With a rapidly developing reputation on the food and wine circuit, gourmet holidays to South Africa are becoming something of a hit among the connoisseurs. This is particularly true in the Cape Town and the Winelands, where tumbling mountain sides and sunny climates make for the perfect grape-growing conditions. And with a number of acclaimed chefs inhabiting the Cape Town area, the number of five-star restaurants springing up across the province makes South Africa the perfect place for a foodie holiday.
Blanketed in sunny vineyards and rippling hillsides, the Winelands unfold across the gorgeous countryside of South Africa’s Western Cape. At the centre of this gourmet world sit Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, two of the oldest towns in South Africa and unmissable on any foodie tour. Flaunting period architecture and quaint Victorian features, these towns are not only a treat for the food connoisseur but for the history buff too.
For contemporary fare in Stellenbosch try the Overture Restaurant that rests on a hilltop above the Hidden Valley Winery, or Rust on Vrede - considered one of the top fine dining venues in the country. Over in Franschhoek, Ryan’s Kitchen is a cosy stop for traditional South Africa cuisine, while Pierneef à la Motte offers a modern twist on age-old South African recipes.
Cape Town is thought to possess a food culture as diverse as its people; rainbow cuisine for the Rainbow Nation, as the motto goes. Blending the ingredients from its pre and post colonial past, you’ll discover a real hotchpotch of flavours, and have the opportunity to visit some of South Africa’s finest restaurants.
Among our top picks are The Test Kitchen, situated in an Old Biscuit Mill with a menu that exploits local produce; Bistrot Bizerca, a quintessentially French-style restaurant holding a string of awards under its belt; and La Colombe, built around a tranquil pond and courtyard where an unusual blend of French, Asian and South African flavours are fused into its cuisine.
Food more South African foodie adventures, we would also recommend visiting the vineyards surrounding Hermanus, or discovering the burgeoning African restaurant scene that has taken Johannesburg by storm. Looking for some inspiration? Take a look at our blog, which highlights the gastronomic delights of Cape Town on a tour that sees you eating and drinking your way through the colourful Bo-Kaap region.
