RestaurantFranschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa
The Vine Room, Franschhoek
Long lunches among the vines
$$$
Our favourite lunch stop in the Franschhoek valley: seasonal Cape cooking, a terrace above the vineyards and a wine list that leans local.
The verdict
The Vine Room is the kind of place that makes you cancel your afternoon plans. The terrace looks across vineyards to the Franschhoek mountains, the menu changes with whatever the kitchen garden and local farms are producing, and lunch easily turns into three hours.
We started with snoek pâté and just-baked roosterkoek, then West Coast mussels in a Chenin Blanc and fennel broth. The Karoo lamb, slow-cooked and served with smoked aubergine and pickled quince, is the dish most of our travellers come back talking about. Leave room for the malva pudding with buchu ice cream.
The wine list is short and almost entirely from the valley, with good options by the glass. Service is relaxed but sharp. Book a terrace table at least a week ahead in summer.
Order this
- Snoek pâté with roosterkoek
- West Coast mussels in Chenin Blanc
- Slow-cooked Karoo lamb
- Malva pudding with buchu ice cream
About this story
Thabo NkosiAuthor
Wildside ExpeditionsPublisher
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