Greffdog
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Instead of offering my unsolicited opinion or replying to PM's, I figured I would make a post of my recommendations. I have been fortunate to spend a couple months in the Western Cape on various trips in the past 6 years and these are some of my favorite spots from those trips.
My request would be if you happen to visit any of these places, to post back your impressions, whether that’s to agree or disagree! I’m also happy to answer more questions but this at least provides a summary of my experiences without having to force it on anyone else.
Cape Town
Belly of the Beast - My favorite restaurant in South Africa. Three visits, three outstanding meals. They specialize in meat and using an animal from tip to tail. Only set menu and I believe only one dinner seating per night. They just opened a new restaurant Galjoen, we will try on our next trip.
Thali - Indian and some of the best I have ever had - have been twice and will be going back!
Kloof St House - Great food and has a small but nice bar with great cocktails. Usually a slightly more trendy and younger crowd but the food and service has been great on 4 different trips.
Arthurs Mini Super - favorite breakfast spot, it's over in Sea Point but worth an Uber. Ate here twice on one trip, last time I was there they were on holiday which was a bummer.
Publik Wine Bar - We go every trip and it's always great. They have multiple bottles by the glass and it's small so we usually just hang out and meet people. Food was limited to small bites when we went last but a great place for pre-dinner drink(s) and a snack.
Pot Luck Club/Salon/Test Kitchen - This is all the same group, we have dined at Pot Luck and Salon. Both were great but they are on the more upscale side of taste and cost.
Salsify - Camps Bay - Might be the most expensive on this list, it's fine dining and you pay a premium for the view, but that view combined with the food makes for a fine meal.
La Colombe - This restaurant group has many locations, I have only dined at La Petite Colombe in Franschooek but I'm calling it out because it was the most upscale dining I've experienced. It was above any Michelin star restaurant I have been to in France.
Other Cape Town
Mount Nelson – If you want to pretend you are in an Agatha Christie book (which my wife does), high tea here is about as good as it gets
Oranjazicht Farmers Market - I think it's only open weekends, but has lots of different food stalls and great place to walk around and buy gifts plus some really good food
Cape Grace Whiskey Bar- fantastic for reasonably priced pours by US comparison and they have usually had some hard to find whiskey
Truth Coffee - a bit overrated if you are a coffee snob. If you just enjoy coffee casually, you will likely be impressed with this coffee. The food is good but I wouldn't go there for that alone. Truth gets a call out because before this I was a coffee by occasion drinker, and after Truth I spent a lot of money searching out great coffee shops for a more-than-occasional cup. I have since been to probably 15 difference coffee shops in the Western Cape so if anyone wanted to discuss this I could write more thoughts about that – also, there is a speakeasy in the back, it’s not ideal if you aren’t young with good vision as we learned on our last trip. The live music at the speakeasy and the secret codes to get in were fun though.
Honest Chocolate - Great place for a sweet treat, there's a "secret" gin bar in the back if you get thirsty.
House of Machines - fun bar, if I remember correctly, they have a barrel aged old fashioned which is either great, or great if you have already had a nice meal and a bottle or two of wine
Stellenbosch
Typically we are going to wine estates, they usually have great restaurants so we only eat in town if we are tired from a hard day of wine tasting. Unfortunately a few of my recommendations have since closed.
The Fat Butcher - classic steak house at great prices, I think we've been here 4-5 times as it's reasonably priced and who doesn't enjoy steak? I also remember JW Blue was all of maybe $10 a pour (1oz not 1.5 but still damn cheap compared to most places). Might be the only time in my life I will order a round of JW Blue for a dinner party!
Helenas - Ate here once or twice and all I can remember is that we enjoyed it.
Franschhoek
Orangier at Le Lude - Best sparkling and I joke that their restaurant has cost me thousands of dollars because my wife just wants to keep going back! She says you absolutely must order the Gruyere Cheese Souffle.
Le Petit Colombe - Amazing fine dining at a steal of a price compared to what this would cost in Europe or US
Terbodore Cafe - I think the coffee here is as good as Truth in Cape Town and they have a great breakfast and lunch menu. The owners often have their Great Danes in the shop, and they have a great gift shop for souvenirs and coffee.
Smitten – We stayed in an apartment above this restaurant on one trip so we ate most everything on the menu and it was great.
Let’s Frite – The first time we ate here it was one of the best burgers I’ve had. The second time my expectations may have been too high as it didn’t quite hold up, but I would still eat here if I was looking for a burger. It’s worth mentioning the most expensive burger is $6, so for that price you can’t really go wrong.
Hermanus
No single restaurant stands out in my mind. It could be that we didn’t do enough research or because after you eat at some of the other restaurants listed above, you become numb to anything that’s not truly exceptional. It could also be we were too busy watching whales to remember to eat!
The Hemel en Aarde valley is known for Pinot Noir we did a tour hitting Creation, Bouchard Finlayson and Hamilton Russell. Storm was our preferred but last we went everything was still in flux due to Covid. We used Percy wine tours and he was good.
Vineyards (Stellenbosch/Franschhoek)
Le Lude – Mentioned above, the restaurant is my wife’s favorite potentially in the world. Sparkling wine is my favorite non-Champagne sparkling
Colmant – Also sparkling, also good. The winemaker from Le Lude moved to Colmant and every trip their quality has improved.
Anthony Rupert – Worth going to the car museum and the wine is among best we have had in South Africa
Waterford Estate – Good wine, beautiful location. Worth going to try the Jem wine alone
Delaire Graff – I was unfortunately driving when we visited so I didn’t get to partake but the views alone are worth coming here for.
Jordan – Great restaurant, good wine
Babylonstoren – Lots to tour see and eat, the wine is perfectly fine but nothing special, people come for the gardens and restaurants in my opinion – really great location to bring kids.
Kanonkop – Great wine, good tasting.
DeMorgenzon – Visited once, great views good enough wine, would go back given unlimited time
Fairview – wine isn’t anything special, but the goats are fun, and the food and tasting is well done
On this list but haven’t been to yet are:
Klein Constantia, Meerlust, Mullineux
I apologize if this comes across pretentious. I have strongly advocated for friends and family to visit as we have had so many great experiences across South Africa and I struggle to contain my enthusiasm once I start thinking about it!
My request would be if you happen to visit any of these places, to post back your impressions, whether that’s to agree or disagree! I’m also happy to answer more questions but this at least provides a summary of my experiences without having to force it on anyone else.
Cape Town
Belly of the Beast - My favorite restaurant in South Africa. Three visits, three outstanding meals. They specialize in meat and using an animal from tip to tail. Only set menu and I believe only one dinner seating per night. They just opened a new restaurant Galjoen, we will try on our next trip.
Thali - Indian and some of the best I have ever had - have been twice and will be going back!
Kloof St House - Great food and has a small but nice bar with great cocktails. Usually a slightly more trendy and younger crowd but the food and service has been great on 4 different trips.
Arthurs Mini Super - favorite breakfast spot, it's over in Sea Point but worth an Uber. Ate here twice on one trip, last time I was there they were on holiday which was a bummer.
Publik Wine Bar - We go every trip and it's always great. They have multiple bottles by the glass and it's small so we usually just hang out and meet people. Food was limited to small bites when we went last but a great place for pre-dinner drink(s) and a snack.
Pot Luck Club/Salon/Test Kitchen - This is all the same group, we have dined at Pot Luck and Salon. Both were great but they are on the more upscale side of taste and cost.
Salsify - Camps Bay - Might be the most expensive on this list, it's fine dining and you pay a premium for the view, but that view combined with the food makes for a fine meal.
La Colombe - This restaurant group has many locations, I have only dined at La Petite Colombe in Franschooek but I'm calling it out because it was the most upscale dining I've experienced. It was above any Michelin star restaurant I have been to in France.
Other Cape Town
Mount Nelson – If you want to pretend you are in an Agatha Christie book (which my wife does), high tea here is about as good as it gets
Oranjazicht Farmers Market - I think it's only open weekends, but has lots of different food stalls and great place to walk around and buy gifts plus some really good food
Cape Grace Whiskey Bar- fantastic for reasonably priced pours by US comparison and they have usually had some hard to find whiskey
Truth Coffee - a bit overrated if you are a coffee snob. If you just enjoy coffee casually, you will likely be impressed with this coffee. The food is good but I wouldn't go there for that alone. Truth gets a call out because before this I was a coffee by occasion drinker, and after Truth I spent a lot of money searching out great coffee shops for a more-than-occasional cup. I have since been to probably 15 difference coffee shops in the Western Cape so if anyone wanted to discuss this I could write more thoughts about that – also, there is a speakeasy in the back, it’s not ideal if you aren’t young with good vision as we learned on our last trip. The live music at the speakeasy and the secret codes to get in were fun though.
Honest Chocolate - Great place for a sweet treat, there's a "secret" gin bar in the back if you get thirsty.
House of Machines - fun bar, if I remember correctly, they have a barrel aged old fashioned which is either great, or great if you have already had a nice meal and a bottle or two of wine
Stellenbosch
Typically we are going to wine estates, they usually have great restaurants so we only eat in town if we are tired from a hard day of wine tasting. Unfortunately a few of my recommendations have since closed.
The Fat Butcher - classic steak house at great prices, I think we've been here 4-5 times as it's reasonably priced and who doesn't enjoy steak? I also remember JW Blue was all of maybe $10 a pour (1oz not 1.5 but still damn cheap compared to most places). Might be the only time in my life I will order a round of JW Blue for a dinner party!
Helenas - Ate here once or twice and all I can remember is that we enjoyed it.
Franschhoek
Orangier at Le Lude - Best sparkling and I joke that their restaurant has cost me thousands of dollars because my wife just wants to keep going back! She says you absolutely must order the Gruyere Cheese Souffle.
Le Petit Colombe - Amazing fine dining at a steal of a price compared to what this would cost in Europe or US
Terbodore Cafe - I think the coffee here is as good as Truth in Cape Town and they have a great breakfast and lunch menu. The owners often have their Great Danes in the shop, and they have a great gift shop for souvenirs and coffee.
Smitten – We stayed in an apartment above this restaurant on one trip so we ate most everything on the menu and it was great.
Let’s Frite – The first time we ate here it was one of the best burgers I’ve had. The second time my expectations may have been too high as it didn’t quite hold up, but I would still eat here if I was looking for a burger. It’s worth mentioning the most expensive burger is $6, so for that price you can’t really go wrong.
Hermanus
No single restaurant stands out in my mind. It could be that we didn’t do enough research or because after you eat at some of the other restaurants listed above, you become numb to anything that’s not truly exceptional. It could also be we were too busy watching whales to remember to eat!
The Hemel en Aarde valley is known for Pinot Noir we did a tour hitting Creation, Bouchard Finlayson and Hamilton Russell. Storm was our preferred but last we went everything was still in flux due to Covid. We used Percy wine tours and he was good.
Vineyards (Stellenbosch/Franschhoek)
Le Lude – Mentioned above, the restaurant is my wife’s favorite potentially in the world. Sparkling wine is my favorite non-Champagne sparkling
Colmant – Also sparkling, also good. The winemaker from Le Lude moved to Colmant and every trip their quality has improved.
Anthony Rupert – Worth going to the car museum and the wine is among best we have had in South Africa
Waterford Estate – Good wine, beautiful location. Worth going to try the Jem wine alone
Delaire Graff – I was unfortunately driving when we visited so I didn’t get to partake but the views alone are worth coming here for.
Jordan – Great restaurant, good wine
Babylonstoren – Lots to tour see and eat, the wine is perfectly fine but nothing special, people come for the gardens and restaurants in my opinion – really great location to bring kids.
Kanonkop – Great wine, good tasting.
DeMorgenzon – Visited once, great views good enough wine, would go back given unlimited time
Fairview – wine isn’t anything special, but the goats are fun, and the food and tasting is well done
On this list but haven’t been to yet are:
Klein Constantia, Meerlust, Mullineux
I apologize if this comes across pretentious. I have strongly advocated for friends and family to visit as we have had so many great experiences across South Africa and I struggle to contain my enthusiasm once I start thinking about it!
