Alfresco dining in a beautiful garden setting (with tortoises!).
Surrounded by ancient trees, tortoise-patrolled lawns and winding pathways, The Vineyard’s inimitable garden setting is a favourite among Cape Town locals and out-of-town visitors for leisurely alfresco dining. Whether you opt for breakfast, lunch, tea, sundowners or dinner, the dramatic mountains form a stunning backdrop, creating a serene haven of heritage style and modern facilities.
A table in the garden
The garden lounge is beguilingly versatile. Start your day watching the morning light reflect on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, as you enjoy a hot breakfast or healthy and delicious options from the fresh and varied buffet. Linger over a light lunch – a smoked-salmon salad bowl, perhaps – in the tree-dappled shade, or enjoy a classic fragrant lamb curry with sambals, or one of several umami burgers followed by a decadent rooibos crème brûlée with apricot salsa, shortcake biscuit, and milk tart crème.
As the sun dips behind the mountain horizon, dinner takes its inspiration from contemporary South African and Asian dishes with flourishes of wild and foraged ingredients. Think Filipino tuna adobo with green-herb chowder; Nguni beef biltong carpaccio with Langbaken Karoo crumble and nasturtium leaf salad; or springbok in buttermilk with local forest mushrooms; and there’s a whole lot more deliciousness on a varied menu of small and large plates to browse.
Good to know There’s a dedicated kids’ menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers and sweet treats all day. If the weather makes alfresco dining less appealing, the cosy lounge and restaurant area indoors is equally atmospheric (although you’ll miss the gentle giant tortoise parade).
Opening times Breakfast: 7am – 10.30am
Lunch: 12pm – 4.30pm
Dinner: 5.30pm – 10pm
Complimentary tasting evenings
Sundowners on the patio are a delightful way to enjoy golden evenings and the dramatic silhouetted mountain as dusk falls. The regular cocktail hour occasionally gives way to a series of special tastings, complimentary to those dining on the Garden Lounge patio. They might feature a handcrafted gin or the smooth rich flavours of a fine whisky.
Good to know Bookings are essential. Tastings are available exclusively to restaurant guests.
4 April; 9 May; 23 May Gin Fridays with Six Dogs
Times 5pm – 7pm
Pasta & Wine Wednesdays
If you’re a pasta lover, you’ll want to pencil Wednesdays in for a regular date with a dish of Italian comfort food (accompanied, of course, by a glass of wine). The weekly special offers mouthwatering dishes such as slow-cooked beef brisket lasagne, wild mushroom pappardelle, and beef-cheek ragu tagliatelle, each plate crafted with care, each bite full of flavour.
The special R169 per person (pasta dish + glass of wine)
When Every Wednesday
Good to know Gluten-free options are available.
The excellent service for which The Vineyard is known, and the seductively serene garden setting, are all part of its timeless appeal, which inspires relaxation from the minute you sit down at your patio table.
Contact 021 657 4500, eat@vineyard.co.za
Where to find it Colinton Road (off Protea Road), Newlands, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
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