Home to some of the oldest vineyards and finest eateries in the country, Cape Town’s garden suburb has recently welcomed a crop of cool new places to eat.
A green belt stretching out beneath the Table Mountain National Park, with the Constantiaberg mountains looming above it, Cape Town’s lush garden suburb has long been famous for its beauty and history, with sprawling vineyards and wine estates dating back to the 17th century. It’s no surprise, then, that this bountiful valley has seen an upsurge in hot, new restaurants – which, along with its elite array of established favourites – have made the suburb an even more appealing destination than ever… These are the best restaurants in Constantia…
Greenhouse at Cellars-Hohenort
Reached by a long winding road set against the eastern slope of Table Mountain, the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel is home to one of Cape Town’s timeless gems. As its name implies, Greenhouse is enclosed in a glass box that maximises its magnificent setting, with see-through panels overhead creating the illusion of being outside.
Good to know Also to be found at the Cellars-Hohenort is the elegant Conservatory Restaurant, a relaxed, country-style eatery with a 300-year old oak tree at its centre. The Conservatory offers unparalleled garden vistas, and a menu consisting of simple yet perfectly executed dishes.
Contact 021 795 6226, reservations@greenhouserestaurant.co.za
Location The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia
Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia
When seven of the country’s top chefs – including Michelin-starred Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, Luke Dale-Roberts, Eric Bulpitt, Brad Ball, Rudi Liebenberg, Franck Dangereux and Reuben Riffel – rate Chefs Warehouse among the best restaurants in Cape Town, you can be sure that it is! So when Irish-born chef Liam Tomlin – 2017’s Chef of the Year – opened a branch at Beau Constantia Wine Estate, foodies in the southern ‘burbs danced a collective jig! With chef Ivor Jones (Luke Dale-Roberts’s righthand man at The Test Kitchen) in charge of the kitchen, guests can expect the same cutting-edge cuisine and laid-back atmosphere that Liam Tomlin’s original eatery is so famous for.
Contact 021 794 8632, cw@beauconstantia.com
Location Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia, 1043 Constantia Main Road, Cape Town
Foxcroft
It’s one of the most talked-about restaurants in Cape Town – and deservedly so. The food at Glen Foxcroft Williams’ laidback fine-dining restaurant, which he co-owns with feted La Colombe chef Scot Kirton, is inspired and utterly sensational. Scot is known for his rigorous attention to detail, immaculate plating and boundary-pushing dishes, while Glen – who is behind the restaurant’s name and inspiration – is a patisserie whiz. Foxcroft is an inviting mix of modern design and warm furnishings that adds to the ambience of the whole experience.
Book through DinePlan
Contact 021 202 3304
Location Foxcroft Restaurant, Shop 8, High Constantia, Corner of Groot Constantia and Constantia Main Roads, Constantia, Cape Town
La Colombe
High up on the slopes of the Constantiaberg mountains, Silvermist Wine Estate is a veritable jewel in the Constantia Wine Valley’s crown. And it is here, on this farm, that you’ll find La Colombe, headed by multi-award-winning chef-proprietor Scot Kirton and head chef James Gaag. The stylish restaurant’s pared-down interior is the perfect canvas for Scot and his team to conjure creative French-Asian dishes using foraged-for ingredients that they magically finesse into immaculately plated dishes.
Book through DinePlan
Contact 021 794 2390, reservations@lacolombe.co.za
Location Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek, Cape Town
Constantia Glen
Cars pack the parking area of this winery and restaurant – and for good reason. The view is stunning and the wines equally so. The interiors were refurbished by interior designer Graham Viney who transformed the stables into light, airy spaces sporting a chic wine bar.
Known for its cool-climate sauvignon blancs and Bordeaux-style reds, Constantia Glen offers wine tastings – with or without its delicious but limited charcuterie, cheese and salad menu.
The verandah, with its wicker chairs and tables, is the best spot to take in the sun-drenched vineyards and lawned terraces, as well as the spectacular mountain and valley views. The Glass Room also boasts glorious views and is probably a safer bet in winter.
Contact 021 795 5639, reservations@constantiaglen.com
Location Constantia Glen, Constantia Main Road, Constantia
Green Vine Eatery at Silvermist
Situated on Silvermist Mountain Lodge Estate – a secluded wine farm that lies at the very summit of Constantia Nek, Green Vine Eatery offers unrivalled views of the sprawling vineyards and forests below.
The rustic restaurant boasts an array of seasonal dishes, utilising ingredients sourced from the estate’s own organic vegetable garden, as well as an impressive selection of Constantia Valley wines (including Silvermist’s own fine vintage).
Enjoy your meal in the cosy interior, warmed by fireplaces during winter; or outside on the terrace in summer, so you can enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Book through DinePlan
Contact 021 794 7601, silvermisteatery@gmail.com
Location Silvermist Constantia Nek, Constantia Road
Nest Deli at Constantia Uitsig
In converted labourers’ cottages on Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Nest Deli serves delicious, farm-fresh dishes in a setting that feels as warm and welcoming as your grandmother’s kitchen. In addition to offering breakfast, light lunches and patisserie (some of which are baked on site), the laidback eatery also stocks a wide selection of deli favourites, including cheese, charcuterie, baked goods, olive oil, jam, and more. Owners Joy and Keith Henderson are always on hand to make sure their customers are happy.
We’re most excited about the coffee bar, open from 8am during the week (8.30am on weekends), which serves single-origin Rosetta coffee!
Contact 021 204 3133, info@nestdeli.co.za
Location Constantia Uitsig Estate, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia
SpiritCafé
You don’t have to be vegan, vegetarian or even health-conscious to enjoy the utterly delicious, made-from-scratch dishes at SpiritCafé in Constantia. With its chilled vibe and cosy setting, the café is perfect for early-morning coffee meetings, light lunches, and smoothie sessions.
Contact 021 795 0167, info@spiritcafe.co.za
Location Spirit Cafe, Shop 10A on the Square, Constantia Village Courtyard
Eagles’ Nest
Cradled in a secluded valley, just 200 metres down the old Constantia Main Road, lies the 38-hectare Eagles’ Nest estate. This child-friendly winery has sprawling lawns so that younger members of the family can run free, while you get on with the more serious business of wine tasting.
Good to know Though the estate no longer offers picnics, it does have an excellent selection of platters, including Deli Cuts, Artisan Cheese Boards and a Biltong Platter, all of which can all be enjoyed on the lawn (picnic-style, if you so choose).
Contact 021 794 4095, info@eaglesnestwines.com
Location Eagles Nest Wines, Constantia Main Road, Constantia
La Parada Constantia Nek
Just over a year ago, the iconic Constantia Nek Restaurant (the oldest restaurant in Cape Town) was reborn as La Parada, offering a delicious array of Spanish-style tapas and enviable views of the surrounding vineyards, sea and mountains. The renovation was carefully handled, ensuring that the upgrades did not detract from the beauty and timelessness of this grand old dame. The interiors are cosy and reminiscent of a tapas bar on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, and every Sunday night the outside section heaves with revellers coming to enjoy DJ René’s percussion-flecked playlist.
Good to know You’ll find Harbour House Restaurant next door, for some of the best seafood and sushi in the city.
Contact 021 795 0620, book through DinePlan
Location 1 Hout Bay Rd, Hout Bay
Blockhouse Kitchen
Chef Brad Ball returns to the beautiful Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, where he served as executive chef more than 12 years ago when it was River Café. Loyal fans of that restaurant will certainly recognise some dishes from the original River Café menu, which Brad has tweaked and reincarnated – the salt and vinegar chips that accompany the soda-and-spice-battered hake, for example; the sticky pudding, and the heavenly eggs benedict – all of which taste as ambrosial as we remember them.
Blockhouse Kitchen is a modern, airy and beautifully dressed 250-seater space, offering a chic yet child-friendly dining experience. (We visited on Mother’s Day weekend and it was packed to the brim.) “It’s a big restaurant, and our aim is to fill it at every service,” says Brad . “Most of our team have worked in high-volume spaces, so they can definitely handle the numbers.”
The restaurant’s tagline: “Social. Seasonal. Simple” echoes this sentiment. Here, you’ll find delicious, easy-to-eat comfort food. If you’re looking for highfalutin haute cuisine, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 9pm; Sunday & Monday, 9am – 5pm; Daily (breakfast), 9am – 11.30am
Contact 021 794 3010, info@bhkitchen.co.za
Where to find it Spaanschemat River Road, Fir Grove, Cape Town
Bistro Sixteen82
Bistro Sixteen82’s location is hard to beat. Surrounded by the verdant vineyards and mesmerising mountains, the elegant eatery’s terraced dining area overlooks the estate’s indigenous garden with its dazzling water features and intriguing metal sculptures. Chef Kerry Kilpin’s seasonal menu offers a mix of Asian- and Spanish-inspired dishes that are fresh and flavourful.
Contact 021 713 2211, reservations@bistro1682.co.za
Location Bistro Sixteen82, Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
Chardonnay Deli
Chardonnay Deli is a delightful gem in a renovated old farm-style house near Groot Constantia. Owner Charmaine Anne Lilje’s passion for wholesome food and warm hospitality makes meals here utterly pleasurable. Add magical foresty views, friendly staff and a laidback vibe – and it’s the stuff that breakfasty dreams are made of.
Contact 021 795 0606, info@chardonnaydeli.co.za
Location Chardonnay Deli, 87 Constantia Main Road, Constantia
Jonkershuis Restaurant
Situated on the oldest wine-producing estate in South Africa, Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia is ripe with breathtaking views of the valley, vineyards and False Bay in the distance.
Entering the estate, it’s hard not to be drawn towards this charming eatery, which offers outdoor seating in front of the Groot Constantia Manor House beneath the vast, aged oaks. Inside, old-Cape grandeur permeates, with a flicker of fireside intimacy during winter.
Contact 021 794 6255, info@jonkershuisconstantia.co.za
Location Groot Constantia, Groot Constantia Road, Constantia
Little Stream Tea Garden
The name evokes images of a tranquil English country setting, as does the tea garden itself – surrounded by lush greenery and sylvan expanses on three hectares of land between Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia Wine Estate.
It makes for a wonderful party venue – whether it be a kitchen tea, toddler’s birthday, milestone anniversary, or even a team-building event (the conference venue seats 50 people).
Contact 021 794 9147, info@littlestream.co.za
Location Klein Constantia Road, Constantia
Blanko
Located in the historic Alphen Hotel, Blanko’s chic, gallery-style space – with Italian marble tables, a dramatically lit-up bar, and textured furnishings – reflects executive chef Amber-May Deetlefs’ culinary philosophy: “The best food not only has to taste good, it should be something sincere and uncomplicated”.
The restaurant’s walls are adorned with the art of some of South Africa’s top artists, such as William Kentridge, Brett Murray and Michael Subotzky, courtesy of Goodman Gallery. So, all round, it’s a sensory feast.
Before you leave Try the Rose Bar at the Alphen Hotel, an outdoor garden lounge where you can enjoy cocktails and finger food overlooking the hotel’s lush lawns.
Book through DinePlan
Contact 021 795 6300, manager@blanko.co.za
Location Blanko, Alphen Hotel, Alphen Drive, Constantia
Research by Matthew Flax, Nikki Benatar, Jackie Lange
10 Responses to “The Best Restaurants in Constantia”
Pippa Gale
Please tell me which of these restaurants is wheelchair accessible.
Thank you.
Tess Austin
Would like to hear some details about the restaurant that I believe has recently opened at Klein Constantia farm
Sorrel
My personal favourite is Lime Tree Cafe in Childrens Way
siphokazi
Will need to go through the list …beautiful places to visit.
Barbara
As the summer reaches its ‘peak ‘ its great to have a guide to the offerings of the leafy suburbs !
Eileen Klotz
I just have to give my sincerest congratulations to two exceptional people who have delivered the most amazing oasis in the vines at Uitsig who serve healthy hearty food and I can see this venue grow in leaps and bounds. Congrats Joy and Keith you have surpassed our expectatiOns. Keep up the good work and we will continue to pest you for a twble. Love tobyou both Andre and Eileen
Bernd
Hello, thanks for this wonderful selection “The Best Restaurants in Constantia 2018”.
However: in your disclaimer you mention the time of publication is 17 november 2014…
Can you confirm that your selection has been updated ever since?
Best wishes from France – and soon in SA! Cheers, Bernd
The Inside Guide
Hello Bernd! Thanks for your query. We can certainly confirm that our selection is up to the minute. For some reason, a software glitch did not update our disclaimer, but please rest assured that those are our very current picks.
Craig Cunningham
The Bistro at Klein Constantia?
Lisa
Recently discovered a true gem. Lime Tree Cafe in Bergvliet. Teaming with people and serving a wonderful mix of cafe style food I chose the mussel dish. Oh wow. And I managed to do some Christmas shopping in the deli too!