Dramatic mountain views, comfy sofas, and loads of space to play.
On Kleinevalleij Estate, a few minutes from the town of Wellington (on the road to the Bainskloof Pass), the tranquil surrounds of Festa Restaurant are a welcome respite from the summer heat. A shaded footpath across a mountain stream opens onto a swathe of green lawns and dramatic mountain vistas as you arrive at the new iteration of this popular restaurant. Glass doors stand wide open to the breeze, the quirky vintage decor of the barn opens onto a sofa-strewn stoep and umbrella-shaded tables on the grass. It’s a place where you can kick off your shoes, with slopes that tempt you to roll down them (however old you are), a mini pump track for kids, lawn games, bean bags, picnic blankets, and cosy couch clusters by the fire for winter.
Owner Anelma Le Roux (the inspiration behind Monarch Coffee Cartel, and Lounah Café in Paarl) has a talent for creating a welcoming ambience that has locals flocking. The comfortable blend of mismatched vintage chairs, tables and couches, funky neon signs, bric-a-brac, plants and fringed lampshades sets the home-from-home mood, and there’s an easy menu to match.
A no-frills feast of flavours
This is the kind of crowd-pleasing food you want for a relaxed get-together with family and friends. Thin-crust wood-fired pizzas (on 24-hour slow-fermented sourdough bases) riff through classic and creative toppings: Four Seasons, Margarita and Regina, as well as BBQ brisket and smokey chicken. Or go for a tasty double smashburger, KFC burger or a jalapeno crunch burger. A handful of snacks and tapas, a chicken schnitzel, a salad or steak (and a kids menu) complete the offering. Although you’ll want to leave room for a sweet finale of churros dipped in coffee chocolate, or a double chocolate brownie.
Cocktails, wine and craft beer
Take a seat at the bar or grab a terrace table for golden hour sundowners, and peruse the drinks menu (family-friendly meaning for the grown-ups as well as the kids). Perhaps a bloedlemon negroni, a Festa bloody Mary (with bacon salt) or an espresso martini… then there’s a selection of draught beers on tap, and a short but well-chosen wine list that includes some personable Swartland names.
What’s on
The natural amphitheatre of the lawns lends itself to special events. Keep an eye on the calendar for open-air live music in summer, and comedy nights indoors in winter. And the Wellington parkrun starts and ends here on Saturday mornings, with runners grabbing a coffee and quick bite afterwards. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, the preserve of relaxed business meetings, coffee dates, and remote workers taking advantage of the wifi.
Private events
When we visited, a baby shower was set up in a shady spot high on the lawns, each event being tailored to the occasion. There’s also a private room to hire, or you can take over the whole venue for larger functions.
Festa is Italian for feast, holiday or party, all of which apply to this delightfully scenic spot that is all about relaxed and sociable downtime for guests of all ages.
Good to know There are pensioner specials on Wednesdays. And look out for spontaneous pizza promotions every now and again.
Opening times Wednesday, Saturday + Sunday, 9am – 4pm
Thursday + Friday, 9am – 10pm
Contact 067 597 0346 (WhatsApp), feast@festa-restaurant.co.za, @festa_wellington
Where to find it Kleinevalleij Estate, R301, Wellington
Book through DinePlan
Discover all of the Cape’s hidden gems – subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
