Contemporary bistro flair with stunning sunset views.
Climbing up to the winery at Durbanville Hills, the Cape Town city fringes fall away. Insulated by vines from the bustle below, the contemporary buildings are high enough up the western slopes of the Durbanville Wine Valley for panoramic views to Table Mountain and Table Bay. And the winery’s flagship, The Tangram Restaurant (upstairs from the tasting lounge), is the best place to soak up those views: stroll out onto the bastion-style terrace with a glass of bubbly (even better at sunset), before settling at a table beside the tall glass windows for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Restaurant Week Top Award
That The Tangram Restaurant is a favourite dining destination for Cape Town locals is attested by the recent accolade of being voted South Africa’s Best Restaurant at the 2023 Restaurant Week (among 140 participating restaurants which included some of our top names). The title was voted for by the diners themselves, who gave it an average of 10 out of 10 for service, cuisine and ambience.
Fine bistro fare
Chef Tamzin Ehlers’ seasonal menu of contemporary bistro dishes is exactly the food you want to eat for a relaxed spoil: approachable flavours and generous portions, with creative twists on old favourites to keep the palate entertained. We tucked into a rich and savoury outsize oxtail raviolo for starters, and piping hot prawn arancini served with mussels, zesty spekboom and a creamy salmon mousse. Perennially popular, the pork belly is a fixture on the mains menu, only the accompaniments varying – ours came on a cauliflower purée with matchstick potatoes, roast tomatoes and crispy strips of crackling. And a grilled-to-perfection fillet steak with a sweetly crunchy corn fritter.
Durbanville Hill wines to pair
Each dish on the menu comes with a suggested complementary wine pairing in tasting quantities… and they actually are complimentary! So really great value and a suitably food-centric way to explore the Durbanville Hills range – we particularly enjoyed the Collectors Reserve Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc with the prawn arancini, and the Collectors Reserve Lighthouse Merlot with the pork belly. And top tip – if you’re offered a barrel tasting in-between courses, just say yes.
Just desserts
Chef Tamzin’s pastry chef and baking background comes out strong when you reach the sweet finale. A beautifully light éclair filled with caramel and topped with roasted marshmallow came with a creamy chocolate namelaka (ganache). And an intense and rich chocolate and espresso cheesecake (so good we took home leftovers for next-day spoils).
Delicious food, thoughtful wine-pairings and warm, well-informed service, not to mention the views, are the secret to The Tangram Restaurant’s appeal and loyal local following.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 8.30am – 11am; 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 10pm (last rounds 11pm)
Sunday + Monday, 8.30am – 11am; 12pm – 3pm
Contact 021 558 1300, Info_durbanvilleHills@heineken.com
Where to find it Tygerberg Valley Road (M13), Durbanville
Book through DinePlan
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