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ROOTS BISTRO

Belgian Breakfast Fine Dining South African
Bovlei Rd, South Africa
(21 reviews)
RR

Attributes

  • Outdoor Seating
  • Great Views
  • WiFi
  • Fireplace
  • Wine Estate

At Roots Bistro, we celebrate the fusion of Belgian and South African cuisine in a vibrant setting that features the beautiful onsite Art Gallery . Our menu is full of culinary delights, each dish crafted with care to offer a truly memorable dining experience.

With a modern yet welcoming atmosphere, we’re the ideal venue for your special occasions, complemented by the Marie-J Beach Bar , a beautiful Manor House and wonderful gardens we can’t wait to host your celebrations. Join us for wine tastings available by reservation, and discover why Roots Bistro is a favourite destination amongst food, wine and art lovers.

Reviews (21)

4.3 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.3
Value 4.2
Service 4.2
Ambience 4.3
  • Marleen B. Dined: 4 days ago
    3
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 3.0
  • Linda M. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Carolin H. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    3.8
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 28 Dec 24 (Guest left no comment)

    ROOTS BISTRO responded on Mon 30 Dec 24:
    Thank You for your your visit and review, we appreciate Your opinion.

    1
  • Noluthando M. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    2.5
    Food 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 27 Dec 24
    Christmas lunch was disappointing. The staff were overwhelmed and I guess so was the kitchen. We arrived, got served welcome bubbles in wine glasses because they ran out of flutes. We waited over 45min (close to an hour) for our starters to be served...they gave us more MCC as their apology for the wait, luckily this time in the right glassware. Of the 3 starters in the menu, they ran out of prawns, so only the raw options were left (we had our 6 year old with us)...they made Crocketts for her as an alternative, which we appreciated. The tartar was horrible (but to be fair, I'm not a raw meat with raw egg person , we were just trying it out), the carpacio was okay. For the mains, the duck was dry, the lamb and salmon were okay, the vegetables were tasty. The desserts were also a let down; the malva was burnt & the creme brulee custard was a touch lumpy...the weather was extremely hot, the fans weren't working and the aircon only helped if you were directly under it. It would've been nice if they had the mist spriters inside and outside for some relief...I think they need to re-think their menu options next time because having 2 of the 3 starters be raw, in my opinion was the wrong move that's why they ran out of prawns, coz no1 was really interested in their raw options. The place itself is cute, the outside space is beautiful but it's almost impossible to enjoy in peak heat. The staff were nice and I understand that in that heat, with all the guests, and how few of them there were, why they were overwhelmed. We had booked the garden but with a new born in that heat, it wasn't going to work...they moved us inside, which helped but there were also just so many flies, it made enjoying the meals rather frustrating. Overall I'd rate the entire experience a 5 because there is room for improvement for sure.

    ROOTS BISTRO responded on Mon 30 Dec 24:
    Dear Noluthando, Thank You so much for visiting us on Christmas. You did a late booking, as we were fully booked inside, the only option was a table outside at 11.30am. However You arrived at 2pm. Unfortunately, You were not the only ones who arrived much later than booked. This has put pressure on the kitchen. It was extremely hot outside for the time of year but You booked an outside table. Fortunately, other guests came on time so we could offer you their table after 14.30 pm. Our staff has done everything possible to serve You as well as possible. We were working with a fixed choice menu that was published long time in advance. In about 4 hours, we served more than 100 guests. I am proud of my young talented staff. We hope to welcome You back on a normal day to let You enjoy our extensive menu, made with love and fresch products. Best regards, Dirk, owner of Roots Bistro.

  • Cal D. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 26 Dec 24
    What a hidden gem! OUTSTANDING food and service. A magnificent place to visit. From the welcome, to the entire stay - 5 stars plus. Thank you to the owners Dirk and Maudie for your personal welcome. We will most definitely be back. Thank you Roots Bistro!

    ROOTS BISTRO responded on Mon 30 Dec 24:
    Thank You for your your visit and review, we appreciate Your opinion.

  • Jacqueline M. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 26 Dec 24
    A lovely experience in a beautiful setting with warm hospitality and delicious food. A must to visit.

    ROOTS BISTRO responded on Mon 30 Dec 24:
    Thank You for your your visit and review, we appreciate Your opinion.

  • Shenaz Lachelles K. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    1.3
    Food 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 1.0
    Ambience 1.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 26 Dec 24
    Awful experience. Don’t recommend. Worst Christmas lunch i ever experienced in Cape Town. Did not have salt n pepper on the tables and menu items were missing. Took forever to bring canapés and food to the table. Sat in 40 degrees heat waiting.

    ROOTS BISTRO responded on Wed 01 Jan 25:
    Dear Valued Customers, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. At Roots Bistro, we take every comment seriously as we strive to provide an exceptional dining and art experience in the heart of Dunstone Estate. Our Story: Roots Bistro opened its doors in mid-September 2024, born out of a vision by owners Dirk Vaeye and Maudie Smit to combine great food, art, and the beauty of Dunstone Estate. As a new restaurant with a small, dedicated, and young team, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure a high standard of food and service, despite the challenges inherent in building a new establishment. Challenges During the Festive Season: The festive season is a particularly busy time in the Winelands. While we were excited to host our first Christmas lunch and remain open between Christmas and New Year’s, it came with unexpected challenges: Booking Issues: Late cancellations and double bookings from customers led to last-minute changes in our planning. Despite our best efforts to manage this, it created additional pressure on our team. Staffing Challenges: Our head chef departed just before Christmas, and some staff were unable to work on critical days, leading to reliance on temporary workers. Weather and Nature: Christmas Day saw temperatures soar to 40°C, making outdoor seating uncomfortable and increasing issues with flies, which are unfortunately a natural part of the farm environment. High Volume of Guests: The influx of guests during peak season overwhelmed our small kitchen and service team, particularly for large tables and special requests. Despite these challenges, our team remained committed to delivering the best possible experience, and many customers appreciated their efforts. However, we acknowledge that some diners were disappointed, and we deeply regret not meeting everyone’s expectations. Our Commitment to Improvement: We’ve learned valuable lessons from this season and are taking proactive steps to enhance your future dining experience: Service Charges: A service charge will be added to tables of 8 or more to ensure fair compensation for our hardworking staff. Deposits for Large Tables: We will require deposits for larger bookings to better manage reservations. Streamlined Processes: We’re improving our booking system and staffing strategy to handle peak times more effectively. Invitation to Return: We invite all customers who were unhappy during this time to book a table out of season and experience our hospitality at its best. If you’re still not satisfied, we’ll gladly offer your meal free of charge. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we grow. We are passionate about creating a space where food, art, and nature come together to offer an unforgettable experience. Warm regards, Dirk Vaeye & Maudie Smit Owners, Roots Bistro at Dunstone Estate

  • Marc T. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    3.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 24 Dec 24 (Guest left no comment)

    ROOTS BISTRO responded on Wed 01 Jan 25:
    Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! It truly means the world to us that you enjoyed your experience at Roots Bistro. Our vision has always been to create a unique space where great food, art, wine, and nature come together, and it brings us immense joy to know that we’ve succeeded in making your visit memorable. Your kind words inspire our team to keep striving for excellence, and we’re delighted that our efforts to offer high-quality dishes and warm hospitality left a lasting impression. We would love to welcome you back soon to explore more of what we have to offer! Whether it’s enjoying a leisurely lunch, experiencing our art exhibitions, or simply soaking in the beauty of Dunstone Estate, we promise another exceptional experience. Keep an eye out for our upcoming seasonal specials and events—we’d be thrilled to have you join us again. Warm regards, Dirk Vaeye & Maudie Smit Owners, Roots Bistro at Dunstone Estate

  • Tony V. Dined: 1 month ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 23 Dec 24
    Lekker gegeten met zeer lekkere wijnen!

  • Johan B. Dined: 1 month ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 18 Dec 24
    We had a great lunch in a stunning setting

    ROOTS BISTRO responded on Wed 01 Jan 25:
    Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! It truly means the world to us that you enjoyed your experience at Roots Bistro. Our vision has always been to create a unique space where great food, art, wine, and nature come together, and it brings us immense joy to know that we’ve succeeded in making your visit memorable. Your kind words inspire our team to keep striving for excellence, and we’re delighted that our efforts to offer high-quality dishes and warm hospitality left a lasting impression. We would love to welcome you back soon to explore more of what we have to offer! Whether it’s enjoying a leisurely lunch, experiencing our art exhibitions, or simply soaking in the beauty of Dunstone Estate, we promise another exceptional experience. Keep an eye out for our upcoming seasonal specials and events—we’d be thrilled to have you join us again. Warm regards, Dirk Vaeye & Maudie Smit Owners, Roots Bistro at Dunstone Estate

    1
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Opening Hours

  • Monday 08h30 - 21h00
  • Tuesday 08h30 - 21h00
  • Wednesday 08h30 - 21h00
  • Thursday 08h30 - 21h00
  • Friday 08h30 - 21h00
  • Saturday 08h30 - 21h00
  • Sunday 08h30 - 21h00