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Twelve Reasons to Head Inland
Cape Town’s Winelands are close enough for a long lunch and far enough to feel like a proper escape — Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Somerset West, all within an hour of the city. Twelve tables worth the drive, in no particular order.
Babylonstoren
Tucked behind the estate’s famous garden, the Greenhouse serves picnic-style plates built from whatever’s ready to pick that week — fresh, seasonal, and unmistakably Babylonstoren.
Klapmuts Simondium Rd, Simondium, 7670 · Book a table
Tokara
High up on the Helshoogte Pass with views over the Banhoek Valley, Tokara pairs a seasonal à la carte lunch with a chef’s tasting menu at night — home-grown vegetables and an excellent wine pairing list included.
Tokara Wine Estate, off R310 Helshoogte Road, Banhoek Valley, Stellenbosch · Book a table
Dusk
A genuinely thought-provoking restaurant concept from chefs Darren Badenhorst and Callan Austin, set on Plein Street in the heart of Stellenbosch.
43 Plein Street, Stellenbosch · Book a table
The Table at De Meye
On De Meye Wine Farm outside Stellenbosch, The Table works almost entirely with local, seasonal produce — small-scale farmers, delis and organic suppliers from the Winelands region wherever possible.
De Meye Wine Farm, Muldersvlei, Stellenbosch · Book a table
Protégé
Casual fine dining from chef Zane, under the guidance of former Eat Out Chef of the Year Scot Kirton of La Colombe — comfortable, unfussy, and built around local, seasonal suppliers.
18 Huguenot St, Franschhoek · Book a table
Eleven
A newer arrival on Huguenot Street with a global, contemporary menu — think wood-fired pizzas, steaks, grills and pastas in generous Franschhoek portions.
11 Huguenot St, Franschhoek · Book a table
Arkeste
An à la carte menu in a casual fine-dining style, set in a characterful heritage building on the edge of a forest at Chamonix Wine Farm — the food is by Richard Carstens.
Chamonix Wine Farm, Uitkyk St, Franschhoek, 7690 · Book a table
Le Petite La Colombe
Set among the vineyards and manicured grounds of Leeu Estates, with a choice of menus depending on the kind of afternoon you’re after.
Leeu Estates, Dassenberg Rd, Franschhoek · Book a table
De Blaauwe Kitchen
Italian-inspired cooking from Chef Giovanni at Blaauwklippen Estate — wood-fired pizzas, steaks, grills and pastas on a shaded veranda.
Blaauwklippen Estate, Strand Rd · Book a table
Chorus
A seasonal four- or six-course menu at Waterkloof Wine Estate, built around whatever ingredients are ready — the wine list leans heavily on Waterkloof, with guest pours from other South African producers.
Chorus at Waterkloof Wine Estate, Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West · Book a table
Cavalli
Set at the foot of the Helderberg mountains between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, Cavalli is as considered in its design as it is in its setting.
Strand Rd, Somerset West · Book a table
Smeul
A fire-focused à la carte menu from award-winning Paarl local Kevin Grobler, cooked entirely over smoke and flame at Zomerlust Boutique Hotel.
193 Main Rd, Hoog-En-Droog, Paarl · Book a table
Photo credits: All photos supplied via restaurant websites/marketing materials.
