Beautiful Views Beckon at Cassia Restaurant on Nitida Wine Farm

This family-owned boutique winery in the heart of Durbanville wine country offers guests a variety of handmade wines and no less than two eateries at which to enjoy them: Tables at Nitida – a delightful, family-friendly breakfast and lunch option (there are rolling lawns aplenty); and Cassia Restaurant – also open for breakfast and lunch, and touted as a special occasion dinner destination.

Cassia’s modern interiors with a hint of glam include a marble-clad fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and an open kitchen that gives diners a taste of the behind-the-scenes action. Sliding glass doors open onto a covered terrace that is suspended over, and overlooks, the farm dam – the perfect setting for alfresco feasting.

The menu accommodates every palate – with options of chicken, fish, steak, lamb, burgers and a few curries. The food is simple and seasonal, and some of the flavour combinations are quite interesting, like the starter of harissa (a roasted red-pepper spice) and fig compote served alongside a camembert and bacon-stuffed toasted brioche.

The black-mussel starter will have you licking the plate – cooked in a bourbon broth with chorizo and pineapple salsa, it’s absolutely divine.

The restaurant is famous for its pork belly (as we were told by our server on the night) – mustard-glazed and slow-roasted, served with caramelised onion and chorizo, Hasselback potato, leek fondue and baby spinach. A sizeable portion indeed.

The dessert menu won’t disappoint the traditionalists, with options of crème brûlée, panna cotta, and cheesecake.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the captivating view of the sunset over the valley.

Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 9pm