A Christmas in the sun may be a novel experience for many of our Northern Hemisphere travellers, but when you can follow up a massive Christmas feast with a stroll on a beach or a dip in the sea – it can easily become the preferred tradition. Just because you are down south for the season does not mean you need to miss out on a classic Christmas roast. In fact, the dinners and lunches you can find here may well be better than any you’ve tasted before (obviously, that’s not including your mother or grandmother, they really they are the best, but outside of your family these chefs will do).
At most of the restaurants, dinners take place on Christmas Eve as well as lunch and dinner on Christmas. If you would like to celebrate Christmas at one of these locations we’d suggest you enquire directly with them with regards to their times. Please take note that booking is essential.
Mount Nelson Hotel
Cape Town’s grand old dame knows how to spoil its visitors and this Christmas will be no different. In the hotel’s Planet Restaurant, guests can choose from an array of starters with the duck terrine and salmon mi cuit especially eye-catching. The roast suckling pig with black pudding, chorizo hash and crackling seems like an equally good choice with that of the old favourite roast turkey with all the classic roast trimmings. (R795 -R1500 per person)
Twelve Apostles Hotel
The Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas lunch are different with the dinner a four-course set menu with live entertainment and a glass of eggnog on arrival. For Christmas Day lunch, enjoy a buffet lunch featuring favourites such as mulled wine, gammon and turkey. Of course, Santa will be there with mysterious crackers, festive hats, and a special gift for each guest! (R1050 – R1075 per person)
Cape Grace Hotel
On Christmas Eve, Cape Grace has a 7-course set menu which will offer such delights as duck liver parfait, rooibos-smoked springbok and butter-basted turkey. Christmas Day lunch is a classic buffet with an array of cold dishes, hot dishes and scrumptious deserts. The dinner that night will again be a 7-course set menu offering dishes like turkey, seared scallops and exotic mushroom risotto. (R795 – R895 per person)
La Colombe
The renown and award-winning La Colombe in the Constantia Valley is a shining jewel in Cape Town’s cuisine crown. With a slew of international recognition over the years, visitors are guaranteed an exceptional dining experience every day, with Christmas bound to be no different.
Head chef, Scot Kirton, has put together three incredible menus based on the freshest produce, and will showcase the best of la Colombe. (R1350 per person)
Reverie Social Table
Reverie Social Table is a proudly South African table d’hôte style eatery with a focus on social dining. The Christmas spirit will certainly help with the social side of things while chef Julia Hattingh will ensure her food does the rest. Guests sit around her antique wooden 18-seater table to enjoy a five-course meal exclusively created just for them, and accompanied by carefully selected wines. Guests are encouraged to put away their cell phones and engage with one another. Perfect for those who love food, wine and great company. (R700)
La Mer Restaurant and Grill at Radisson Blu
La Mer is offering a three-course gourmet buffet Christmas menu. Guests can enjoy starters which include cream of spinach and feta soup, mains like grilled chicken fillet with sautéed pak choi and dessert options which include mini pistachio cheesecake, mini mince pies and more. The Christmas menu will be available throughout the Christmas season. (R600 per person, R150 for children under the age of 12)
La Mouette
La Mouette in Sea Point has a six-course tasting menu on offer for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day lunch and Boxing Day dinner. Highlights include pea mousseline, smoked duck with parfait and jam sandwich, beef sirloin with onion chutney and crushed potatoes, and panettone with beurre noisette ice cream and brandy butter foam. The tasting menu is available for whole tables only and a children’s menu will also be available on the day. (R645 per person)
