Mother’s Day 2025: Where to Celebrate in Cape Town + the Winelands

This year it’s following thick on the heels of Easter… but there’s still time to make Mother’s Day a super-special occasion. Diarise 11 May, and choose from one of the special spreads on offer from renowned restaurants in Cape Town and the Winelands, to celebrate the significant mother(s) in your life. From a magnificent buffet-style feast in the innercity, to a chic Sunday lunch, a laidback wine-tasting with a twist, or a lavish bubbly brunch, there’s something for every taste and fancy (arranged in alphabetical order below).

An Italian-inspired feast of cicchetti at Bacco Estate

An avenue of young cypresses, wines in the Super Tuscan style and tall red-brick buildings with soaring arched windows… you can almost taste Tuscany in the air at this Paarl estate. It’s immensely chic with doors opening onto a terrace looking towards the Taal Monument on one side and windows into the state-of-the-art cellar on the other – all edged by beautiful indigenous gardens.
The Italian influence continues in chef Carla Jankelowitz’s cicchetti (small plates) lunch menu, which for Mother’s Day is served family-style as a five-course set lunch. After her divine brioche with rose-honey butter, tuck into yellowtail ceviche; truffle pumpkin risotto with charred butternut and pancetta; chevre fusilli with spiced pinenut crumble; pressed lamb shoulder with caramelised garlic mash and roast tomatoes. Finish with a decadent Nutella babka bread and butter pudding with cinnamon-crunch ice cream and raspberry coulis.
Good to know There is a kids’ food menu, too.
Cost R695
When 11 May 2025
Time 11am – 4.30pm (3.30pm, last orders)
Contact 063 296 2147, info@baccoestate.co.za
Where to find it Bacco Estate, Simonsvlei Road, Paarl
Book through DinePlan

A relaxed family gathering at Botanicum at Ridgeback

A tranquil oasis perched over a wide koi pond among oak trees and willows, Botanicum recently brought its superb wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza offering to the fringes of Paarl, at Ridgeback Wine Estate. A complete refurbishment has created a relaxed but chic dining room with fireplace indoors, while on the shaded wraparound deck looking out over the water, a series of picnic benches hold convivial family gatherings, with winding paths and bridges around the dam for kids to explore on their way to the green jungle-gym lawns. A perfect spot for an informal Mother’s Day treat, there is no set menu and everyone can choose for themselves: a droolworthy mushroom, confit garlic and mascarpone pizza (the margarita is also first-rate); a lush Chalmar bone marrow burger; beer battered hake; or a fresh burrata and heirloom tomato salad. Add award-winning wines and a small but meltingly decadent dessert menu (goat’s cheese and Amaretti cheesecake, or chocolate fondant), and you have all you need for a delicious family lunch out.
Cost à la carte
Time 12pm – 5pm
Contact 021 879 6465
Where to find it Ridgeback Wines, Noord Agter Paarl Road, Windmeul, Paarl
Book through DinePlan

A timeless afternoon tea or sun-kissed Sunday brunch at Cape Grace

A glamorous yacht basin with sunshine reflecting off the marina and Table Mountain framing it all… The views from Cape Grace at the V&A Waterfront create a decidedly special setting for a Mother’s Day celebration. Indulge in a sumptuous alfresco Sunday brunch, relaxing at the pool terrace and savoring gourmet dishes, sipping on bubbly and refreshing cocktails from the margarita bar. Fresh flavours, live music, and a relaxed atmosphere make for a memorable occasion.
Or settle into a comfortable banquette at Heirloom (the hotel’s signature restaurant) to the soundtrack of live piano music and embark on their elegant afternoon tea, perhaps with a glass of cap classique to toast the occasion. A symphony of sumptuous savouries and superb patisserie is artfully created by the skilled pastry team, for an all-out spoil in the lead-up to Mother’s Day or on the day itself.
Cost R750 (brunch); R950 (brunch with bottomless Mimosas); R1 500 (Moët & Chandon brunch). Book Now
R550 (afternoon tea); R650 (afternoon tea with glass of cap classique). Book Now
When Brunch:11 May 2025
Afternoon tea: 8 – 11 May 2025
Time Brunch: 12pm – 3pm
Afternoon tea: 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm (seatings)
Contact 021 410 7000
Where to find it Cape Grace, West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

A secluded garden lunch at Deux Lions

Hidden away on La Bourgogne Wine Estate just outside Franschhoek, the secluded garden terrace at Deux Lions is a beautifully relaxed setting for a Mother’s Day feast, looking over lush lawns fringed by a rippling mountain stream and sage bushes.
Or if the weather turns cooler the cosy dining room is equally appealing. Chef Shaun Schoeman has created an elegant set menu (with choices) of well-executed comfort food for a special celebratory lunch. Mothers are treated to a complimentary glass of bubbly, as they decide between seared yellowfin tuna with chili salt squid; lamb koftas with egg noodles and sautéed vegetables; or lemon thyme cheesecake with blue cheese mousse for starters. Then mains of kingklip baked with ginger, coconut and garlic and served with fennel; lamb-neck tomato bredie on polenta custard; or a braised-tomato risotto with bocconcini, pesto and Parmesan. And a final flourish in a baked wild berry cheesecake with coulis and ice cream.
Cost R595
When 11 May 2025
Time 12pm – 3pm
Contact 021 876 3245, reservations@deuxlions.za.com
Where to find it La Bourgogne Wine Estate, Excelsior Road, Franschhoek
Book through DinePlan

A heritage-infused homestead lunch at Die Stoep at Vriesenhof

Walking through tumbling garden beds brimming with herbs and flowers, there’s a relaxed homestead feel to Vriesenhof (now open to the public for the first time in its history). The former home of  the estate’s legendary winemaker, Jan Boland Coetzee, now encompasses a welcoming and intimate restaurant Die Stoep (as well as a tasting room), which looks out onto vines and mountain views from the stoep and the cosy dining room. Think generous dishes in line with the heritage of the building, much of it cooked on the fire.
For Mother’s Day a delicious four-course set menu (with choices) showcases the autumn menu, paired with a glass of Vriesenhof wine for the first three courses. Start off with bubbles and canapés of olives, wild mushroom arancini and pork “scratchings” with mustard aioli. Then an impossible choice for starters: burrata with charred courgette and salsa verde; steak tartare; salmon ceviche with grapefruit, chilli and lime; or Jerusalem artichoke soup (get one each and share). For mains it’s just as hard: chargrilled sirloin with confit mushrooms; seared yellowfin tuna with fennel and apple; roast pork belly with pea purée; or roast garlic gnocchi with sweet potato and a selection of sides. For dessert the shared potjie pot of coal-roasted chocolate and orange fondant with melktert ice cream is pure chocoholic heaven. And there’s an artisanal cheeseboard too!
Cost R895 (4 courses and wines)
When 11 May 2025
Time 12pm – 5pm
Contact 021 007 5591
Where to find it Vriesenhof Estate, Paradyskloof Road, Stellenbosch
Book through DinePlan

An elegant buffet lunch at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa

The tranquil gardens of Erinvale Estate provide a magical backdrop for an elegant and delicious Mother’s Day Buffet. Laid out in the spacious rooms of the Camphor venue, a generous three-course buffet starts with an array of salads that range from Caesar to roasted baby beets, charcuterie, fig and chevin with toasted walnuts, not forgetting grilled squid and octopus, or a curried butternut soup. For mains, a traditional roast leg of lamb and maple rolled pork belly; grilled linefish with Thai curry sauce; or a chicken roulade, sit alongside an extravagant choice of side dishes. Finish with a cornucopia of mini desserts from chocolate profiteroles and tiramisu to strawberry cheesecake. Live music from renowned violinist Renate Riedemann sets the tone, and you can capture the memories together in the special photobooth.
Good to know Booking essential.
Cost R700
When 11 May 2025
Time 12.30pm
Contact 021 847 1160, conf@erinvale.co.za
Where to find it 1 Erinvale Avenue, off Lourensford Road, Somerset West
Enquire Now

A view-drenched brunch or lunch at Jordan Wine Estate

The views at Jordan Wine Estate are a treat in themselves: serene vistas over the farm dam and down the valley to the Stellenbosch mountains. And this Mother’s Day, you can enjoy them in two ways. Sit under the oak-shaded deck at The Cellar Door and tuck into a delightful two-course brunch as you soak up the views. Choose between salmon gravadlax on an English muffin with poached eggs, wilted spinach and avocado; or fig-and-sunflower pâté, prosciutto-wrapped bocconcini and baked camembert with a porcini-mushroom ragout. A baked cheesecake with mixed berry compote, and a gift to take home completes the spoil.
Or go all out with chef Marthinus Ferriera’s exquisite five-course tasting menu at The Jordan Restaurant, where the wall of windows folds back to let the mesmerising views take centre stage. A glass of bubbles kicks off a culinary adventure through a progression of thoughtfully curated and beautifully presented plates inspired by locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
Cost R325 (brunch at The Cellar Door) Book now
R1250 (lunch at The Jordan Restaurant) Book now
When 11 May 2025
Time 10am – 12pm (brunch at The Cellar Door)
12pm (lunch at The Jordan Restaurant)
Where to find it Jordan Wine Estate, Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenberg, Stellenbosch

Bubbly brunch or jazz-fuelled lunch at Kloof Street House

Housed in a richly furnished Victorian-era house set back from bustling Kloof Street, this characterful restaurant feels like you’ve stepped into the pages of The Great Gatsby. Twinkling fairy lights and velvet cushions line the garden courtyard, while inside mood-enhancing lighting, fireplaces and eclectic decor create a cosy-chic atmosphere. For your Mother’s Day celebration choose between a three-course brunch (with choices such as a berry granola bowl, eggs Benedict and orange crèpes) and the option of never ending mimosas; or a brasserie-style à la carte lunch (think baked camembert, braised lamb shoulder with pumpkin fitters, burrata caprese salad and much more) with live jazz from Mr Keys & the Funky Munks from 1pm.
Good to know A deposit of R400 is required on booking
Cost R245 (brunch); à la carte (lunch)
When 11 May 2025
Time 10am – 12pm (brunch), 12pm – 4pm (lunch)
Contact 021 423 4413, info@kloofstreethouse.co.za
Where to find it 30 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Enquire Now

A lavish four-course feast at Lanzerac

Surrounded by verdant vineyards and dramatic mountain vistas, Lanzerac has been the go-to place for Stellenbosch family celebrations for generations. Dating back to 1682, its historic Cape Dutch Manor House and cellars resonate with a centuries-long history of hospitality, a suitably scenic setting for a Mother’s Day spoil at one of the Manor Kitchen’s iconic Sunday lunches.
A lavish four-course family-style menu meanders from a prawn, avocado and mango salad, through ricotta-and-mushroom arancini with roasted cauliflower and saffron orange sauce, into an array of generous mains platters to share. Feast on beef Bourgignon with crispy prosciutto; salmon-and-mussel linguini; a whole rolled chicken with spinach, tomato and olives, and a plethora of delicious sides. Finish with a decadent array of desserts: including citrus Turkish delight; an almond, thyme and apricot petit four floral fondant; lemon squares with basil pearls; and an elderflower-infused dark-chocolate bonbon with hazelnut – as you raise a glass once more to the mother(s) in your life.
Good to know Booking and pre-payment essential.
Cost R750
When 11 May 2025
Time 12pm onwards
Contact 021 887 1132, restaurants@lanzerac.co.za
Where to find it Lanzerac Road, Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch
Enquire Now

Raise a glass (or two) at Le Grand Domaine Enoteca

In the heart of Stellenbosch’s buzzy Church Street, Le Grand Domaine Enoteca is immersed in wine-bar scene. A historic Stellenbosch building with tall sash windows, a leather banquette running the length of the room, leather and wood chairs, oak tables and a marble-topped bar, it’s a relaxed but chic spot for a Mother’s Day spoil. The short bistro-style à la carte menu ranges from butternut and sage ravioli, or duck and cherry pot pie, to Café de Paris fillet steak with truffle and parmesan fries, or go for a Mediterranean flatbread board to share as you dip into a tasting flight. And all you need for dessert is the white chocolate crème brûlée… perhaps with another glass of bubbles to raise a glass to the wonderful mother in your life.
Good to know Complimentary glass of Grand Vin de Stellenbosch MCC Pinot Noir/Rose 2022 on arrival.
Cost à la carte
Time 12pm – 6pm
Contact 021 300 3279, enoteca@granddomaine.co.za
Where to find it 7 Church Street, Stellenbosch
Book through DinePlan

A country-house lunch or afternoon tea at Palm House

Hidden in Cape Town’s treed southern suburbs, this elegant country house offers an elegant garden setting to raise a glass of bubbly to the mothers in your life, whether you go for a leisurely three-course lunch or indulge in a sophisticated afternoon tea party. The  three-course Mother’s Day Lunch, served on the patio or within the conservatory-style Palm Terrace, is a celebration of seasonal flavours, with mains of confit duck, pan-roasted kingklip or butternut and buchu risotto.
The multi-course Afternoon Tea meanders gently from Saldanha Bay oysters, wild-mushroom-and-truffle tartlets and smoked-trout mille-feille, to fynbos-honey madeleines, dark-chocolate opera cake and buchu-and-almond macarons, with tea pairings or the option of single-origin African coffee.
Good to know Both events welcome guests with a complimentary glass of Mõet & Chandon.
Cost R625 (lunch) Book now
R695 (afternoon tea) Book now
When 11 May 2025
Time 12.30pm – 3pm (lunch); 2.30pm – 5pm (afternoon tea)
Where to find it 10 Oxford Street, Upper Wynberg, Cape Town

A two-course wine tasting experience at Paserene

A platter and wine with liquorice for dessert? We’re intrigued… and ready to bet the wine-loving mother(s) in your life will be too. Settle into Paserene’s light and comfortable lounge overlooking indigenous gardens and mountains for a leisurely two-course tasting experience. You’ll start with a lavish platter of Neil Jewell charcuterie, Forest Hill cheese, Ryan Boon biltong, as well as olives, smoked-mackerel paté, breads and preserves. All this accompanied by two glasses of either Paserene Bright (chardonnay) or Dark (shiraz).
For dessert the Paserene Wine and Lakrids by Bulow chocolate-coated liquorice pairing features: Emerald sauvignon blanc with a passion fruit chocolate liquorice; Marathon with salted caramel; and Shiner with Salmiac (a salty liquorice). They’re unique pairings that bring out the complexity of the wines for a light-hearted Mother’s Day (and beyond) Franschhoek outing.
Good to know Booking advised.
Cost R995 for two (normally R1 140 for two)
When 11 May 2025
Time 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 876 2714, info@paserene.co.za
Where to find it  Paserene Wine Farm, R45, Franschhoek
Book through DinePlan

A baking weekend at Penhill Farm

There’s nothing like gathering in the kitchen for good conversation and laughter. Which is why we love the idea of a whole weekend getaway in beautiful surroundings near Robertson. The charming Cape Dutch farmhouse at Penhill Farm in the Nuy Valley (between Worcester and Robertson) is the setting for this idyllic two-night escape where you’ll learn the secrets of cinnamon rolls, Turkish delight, English muffins, baklava and more. Penhill chef Frikkie Janse van Rensburg shares his expertise in a series of baking workshops, between cooking up sumptuous long-table farm feasts for all the guests to gather around. The stuff of lifelong memories, the ultimate in Mother’s Day spoils…
Good to know No under 18s
Cost R11 500 (two-night stay, includes all meals, drinks, ingredients and gift bag)
When 9 – 11 May 2025
Where to find it Agtervink Road, Nuy Valley, 31km from Robertson
MAKE A RESERVATION

A family lunch at The President Hotel

This classic Bantry Bay resort-hotel offers an easy-breezy, family-friendly, Miami-esque setting for celebrating Mother’s Day, in the shadow of Lion’s Head, with views of the ocean. A sumptuous Sunday buffet means even the pickiest eater will find their comfort food (there’s a dedicated kids’ buffet, too). From a fresh pasta station, oyster bar, carvery (roast lamb, Yorkshire pudding and mint sauce) to grilled yellowtail, spanakopita, a rainbow of salads, artisanal breads and more, followed by an equally dazzling array of desserts and patisserie, you’ll be spoilt for choice. As well as live entertainment for adults, there is rock decorating and a kids’ play area.
Alternatively, why not extend Mother’s Day into a weekend of spoils: on Saturday afternoon a sip-and-paint tea party at Botany Café has you painting your own tote as you sip on bloom-inspired gin cocktails and enjoy delicate afternoon savoury and sweet treats; and on Saturday evening at the hotel’s Deck Bar, the Melodies and Merlot event offers tastings of three premium merlots, gourmet charcuterie, chocolate bonbons and a sophisticated playlist of sultry sounds and live jazz.
Cost R595 (Mother’s Day lunch)
R250 (lunch, children 6 – 12 years)
Free (lunch, children 0 – 5 years)
R395 (Sip & Paint); R549 (Sip & Paint with cocktails)
R395 (Melodies and Merlot) adults only
When 10 May 2025, 12.30pm – 3.00pm (Sip + Paint)
10 May 2025, 6.30pm – 8.30pm (Melodies + Merlot)
11 May 2025, 1pm – 4pm (Mother’s Day lunch)
Contact 071 368 9529 (WhatsApp), bookings@presidenthotel.co.za
Where to find it 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, Cape Town
Enquire Now

A sea-facing buffet at Radisson Collection Hotel

The seaside setting, right on the Atlantic Ocean, is all part of the allure of Tobago’s Restaurant, Bar and Terrace, which looks out over the waves of Table Bay and back over the marina from its perch at the breakwater fringes of the V&A Waterfront.
The three-course buffet is inspired by Mother Nature and begins with a refreshing welcome drink and an invitation to relax with the whole family over a cornucopia of freshly prepared dishes, to the soundtrack of live music.
Good to know Booking essential.
Cost R750 (adults); R375 (children 5 – 12 years); free (0 – 5 years)
When 11 May 2025
Time 1pm – 4pm
Contact 021 441 3000, tobagos.capetown@radissoncollection.com
Where to find it Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town
Enquire Now

A relaxed roast-lamb feast at Stellenbosch Reserve

Stellenbosch Reserve’s tasting room and restaurant (just above its sibling-in-wine, Rust en Vrede) has stunning views of the Helderberg Mountains and endless rolling vineyards from the tree-shaded terrace, making it a delightful setting for a relaxed family get-together. Sometimes the best gift for a mom is time spent together as a family without anyone having to cook – and the Sunday lunch on offer fits the bill to perfection. For Mother’s Day they’re serving a generous two-course family-style feast centred around a slow-cooked roast lamb that comes with an array of celebratory sides. For dessert, tuck into a comforting malva pudding with homemade custard and vanilla ice cream, or baked apple crumble cheesecake.
Good to know Booking essential. Minimum booking of 4 people per table. The famous pizza oven will be fired up for children (13 and under) who prefer pizzas to lamb, and there are vegetarian options on request.
Cost R380
When Sunday, 11 May 2025
Time 12pm – 3pm
Contact 072 480 0073, visit@thestellenboschreserve.com
Where to find it Stellenbosch Reserve, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
Book through DinePlan

A lunch buffet or spice-infused dinner at Taj Cape Town

Elegant, cosmopolitan and at the heart of Cape Town’s buzzy innercity, Taj Cape Town exudes a sense of grandeur. This year, the five-star hotel is offering a choice of sumptuous spreads for Mother’s Day. The chic Mint Restaurant & Wood-Fired Grill, known for its magnificent special-occasion buffets is laying on a globe-trotting flavour journey, from an Asian sushi station to Italian pasta in a Parmesan wheel, through Indian and South African curries, herb-crusted roast beef and a flourish of salads, cheeses and charcuterie. The dessert table is equally loaded with tempting choices for a family-friendly special occasion.
Dinner at Bombay Brasserie is an equally indulgent affair with a specially curated set menu of sophisticated Indian cuisine that includes a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, and culminates in a bespoke dessert plate designed to delight the senses.
Good to know For an extra Mother’s Day spoil, the hotel’s J Wellness Circle Spa is offering a special package: a 75-minute back, neck and shoulder massage and a revitalising facial for R995 (9 – 11 May 2025). Enquire now
Cost R695 (buffet lunch)
R350 (children 0 – 12 years)
R595 (dinner)
When 11 May 2025
Time 1pm – 4pm (lunch at Mint). Enquire now
6.30pm (dinner at Bombay Brasserie). Enquire now
Contact 021 819 2000, restaurants.capetown@tajhotels.com
Where to find it Taj Cape Town, 1 Wale Street, corner St George’s Mall, Cape Town

A macaron-pairing and perfume workshop at Vrede en Lust

The historic family-owned wine estate, with views over the vines to the Simonsberg, has something different planned for the Mother’s Day weekend. Start the morning with a Marnella macaron-and-wine pairing (3 wines; 6 macarons) and then explore the delicate world of fragrance in a two-hour perfume workshop with Franschhoek-based Kumanov Perfumery. You’ll learn to create your own signature scents and make a 60ml bottle of perfume to take home with you. A brunch box and glass of wine (or non-alcoholic alternative) is served during the workshop to sustain you as you compare (fragrance) notes.
Cost R1 100
When 10 + 11 May 2025
Time 10am – 1pm
Contact 021 874 1611, info@vnl.co.za
Where to find it Intersection R45 & Klapmuts Road, Simondium
Book through DinePlan

A whimsical brunch at The Wes Bistro

With décor inspired by the oeuvre of Wes Anderson, this playfully sophisticated French-inspired bistro on Shortmarket Street is a delightfully whimsical spot for a Mother’s Day brunch. Tuck into eggs Benedict and crispy bacon, plus a lavish Continental buffet, with a Parisian-style hot chocolate to add a touch of morning decadence, and a complimentary glass of bubbles to raise a toast to your mom. Add on sultry brunch cocktails from the speciality drinks menu and sip your way into the day against a dramatic Grand Budapest Hotel mural.
Cost R295 (continental buffet + hot breakfast). Booking essential.
When 11 May 2025
Time 9am – 12pm
Contact 082 770 3573, info@thewes.co.za
Where to find it 55 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

Lunch in the country at Wilde Vy Bistro

Canons, long views over the valley and a spreading wild fig are the first things that catch your eye as you climb the steps to the new Wilde Vy Bistro restaurant at Hooggelgen Farm, home of Signal Gun Wines. Terrace tables and couches cluster under the shade of a wild-fig tree, two enclosed verandahs set the scene for breezy indoor-outdoor dining, leading into a series of beautifully refurbished cosy rooms (with a fireplace) for winter.
Chef Jürgen Snyman creates generous bistro cuisine rooted in the Cape, and his Mother’s Day lunch menu is full of bold flavours. Kick off with seductively soft mosbolletjies with citrus honey butter, then choose between smoked ham terrine with Malay piccalilli, wild mushroom arancini, or prawn cocktail pazzetti. Then the Wilde Vy signature porchetta (roasted in a wood oven) is a must, with other tempting options including a lamb rib roll with chakalaka, or linefish with bean ragout, mussels and samphire. For dessert, an amarula malva pudding, or strawberry and chocolate delice, completes a thoroughly satisfying lunch in the country.
Good to know Moms receive a complimentary glass of cap classique on arrival, and there’s a take-home gift too. A children’s menu is available on request.
When 11 May 2025
Time 12pm – 4pm
Contact 064 643 9766,
Where to find it Hooggelegen Farm, Hooggelegen Office Road, Durbanville, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

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