Plettenberg Bay
Tucked away in a quiet courtyard, this is one of Plett's most upscale eateries. The speciality is dry-aged beef, though you'll also find some South…
Must-see restaurants in Western Cape
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Hermanus
One of the town's top restaurants is an intimate venue decorated in bodega style – all bare brick and wine bottles. The small menu features delights like…
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Knysna
Ile de Pain is a wildly popular bakery and cafe that's as much a hit with locals as it is with tourists. There's an excellent breakfast menu, lots of…
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Stellenbosch
A vibrant bakery and bistro priding itself on locally sourced ingredients. The menu features salads, sandwiches and mezze-style platters, as well as fresh…
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Garden Route
Readers and locals all recommend this elegant restaurant with a deck overlooking the lagoon. The South African–inspired menu changes monthly but always…
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Garden Route
Whether you're after freshly baked bread and good coffee to start the day, inventive tapas plates to share at lunchtime or heavier evening fare like…
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Winelands
The food at this stylish winery is on a par with the views: magnificent. Dishes, such as pan-roasted sea bass, Parmesan mousse and lamb shoulder with…
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Winelands
Well known for its gourmet cuisine and attentive service, this is one of the Western Cape's best small-town restaurants. The menu changes regularly but…
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Western Cape
This smokehouse has quickly gained a huge following for its slow-cooked and perfectly seasoned meats and Texan-inspired sides like corn salad, baked beans…
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Franschhoek
The award-winning Cape Town restaurant has opened a breezy sister branch here. The French-inspired menu comes in seven- or 12-course versions and you can…
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Stellenbosch
Expect innovative dishes like rabbit-leg wontons or beetroot chocolate fondant at this stylish winery restaurant. Book ahead.
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Winelands
The only downside to this fabulous tea garden is that it's only open for half the year. Based on an organic fruit farm, it's a wonderful place to sit…
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Winelands
The coffee machine here is manned by Joseph Matheatau, South Africa's first blind barista. The cafe is owned by Kaleidoscope, previously known as the…
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Western Cape
You can sample true local cooking at this restaurant overlooking the ocean in Kassiesbaai. It's a cheap and very cheerful place serving South African…
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Garden Route
Boasting one of Mossel Bay’s best locations, this low-key restaurant has picnic tables on the sand overlooking the ocean. Most of the dishes – including…
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Western Cape
Prince Albert’s smartest dining option has an ever-changing menu featuring modern takes on local classics such as Karoo lamb and game steaks. There are…
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Winelands
As well as excellent coffee roasted on-site, you'll find a selection of cakes, plus tasty salads and sandwiches made with the freshest ingredients. Locals…
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Western Cape
All bread is baked daily on-site and everything else is homemade too. The ocean-facing deck is a great place for a sandwich, a salad or just a coffee…
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Winelands
Based in the Tulbagh Hotel, this restaurant serves a range of dishes including a few vegetarian options. The shady terrace is a delight in the Tulbagh…
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Franschhoek
Chef and owner Chris Erasmus has brought the foraging culture to the Cape at this hugely popular restaurant. Forest-floor ingredients such as river cress,…
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Stellenbosch
It's a little off the beaten Stellenbosch path, but it's worth the drive to get to this well-respected restaurant in a winery. The delectable menu is…
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Franschhoek
Named for South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, whose work is on show at the on-site museum, this elegant restaurant serves modern takes on…
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Stellenbosch
Celebrated chef George Jardine of the long-established Jordan restaurant opened this small and very special spot in 2016. The emphasis is on local produce…
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Winelands
This elegant spot within the Grande Roche Hotel is one of Paarl’s top restaurants, serving multicourse gourmet dinners and more casual bistro-style…
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Stellenbosch
A very modern wine estate and restaurant where celebrated TV chef Bertus Basson focuses on local, seasonal produce prepared to perfection and paired with…
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Franschhoek
If you fancy a change from all the French-inspired fine dining, Marigold serves elegant North Indian cuisine in its contemporary dining room.
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Winelands
Recommended by locals all over the Winelands, this restaurant and wine bar has a comprehensive menu of upmarket dishes like slow-roasted lamb neck, roast…
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Franschhoek
Based at Vrede en Lust winery, this is a refreshingly unfussy place to eat in a region known for haute cuisine. You'll find salads, sandwiches and a build…
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Western Cape
Once voted the top Italian restaurant in the country, La Sosta is something special. The beautifully presented food includes treats like butternut-and…
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Western Cape
This homely restaurant has been serving the same three traditional dishes since 1998 – bobotie (a lightly spiced mince dish), chicken pie and lamb. There…
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Knysna
It can work out to be quite pricey since sides are ordered separately, but the seafood here really is worth it. It's a simple spot with tables on a sandy…
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Western Cape
The food from husband-and-wife team Brydon and Innes gets excellent reviews. The small menu is inventive and refined, utilising plenty of local produce…
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Winelands
The menu is fairly small but superb, offering a mix of Asian, Italian and South African dishes. Tables inside can be a little noisy due to the proximity…
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Plettenberg Bay
Highly recommended by readers and right on the beach, this is the place for seafood in Plett (well, just outside Plett). Enrico has his own boat that,…
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Franschhoek
Franschhoek's favourite son, celebrity chef Reuben Riffel, is behind this Asian fusion restaurant in a fabulous, light-filled space off the main road. In…
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Franschhoek
If you want to go all-out on the French-inspired cuisine here, try the five-course menu with wine pairings (R595). Tastings (from R55) are available and…
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Franschhoek
Loved by locals and recommended by travellers, this long-running restaurant marries South African ingredients with fine-dining techniques. Watch chefs…
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Western Cape
This award-winning, eclectic place serves a mixture of traditional and contemporary fare, much of it made with produce from the owner’s garden. Advance…
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Western Cape
Locals rave about this stylish place based in the Old Gaol building. The small menu features intricate dishes that use local ingredients such as springbok…
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Western Cape
The menu here is vast, but opt out of the sushi or pasta in favour of something a little more local. The bobotie (spiced mince with a savoury egg custard)…
