An otherworldly ambience awaits…
Rust en Vrede is one of those quintessential Winelands experiences that every discerning gourmand worth their weight in confit needs to experience… the restaurant consistently rated by local and international chefs as one of the finest places to eat since it opened in 2007.
A magical otherworldly ambience reveals itself as you wind up the long valley to emerge at this secret spot hidden among ancient trees, gardens and vineyards. The enchantment holds with a warm welcome to the view-soaked terrace, where congenial and clued-up sommelier Cameron Bishop pours us a glass of French champagne to accompany exquisite canapés. The dreamy evening light and flawless service sets the mood to relaxed anticipation.
Dining elegance
At precisely the right moment we’re ushered to our table inside the estate’s historic 1785 cellar, with its gables, thatched roof and original yellowwood ceilings. The restaurant is elegant but unpretentious, relaxed yet refined, at its heart the open-plan kitchen where chef Fabio Daniel wields his culinary magic. His contemporary French cuisine is flecked with flavours from his Brazilian and Italian heritage, sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients from local sustainable producers – and then applying equal parts imagination and culinary mastery to them.
A seasonal feast
The six-course menu is perfectly paced, and designed to entrance the palate and satisfy a gourmand soul. On our visit we encountered fascinating combinations such as cauliflower and coffee purée, salmon and passion fruit with nori powder, coffee and lime butterscotch, as Fabio beautifully blends flavours from the different cultures that contribute to the gastronomic melting pot of Brazil (where Japanese influences rub shoulders with Italian, and a pinch of West African spices). But the menu changes with the seasons, so expect different but equally beguiling flavour intrigue at every visit.
New dishes on the just-launched spring and summer menu include ginger-cured yellowtail with miso emulsion, pine nuts and pickled radish, and crown-roasted duck with black garlic, crème fraîche gel and marsala jus… the whole guaranteed to be so much more than the sum of its parts. The six-course menu is an ample journey of delightful surprises, or for full-on fine-dining immersion, you can choose the 10-course experience menu.
Cameron Bishop’s carefully curated wine pairing is highly recommended. The extensive wine list features a selection of the finest Cape wines, from Stellenbosch and the Swartland to the Overberg and West Coast, and was recently re-awarded a 2024 Wine Spectator Best of Award for Excellence (an award the restaurant has retained for the past 13 years).
Cost R1 190 (6-course menu)
R990 (optional wine pairing)
R2 800 (10-course experience menu)
If you’re looking to escape for a memorable evening in the Winelands, to celebrate a special occasion, or purely for the love of food, Rust en Vrede is a superb choice.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 6.30pm – 11pm
Contact details 021 881 3757, dining@rustenvrede.com
Address Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
Book through DinePlan
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