
On a recent trip to South Africa, three restaurants stood out amongst a fairly long list. Two I had been to before, and the third was a new find that definitely needs visiting again. If you are heading in this direction, then these should be booked ahead of arrival.
1 - Delaire Graff - link
Is this the most captivating setting of any winery restaurant, or restaurants located in wine regions, placed anywhere in the world? Probably. No, let me not sit on the fence: unquestionably. Perched at the apex of the Helshoogte Pass, it has a commanding position and the view from the restaurant terrace is breathtaking.
The image above is the view from that terrace. The winery / hotel / restaurant is located between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. We stayed here around a dozen years ago when it was a much smaller enterprise. Even then the wines were very good, and the hotel rooms opulent. The wine-making has evolved considerably.
I’ve been back in the interim, but it has now expanded, with a large area to the right of the main entrance housing a sizeable tasting room in a fairly unconventional style: tables and sofas, with a plethora of waiters poised ready to deliver flights of their superbly crafted wines. You cannot book a slot for a tasting, but even on a busy Friday lunchtime, there was more than enough space to manage a flight of their reserve wines before heading to the terrace for lunch. Book the table at 1.30pm and arrive at the tasting room circa noon to allow time to savour and explore the wines from Delaire Graff.
The service is excellent, the food wonderful, and the wine list compelling. Having explored their own wines over a pre-lunch tasting, then there is no shortage of options to explore over lunch from dozens of other producers in the well crafted list.
This estate was established in 1679 by Simon van der Stel who was Commander of the Cape. Van der Stel is credited with bringing the Huguenots, fleeing from their own winelands in France, to the highlands of Stellenbosch in the late 1680s. Their wine expertise and knowledge, establishing the sub-region of Franschhoek – ‘French Corner’ – that put down the foundations for the thriving industry it is today.
Move on three hundred years and the famous wine writer, John Platter, was the first person to plant vines here in the 1980s and named it Delaire – meaning ‘from the eyrie’: a large nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, built high in a tree or on a cliff.
In 2003 Laurence Graff, Chairman of Graff Diamonds, bought the property with the stated intention of making it South Africa's most desirable art, hospitality and wine destination.
Their wines have always been a tad difficult to acquire in the UK. However, looking through the various options, the Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Reserve Chardonnay 2022 is available from Vinvm for £29.50. It’s a zesty, bright Chardonnay that has excellent length and intensity in a very classic style. We also tasted the 2023 that will be just as good. You’d be pushed to find anything from Burgundy at this price point for the quality: definitely in the style of a well-made Côte d’Or from one of the smaller, less well-known villages.



La Colombe - link
Based in Constantia, around 20 minuted from downtown, it has been regarded as one of the best restaurants in Africa for many decades, and one of the top 50 in the world.
Visiting it six years ago, I was impressed but felt it might have been resting on its laurels.
However, on a Saturday night earlier this month, it was simply outstanding. Flawless service, immensely helpful sommeliers, and a team in the kitchen creating wizardry at the highest possible level. Three of our team, who have collectively visited a few restaurants in their time, simply rated it as being the finest meal they had ever experienced.
In South African terms, it is not inexpensive, but then mesmerising, stunningly brilliant, world class cuisine will always attract a premium, and this was definitely worth the price. They have two set tasting menus of eight courses. One for vegetarians, and the other for non-vegetarians. At the current exchange rate, around £100 per person.
The wine list is South African pricing, so the value is much better than London, and from the entry-level house wines you can accelerate to fairly lofty levels.
It delivers an unforgettable collection of dishes that reside in the memory for a considerable period of time.
Reuben’s - link
A recommendation from a friend, and this buzzy, bustling brasserie was superb.
Located just off the main drag of Franschhoek, it is a bright, very contemporary and delivers exceptional value. We were a team of six, each choosing different dishes, and all massively delighted with the fun atmosphere and attentive service from a group of waiters who were enjoying putting on a great show.
With a wine list starting around £12 per bottle for a well-known brand, there is a good balance to choose from, and if you want great examples from the top flight wineries these are on the list as well.
It’s not going to win a Michelin Star, but if you just want a fun location that delivers a flawless meal, then this ticks a lot of boxes.