From family-friendly farm spreads to a five-course waterside feast…
Christmas has an uncanny knack of creeping up on us. And while preparing a festive feast at home is (mostly) a pleasure, sometimes getting out of the house to a scenic spot or having a gourmet meal prepared for you is more appealing.
The Cape is teeming with wonderful things to do this Christmas. We’ve rounded up a few suggestions (arranged in alphabetical order below). Happy holidays!
Alto
Set in the heart of Stellenbosch’s “Golden Triangle” wine country, on the slopes of the Helderberg, historic Alto Wine Estate has both excellent red wines and phenomenal views. A perfect setting, then, for an Italian-tinged festive lunch on Christmas Eve, served family-sharing style in the bistro. Over four courses, you can enjoy, among other delights, an artisanal bread board (think mozzarella roosterkoek), mains of lamb, pork belly and rainbow trout with farm-fresh sides, and to end, dark chocolate fondant or pavlova-style Eton Mess dessert.
View the menu
When 24 December 2024
Time From 11.30am
Cost R695 per person
Where to find it Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
Book through DinePlan
Asoka
This Kloof Street hotspot already has the twinkling fairylights on its iconic old olive tree in the courtyard. Add low-lit decor filled with Eastern promise, touches of festive sparkle, and you have the perfect setting for a feast of Asian-inspired sharing plates. Chefs Johan van Schalkwyk and Nicholas Oliphant have added extra dishes to the regular menu favourites: think lamb, duck and vegetarian with a festive twist. Because it’s à la carte, you can celebrate in moderation or excess, as you please! And that goes for the killer cocktails and late-night deep-house DJs too (on the 24th from 10pm and 25th from 9pm). Christmas Eve eases into the swing of things with live jazz from 8pm.
When 24 + 25 December 2024
Time From 6pm
Cost R495 (deposit on booking); plates priced individually
Where to find it 68 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Enquire Now
Benguela Cove
With views over the Bot River Lagoon, the ocean and Palmiet Mountains, Benguela Cove wine estate’s stylish Moody Lagoon restaurant offers a stunning waterside setting in which to celebrate a truly South African Christmas. This year chef Annie Badenhorst is conjuring up a magical gourmet feast running over five courses and showcasing local flavours and produce. You’ll be welcomed with bubbly and canapés, and enjoy live music courtesy of the Christmas Crooner as you dine. Crackers, streamers and dazzling decorations complete the joyful picture.
Good to know Kids can cool off in the Splash Pad waterpark, play on the giant jungle gym and enjoy some pirate-themed putt-putt.
When 24 + 25 December
Time Christmas Eve Dinner: From 6pm
Christmas Day Feast: From 12pm
Cost R1 450 per person
R600 per child (under 12 years old)
Where to find it R43, between Bot River and Hermanus
Book through DinePlan
The Blue Room
Add a little funky soul to your festive season with dinner and a live-music show at this vibey jazz club/speakeasy on Bree Street. Usher in the celebrations in relaxed style with a four-course dinner in the comfortable New York-style lounge and cocktail bar. Great food (courtesy of chef Matt Manning of Grub & Vine), fab cocktails (with a welcome drink included) and a line-up of local musos hit all the right notes for a uniquely cool celebration.
When 20 – 24 December 2024
Time Dinner from 6pm; music from 7pm
Cost R995 per person
Where to find it 103 Bree Street, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Boma on Bree
Ditch your braai at home and head to this Bree Street hotspot, with its cool boma-bar vibe inspired by deserts and big skies (from the Karoo to the Kalahari), where South Africa’s love of open-fire cooking is celebrated. On Christmas Day, they’re bringing the local-is-lekker fun with a menu that includes mieliebrood waffles, cheddar chutney jaffles, flame-grilled burgers, Oom Eddie’s skaap ribs, steak with monkeygland sauce and rooibos malva pudding (to name just a few choices).
Good to know You get a welcome whisky cocktail, plus Jameson Triple Triple samples and gifts are up for grabs.
View the menu
When 25 December 2024
Time 12pm – late (kitchen closes at 11pm)
Cost R295 (two courses)
R395 (three courses)
Where to find it 107 Bree Street, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Bouchon Bistro
On Christmas Eve, step into this sophisticated yet relaxed cellar restaurant in the heart of the inner city. You’ll be welcomed with a drink, and a warm, holiday atmosphere. The evening unfolds with a delectable, ever-flowing, tapas-style sharing feast of global flavours (Mediterranean, Asian, North and South African), which you can pair with a selection of fine wines from the cellar. To finish, there are decadent desserts, and an after-dinner drink to savour.
View the menu
When 24 December 2024
Time From 7pm
Cost R850 per person
Where to find it 95 Hout Street, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Grub & Vine
When it comes to exceptional seasonal-ingredient dining and wine-paired heaven, Grub & Vine knows a thing or two. This year chef Matt Manning’s Bree Street bistro and his Norval Foundation outpost in the Constantia Valley will be celebrating a Christmas Eve Long Weekend over five glorious days, with three- or six-course set menus (for lunch or dinner) that capture the essence and aromas of Christmas. Think elegant dishes like crayfish crumpet, pan-roasted scallops and decadent pork belly – with perfect wine-pairing options available (at an extra cost).
When 20 – 24 December 2024
Time Lunch: 12pm – 2pm (Bree Street); 12pm – 3pm (Norval)
Dinner: 6pm – 9.30pm (Bree Street + Norval)
Cost 3-course menu: R795 (Bree Street); R695 (Norval)
6-course menu: R1 395 (Bree Street); R1 195 (Norval)
Where to find it 103 Bree Street, Cape Town
Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
Book at Bree Street
Book at Norval
Kloof Street House
The multiple dining rooms and gorgeous courtyard garden of the (Great) Gatsby-esque Kloof Street stalwart will be decked out in tinsel and Christmas cheer, with Polaroid-snapping elves capturing every merry moment! There are daytime and evening sittings, with the team laying on a four-course set menu of festive flavours, accompanied by a welcome glass of bubbly and canapés.
Good to know There will also be an à la carte brunch with classic cocktails.
When 24 + 25 December 2024
Time Lunch: 12pm – 4pm
Dinner: 5pm – late
Brunch: 10am – noon
Cost R1 250 per person (lunch or dinner)
Brunch dishes priced individually
Where to find it 30 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Enquire Now
Laborie
Spend an idyllic day on a heritage wine farm in Paarl. Whether you prefer a sit-down festive lunch (a menu of antipasti, mains served family-style and sweet treats); a special picnic on the lawn, or just a breakfast treat (with a mimosa to welcome you), Laborie is spreading the joy. The two eateries, The Stoep and Suzanne, serve up the best of local produce and fabulous views. Enjoy your celebrations in the elegantly informal, glass-walled conservatory-style space or on the oak-shaded terrace. For an even more relaxed vibe, grab a basket of goodies and enjoy an outdoor feast at picnic tables on the lawns or secluded spots hidden in the vineyards.
Good to know There is a separate menu for children (R180), including ice cream, and a jungle gym and spacious lawns to play on. Christmas crackers are included for the sit-down meals, and there is a vegan menu option (R395).
When 24 + 25 December
Time Christmas Day Breakfast: from 9am
Christmas Day Lunch: from 12pm
Christmas Day Picnic: from 1pm
Cost R695 per person (dinner, lunch or picnic)
R245 per person (breakfast)
Where to find it Corner Main Road and Taillefer Street, Paarl
Book at The Stoep
Book at Suzanne
One&Only Cape Town
There’s a sparkling array of holiday magic in store at this world-class Waterfront resort, with two fine-dining restaurants to choose between – and the Vista Lounge’s renowned afternoon tea (beside a huge, twinkling Christmas tree, with grandstand views of Table Mountain). At new fire-inspired restaurant ROOI, enjoy a five-course festive set menu (with choices) and a soundtrack of Cape jazz on Christmas Eve, or a buffet spread for Christmas lunch – think antipasti, seafood, hot and cold dishes and a panoply of desserts; live music adds a vibrant atmosphere and there will be fun festive activities for children. If you’d like to treat yourself to signature Japanese-Peruvian flavours, Nobu has a special Christmas version of its omakase chef’s set menu (with optional wine pairings).
ROOI
When 24 December 2024
Time 6pm – 11pm
Cost R1 750 per person
R850 (child 5 – 12 years)
When 25 December 2024
Time 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Cost R2 750 per person
R1 750 (child 5 – 12 years)
Nobu
When 24 – 26 December 2024
Time 6pm – 10pm
Cost R2 995 per person
Afternoon Tea
When 14 – 30 December 2024
Time 2pm – 5pm
Cost R595 per person
View the menu
Good to know Kick off the festive season on 13 December at the tree-lighting ceremony in the Vista Bar & Lounge, with glasses of bubbly with canapés (5pm – 7pm).
Where to find it Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Enquire Now
Palm House Boutique Hotel
Hidden in the leafy southern suburbs, this country house-style hotel offers an exclusive, chic setting in which to celebrate Christmas Day. In fact, it offers two settings and two menus courtesy of chef Gregory Henderson. At the Palm Terrace, there’s a 3-course lunch (indoors or on the patio) – including harvest table starters, pork belly, risotto and trifle martinis. And there’s the hotel’s just-launched Picnic on the Lawn, featuring Malay chicken noodle bowls, cheese and charcuterie, limoncello cheesecake and a glass of bubbly, among other delights. Whichever you choose, expect a laid-back Christmas Day that will be one to cherish.
Good to know There are vegetarian options for the three-course lunch and picnic (which also has a children’s version).
View the Picnic menu
View the Palm Terrace menu
When 25 December 2024
Time 12.30pm – 3pm
Cost Palm Terrace: R950 (adult); R450 (child under 12 years)
Picnic: R495 (adult); R195 (child under 12 years)
Where to find it 10 Oxford Street, Upper Wynberg, Cape Town
Enquire Now
The President Hotel
To celebrate Christmas Eve in style – seated in the main restaurant or on the terrace with beautiful sunset views over the ocean – head to this resort-style hotel in Bantry Bay. You’ll be welcomed with a glass of Graham Beck bubbly before enjoying a buffet dinner: salads and seafood bisque for starters, a “holiday harvest” table, an array of mouth-watering traditional mains and sides, and a spread of festive desserts (eggnog cupcakes, anyone?).
Good to know There’s a separate kids’ buffet filled with Christmassy treats, including build-your-own pizzas and build-your-own waffles.
When 24 December 2024
Time 6pm – 8pm
Cost R1 095 per person
R445 (child 5 – 12 years); kids under 5 free
Where to find it 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, Cape Town
Enquire Now
Taj Cape Town
This year, the hotel has two different Christmas buffet feasts to choose between – inspired by carnivals and streetfood markets. While the accent is on Indian food (with a curry buffet on Christmas Eve), there are also exciting global and local flavours, as well as the traditional Christmas favourites. Book for the glamorous Bombay Brasserie or casual-chic Mint Restaurant, and enjoy your meal to the sound of a live band. On Christmas Day, the dessert selection alone includes no less than 27 tempting treats!
Good to know All guests are welcomed with a complimentary glass of cap classique. Children are catered for on Christmas Day with an entertainment area, cookie decorating and candyfloss, popcorn and Slush Puppy machines.
When 24 December 2024
Time From 7pm
Cost R950 per person
R475 per child (under 13 years)
View the menu
When 25 December 2024
Time From 12pm
Cost R1 950 per person
R975 per child (under 13 years)
View the menu
Where to find it 1 Wale Street, corner St George’s Mall, Cape Town
Book at Bombay Brasserie
Book at Mint Restaurant
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