Pam
Guest post by Cape Fusion Tour Guide, Pam McOnie
This section aims to be an update of new restaurants that I have tried or want to try in Cape Town and the surrounding wine regions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list—merely a list of what looks really exciting for this season. We are blessed to live in Cape Town, a creative hub where new restaurants open all the time. As such, our aim is to keep working our way through the exciting offerings in our city! (See the bottom of this post for links to Pam’s past blog posts on dining in and around Cape Town)
This guest post will spotlight the SOUTHERN SUBURBS AND CONSTANTIA (15 to 25 minutes drive from the Cape Town city center):
La Colombe: La Colombe is one of our top fine dining restaurants in the country and has been for many years; despite changes in the chef’s along the way, they have managed to keep standards extremely high. Under Luke Dale Roberts they have been rated again as one of the Top 59 restaurants in the world by UK Restaurant magazine.
What I always find delightful here is that the setting in an outside courtyard, which gives it a country-like feel and it is really relaxed. As such, do not be surprised to find people in shorts and t-shirts enjoying lunch. So, it is typically Cape Town top-end service and fine dining dishes, in a relaxed environment!
La Colombe chalks up their offerings on a blackboard each day and the waiter will give you a blow-by-blow description of their dishes. The dishes are all innovative, delicious, and beautifully plated. Sometimes the dishes look as though someone has had to work on the components for hours upon hours—there are layers and rolls and all sorts of creations! Note, that as La Colombe is rated as one of our top restaurants in the country, it is always advisable to put your booking in place well in advance!
Location: Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Constantia, Southern Suburbs >> Tel 021-794-2390 >> www.lacolombe.co.za >> Open 7 days a week (but closed on Sunday nights during winter) >> Note that this restaurant is very expensive; however my guests have found it well-priced and value for money for a top fine dining experience.
Image above taken from the La Colombe restaurant website
Spaanschemat River Café: Fabulous food in a fabulous country setting, Spaanschemat River Café offers meals that are light, well presented and each item on the menu is more delicious than the next. The service is excellent. Once you have finished lunch, go for a tasting of the estate’s wines in the wine shop next door (or go before you eat so that you know what to order with lunch!).
Tel +27-21-794-3010 >> Location: Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Constantia, Southern Suburbs
Myoga: Top chef Mike Basset (owner of Ginja restaurant, which has closed down) has opened up Myoga to high accolades (see the feedback from patrons on the Eat Out website where some chefs claim it is the best meal they have ever eaten). Food type: Fine dining. Décor: Contemporary, while being understated.
Location: Vineyard Hotel, 60 Colinton Rd, Newlands >> Note that this is Southern Suburbs and, as such, is about a 15-minute taxi ride from the city in non-peak traffic times >> Tel: +27-21 6574545 >> www.myoga.co.za
Image above taken from the Myoga restaurant website
SIXTEEN82 Bistro on Steenberg Wine Estate: This quaint bistro is a delightful lunch spot to try while you are in the Constantia wine region. The Bistro is located just off the tasting room area for the Steenberg Winery. Steenberg are famous in South Africa for producing some of our best sauvignon blanc wines and a great champagne (called MCC in South Africa). The décor is contemporary and the cuisine is bistro-like in style. I have now eaten here about 3 times and each experience is better than the last.
This is a lovely setting to meet up with friends, have lunch, and simply spend the whole afternoon enjoying a few bottles of wine. The food is well priced and represents fair value for money, in my opinion.
Tip: Head here in the later afternoon for a bottle of bubbles and oysters from their raw bar—they also serve tapas in the late afternoon. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and late afternoon snacks!
Tel: +27 21 713-2211 >> http://www.steenberghotel.com/dine/bistro-sixteen82/
Image above taken from the Bistro Sixteen82 Restaurant website
Jonkershuis on Groot Constantia Estate: The Jonkershuis restaurant is a favorite of mine for the setting and for breakfast on the weekends. On weekends it is popular and so it pays to make a booking. Weather dependent, there is nothing nicer then booking to sit under the old oak trees. From here on a clear day you can see the sprawl of the Constantia vines, the distant view of Muizenberg and also a glimmer of False Bay in the distance.
It is the proximity of Constantia to the sea that keeps the vines cool and, as such, makes them such a great area for sauvignon blanc.
Closed Sunday night >> open the rest of week >> Tel: 021 794 6255 >> www.jonkershuisconstantia.co.za
If you missed Parts I, II, III, IV, V, or VI, VII, VIII, or IX of this post, view them by clicking the links below:
This Article was written by Pamela McOnie who contributes to the foodie side of this website and also offers private guiding services and gourmet & wine tours of the Cape region.
Have a question for Pam or want to have Pam guide your next tour to Cape Winelands? Contact us today.
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