In a city like Cape Town, long lunches should be on your regular to-do list. We’ve put in the hard work, visiting the Cape Winelands’ leisurely lunch spots for those days when food and wine are the only things on the agenda. Looking for where to dine with your kids? Our family-friendly picks offer excellent value and pint-sized portions. But – importantly – they’re the ideal hangouts for mums and dads after a great feed and chilled-out drink. Just perfect to spend lazy days sipping, eating and lounging around in good company. Everyone will be happy, trust us.
Editor’s pick: L’ami Family Brasserie
Don’t let the name fool you. With executive chef Richard Carstens (previously of Arkeste at Chamonix Wine Farm), L’ami Family Brasserie is full of good surprises. And somehow, the gracious staff manage to make even this family-style format seem refined. Beyond the brasserie, La Motte Wine Estate has introduced a host of new experiences. The tasting room is back in its original home, once again adjoining the maturation cellar; Ateljee offers a space for artistic engagement; the Farm Shop showcases artisan-made treasures and South African craftsmanship; Spens brings a nostalgic take on a farm pantry; and the Artisanal Bakery & Garden Café serves fresh daily bakes – all while JAN Franschhoek Season III is unfolding. L’ami Family Brasserie is meant to let the outdoors in, and accomplishes that with greenery (including plants and wild flowers everywhere), a colour palette of woodsy browns, plenty of organic shapes and earthy textures, and ceramic plates in botanical prints adorning the walls. Across the menu, there’s renewed emphasis on less being more, resulting in clarity and elegance. Like freshly shucked oysters dressed with Cape rough lemon and glossy trout caviar, or coal-grilled crayfish tails with a lemon and garlic butter that allows the sweet, succulent flesh to shine through. The flavours work beautifully with the full-bodied La Motte Chardonnay. Charry Karoo lamb tails well matched with spinach and apricots put South African meat on a pedestal, as does a rib-eye steak boosted by accompaniments that range from bone marrow bordelaise to nuggets of salt-roasted Sandveld potatoes. The Leipoldt’s milk tart ice cream dusted with cinnamon is also a real stunner. Its smooth texture makes it the perfect companion to a biscuit base, almond mousse, apricots and coconut. Add a broadly appealing wine list and new outdoor seating, and you’ve got an experience that’s more enjoyable than ever. Gold stars all around.
La Motte Wine Estate, R45, Franschhoek
021 876 8000
lami.restaurant@la-motte.co.za
Groot Phesantekraal Restaurant
A rural restaurant within 10 minutes of Durbanville, the reimagined Groot Phesantekraal Restaurant is more than worthy of a detour. Framed by golden wheat fields and rolling green hills dotted with sheep, bovines and trees, the landscape is heaven. The pledge not to turn tables allows plenty of daylight to sip Groot Phesantekraal wines and revel in one of the Durbanville Wine Valley’s best high-end dining venues. Diners can expect farm-to-table lunches with an à la carte menu that changes with the seasons. And it’s all served looking like it’s come out of a cookbook. Venison tartare might be partnered up with pickled mustard seeds, fried capers, potato crisps, sour cream and chives, while pickled beef tongue may share a plate with sweet mustard, shaved cauliflower, brown onion and macadamia nuts. With the philosophy of simple, sustainable food, head chef Germaine Esau keeps it authentic and delicious. Just add the elegant Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc 2022 and call it the perfect starter. Slow-cooked lamb shoulder makes a headline act with smoked aubergine, blistered tomatoes and olive oil – but it’s just as easy to be tickled by the grill-kissed yellowtail brought to life with peas, bacon, bokkom and braised gem lettuce. Chantilly cream and strawberry sorbet are the crowning glory of a pavlova come dessert. The other dish to try here is the milk chocolate crémeux – rich velvet-textured pudding balanced by preserved ginger, honeycomb and homemade vanilla ice cream.
Groot Phesantekraal Wines, Klipheuwel Way (R302), Durbanville
021 825 0060
restaurant@phesantekraal.co.za
The Goatshed Restaurant
It’s such a pleasure to wander through Fairview Wine and Cheese to discover this wonderful restaurant. There’s an instant sense of comfort: We’re talking light wood, striped cushions and honey-coloured lighting set against a palette of creams and pistachio green. It opens onto a vine-covered pergola with glimpses of leafy gardens and roaming goats sheltering from the harsh midday sun. The estate bottles its share of fine wine (not least the Fairview Beryl Back flagship white), but it’s good at producing things other than grapes, too. As far as starts go, the baked camembert inside warm ciabatta with onion jam and mixed herb pesto makes the perfect shared appetiser. Although, the must-order cheese dish is the slightly salty, crisp fingers of cheese croquettes filled with mature cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese, paired with smoked chili sauce. The Goatshed Restaurant keeps its loyal clientele returning for more by offering generous portions and familiar-sounding dishes. A magical marriage of filling and crust makes the chicken and mushroom pie a source of joy. Sirloin steak benefits from a side of mushroom sauce, pickled vegetables and double-cooked chips. For a genuinely good plate of fresh pasta, tuck into the egg tagliatelle bursting with tomato, aubergine, courgette and capers, garnished with basil and feta. Service is polite – and country-paced. But there’s no need to rush. The baked cheesecake with its glossy, dark berry compote is more than worth lingering over.
Fairview Wine and Cheese, Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Paarl
021 863 3609
Leopard’s Leap
Leopard’s Leap adopts a casual vibe for its interiors and ambience. An idyllic vineyard setting that stretches beyond the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows establishes an easy mood. It follows through to a relaxed menu that taps into local inspiration and flavours, with chef Christiaan Visser pursuing exciting combinations. Dalewood Fromage Wineland Camembert is breaded and deep fried, surrounded by white wine-poached pear, apple and chive salsa. Pulled pork bao buns are all about contrast: Spongy, springy and pillowy on the outside; juicy, saucy and salty-sweet within. Naturally, you should tick off the beef bobotie samosas. The moreish bites offer aromatic flavours, offset by the sweetness of peach chutney. Another hit are the lamb koftas with marinated cucumber, tzatziki and mint. If you’re looking to indulge and get your plate overflowing, Leopard’s Leap is beloved for its self-service rotisserie and salad bar. Mains are all about the meats cooked slowly over low heat, from utterly homely roast chicken to pork belly with salty crisp crackling – this one always has foodies coming back for more. The crunchy and colourful nacho salad is also worth a mention. Dessert shines bright: Mini carrot cakes are made with a classic cream-cheese icing, while ultra-fudgy Oreo brownies are a new favourite. Let’s not forget about the wine though. Leopard’s Leap boasts some of the best chenin blancs and pinotages in the region, including the Culinaria Chenin Blanc and the Special Edition Pinotage.
Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards, R45 Main Road, Franschhoek
021 876 8002
