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Tokara Fine Dining

Contemporary South African
Location Pointer 3WJC+W3 Stellenbosch, South Africa
4.7
(7054 reviews)
RRR+
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Great Views
  • Gourmet Guide Plated

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Menu
Favourite

Tokara Restaurant, situated 400 meters above sea level on top of the Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch, offers its guests terroir focused contemporary cuisine, award-winning wines and dramatic views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. The building housing the restaurant is a Cape architectural icon utilising glass, steel and stone.

Tokara Restaurant opened its doors in October 2001 and was one of the very first iconic winery restaurants established in the Cape Winelands area of South Africa.

Within the first year of taking of the reigns of the Tokara Restaurant kitchen, chef Carolize Coetzee won the “Haute Performance Award” as South Africa’s most promising chef in the 2020 JHP Gourmet Guide, while the restaurant was included in the authoritative The World’s 50 Best Restaurants new “50Best Discovery” list for 2020.

We offer an à la carte menu for lunch and a set menu, either four or six courses, for dinner.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

Hogging the top spot on the winding Helshoogte Pass, Tokara Restaurant provides a breathtaking visual feast, from views to sensory plates. Under the expert guidance of chef Carolize Coetzee, the menu celebrates refined, modern dishes that honour South African flavours, traditions, and beloved home-cooked classics with innovative, authentic flair. Drawing inspiration from seasonal, locally sourced produce, Carolize has crafted a menu that epitomises her farm-to-table philosophy. Ingredients harvested from on-site kitchen gardens are showcased alongside Tokara Estate’s celebrated wines and olive oils.

A stellar start is the exquisite assiette of beetroot with goat’s milk cheese, grapefruit, caramelised walnuts, sorrel wood, sunflower shoots, and a citrus dressing. The main event, a faultless lamb rump with spiced butternut purée, lentil ragout, butternut crisp, Thai basil, and marsala jus, is superbly complemented by the Tokara Syrah, aged for two years in oak, elegantly displaying its complexity.

Dining at Tokara is an undeniable destination experience, not just for the exceptional food and wine, but also for the service, which balances effortless charm with a high level of care. Conversations with the chef reveal her deep connection to food, inspired by her family’s culinary traditions and her commitment to seasonality. Her love for creating core memories linked to her dining experiences shines through.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday CLOSED
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 14h30 - 18h00 - 20h00
  • Thursday 12h00 - 14h30 - 18h00 - 20h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 14h30 - 18h00 - 20h00
  • Saturday 12h00 - 14h30 - 18h00 - 20h00
  • Sunday 12h00 - 14h30

Reviews (7054)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.7
Value 4.5
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.8
  • Dominic S. Dined: 1 day ago
    4.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 24 Aug 26
    Great venue. We actually did our lunch at the Fine Dining and then went to visit the deli for cheesecake. All round this is a fantastic establishment. Well run well manicured and a very organized estate. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon and will definitely be back!

  • Mlondi N. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 23 Aug 26
    One of the best service we’ve ever received. The attention to detail from Shiv was outstanding. The professionalism and kindness was incredible. None of our glasses would run empty or our table would be uncleared. It was a Michelin star service.

  • Roger H. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 23 Aug 26
    A five star luxury experience. Incredible views from dining room of valley. Room beautifully decorated. Dinner choices are superb with 3 course meal or ala carte option. Appetizers of lamb dumplings were outstanding as was prawn curry. Pork belly and lamb rump entrees perfectly cooked. All dishes had layers of flavor. Very unique experience. Spot on service. Wonderful wine list

  • Yamkela Dined: 2 days ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Larissa S. Dined: 3 days ago
    4
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Nic C. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 17 Aug 26
    Thanks to everyone who made coming back to Tokara so amazing, it was nice to be on the receiving end this time. Welcomes cocktails were the best as always. The food was DELICIOUS. and Connor’s service was brilliant, Yoyo and Keryn were super friendly, Bernard is a legend. Hope you guys all get an extra point for the mentions 😁😁 Thanks again guys and see you soon

  • Mbusi Z. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 17 Aug 26
    Everything was perfect👌🏾

  • Janice K. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 15 Aug 26
    What a fabulous experience - 90th Birthday lunch with my Dad. Sophisticated, yet casually comfortable . The food was delicious and elegantly portioned. Our server was so ‘on point’ knowledgable about the food and wine without having to ‘go and find out ‘ anything. She was completely in tune with her customers! A delight all round.

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