Top 10 Stellenbosch Winelands Restaurants for the Golden Hour

Whether it be a cosy romantic meal with your partner or a family fun-filled feast, we have you covered with our latest TOP restaurant picks in Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands, for gorgeous golden hour dining with friends and family!

For more spectacular sundowner spots for dining with the tots, see our latest blog here!

*Please note: all information is correct at the date of publication. See individual winery websites for up-to-date info!

96 Winery Road

One of our favourite restaurants in the Cape Winelands and a true local gem - 96 Winery Road. With an extraordinarily extensive wine list, this is a wine enthusiast's playground and a place that brings us back time and again.

Sip on the finest local or international wines with stunning views of Table Mountain while your tots play and clamber to their heart's content in the kiddie's play area.

Pop in for a delicious cup of freshly brewed coffee and one of their mouth-watering stuffed croissants... The best way to start the day! Or spend the evening dining on some of the finest cuisine that Stellenbosch has to offer. A must-try is their scrumptious Small Plates menu - an exciting selection of delectable signature dishes that surprise the senses. Choose between savoury or sweet, you won't be disappointed either way.

Open 7 days a week, it's the perfect place to play out the pesky loadshedding! Family-friendly: Very Child-friendly

Blaauwklippen

One of Stellenbosch's oldest wine farms - Blaauwklippen. A down-to-earth winery with a modern, artisanal flair shaped through the centuries by a rich history of winemaking.

Immerse yourself in the Mediterranean way of life at their casual country-style restaurant with a choice of light meals, salads & mezze platters. Take shade outside under a canopy of giant trees overlooking a vast verdant lawn on their new Panorama Terrace - perfect for those glamorous golden hour moments!

Choose from a variety of tasting options: Classic Wine Tasting @R95pp (5 wines), Premium Wine Tasting @R110pp (5 premium wines) & Craft Gin Tasting @R95pp (trio of craft gins accompanied by unique garnishes & tonic), or perfect pairings: Wine and Chocolate Pairing @R185pp (5 artisanal chocolates paired with wines & specialities), Red Wine & Fudge Pairing @R115pp (3 premium red wines paired with velvety handmade fudge), Heritage Macaron & Wine Pairing @R185pp (6 magnificent macarons paired with 6 wines) & Gin & Nougat Pairing @R160pp (3 gins accompanied by 3 delectable handmade nougat pieces).

Don't miss their popular Blaauwklippen Family Market every Saturday & Sunday! Browse the various local stalls, from food & drinks to art and fashion... There's something for everyone!

Family-friendly: Very Child-friendly

Thirsty Scarecrow

An adult's playground with a massive menu of cocktails, craft beers, wines, spirits and more, The Thirsty Scarecrow is another legendary local hotspot.

Situated on Mooiberge Farms with marvellous views of the Stellenbosch mountains and endless rows of bright red strawberries, ripe for the picking. Pull up a seat, order one of their many on-tap craft beers with some gourmet pub grub and get ready to feel at home with their relaxing atmosphere and secure play area for the tots.

Take advantage of their awesome beer tastings or get adventurous with their rum, grappa, cachaca, vodka, brandy or cognac tastings on their quaint wooden deck.

Line your stomach with some of the most creative comfort food from their popular chicken & waffles to irresistible slow-cooked braised beef short ribs, and many more delicious dishes!

Family-friendly: Very Child-friendly

Haskell

Founded in the foothills of the Helderberg Mountain surrounded by vibrant vineyards & an air of timeless tranquillity, is Haskell Vineyards.

Explore Haskell's 2 awesome wine ranges - the Haskell Wine Range (2 Syrahs, & a red blend) & the Dombeya Wine Range (their lifestyle range consisting of 5 value for money wines). Try their Lifestyle Tasting @R75pp (4 Dombeya wines & 1 Haskell wine) or their Premium Tasting @R95pp (3 Haskell Wines & 1 Dombeya wine). Get the full Haskell experience with their Food & Wine Pairing @R195pp (selection of 4 small tasters from their menu accompanied by a selection of 1 Dombeya & 3 Haskell wines).

Longtable Restaurant offers authentic flavourful Cape cuisine with seating inside or outside facing the Stellenbosch mountain, with an unpretentious, relaxing environment. The delicious dishes are created using organic veggies & sustainable fish as well as ZERO use of plastics!

Enjoy the fresh autumn air with a relaxing family picnic on Haskell's lush green lawns (Nov to April only) @R399 for 2 pax. Feast on freshly baked breads, cheeses & preserves, locally cured meats, summer veggie salads and delectable chocolate desserts.

Family-friendly: Yes ; there is also a little jungle gym to the side of the restaurant where the kids can play too.

Ernie Els

Picturesque panoramic views of Table Mountain & the Helderberg Mountains, comforting country cuisine, and a range of stunning wines... Ernie Els truly lives up to its name as a prestigious world known winery.

Their 4 collections (Signature, Major Series, Big Easy & Proprietor’s) epitomise the elegance of the estate with iconic varietals & blends of characteristic style & exclusivity with a particular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. Make yourself at home in their warm & welcoming tasting room or absorb the golden autumn rays on their wide wooden terrace.

Choose between 3 different tasting options depending on your palate: Player’s Tasting @R95pp (Big Easy Cab Sauv Rosé, Major Series Merlot, BE Cab Sauv, BE Red Blend), Major Tasting @R135pp (MS Merlot, MS Cab Sauv, Proprietor’s Syrah, Proprietor’s Blend) or Flagship Tasting @R165pp (Signature 2016 & Signature 2013).

Delight in hearty contemporary farmhouse cuisine on their stunning terrace as the sun sinks into the horizon. Don't miss their seasonal grillworks - a unique dining experience on their terrace (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays only).

Family-friendly: Yes ; opt to dine outside & your kids can even have some fun at golf by taking a turn at putting to the green.

Guardian Peak

Named after the towering peak on Stellenbosch Mountain, this long-time family favourite farm consistently produces approachable everyday wines to be enjoyed at every occasion.

Build your own tasting - choose any number of wines from any of their 5 ranges (Guardian Peak, Afrikaans, Cirrus, Donkiesbaai & Stellenbosch Reserve) and pay per glass!

Their restaurant offers a range of mouth-watering dishes that pair perfectly with their wines - a testament to their philosophy that a lifestyle without wine is incomplete! Try their new summer menu, or simply enjoy a sundowner as the Stellies sun sets.

Family-friendly: Average - Guardian Peak welcome families and children; however, they have recently removed their jungle gym to the side of the restaurant.

Glenelly

Sip on some of Stellies' finest wines with a spectacular view overlooking the lower slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain at Glenelly.

Their wine range consists of Lady May (their flagship wine), Estate Reserve (premium range featuring a red Bordeaux blend & a wooded Chardonnay) & the Glass Collection (features unoaked Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc & Le Rose de May).

The Vine Bistro brings the art of French cooking to the Cape Winelands with their flavourful classic French bistro cuisine with a modern twist... The perfect complement to Glenelly's fine wines!

Prepare to be wowed with Madame de Lencquesaing’s Glass Museum - a collection of privately-owned glass artworks (one of the largest in the world!) including masterpieces from Dali & Tagliapietra.

Family-friendly: Average - families are welcome and children can have a game of boules outside or bring their own games!

Lanzerac

Prepare to spend a day (or few) at Lanzerac with so much to see and do - with bars, restaurants, a tasting venue, a phenomenal day spa & a 5 star country hotel... A truly amazing experience!

Visit their tasting room open 7 days a week! Savour a tasting on the veranda overlooking the beautiful vineyards with soaking in the summer sun.

Choose between their Jonkershoek Tasting @R80pp (any 5 wines from Jonkershoek Range - single varietal wines) and the Heritage Tasting @R175pp (4 flagship wines including their Blanc de Blanc Brut MCC). Wine & chocolate pairing is also on the menu @R165pp - try 5 Jonkershoek Range wines paired with yummy artisanal chocolates.

Feeling peckish? Visit Lanzerac's delicious Deli, famous for their cappuccinos & all day breakfasts! Or visit the Manor Kitchen for a full day of feasting starting with the buffet breakfast, followed by an elegant afternoon tea (upgrade it for bottomless MCC!) or traditional Sunday lunch, ending with a delightful dinner that's classical with a contemporary twist. For gourmet pub-style grub, visit the Taphuis Bar - delight in sharing plates & light meals with friends & family on the shady terrace.

Thirsty? Discover the finest local & international spirits and craft beers at the Craven Lounge.

Family-friendly: Fairly Child-friendly

Cavalli

Award-winning wine, cuisine and artistry... Discover style and prestige at Cavalli Estate - a little slice of heaven with hectares of indigenous fynbos, a modern restaurant with an ever-evolving menu, a retail contemporary art gallery, and a world class equestrian facility.

Dine at SA's first green-star rated restaurant with rolling views of the magnificent Helderberg mountain range, overlooking a serene dam. Relish in Cavalli's exciting weekly-evolving a la carte menu or delight in their Chef's set menu of 5 courses for only R595pp!

Experience the elegance & complexity of Cavalli's wines with an Express Tasting of 3 wines @R85pp or a Full Tasting of 6 @R150pp. Soak in the sun on the Cavalli Tasting terrace and refresh your senses with their sorbet ice lolly & wine pairing @R120pp.

The gallery, winner of the regional 2015 Best of Wine Tourism Award for Art and Culture, is a must-visit for art enthusiasts with its stunning skylit ceiling and rotating contemporary exhibitions from local artists.

Family-friendly: Not so Child-friendly

Delaire Graff

Sample some of SA's finest vintages at one of the world's most prestigious wineries with some of the most awe-inspiring views across the Simonsberg Mountain.

Focusing on Bordeaux reds & Chardonnay, Delaire Graff produces supremely elegant vintages earning them Best Vineyard in Africa for 2020! They offer multiple wine tasting options tailored to every taste... Explore their Luxury & Premium ranges with your choice of 3 to 5 wines (@R75-R125pp), or experience their curated Red Wine Tasting @R280pp (a selection of 5 of their finest clarets & reds across their ranges) & Icon Wine Tasting @R350pp (5 outstanding wines with notable & consistent quality).

Begin your epicurean journey at Indochine, Delaire Graff’s intimate al fresco Afro-Asian inspired restaurant, with stunning views of Table Mountain and breath-taking artworks from local artists... Truly a pleasure for all the senses.

Or tickle your taste buds at Delaire Graff Restaurant - seasonal contemporary bistro-chic dishes with a South African twist! Enjoy year-round in their elegant fire-warmed restaurant or on their gorgeous wooden oak-shaded terrace with sweeping views of vineyards across the Banghoek Valley.

Family-friendly: Not Child-friendly

Contact Me – Hilary - at hello@winetots.com for more details on your favourite spots to visit & to book a personalised tour of your own – behind the scenic routes of the Cape Winelands & beyond!

Please register on www.winetots.com to stay up to date with new discoveries and ideas for Wineland adventures.

Click here to check out our previous blog “Seven Spectacular Sundowner Spots @ Stellenbosch”!

Important info:

96 Winery Road: https://www.96wineryroad.co.za/ ; wineryrd@mweb.co.za ; 021 842 2020 ; Trading hours:

Breakfast Daily until 11am ; Lunch Daily 12pm - 3pm ; Dinner Mon - Sat 6pm - 9pm

Blaauwklippen: https://www.blaauwklippen.com/ ; info@blaauwklippen.com ; 021 880 0133 ;

Trading hours: Daily 10am - 6pm

Thirsty Scarecrow: https://www.facebook.com/thethirstyscarecrow/ ; 021 881 3444 ; Trading hours: Daily 8am - 11pm

Haskell: https://www.haskellvineyards.com/ ; info@haskellvineyards.co.za ; 021 881 3895 ; Restaurant Trading hours: Wed & Thurs 9:30am - 6pm, Fri 9;30am - 9pm, Sat 9am - 9pm, Sun 9am - 5pm

Tasting Room hours: Daily 8:30am - 5pm (closed Mon)

Ernie Els: https://ernieelswines.com/ ; bookings@ernieelswines.com ; 021 881 3588 ;

Trading hours:

Daily 10am - 5pm, reopens Thurs - Sat 6:30pm - 9pm

Guardian Peak: https://www.guardianpeak.com/ ; info@guardianpeak.com ; 021 881 3899 ;

Tasting Room hours: Daily 9am - 5pm

Restaurant trading hours: Lunch daily 12pm - 3:30pm, Dinner Tues - Sat 6:30pm - 10pm (Nov - April)

Glenelly: https://glenellyestate.com/ ; info@glenelly.co.za ; 021 809 6440 ;

Trading hours: Tues & Wed 10am - 6pm, Thurs - Sat 10am - 7pm, Sun 10am - 3pm (closed Mon)

Lanzerac: https://lanzerac.co.za/ ; info@lanzerac.co.za ; 021 887 1132 ;

See website for separate trading hours

Cavalli: https://cavalliestate.com/ ; info@cavalliestate.com ; 021 855 3218 ;

Trading hours: Wed - Sat 10am - 10pm , Sun 10am - 6pm (closed Mon & Tues)

Delaire Graff: https://www.delaire.co.za/ ; info@delaire.co.za ; 021 885 8160 ;

See website for separate trading hours