From unique wine tastings and family-style lunches amid the vines, to premium steaks and heritage buildings, these 12 spots around the Cape Winelands are all highly rated by local foodies and discerning travellers for their out-of-this-world food, incredible service, amazing ambience and value for money.
Plan a trip through one of the many iconic Cape wine routes, and discover for yourself why these 12 venues all earned a 2023 Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Award.
Good to Gather
Rust en Vrede Restaurant
The Table at De Meye
Stettyn Family Vineyards Tasting Room
Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen
FABER Restaurant at Avondale Wine
Jewell’s at the Spice Route
The Restaurant at Newton Johnson
BluVines District
The Fat Butcher
Good to Gather
(Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 1
Top-rated: Ambience, food, service and value
Led by the husband-and-wife duo, Jess Shepherd and Luke Grant, Good to Gather is a tiny farm-to-table restaurant on Rozendal Farm in Stellenbosch. Boasting rave reviews and a loyal following, their seasonal 3-course menu changes weekly, inviting guests to experience different dishes each time they visit. During the summer months, take your seat under the oak trees outside or cosy up next to the wood-burning fire in the vinegar tasting room when the weather turns cold, to enjoy the menu of the week.
Placing first in the 2023 Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards and second in 2022, getting a reservation should be at the top of your list! Bookings for 2024 open up in December 2023, so keep an eye on their Dineplan calendar.
The MOST delicious fresh carefully prepared food, absolutely faultless beautiful cosy room, a great wine selection, dreamy farm pantry to shop for fresh and tasty things, best service all round a perfect way to spend a day. Thank you, Jess and Luke and your dream team
Rust en Vrede Restaurant
(Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 3
Top-rated: Food, service and value
Set within the historical walls of the estate’s original wine cellar, which dates back to 1694, you’ll find the sophisticated yet laid-back Rust en Vrede Restaurant. Chef Fabio Daniel has created an exceptional 6-course tasting menu that showcases sustainable, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Round off your dining experience by opting for the wine pairing and enjoy a selection of wines, carefully chosen from the cellar, to perfectly accompany each dish.
Having claimed third place in the Dineplan 2023 Reviewers’ Choice Awards, the Rust en Vrede team’s commitment to each guest’s experience is a testament to why Rust en Vrede scores 5-star ratings for food, service and value.
The best fine dining option in Stellenbosch!!! The food is amazing, great wines to pair and the service is perfect. Location is very romantic!
The Table at De Meye
(Klapmuts, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 4
Top-rated: Ambience, food, service and value
Sitting on the De Meye wine farm in Stellenbosch, you’ll find The Table at De Meye – a true gem. Take your seat on the lawn under the trees or in the cosy dining room and enjoy a 3-course family-style set menu made using local and seasonal ingredients from the neighbouring farms. Enjoy the company of those around you while you tuck into a series of exquisitely homely dishes and sip on the estate’s wine.
Having landed the number four spot on the 2023 Reviewers’ Choice Awards, don’t just take our word for it. The Table at De Meye tops all the categories and is loved by all who pay them a visit.
An absolute treat of delicious food, fabulous wine, wonderful service and idyllic setting under the trees.
Stettyn Family Vineyards Tasting Room
(Villiersdorp, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 5
Top-rated: Ambience and value
Stettyn Family Vineyards is a hidden gem along the Worcester wine route and well-worth a visit when driving through. As you sip on their fine selection of wines and enjoy one of their generous cheese and charcuterie platters, overflowing with cold meats, cheeses, marmalades, and olives, sit back and take in the views of the surrounding hills, vineyards and mountains.
Placing fifth in the 2023 Reviewers’ Choice Awards, the passionate and dedicated team at Stettyn looks forward to welcoming you into their little slice of heaven
A fantastic place to visit for food and wine. The views are incredible as you look down the valley over the dam. The staff are always fabulous and today was no exception.
Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen
(Stanford, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 7
Top-rated: Value
One of the Cape’s best kept secrets, Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen in Stanford is loved by locals and international visitors for its stunning views over the bay, phenomenal food, and slick service. Chef Jurgen Schneider, who held a Michelin star in Germany for over two decades, is an avid forager, and his greatest passion is taking inspiration from nature and the rich diversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom. “My creations reflect my deep love and respect for this breathtaking environment,” he explains. Join Chef Jurgen and his team for lunch or dinner and go on a 3 to 6-course journey, exploring the flavours of the Overberg on every plate.
Outstanding cuisine in a very relaxed atmosphere. Some of the courses were excellent and others simply unbelievable. Full recommendation
FABER Restaurant at Avondale Wine
(Paarl, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 8
Top-rated: Food and Service
Sitting within an old Cape-style building, up against the Klein Drakenstein mountain range, you will find FABER restaurant on the Avondale wine estate. This contemporary, farm-to-table style restaurant prides itself on dishes made from fresh, organic ingredients plucked straight from their very own garden.
It’s for good reason that FABER landed in eighth place in our 2023 Reviewers’ Choice Awards and is celebrated by all their guests for exceptional food and service. Chef Dale Stevens’ 6-course tasting experience and à la carte menu feature a series of seasonal, mouthwatering options paired with biodynamic and organic wines from the Avondale estate.
What a stunning view and perfect food! Again and again.
Jewell’s at the Spice Route
(Paarl, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 11
Husband-and-wife team, Neil and Tina Jewell, lead the team at Jewell’s at the iconic Spice Route destination in Paarl. This farm-to-table eatery serves up an small but enticing menu, where deciding between risotto and gnocchi, charcuterie boards, duck, linefish, and West Coast mussels is no easy feat.
Watch as your food is prepared in the open kitchen or gaze into the distance and take in the breathtaking views of the Simonsberg and Table Mountain.
The views are amazing! We had a lovely Sunday lunch- the food was hearty, uncomplicated and delicious. Service was warm and friendly. We will be back!
The Restaurant at Newton Johnson
(Hermanus, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 12
The Hemel-en-Aarde wine route is just a 90-minute drive from Cape Town and is a much-loved destination for both tourists and locals alike. Overlooking the vineyards of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, the Restaurant at Newton Johnson invites you to join them to experience their love of food, wine and sustainability. Order a selection of dishes from their ever-changing menu and sample their world-class range of fine wines, including their signature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir bottlings.
Having placed in the top 20 of the 2023 Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards, a stop at Newton Johnson should be at the top of your Hemel-en-Aarde itinerary.
Fantastic location with the best view of the valley and the most delicious food & wine.
BluVines District
(Montagu, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 13
Top-rated: Ambience
On your meandre along Route 62 and the Klein Karoo wine route (the world’s longest!), be sure to stop in at BluVines District restaurant in Montagu. Peruse their menu and enjoy a cup of artisanal coffee and an all-day breakfast, or a glass of wine alongside a delicious lunch or dinner. Whether you’re in the mood for something light, like wontons or sashimi, or ready to feast on the likes of prego rolls, burgers and steaks, their menu will leave you satisfied and planning your next visit.
In an idyllic location, surrounded by mountains, BluVines is centred around boutique wines, premium coffee and contemporary food and has captivated its guests. They’re lauded for their exceptional atmosphere and ambience, and got a top 20 award in the 2023 Reviewers’ Choice Awards.
Everything was fantastic. What a wonderful experience. Can’t wait to dine at the restaurant again. Gorgeous setting and fabulous food.
The Fat Butcher
(Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice 2023: No. 14
Top-rated: Food
Landing in the top 20 for both the 2022 and 2023 Reviewers’ Choice Awards, The Fat Butcher never disappoints. Guests can sit back and relax in the warm and inviting dining room or out in the shaded and whimsical courtyard before picking out their favourite cut of meat. It’s hard to choose which is the best, as many guests rave about their whole menu, but The Drostdy – a rossini-style fillet steak with foie gras and a velvety date and Hanepoot reduction – is a main contender! Book your table for the next time you’re in Stellenbosch Central and enjoy everything The Fat Butcher has to offer.
Best beef fillet I’ve had. Great wine list. Excellent service from the staff.
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