Guide To Stellenbosch

33 STELLENBOSCH
A menu offering innovative fare as well as geographical location. Under the oak and pepper trees, the luxury guesthouse and restaurant are of the newer gastronomic destinations on the Stellenbosch wine route. Expect a swirl of Cape and Mediterranean flavours on a palette of sunny seasonal soups and sensational sauces, with tongue, free-range poultry and venison specialties. If you're the indecisive type, we'd recommend the sorrel soup, potato pancakes with salmon trout and caviar and the duck with three-citrus sauce. Regional wines do nicely, thank you.

Vlottenburg Road (Off R310)
Stellenbosch

e-mail: restaurant@33.co.za
website: http://www.33.co.za
tel: (021) 881-3793

BUKHARA
Spicing up Stellenbosch, a satellite of the original Bukhara in Cape Town replicates its winning formula in the winelands. Acclaimed restaurateur Sabi Sabharwal and his Bombay chefs serve authentic Northern Indian cuisine cooked in the tandoori in an open kitchen. Best shared at a communal table to sample the spice spectrum, mix and match the delectable flavours of rogan josh, chicken tikka, lamb korma and prawn moghlai. Try the paneer, dahl and jeera aloo - vegetarian fare will never be the same again. Regional wines on the list.

Cnr Dorp and Bird streets
Stellenbosch

e-mail: grandwest@bukhara.com
website: http://www.bukhara.com
tel: (021) 882 9133

DECAMERON
Authentically Italian, it's a standard bearer for consistency and well-priced food and wine. A landmark for robust Med fare in a university town immune to passing foodie fads. Good pasta and wood-fired pizzas with classic veal, seafood and beef dishes on popular menu. The wine list has a good regional selection.

50 Plein Street
Stellenbosch

tel: (021) 883-3331

HERENHUIS 1692
Over the top of Helshoogte Pass, the road winds past vineyards, a new tasting centre, cellar and stables to a 17th-century manor house. Dine alfresco on the terrace nestled at the foot of the Simonsberg or in the exquisitely restored dining rooms of the old farm homestead. The accent is on unpretentious, traditional fare in a relaxed, informal setting. Zorgvliet wines are available.

Zorgvliet Estate
Banhoek Valley
Stellenbosch

tel: (021) 885-2580

JOOSTENBERG BISTRO
A deli, bistro, bakery, charcuterie and patisserie under one barn roof. Everything is handcrafted with Gaelic flair in chef Christoph Dehosse's kitchen. No short cuts here. You could be in Normandy. A rustic venue for robust flavours of country-style terrine, crusty breads, pork brawn, croques monsieur (and madame), free-range coq au vin and home-made pasta. Muldersvlei wines are available.

Off the R304
Muldersvlei
Stellenbosch

tel: (021) 884-4208

MOYO AT SPIER
A magical feast for the senses, this is food as African theatre. A tented bush camp draped in white canvas with tree-house terraces, romantic treetop lights and mosaic tables scattered among the trees. Strolling African players and traditional storytellers dressed in exotic costumes move among the tables, singing, dancing, drumming and spinning stories. A Pan-African buffet serves coconut, rose petal, pumpkin and sweet potato breads from Egypt to Ghana with spicy dukka and harissa dips. For mains, Senegalese chicken yassa, Moroccan tagines, Ethiopian kebabs, Nigerian beef suya and local springbok potjie. Spier/Winecorp wines are available.

Spier Estate
Lynedoch Road/R310
Stellenbosch

e-mail: moyo@spier.co.za
website: http://www.spier.co.za/moyo.asp
tel: (021) 809-1100

TERRIOR
In pursuit of both food and wine that reflect terroir, what the French call cuisine du terroir, the cuisine is a modern take on Provencal classics. Drawing on organic produce and local ingredients, the chalkboard menu makes its mark with bouillabaisse, pork belly roasted in a woodfired oven, foie gras terrine and offal dishes prepared in classic stocks and sauces. The decor is as earthy and natural as the terroir. Wines from Kleine Zalze or the region.

Kleine Zalze Estate
Techno Park Turn off
Strand Road (R44)
Stellenbosch

tel: (021) 880-8167

TOKARA
With one of the most spectacular views in the winelands, every table on the terrace has a panoramic view of vineyards tumbling down the Simonsberg. The menu highlights sublime combos like mussels with banana and apple, calamari with oxtail in red wine, pig's trotters stuffed with vegetable puree and quail in saffron sauce. For adventurous diners only. Enjoy regional wines.

Tokara Estate
Helshoogte Pass
Stellenbosch

tel: (021) 808-5959