Destination Winelands: Top restaurants with vineyard views

The Cape Winelands has long since been known as the golden gourmet trail, offering superb award-winning South African wine estates and a good balance of old and new. Contemporary design and historical Cape Dutch properties have all opened their doors to the public — not just to taste the best of their harvest at cellar door prices, but also pairing their famed wines with restaurant offerings that aim to wow.

It’s the ultimate elixir: Jaw-dropping scenery, great food, award-winning wines and to top it all off, travellers from Europe, the United States, United Kingdom and the like will be astonished by the inordinate value for money that South Africa offers.

It’s a tough job getting the final say on a few of our favourite finds and we could write for months on end, giving you idea after idea for a superb lunch or dinner spot; outdoors, indoors, in amongst the vines, a contemporary art background or even underground in a cellar.

But for the purpose of this article, I’ve chosen to select our five top wine estates in the Cape that offer wine tasting facilities, together with a superb restaurant boasting a little something extra special.

Cavalli Estate, Stellenbosch

One of the newer members on the golden mile between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, this award-winning Green Star-rated estate is just about as beautiful as it can get.

It’s no wonder the owner family spent abundant resources pulling together a lifelong dream using Lauren Smith’s love and understanding for architecture to create both a wine estate and stud farm that has further pillars of excellence in its eco-friendly design and a nod to the arts in both its restaurant and underground gallery offerings.

Cavalli’s Everyday Gourmet menu celebrates real food and the unsurpassable surroundings of the estate, put a fine-dining spin on some of South Africa’s most loved dishes.

As the first Green Star-rated restaurant in South Africa, you’ll be left in awe of Cavalli’s vegetable and herb gardens which are used in each seasonal and sustainable menu change.

You’ll have to travel far in the Winelands to find a more stylish place to enjoy lunch or dinner, which is available for patrons from Wednesday through to Saturday, with a lunch-only option being served on Sundays.

Tokara Estate, Stellenbosch

Further up the R44 highway that connects a vast majority of the wine farms between Somerset West, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, you’ll find Tokara Wine Estate.

Known to be one of South Africa’s leading fine-dining restaurants, this is the restaurant to frequent during your stay for unsurpassable 360-degree views of Stellenbosch and False Bay. Head chef Carolize Coetzee wows in her very own theatre – a glass kitchen window offering a view into this state-of-the-art kitchen.

Tokara Restaurant is open for lunch from Tuesdays to Sundays and for dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays. In summer, make sure you come early enough to sit on a deck while first toasting in a sunset before your food journey begins.

Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia, Cape Town

Constantia in Cape Town is an area known for its exceptional beauty. Right in the middle of this suburban haven, you’ll find the boutique wine farm of Beau Constantia. Elevated vineyards and cool ocean-chilled winds, mean that the Du Preez family owners have found the perfect recipe for making pretty delicious wine in an unrivalled setting of natural beauty.

A popular addition to this wine estate arrived with the Chef’s Warehouse joining the scene, offering visitors an exceptional lunch or dinner experience paired with their phenomenal wines. Be sure to sample their fine-dining take on “Tapas for 2” as you enjoy the best views that Cape Town has to offer.

Chef’s Warehouse offers a lunch service from 12:00 until 14:00, with dinner offered from 17:30 until 20:00, Tuesday to Sunday.

Babylonstoren, Franschhoek

Babylonstoren in Franschhoek is a space you’ll have to travel the world over to try and match. One of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in the Winelands, this property has both heritage and diversity in immense measures.

Unique accommodation, working vegetable gardens and a sense of calm combine to make this an absolute must for your Winelands visit. The choice of three restaurants on-site, from fine-dining Babel to the contemporary outdoor Greenhouse terrace area or the famous bakery, means you’re spoilt for choice.

If you’re looking for something unique, they’ve also launched a healing tea ceremony in their Japanese-style tea house complete with a morning of learning from their horticulturist and naturalist on the power of plants and making your own tea fresh from the garden. Breakfast is a unique take on the ultimate tea spread, all from ingredients that are both seasonal and mostly from their very own gardens.

Bookings for the tea ceremony and Babel are essential. Bookings for the Greenhouse are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch

Our final pick is often referred to as the jewel in the Cape Winelands. Delaire Graff Estate offers the chance to experience the perfect mix of mountain appreciation, luxury and service excellence.

Take a walk through their famous gardens, and stop to appreciate the world-class Dylan Lewis sculptures on display. The owner of this estate is frequently named as one of the world’s top art collectors, so be sure to linger a little longer, taking in both the natural botanical wonder and man-made collections on display.  

This slice of paradise is best enjoyed while sitting on the deck area of their restaurant and sampling the menu and their own wines, a combination that is best described as an exclusive celebration of taste.

Lunch is served daily from 12:00 to 14:15 with dinner available from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 18:30 to 21:00.