14 Best Restaurants in The Western Cape and Winelands, South Africa

This popular restaurant and bar boasts a truly incomparable setting, right on the rocks on the edge of a natural rock pool in the Atlantic Ocean. Dine on the deck and you'll hear the crashing of the waves and maybe spot some whales swimming by. Or bring your swimsuit and take a quick dip while you wait for your drink to arrive. On the menu are classic tapas dishes like spicy lamb meatballs and crispy shrimp, all served with something from the extensive wine list or the superb cocktail selection. It's an absolute must while you're in Hermanus.

In the Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel, this small restaurant exudes the elegance of a French bistro with its white tablecloths and pretty wrought iron patio furniture. The menu combines classical French cuisine with uniquely South African ingredients in dishes like ostrich fillet with red wine jus. As well as à la carte dinners, a three-course set menu is available. Bring along that bottle of wine you bought—the staff is happy to cork it for you.

Don't be put off by the bumpy dirt road heading up the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley—this restaurant on an orchard at the top of the valley is worth the dusty trip. The seasonal menu is scribbled on a chalkboard, with dishes like Moroccan lamb shank with spicy carrot mash, or sesame crusted line fish with lemongrass rice. The converted laborer's cottage is as pretty as a picture in a tumbledown, overgrown kind of way, and there are lovely lawns for kids to run around on.

This friendly, long-running place on the main approach road to Riebeek Kasteel is a lovely spot to sit outside and enjoy a glass of the local wine. The menu is a meaty affair, with a range of perfectly cooked steaks and slow-roasted lamb neck. Vegetarians will have to settle for salad, but there is at least good selection.

In one of the village's original stone fishing cottages, Burgundy is one of the town's oldest and best-loved restaurants. Unsurprisingly, there's plenty of seafood on the extensive menu—try the creamy abalone with fresh sage—as well as a large choice of grilled meat dishes. The real reason for its popularity though, is the outdoor terrace with ocean views. It's not unheard of to spot whales right from your table.

Dating back to 1870, this whitewashed stone cottage is a long-standing favorite. The menu focuses on seafood, but don't let that put you off the non-seafood options like miso chicken or beef curry with freshly made roti. There's also a chalkboard that displays daily specials that depend on what's fresh and in-season. The wine list has some excellent bottles, including options from the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. 

Right at the entrance to the town, this laid-back eatery is a great lunch stop, especially if you're traveling with kids. It serves pizza, pasta, and hearty meat dishes at tables in a shady, tree-lined garden. There's an excellent play area for kids. The attached tasting room offers juice and candy pairings, wine pairings, and tastings from the on-site craft brewery.

Based in a 19th-century fisherman's cottage, this lovely family-run restaurant is perched on the rocks overlooking a little beach. It's no surprise then that the specialty is seafood; kick off with Saldanha oysters or West Coast mussels, then try the citrus and coriander monkfish. There are a couple of meaty options as well as one or two vegetarian dishes. Reservations are recommended, especially in summer.

The setting on a golf estate and wine farm is pretty, but it's the excellent food and service that really stand out here. The menu changes regularly to make use of the fresh, local produce such as West Coast mussels, Karoo lamb, and venison, and there are tapas-sized portions as well as main meals. The wine list is small but includes several nice ones by the glass; try the barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc, one of the estate's best-kept secrets. 

At the Tulbagh Hotel, the Olive Terrace Bistro serves local wines and tasty food on a pretty terrace shaded by white karee trees. In winter there's a cozy indoor dining area with a roaring fire and a view of the snow-covered mountains. The à la carte menu features South African dishes made with locally sourced produce and homemade breads, jams, and chutneys. The menu is fairly broad and has a decent selection for vegetarians and vegans. 

In the opulent Grande Roche Hotel, the elegant restaurant serves beautifully presented dishes featuring innovative ingredients. Dishes include grilled swordfish with pineapple and chili glaze, and springbok with baked quince. The wine list is similarly impressive. There's also a delectable high tea served every afternoon featuring beef croquettes, smoked salmon blinis, and an array of cakes and tarts.

A 20-minute drive from Kleinmond, The Restaurant lies on the grounds of the sprawling Wildekrans Wine Estate. The menu is small and seasonal and features dishes prepared with flair, like the Kalahari beef sirloin with sweetbreads and cumin-infused carrots. There's a lovely patio peppered with chairs and tables outside, but the light and airy interior is also stunning with its beamed ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and white tablecloths. Dinner is served on Friday only.

Right on the ocean in the Mykonos complex, this convivial place serves sushi, seafood platters, and good Asian dishes. Try the General Tso's chicken or the Mongolian beer, or a platter of prawns slathered in tasty garlic lemon butter.

Set in the manor house of one of the country's oldest vineyards, The Werf does an excellent job serving refined farm-to-table meals. Try to book a table in the conservatory that overlooks the lush vegetable garden. The menu is uncomplicated, featuring rustic dishes that use ingredients sourced directly from the farm (fish from the dam, vegetables from the garden, Angus beef from the farm). Pair your meal with wines from Boschendal's Elgin range, made from grapes grown in Elgin (where it's cooler and a better climate for wines like Pinot Noir).