Chapter 1: Stellenbosch
Mertia
This intimate restaurant offers exceptional fine dining cuisine with an ever-evolving menu, including a carefully curated wine pairing that complements each dish. Owner Marais Kirsten-Uys and Chef Matt van den Berg offer a unique dining experience in the heart of Stellenbosch.
Why go?
Experience local flavours with fresh, organic ingredients, celebrating the region's heritage.
Each dish is a masterpiece, carefully considered and beautifully presented, Image Credit: Mertia
Details
a: 20 Bird Street, Stellenbosch
w: mertia.co.za
t: +27 76 644 8448
e: reservations@mertia.co.za
h: Lunch: Friday and Saturday, from 12h00
h: Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday, from 17h30
The Fat Butcher
Savour the bold flavours of South African cuisine, where perfectly cooked steak is the star of the show and the Cape wines flow easily – served in a setting that feels both relaxed and refined.
Why go?
For expertly prepared, pasture-reared, grain-fed beef, and a proudly local menu that delivers from starter to dessert.
Cooked to perfection, Image Credit: The Fat Butcher
Details
a: 1 Van Riebeeck Street, Stellenbosch
w: fatbutcher.co.za
t: +27 21 882 8705 / +27 21 883 3857
e: reservations@fatbutcher.co.za
h: Monday to Sunday, 12h00 – 23h00
Clara’s Barn
Take a step back in time and into this beautifully restored restaurant, housed in the oldest barn in the Western Cape at Vergenoegd Löw wine farm and inspired by a modern South African farm kitchen. Relish the elegantly informal ambience, complemented by excellent service and a stellar wine and cocktail selection.
Why go?
Indulge in a five-course menu featuring indigenous local produce at its seasonal peak.
Each dish is a celebration of locally grown produce and traditional flavours, Image Credit: Clara’s Barn
Details
a: Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate, 1 Vergenoegd Road, Somerset West off R310, Stellenbosch Wine Route
w: vergenoegd.co.za/claras-barn
t: +27 21 202 4372/3
e: claras@vergenoegd.co.za
h: Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday, 12h00 – 14h00
h: Dinner: Thursday to Saturday, 18h00 – 20h00
De Eetkamer
Discover the art of shared dining at De Eetkamer, which translates to "The Dining Room", a charming restaurant tucked inside a beautifully restored old stable, steeped in character and history. De Eetkamer celebrates the joy of communal dining reminiscent of family gatherings.
Why go?
Savour a menu of small plates brimming with diverse global flavours, thoughtfully crafted to be shared and enjoyed together.
Experience unforgettable moments as you partake in the heartwarming tradition of shared meals, Image Credit: De Eetkamer
Details
a: 3 Drostdy Road, Stellenbosch
w: de-eetkamer.co.za
t: +27 21 001 8308
e: reservations@de-eetkamer.co.za
h: Lunch: Tuesday to Saturday, 12h00 – 15h00
h: Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday, 17h30 – 21h00
The Table at De Meye
Experience simple, honest food done beautifully at The Table, where each dish is crafted using the freshest local, seasonal produce. The focus is on quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a warm, communal dining experience. Every visit offers a delightful surprise assortment of masterfully crafted dishes.
Why go?
For an ever-changing, three-course set menu created to celebrate seasonal produce.
Dive into relaxed farm-fresh elegance beside the vineyard, Image Credit: The Table at De Meye
Details
a: De Meye Wine Farm, Muldersvlei Road, Klapmuts, Stellenbosch
w: thetablerestaurant.co.za
t: +27 72 696 0530
e: bookings@thetablerestaurant.co.za
h: May to September: Thursday to Sunday, 12h00 – 17h00
h: October to April: Wednesday to Sunday, 12h00 – 17h00
Post & Pepper Restaurant
Discover the joy of "fun dining" at this upmarket restaurant in the historic town's old Post Office, where fine dining meets playful innovation. Post and Pepper offers an exquisite dining experience celebrating the simple pleasure of sharing good food and conversation.
Why go?
Taste reimagined classics and inventive twists on traditional favourites crafted by chef and owner Jess van Dyk.
A dining destination for exquisite small plates, complex wine, and friendly service, Image Credit: Dineplan
Details
a: Oude Postkantoor, c/o Bird and Plein Street, Stellenbosch
w: postandpepper.co.za
t: +27 21 203 5165
e: reception@postandpepper.co.za
h: Lunch: Tuesday to Saturday, 12h00 –14h00
h: Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday, 18h00 – 20h00
Dusk Restaurant
Restaurateur Darren Badenhorst and Executive Chef Callan Austin invite you on a culinary odyssey where innovative fine dining finds expression. Pair your meal with a selection from the world-class list for an immersive dining experience.
Why go?
Indulge in a 13-course explorative menu that pushes boundaries and tells a compelling story with every dish.
Immerse yourself in the art of storytelling through avant-garde cuisine, Image Credit: Inside Guide
Details
a: 43 Plein Street, Stellenbosch
w: duskrestaurant.co.za
t: +27 21 023 4100
e: reservations@duskrestaurant.co.za
h: Tuesday to Sunday, 18h00 – 20h00 (last seating at 20h00)
The Vine Bistro
Ideally situated alongside the Glenelly wine cellar, The Vine Bistro's stunning views and French bistro elegance will welcome you. Discover eclectic combinations and rare older vintages for a unique dining experience, though not ideal for vegetarians.
Why go?
Enjoy classic French bistro fare with a modern twist, featuring the best local ingredients and award-winning Glenelly wines.
Come and taste the magic of French culinary artistry, Image Credit: The Vine Bistro
Details
a: Ida's Valley, Glenelly Estate, Lelie St, Stellenbosch
w: glenellyestate.co.za/the-vine-bistro
t: +27 21 809 6444
e: bistro@glenelly.co.za
h: Lunch: Tuesday to Sunday, 12h00 – 15h00
h: Dinner: Friday and Saturday, seating at 18h30 – 20h00
Eike
Eike is a heartfelt celebration of South African food culture. Chef Bertus Basson draws inspiration from nostalgic flavours and childhood food memories, reimagining them with elegance and depth. Expect a seasonal three-course lunch or five-course dinner, a tribute to the dishes that bring us together from all corners of the country.
Why go?
For a proudly South African dining experience that’s rich in heritage and full of soul.
Tucked into a beautifully preserved heritage building in “Die Eikestad”, Image Credit: Eike
Details
a: 50 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch
w: bertusbasson.com
t: +27 21 007 4231
e: info@eikerestaurant.com
h: Lunch: Monday to Saturday, 12h00 – 15h00
h: Dinner: Monday to Saturday, served from 18h00
Jordan Restaurant
Helmed by acclaimed Chef Marthinus Ferreira, who's worked alongside Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal, the Jordan Restaurant menu celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and artisans.
Why go?
For contemporary farm-style dining showcasing the Western Cape’s best food and wine, set against a beautiful backdrop.
One of the Cape Winelands’ original signature chef restaurants, Image Credit: Jordan Restaurant
Details
a: Stellenbosch Kloof Rd, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch
w: jordanwines.com/jordan-restaurant
t: +27 21 881 3441
e: reservations@jordanwines.com
Low Season, 1 April – 9 November
h: Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday, from 12h00
h: Dinner: Friday to Saturday, from 18h30
High Season, 10 November – 30 March:
h: Lunch: Monday to Sunday, from 12h00 (last orders at 14h00)
h: Dinner: Thursday to Saturday, from 18h30
Rust en Vrede Restaurant
Since 2007, the Rust en Vrede Restaurant has become known for its thoughtfully curated six-course menu. Today, it offers an alternative take on contemporary French cuisine, influenced by Chef Fabio Daniel’s Brazilian background and Italian heritage. With a focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients, and wines selected by sommelier Cameron Bishop, who works closely with Chef Fabio, every detail is designed to create a singular culinary experience.
Why go?
For a memorable pairing of exceptional food, wine, and setting.
The restaurant is housed in the estate’s original wine cellar, Image Credit: Rust en Vrede Restaurant
Details
a: Rust en Vrede Wine Estate, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
w: rustenvrede.com/restaurant
t: +27 21 881 3757 / +27 21 881 3881
e: dining@rustenvrede.com
h: Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday, 18h30 – 19h15 (last seating)
Tokara
Perched high on the Helshoogte Pass, Tokara Restaurant pairs gourmet, farm-style cuisine with views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. Inside, expect crisp linens, polished glassware, and large-scale tapestries by artist William Kentridge. Each dish reflects the rhythm of the seasons, and each glass celebrates the Cape’s wine heritage.
Why go?
For a menu rooted in refined farm-style cooking and a food-and-wine experience that's as artful as it is grounded.
Savour your classic favourites with views over the Tokara vineyards and olive orchards, Image Credit: Tokara
Details
a: R310 Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch
w: tokara.com
t: +27 21 885 2550
e: reservations@tokara.com
h: Lunch: Tuesday to Sunday, 12h00 – 15h00
h: Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday 18h00 – 21h00
Hōseki
Set within the Delaire Graff Estate, Hōseki offers refined Japanese cuisine in an elegant, art-filled space, featuring stunning interiors against a striking mountain backdrop. Choose from an à la carte menu or opt for the chef-led Omakase experience featuring five or six courses for lunch or dinner, crafted with precision and creativity under the leadership of Chef Virgil Kahn.
Why go?
For farm-fresh ingredients, sustainably sourced bluefin tuna, and locally farmed Wagyu.
Chef Virgil Kahn brings deep experience and flair to Hōseki, Image Credit: Hōseki
Details
a: Delaire Graff Estate, Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch
w: delaire.co.za/dine/restaurants/hoseki/
t: +27 21 885 8160
e: restaurant.bookings@delaire.co.za
h: Lunch: Monday to Sunday, 12h00 – 16h00 (Last seating at 14h00)
h: Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 18h00 – 23h00 (Last seating at 20h00)
De Warenmarkt
Housed in an 18th-century building in Stellenbosch’s cultural quarter, De Warenmarkt is a vibrant food and wine destination where you’ll find everything from wood-fired meats and traditional dishes to a lively oyster and Cap Classique bar, and a curated deli.
Why go?
Whether you’re here for Karoo venison, craft beer, or pinotage, expect local flavours, warm hospitality, and communal charm under one historic roof.
Whatever the craving, satisfy it together in this cosy dining space, Image Credit: De Warenmarkt
Details
a: 20 Ryneveld St, Stellenbosch
w: dewarenmarkt.com
t: +27 21 883 2274
e: info@dewarenmarkt.com
h: Lunch: Monday to Friday, 07h30 – 22h00; Saturday, 08h0 – 22h00, Sunday, 08h30 – 15h00
Basic Bistro
Right in the heart of town, locals and visitors alike are drawn to Basic Bistro's cosy atmosphere and flavourful dishes, whether a hearty breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a romantic dinner. Expect small-batch teas, indulgent milkshakes, and a carefully curated wine list, alongside their gourmet burgers, creamy pastas, fragrant Malay curries, and matured steaks.
Why go?
For its relaxed setting, unfussy dining, and thoughtful touches.
Catch up over coffee or unwind with a glass of wine, Image Credit: Francois Pienaar
Details
a: 31 Church Street, Stellenbosch
w: basicbistro.co.za
t: +27 21 883 3629
e: info@basicbistro.co.za
h: Lunch: Monday to Friday, 07h00 – 22h00; Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays, 09h00 – 22h00
Meraki
Located beneath the oak trees in the heart of Stellenbosch, Meraki serves simple, seasonal meals, from fresh pastries and locally roasted coffee to woodfired pizza and hearty plates. Whether you come for a quick croissant and coffee, a long lunch, or dinner shared with friends, Meraki is a neighbourhood favourite.
Why go?
For fresh, feel-good food served all day in a light-filled, welcoming space.
A place where coffee, conversation, and comforting food come together, Image Credit: Meraki
Details
a: 43 Church Street, Stellenbosch
w: meraki-living.co.za
e: cafe@meraki-living.co.za
h: Lunch: Monday to Friday, 07h00 – 21h00; Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays, 08h00 – 21h00
Veld at Spier
Veld celebrates seasonal, soil-to-fork cooking with ingredients grown on the Spier farm, raised on its pastures, or sourced from like-minded local producers. Expect generous, nourishing dishes that honour South African flavour.
Why go?
For honest, flavour-driven dining in a warm setting. Stay for a wine tasting, then stroll through the grounds of this historic farm estate.
Savour your dinner paired perfectly with Spier’s time-crafted wines, Image credit: Veld at Spier
Details
a: Spier Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Dr, Stellenbosch
w: spier.co.za/spaces/veld-restaurant
t: +27 21 809 1100
e: info@spier.co.za
h: Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 18h00 – 21h30
Chapter 1/5
