A crop of cool places to eat in Cape Town’s garden suburb.
Brimming with hillside vineyards and wine estates dating back to the 17th century, the Constantia Valley has long been famous for its beauty and history, as well as its peaceful – almost rural – atmosphere; a welcome escape from city bustle. Between wine-tasting, art, hiking trails, hot new dining spots and relaxed family destinations, the suburb appeals to locals and visitors with so much to explore.
These are our picks of the best restaurants in Constantia… (We’ve included Norval and Steenberg as they form part of the Constantia Valley.)
Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia
This perennially buzzed-about restaurant, a glass cube suspended above the vine-clad valley, offers a four-course menu of fine-dining-calibre tapas delivered with casual finesse and glorious views. Chef Ivor Jones (who co-owns the eatery with celebrated restaurateur Liam Tomlin) has created an array of imaginative dishes, with an emphasis on the harvest from the farm’s gardens, and added an inspired injection of global flavours. Coupled with the open kitchen, chic interiors and world-class wines, this is an unforgettable dining experience.
Good to know Request a table on the Terrace when the sun is out (call the restaurant on the morning of your reservation to secure a Terrace table).
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 2.30pm; 6pm – 8.30pm
Sunday, 12pm – 2.30pm
Contact 021 794 8632, cw@beauconstantia.com
Where to find it Off Constantia Main Road (M41), Constantia Nek, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Grub & Vine Norval
Matt Manning’s Bree Street bistro has just gained an artful new sibling in the Constantia Valley. Grub & Vine Norval is an airy glass-walled restaurant at the Norval Foundation art museum. overlooking striking sculpture gardens, rolling mountains and a beautiful outdoor deck. Here he continues what Grub & Vine does so well: elegant, refined bistro fare partnered with a fantastic wine offering in a relaxed, view-drenched setting.
”I see Grub & Vine Norval as Bree Street’s sophisticated older sibling and, given the location and idyllic surroundings, I imagine lunchtime will be highly popular,” Matt says. The interiors have been transformed with rich colours and sumptuous textures, the open kitchen catching the eye whenever you’re not gazing out at the resplendent green views.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 12pm – 9pm
Sunday, 12 – 6 pm
Contact 087 153 5244, hello@grubandvine.co.za
Where to find it The Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Bistro Sixteen82 at Steenberg
A long-time Cape Town favourite for small plates with Steenberg’s classic MCC or cocktails, Bistro Sixteen82 is a stylish contemporary space adjoining the wine cellars, with serene views of cooling water features, sculptures and indigenous garden. Here, chef Kerry Kilpin’s classical French training is overlaid with her love of Asian flavours, in lavish bistro lunches and elegant evening tapas. Kerry pioneered the Abalobi sustainable fishing app, and that ethos of celebrating the freshest seasonal and sustainable ingredients is evident throughout her creative and flavourful menus.
Good to know Vegetarian and vegan menus are also available.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 11am; 12pm – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm
Contact 021 205 3866, reservations@bistro1682.co.za
Where to find it Steenberg Wine Farm, Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
Book Through DinePlan
La Colombe
The acclaimed flagship of Scot Kirton’s gastronomic empire serves up inventive, immaculately styled and utterly delicious plates amid a tranquil forest setting. Staff circulate in a choreographed fashion, with different chefs and waiters revealing each of the 8 or 12 courses of the tasting menu. Beyond the ambience of the space and intricacy of the menu, there’s a playful sense of whimsy under executive chef James Gaag’s guidance – which makes it an event rather than a meal. From the charming ‘dove’s nest’ starter and tuna La Colombe (served in individual tins) to the final sweet bite, the feast unfolds with a sense of theatre that’s truly unforgettable.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 1.30pm; 6.30pm – 8.30pm (last seating)
Contact 021 794 2390, reservations@lacolombe.co.za
Where to find it Silvermist Wine Estate, La Colombe Road (off Constantia Main Road/M41), Constantia, Cape Town
Book Through DinePlan
beyond
Taking pride of place on Buitenverwachting wine farm, beyond is a sophisticated (yet unpretentious) dining destination where everything – from the slow-food approach and use of seasonal produce to the service, views and wine – is out of the top drawer. Chef Peter Tempelhoff (chef-patron of innercity fine-dining restaurant FYN), and head chef Sebastian Stehr take the à la carte route here, celebrating the ingredients in the old-school traditions of classic French cuisine, so that each dish is superbly balanced but unfettered by frills and foams. Large floor-to-ceiling windows frame the vineyards, reminding diners of nature’s bounty, and living up to the name beyond, taken from the English meaning of Buitenverwachting – “beyond expectations”.
Opening times Wednesday (Tuesday in season) – Saturday, 12pm – 2.30pm; 6pm – 8.30pm
Sunday, 12pm – 2.30pm
Contact 021 794 0306, info@beyondrestaurant.co.za
Where to find it Buitenverwachting, 37 Klein Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Foxcroft
Part of the La Colombe group of restaurants, with chef-proprietor Glen Foxcroft Williams at the helm, Foxcroft is located in the charming High Constantia Centre. The interiors are stylish but not flashy; Mid-Century Modern-style chairs, wood panelling, a central fireplace and an open pass (for an eye into the kitchen) create a welcoming ambience. The bar area is the perfect space for pre-dinner aperitifs; the verandah is lovely on a sunny day. Though the vibe at Foxcroft is more laidback than its siblings in the La Colombe family, the food has a fine-dining ethos and is served as a set menu of small plates. The ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, and are absolutely seasonal, resulting in boundary-pushing dishes that taste as good as they look.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 2pm; 6pm – 8.30pm
Contact 021 202 3304
Where to find it Shop 8, High Constantia, Corner Groot Constantia and Constantia Main Roads, Constantia, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Tryn at Steenberg
Also located at Steenberg, Tryn offers the trifecta of dining out: elegant cuisine, majestic views and tasteful contemporary interiors. Chef Kerry Kilpin has conceived an à la carte menu rich in local and exotic flavours that channels the fiercely independent spirit of pioneer founder Catherina Ras (aka Tryn). Sophisticated but relaxed, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with thoughtful children’s menus. Decorated in shades of butternut, saffron and forest green, Tryn is hung with artworks from the Beck family collection, and opens onto the lawns of the central werf courtyard, so kids can explore and play lawn games, while adults relax on one of the shaded terraces.
Opening times Daily, 7am – 10.30am; 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 9.30pm
Contact 021 713 7178, info@tryn.co.za
Where to find it Steenberg Wine Farm, Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
La Belle Bistro & Bakery
Loved for its terrace seating under the oaks (and the cosy fireplace in winter), La Belle Bistro & Bakery at The Alphen Hotel in Constantia offers a range of satisfying dishes and freshly baked goods in the relaxed yet upscale setting of a rustic restored Cape farmhouse. Soak up the surroundings while you enjoy a scrumptious breakfast or a light lunch (the butter-basted garlic prawns come highly recommended). Cakes and coffee too.
Opening hours Monday – Sunday, 8am – 11pm
Contact 021 795 6336, infoah@labellebistro.co.za
Where to find it The Alphen Hotel, Alphen Drive, Constantia, Cape Town
Book Through DinePlan
The Conservatory Restaurant at The Cellars-Hohenort
This iconic Constantia hotel has always been a special place to take time out from city life, unwind and share memorable meals with family and friends. And, after a fresh, forest-inspired refurb, The Conservatory Restaurant and Terrace has re-opened with a new lunch and dinner menu, designed to be flexible, so you can relax over three indulgent courses, or pop by for a straightforward Chalmar beef burger, a simple steak or grilled linefish.
Good to know Another lovely way to treat yourself in this beautiful new space is with an impromptu cocktail and a light bite from the Terrace menu.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 7am – 10pm
Terrace menu: 3pm – 5pm
Contact 021 794 2137
Where to find it Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Constantia Uitsig
In the heart of the Constantia valley, Constantia UItsig wine farm has all the mountain views, verdant vines and trees (plus a bike park) to make it a much-loved family destination. Its smorgasbord of eateries dotted in a row on the edge of the lawn means you’ll find something for every taste and occasion. The news of the season is the opening of the third Chardonnay Deli, where Charmaine Lilje serves simply delicious food and wine with rustic style and plenty of panache, for all-day farm feasts and summer picnics. Other options include La Grotto (for pizza and pasta); SushiBox (for its beautifully fresh, upmarket sushi), Four & Twenty (for breakfasts, cakes and hearty lunches), and Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream (for, you guessed it, delicious small-batch artisanal ice cream).
Good to know There’s a R10 entrance fee.
Opening times Daily (different times for each outlet)
Where to find it Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, Cape Town
Book Chardonnay Deli
Which are your favourites? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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