionals ready for a meet or quiet, quality lunch.
The neo-french noir bar and the establishments typified laidback Cape Town ambience means they have visitors from midday to midnight; Some of the most beloved dishes on their menu include Chargrilled traditional Halloumi with oregano, olive oil & lemon or honey & apricots, as well as Argentine prawns with aqua pazza and feta, and Deep Fried Sardines with Harissa Aioli.
I’m telling you now that it’s a steal of a deal to have a 3-course winter experience for R350 per person, so do give them a try and let me know what you think!
Mind you, while I love scarfing down their food, I’m usually at Athletic Club & Social for the drinks.
*PRO TIP: Definitely do give the Clover Club cocktail a try – John Ross Herbarium, Rasberry, Aqua Faba, and Lemon juice.
GRANDE ROCHE HOTEL
35 Buitengracht St, CBD, Cape Town, 8001 | (+27)84 087 5566 | info@theathletic.co.zA
I still get moon-eyed and nostalgic every time I think back on the meals I have enjoyed from sun up to sundown, at the in-house restaurant of this Wineland Grand Dame.
Aside from the good bars that are excellent bar none, the restaurant’s varied seating means a great balance between formal & relaxed hospitality. That helps one settle in (solo or in a group) and even eases digestion.
When last I staycated, the likes of Seafood Laksa Curry, Pepper Crusted Venison Loin, Peanut and Coffee Meringue, were on the menu and delivered flavours, textures, and headiness that satisfied most comfortably.
For just R295 the restaurant has a Grande Grill Lunch Special you should check out.
Listen, the wrong note in a meal which you’ve set time and money aside for, can derail more than just your stomaches’ steady status quo. It dismantles any prior good faith in the region the eatery calls home. There’s a taint that carries to the team that made it possible, and to the very ingredients now marred with distrust.
With an understanding of exactly how striking the right note influences, the Grande Roche restaurant team craft a delightful drinking and dining experience for their visitors – hotel guests, table bookings, and hopeful walk-ins alike.
…but, it’s the Grande Afternoon Tea that has my heart, truthfully!
