Spellbinding views from every angle at this wine estate in the serene Jonkershoek Valley.
Blessed with a magnificent setting, the view-wrapped restaurant at Stark-Condé is the ideal place to enjoy a relaxed Winelands meal with family and friends.
Whether you sit inside or on the shaded verandah of the aptly named Postcard Café, overlooking rolling lawns and a millpond-like dam, you’re guaranteed a memorable breakfast, brunch or lunch.
Head chef Munetaka Kimura and his team serve up a diverse array of options (including vegetarian and vegan dishes) inspired by a variety of cuisines and locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes often, but here’s an idea of what you can expect.
Whether you take a wholesome approach (homemade granola with Dalewood Jersey yoghurt and fruit compote; or a poppyseed bun with hummus and grilled veg), or you’re after a decadent breakfast (smoked trout with scrambled egg and lemon-and-dill crème fraîche; or a home-baked croissant with cured pork loin and white cheddar), there are many delicious options. And, of course, the classics: omelette, French-toast brioche and the Valley Breakfast (eggs, sausage, bacon, the works), plus a few more exotic choices, such as Turkish eggs.
As for beverages, there are a variety of coffees, including five kinds of latte. (Enough said!) There are also five teas, hot chocolate (Swiss or white chocolate), freshly squeezed orange juice, cloudy apple juice, fresh fruit cordials and iced coffee or homemade lemon ice tea.
If you’re getting to breakfast a little later, and would like to enjoy the estate’s wine, the menu also has generous antipasti and cheese platters. And if breakfast or brunch requires a decadent sweet touch, there are a dozen (yes!) choices: from crème caramel, red velvet cake and sachertorte to baked cheesecake, carrot cupcakes, chocolate mousse cake and homemade ice cream and sorbet. Even if you don’t “do breakfast”, it’s clear Postcard Café is a lovely spot for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon treat.
The lunch menu is designed for guests to linger longer and features Asian chicken and rice noodles, beef fillet with ratatouille niçoise, a teriyaki burger, red lentil dahl and pork bobotie, among others. It’s a lovely spot for a lazy family meal, enjoying the estate’s wines with simple yet expertly prepared dishes.
Island-style wine-tasting
The tasting room, reached via a bridge and hovering over a lily-studded dam, has oversized windows that maximise the mountain views. Here, visitors can taste Stark-Condé’s award-winning single-vineyard wines, most notably the three distinct Cabernets grown at high elevations. Other wines include a unique blend of four white varietals, the Petite Sirah (relatively rare in South Africa and a different grape to syrah) and the rosé, which sips beautifully on a sunny day. All are available as a single tasting or by the glass.
All things considered, it really is a destination worth writing home about…
Good to know Looking for a beautiful venue for a private celebration? Postcard Café can comfortably accommodate up to 120 guests for daytime events.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 4pm
Contact details 021 861 7703, postcardcafe@stark-conde.co.za
Where to find it Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch
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4 Responses to “Postcard Cafe at Stark-Condé Wines: Dining on the Water’s Edge in Stellenbosch”
H . Maroon
I Always take my friends there. Views are stunning. Food was great . Staff is always very friendly. My husband prefer a chicken burger which was not on the menu but the waiter went to ask the chef and they made him one. They are so friendly.
Pam Smith
Look forward to the emails
Johan le Roux
Based on reviews like the one above, we had lunch at the Postcard a week ago. We were two couples. The experience was disappointing. Our table was near the entrance, and it felt like the restaurant was catering to a children’s party. The noise levels and running children was annoying. The service was rushed and impersonal. The food was ok, bobotie and burgers. The wine tasting area was open, but again, not welcoming. There was just a general lack of interest from the staff, who appeared to be overstretched.
Cerise
Hi,
Do you host intimate weddings?