Good honest food and wine with abundant artistry in the wings.
Grub & Vine Norval is the delightful southern suburbs outpost of Matt Manning’s unpretentious yet elegant Bree Street bistro with the same name. The airy, glass-walled restaurant is part of the Norval Foundation, one of the continent’s custodians of – and a haven for – African visual art.
The contemporary architectural lines of the building have been softened with rich colours and gorgeous textures in the bistro itself, with an open kitchen connecting chef and diners. Views over the striking sculpture gardens and outdoor deck towards the mountains beguile the eye as you dine, and at night twinkling lights and starry skies add to the ambience. It’s the perfect setting for a Constantia Valley gathering with family and friends.
A choice of menu offerings allows you to decide on a dining style to suit the occasion. A varied à la carte menu in Grub&Vine’s signature elevated bistro format for lunch. A set tasting menu showcasing a sumptuous series of dishes. Or the brand-new sharing menu of generous serving plates to share family-style. And also a picnic offering in summer.
Bold flavours on a new sharing menu
A brand-new sharing menu is all about bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and plates made to pass around the table for a communal feast. Think seared yellowfin tuna Niçoise, pan-roasted linefish, seafood curry, and melt-in-your-mouth confit pork belly. Designed for easy and relaxed dining with friends and family over conversation and delicious dishes, the sharing menu unfolds over three courses (plus canapés and bread) and finishes off with a lemon curd tart with meringue, berries and walnut ice cream.
Good to know To celebrate the launch of the sharing menu, until end-April 2025 you receive a complimentary bottle of Culture House Wine for the table
Cost R575 per person
An à la carte bistro menu
A short, seasonal menu stars fresh local produce in a succession of deliciously elevated bistro dishes. Think roast pumpkin and sage ravioli; braised leek and boerenkaas tart; sweetcorn chowder with sauteed shrimp and squid; pan-roasted line fish with bacon, mussels and smoked broccoli; or confit pork belly with white bean and bacon cassoulet. Finish with apple tarte tatin, banana souffle, or a selection of South African cheeses.
Good to know Available for lunch 12pm – 3pm
A set tasting menu with choices
Changing with the seasons, the elevated bistro tasting menu is what first made us sit up and take notice of Grub & Vine. Chef Matt and his team take you on a leisurely journey through a series of creative but unfussy and delicious dishes, while also providing an opportunity to choose one of the thoughtfully created wine pairings. Four courses (plus canapés and amuse-bouche) with a few choices along the way, think pan-fried linefish with mussels and bacon; prawn tortellini with charred corn, shrimp and fennel; confit pork belly with pumpkin and pak choi, and a whole lot more.
Cost R950 per person
R1 550 (with Culture house wine pairing)
R1 795 (with Local Legends wine pairing)
Summer picnics
The Norval Foundation’s sculpture gardens are an idyllic setting for a picnic. Spread out the striped blanket on the lawns beside one of the giant sculptures, under the trees at the top of the slope, beside the wetlands…and soak up the tranquillity of nature and the enchanting and thought-provoking art installations. Chef Matt Manning’s down-to-earth and delicious hampers (actually a gorgeous leather-and-canvas picnic tote bag) celebrate the best of local and seasonal ingredients, and there are superb wines to purchase.
Good to know Wine can be purchased from Grub & Vine to enjoy with your picnic. Only 20 picnic hampers a day are available (spur-of-the-moment same-day booking and collection is possible, while stocks last).
Times Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 5pm (November to April)
Cost R300 per person (picnic in Sculpture Garden)
R395 per person (picnic and museum access)
Art on the walls, artistry on the plate, and a celebration of the art of winemaking too, Grub & Vine Norval is a feast for all the senses.
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, 12pm – 9pm
Sunday, 12pm – 4pm
Contact 021 216 0021, hello@grubandvine.co.za
Where to find it The Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Discover all of the Cape’s hidden gems – subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
