The Cape’s best wine estate fine-dining experiences
The Cape is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, from iconic Table Mountain to the verdant vineyards of the Winelands. The region is also known as a food and wine haven with many estates producing award-winning wines and five-star fine-dining restaurants among the best in the world.
Many of South Africa’s most distinguished fine-dining restaurants are based on wine estates, combining the best of both worlds, and providing unrivalled wining and dining experiences. If you love good food and wine, and don’t mind spending a pretty penny on either, here are some of the top wine estate fine-dining experiences in the Cape.
La Colombe in Constantia Nek
Set in an atmospheric, treehouse-like setting on a hill overlooking the vineyards of the Silvermist Wine Estate, La Colombe is the grande dame of Cape Town dining. Recently ranked 13th on the Best Fine Dining Restaurants World in the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards, La Colombe takes guests on a gastronomic voyage led by award-winning chef James Gaag.
Seated in a minimalist space decorated in a muted colour palette, diners savour delectable dishes with subtle South African influences such as tuna La Colombe – a tinned miniature yellowfin tuna creation with micro herbs, avocado puree and an umami-rich broth.
Where: Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek, Cape Town
Contact: (021) 794-2390
Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia
Beautiful Beau Constantia overlooking the Constantia valley is the spectacular setting for this fine-dining experience. Diners enjoy an classic Chefs Warehouse tapas-style menu created by head chef Ivor Jones, whose signature is evident in every dish.
Dishes are made using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and include sublime creations like chargrilled tuna with smoked corn in a brown butter dressing, a skillet of Swiss chard risotto with an unctuous curry leaf beurre noisette and salty chunks of ash-rolled goat’s cheese, and roasted pork belly with prawn shumai.
Decadent sweets like a wild lavender creme dessert served with crunchy honeycomb and cassia bark ice cream are nothing less than heavenly.
Where: 1043 Constantia Main Road, Constantia, Cape Town
Contact: (021) 794-8632
Camphors at Vergelegen
Named after the giant camphor trees that were planted around the front of Vergelegen’s historic homestead more than 300 years ago, Camphors restaurant is one of Cape Town’s top fine-dining destination restaurants.
Boasting beautiful views over the expansive lawns and towering trees of Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West, Camphors has consistently been placed in the Top 10 prestigious Eat Out Mercedes Benz Restaurant Awards.
The ever-changing menu tailored for both wine and food connoisseurs reflects seasonal inspirations with a modern approach to complementing Vergelegen’s award-winning wines.
Dishes range from braised octopus and marinated squid with avocado mousse and radish-and-tamarind jelly to Karoo lamb with sweetbreads and fynbos jus. The manjari flourless torte, with milk chocolate crémeux, raspberries and pistachio ice cream, makes for a sublime sweet ending.
Where: Lourensford Road, Golden Acre, Somerset West
Contact: (021) 847-2131
Overture Restaurant at Hidden Valley Wines
Situated in Stellenbosch and headed by award-winning chef Bertus Basson, Overture Restaurant is a renowned fine-dining destination that promises an unforgettable experience.
Set against a backdrop of breathtaking views over the valley, the picturesque Winelands restaurant has regularly been awarded prestigious accolades, including 12th spot in the Top 20 Restaurants of the 2019 Eat Out Mercedes Benz Awards.
Diners can opt for either a seasonal four- or six-course menu with optional wine pairing, and savour dishes that showcase traditional South African flavours with sophisticated touches.
Think beef terrine with sweet mustard and beetroot, rietskaap (lamb) with tomato, baby marrow and basil, and brown-butter roasted yellowtail with golden brown gnocchi, soft turnips and spring onion. Wines from the Hidden Valley estate are paired with each dish to create perfect culinary harmony.
Contact: (021) 880-2721
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