Stellenbosch is known for its beautiful and historic architecture as well as its picturesque surrounding vineyards, making it the perfect location for a sit-down meal. Here are 25 of the best restaurants in Stellenbosch, some attached to wine farms and some not.
Whether you’re looking for South African flavours, global influences or a first-class glass of vino to wash your meal down, one of these eateries is sure to work for you.
ALSO READ: 20 Best Rosebank Restaurants
Here are 25 of the best restaurants in Stellenbosch that you should visit:
Wine farms Stellenbosch restaurants
1. Kunjani at Kunjani Wines
Picture: Kunjani Wines / Facebook
First on our list of 25 restaurants in Stellenbosch that you should visit is Kunjani. The best of local and seasonal ingredients are used in Kunjani’s exquisite gourmet cuisine, served both inside the contemporary-designed restaurant and al fresco on the deck.
This restaurant takes diners on a culinary journey, encompassing both European and African flavours.
- Breakfast hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30am – 10:30am
- Lunch hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 am – 4pm
- Cuisine: European and African influences
- Location: Kunjani Wines | Farm 90, 20 Blumberg Drive, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
- Contact: 087 630 0409 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
Also Read: The 20 Best Restaurants in Midrand
2. Tokara Restaurant at Tokara Wine Estate
Picture: Tokara Wine & Olive Farm / Facebook
Perched on a cliff with views over a valley of vineyards that extends all the way to False Bay, Tokara was one of the very first winery restaurants established in the Cape Winelands.
The restaurant serves refined plaaskos (farm cuisine), modern dishes that are beautifully plated and elegant in their simplicity, made with seasonal and homegrown organic vegetables, under the direction of executive chef Carolize Coetzee. While dinner features four- or six-course set menus with optional wine pairings, lunch is à la carte.
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 12pm – 3pm and 6pm – 9pm
- Cuisine: Refined farm cuisine
- Location: Tokara Wine Estate | Helshoogte Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.4
- Contact: 027 21 885 2550
- Make a booking: [email protected]
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3. Cavalli Dine Restaurant at Cavalli Estate
Picture: Cavalli Estate / Facebook
Cavalli restaurant in the Cape Winelands has quickly become a favourite among discerning foodies across the nation after being named South Africa’s most stylish restaurant at the Eat Out Awards. It overlooks a tranquil dam with the magnificent Helderberg mountain range in the background.
Weekly menus created by head chef Lucas Carstens are motivated by Cavalli’s own heirloom vegetable garden, with both meat and vegetarian options that are constantly attractively presented, tempting, and fresh.
- Hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 12pm – 2.30pm and 6pm – 8pm | Sunday: 12pm – 2.30pm
- Cuisine: Contemporary spins on classic dishes
- Location: Cavalli Estate | R44 Highway (Strand Road) between Stellenbosch and Somerset West
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 021 855 3218 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
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4. Rust en Vrede at Rust en Vrede Wine Estate
Picture: Rust en Vrede Wine Estate / Facebook
Chef Fabio Daniel has made a name for himself in the fine-dining scene through his playful and upbeat demeanor. Dinner excursions may begin on the patio, but once you find a seat in the cosy eatery with the best views of the past, you will see true devotion to the craft.
Rust en Vrede at Rust en Vrede Wine Estate boasts a breathtaking environment of rolling lawns that dip into a river below, world-class wines, and Chef Fabio’s food.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30pm
- Cuisine: French, Italian and Brazilian inspired
- Location: Rust en Vrede Wine Estate | Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 021 881 3757 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
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5. The Vine Bistro at Glenelly Estate
Picture: The Vine Bistro / Facebook
The Vine Bistro at Glenelly Wine Cellar serves simple yet refined French cuisine by chef-patron Christophe Dehosse.
He and head chef Michael Saville make hearty modern bistro classics with local ingredients for weekly à la carte menus and a great wine list. The best of these become a three-course Sunday set lunch, and desserts or artisanal cheese boards are perfect endings.
This hidden gem has Parisian café tables, terrace seating, and gorgeous views.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm – 3pm | Friday and Saturday: 6.30pm – 8pm
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Location: Glenelly Estate | Lelie Street, Ida’s Valley, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 021 809 6444 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
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6. Hazendal Glasshouse at Hazendal Wine Estate
Picture: Hazendal Wine Estate / Facebook
In the beautiful glasshouse at Hazendal, which is tucked between trees and gardens next to the estate’s old buildings, there is a seasonal restaurant open on the weekends during the winter, when Pivnushka, the open-air beer garden, is closed for the season.
Offering elegant weekend lunches with glorious views in Stellenbosch, Chef Michelle Theron creates concise but delicious à la carte menus of seasonal cuisine with a classic spin.
- Hours: weekends only from 12pm – 5pm | kitchen closes at 4pm
- Cuisine: Seasonal cuisine
- Location: Hazendal Wine Estate | Ronelle Street (via Kruis Street), off Bottelary Road (M23), Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews):
- Contact: 021 205 5620
- Make a booking: [email protected]
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7. Indochine at Delaire Graff Estate
Picture: Delaire Graff Estate / Facebook
An obvious inclusion on our list of restaurants in Stellenbosch that you should visit. Indochine at Delaire Graff has stunning views, excellent service and world-class cuisine made with fresh ingredients from the estate’s biodynamic garden and greenhouse. Chef Virgil Kahn creates exquisite Afro-Asian dishes with a South African base.
Virgil’s fresh, delicate and theatrical menu allows diners to embark on a thrilling epicurean adventure that celebrates Asian spices with the expression they find in South Africa’s Cape Malay cuisine.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12pm – 2pm | 6pm – 10pm
- Cuisine: Afro-Asian fusion
- Location: Delaire Graff Estate | Helshoogte Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 021 885 8160
- Make a booking: [email protected]
Also Read: The 10 Best Restaurants in Alberton
8. The Table at De Meye Wine Estate
Picture: De Meye / Facebook
The Table evokes Tuscany with good food, wine and company in a charming garden with wide-spaced seating under trees. Chef Brendan Thorncroft and his wife, Leigh, use only the best seasonal produce from local small-scale farmers in their three-course sharing menu, served on mismatched vintage plates.
La dolce vita is refined comfort food in a beautiful setting. Winter dining by the wood-burning stove with lawn views is just as cosy.
- Hours: Thursday to Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
- Cuisine: Refined comfort food
- Location: De Meye Farm | Muldersvlei Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 072 696 0530
- Make a booking: [email protected] | dineplan.com
9. Longtable Restaurant at Haskell Vineyards
Picture: Haskell Vineyards / Facebook
A leisurely lunch at Longtable Restaurant at Haskell Vineyards features great views, international flavours and friendly service. The outdoor seating overlooks the vineyards.
The seasonal menu features locally grown organic fruit and vegetables, as well as sustainably sourced seafood.
And perhaps after lunch, you’ll stay for wine tasting?
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 9am – 5pm
- Cuisine: Country-style food
- Location: Annandale Road, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
- Contact: 021 881 3895 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
10. Ernie Els Restaurant at Ernie Els Wines
Picture: Ernie Els Wines / Facebook
On a beautiful wine estate in one of the most desirable parts of this fertile valley, this restaurant’s striking architecture and modern interiors give it an air of sophistication, while friendly service and an easy-to-understand menu make for a laid-back country lunch.
Chef Saskia Nel’s simple menu of classics matches the restaurant’s “Big Easy” nickname. The food, estate wines, and kids’ menu are all delicious.
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 12pm – 3.30pm
- Cuisine: Country-style food
- Location: Ernie Els Wines | Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
- Contact: 021 881 3588 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
11. Lanzerac Manor Kitchen at Lanzerac Wine Estate
Picture: Lanzerac wine estate / Facebook
At Lanzerac Manor Kitchen, guests can enjoy a lavish buffet breakfast or treat themselves to dinner, which offers classical dishes reimagined with contemporary influences and comprised of the very best local, seasonal ingredients.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7am – 11pm
- Cuisine: Contemporary reimaginings of classical dishes
- Location: Lanzerac Wine Estate | 1 Lanzerac Road, Karindal, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
- Contact: 021 887 1132 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
12. The Kraal at Joostenberg Wine Estate
Picture: The Kraal at Joostenberg Wine Estate / Facebook
At the Joostenberg Wine Estate, The Kraal Restaurant is tucked away in a courtyard with a stone wall, with outdoor wooden tables positioned next to the farm’s vegetable garden and between fruit trees and wild olives, where leisurely farm lunches are served.
Partake in a wine tasting in the old winehouse or savour a leisurely, seasonally-inspired farm lunch at the Kraal restaurant.
- Hours: Saturday and Sunday: 12pm to 2.30pm
- Cuisine: French-inspired bistro
- Location: Joostenberg Wine Estate, Hoopenburg Road, Muldersvlei, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 7606
- Rating (Google reviews):
- Contact: 077 964 11320 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
13. Gåte Restaurant at Quoin Rock Wine Estate
Picture: Gåte at Quoin Rock / Facebook
The exquisitely designed Gåte Restaurant, which overlooks the Quoin Rock vineyards in the seclusion of the Knorhoek Valley, has made a name for itself in the world of fine dining.
Over four hours, the seven-course tasting menu becomes 10 with the bread course, canapés, and generous petits-fours. Choose the simpler but still delicious three-course menu. Wine pairings from the diverse Quoin Rock and Namysto ranges enhance the experience.
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 12pm – 2pm | Thursday to Saturday: 6pm
- Cuisine: Modern take on African influences
- Location: Quoin Rock Wine Estate | Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
- Contact: 021 888 4750 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
14. Guardian Peak Winery & Grill
Picture: Guardian Peak / Facebook
Since its opening in December 2005, the Guardian Peak Winery and Restaurant has become a well-liked spot in the Stellenbosch Winelands.
The à la carte menu places a strong emphasis on serving unpretentious bistro-style food, particularly prime-quality steaks. Enjoy some of the best wines that Guardian Peak has to offer while taking in the stunning views of the vineyards.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9am – 10pm | Sunday and Monday: 9am – 5pm
- Cuisine: South African flavours
- Location: Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews):
- Contact: 021 881 3899 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
Fine dining restaurants in Stellenbosch:
15. Mont Marie Restaurant
Picture: Mont Marie / Facebook
Mont Marie strives for excellence in its food, wine and service in a relaxed atmosphere.
Incorporating South African, Asian and European influences, Chef Pieter Vlok expertly turns ordinary ingredients into exquisite dishes that are presented with simplicity yet elegance. He enhances a variety of delectable dishes with distinctive and genuine flavours that are representative of South African culture.
Since most of the ingredients come from the Boland region, the menu is constantly changing to reflect the fresh produce’s availability, which keeps Pieter and his team challenged and motivated.
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 8.30am – 8.30pm
- Cuisine: South African, Asian and European influences
- Location: Blaauwklippen Road, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
- Contact: 021 880 0777 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
16. De Eetkamer
Picture: De Eetkamer / Facebook
This historic stable building with an oak-shaded courtyard is tucked away off the top of Dorp Street in the heart of Stellenbosch, and it has been bustling since it opened in April 2022.
Here, chef Marco Cardoso has opened his own eatery that celebrates small-plate dining with a variety of international flavours. Expect anything from pulled-pork steamed buns and Korean-style fried cauliflower to Moroccan lamb koftas, parmesan risotto, and pan-fried gnocchi with artichokes.
The desserts are a must-try, and the short menu changes seasonally.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm – 3pm and 5.30pm – 9pm
- Cuisine: Global flavours
- Location: 3 Drostdy Road, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 021 001 8308 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
17. Eike by Bertus Basson
Picture: Eike by Bertus Basson / Facebook
In 2019, Bertus Basson opened Eike in a historic structure on Stellenbosch’s Dorp Street as a tribute to Eikestad (the city of oaks). Stylish emerald-green velvet chairs, a modern geometric tiled wall, and a kitchen that looks out onto the 30-seat dining area complete the cosy setting.
Bertus and chef Kyle du Plooy’s love of South African flavours are reflected in the menu, which is an ode to the changing of the seasons and fond food memories.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm – 3pm and 6pm – 9pm
- Cuisine: South African flavours
- Location: 50 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 021 007 4231 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
18. Kleine Zalze Restaurant
Picture: Kleine Zalze / Facebook
With plats du jour like venison with Jerusalem artichokes, sirloin steak, or smoked and poached hake, as well as small plates that let customers sample a variety of flavours, Kleine Zalze Restaurant offers a casual menu of time-tested classics.
- Hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 12pm – 3pm
- Cuisine: French-inspired bistro
- Location: Strand Road, De Zalze Golf Estate, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
- Contact: 021 880 8167 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
19. Dusk Restaurant
Picture: Dusk Restaurant / Facebook
Dusk is an experiential restaurant concept from chef Darren Badenhorstand and his protégé, Callan Austin, who have been exploring sustainability and pushing the limits of fine dining to the fullest.
There is only light above the tables and the open kitchen. A 13-course tasting menu with an optional beverage pairing will be available for dinner only at the restaurant. It will be a theatrical, thought-provoking experience that emphasises seasonality, local and indigenous ingredients, foraging, and fermentation.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 6pm – 8pm
- Cuisine: Contemporary fine-dining
- Location: 43 Plein Street, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
- Contact: 021 023 4100 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
20. The Fat Butcher
Picture: FatButcher / Facebook
The Fat Butcher is all about the meat, as the name suggests. It is a traditional steakhouse with a Stellenbosch feel, located in the heart of the city, with wooden floors, leather booths and a courtyard with shade at the back.
Hearty burgers, lamb shanks, skaapstertjies (lamb tails), porcini risotto, and other dishes are served along with dry-aged prime cuts and signature steaks made from grain-fed, pasture-raised beef.
Additionally, classic appetisers like chargrilled corn, marrow bones and steak tartare, as well as sumptuous salads and seafood, are available for those who are less interested in meat.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12pm – 10.30pm
- Cuisine: Bistro
- Location: 1 Van Riebeek Street, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
- Contact: 021 882 8705 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
21. ASTA Italian Restaurant
Picture: ASTA Italian Restaurant / Facebook
ASTA produces family-inspired traditional Italian food in the heart of Stellenbosch.
ASTA has moved on to the next stage of its development thanks to its owner’s love of Italian food. The restaurant now embraces the tradition and value system of generous service and delicious food.
After completing his B.Comm. in marketing and a stint on the yachts in Italy as a private chef, Chef Sheldon has fine-tuned his love and passion for quality Italian food. His passion for food and hospitality is plated for your enjoyment.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm – 9pm
- Cuisine: Italian
- Location: 95 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
- Contact: 021 887 7300 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
22. Jardine Food and Wine Bar
Picture: Jardine Restaurant / Facebook
Restaurant Jardine was founded by George and Louise Jardine in 2016.
Since 2022, the restaurant has been co-owned and managed by executive chef Hilde-Lee Olivier, who has worked at Jardine since 2018.
Order off a refined snack menu to accompany drinks, choose from various elegant à la carte options, or be spoiled by a signature four-course tasting menu paired with boutique wines.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 3pm – 8pm
- Cuisine: Contemporary fine-dining
- Location: 1 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
- Contact: 021 886 5020 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
23. The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira
Picture: Jordan Wine Estate Stellenbosch / Facebook
The Jordan Restaurant was one of the first signature chef restaurants to be established in the Cape Winelands. It is a formal dining experience that celebrates contemporary farm cuisine.
Chef Marthinus Ferreira has helped shape the South African food scene with his flair for gastronomy, inspired by his childhood favourites and influences from abroad. Marthinus will keep using his well-honed skills, but he will keep a strong focus on locally grown farm-to-table food, meat reared ethically by local farmers, and the freshest seasonal ingredients.
- Hours: Monday and Tuesday, Closed | Wednesday to Sunday, lunch from 12pm | Friday and Saturday, dinner from 6:30pm
- Cuisine: Contemporary fine-dining
- Location: Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
- Contact: 021 881 3441 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
24. Post & Pepper
Picture: Post & Pepper / Facebook
Located in the heart of bustling Stellenbosch, Post & Pepper’s menu and atmosphere are packed with all the things you love about fine dining without any of the frills.
Located in the Old Stellenbosch Post Office, this historic building is the home of great food, done well with amazing attention to detail. Chef Jess creates new interpretations of South African classics using the finest locally sourced ingredients, with a touch of Asian-inspired flavour.
- Hours: Tuesday: 5.30pm – 9pm | Wednesday to Saturday: 11.3oam – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 9pm | Sunday: 11am – 3pm
- Cuisine: Bistro
- Location: Corner of Plein and Bird Street, Stellenbosch,
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.8
- Contact: 021 203 5165 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
25. Helena’s Restaurant
Picture: Helena’s Restaurant / Facebook
Helena’s Restaurant is ranked #4 out of 236 restaurants in Stellenbosch and is the #1 African restaurant in Stellenbosch. Its goal is to serve traditional foods with style, often with a small change in the details that turns something ordinary into something spectacular.
With a focus on freshness and food provenance, the menu is created to showcase the bounty of the Cape. At Helena’s, delicious, unpretentious food and unique wine enhance life’s pleasures.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12.30pm – 2.30pm | 6pm – 9.30pm
- Cuisine: South African flavours
- Location: 33a Church Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
- Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
- Contact: 021 88338207 | [email protected]
- Make a booking: dineplan.com
Cape {town} Etc tip: Booking is recommended when making a trip to any one of these wonderful restaurants in Stellenbosch.
If you’re looking for a delicious reason to visit this picturesque town, look no further. From fine dining establishments to family-friendly eateries, there’s something for everyone in this charming corner of the Western Cape.
Also read:
Be sure to check out The 25 Best Restaurants in Stellenbosch.
Picture: Tokara Wine & Olive Farm / Facebook
Originally posted on Cape Town ETC.
