There’s nothing quite like tasting a new dish from your favourite chef, and this season, some of ours are going above and beyond to provide incredible new flavours with impressive new winter menus. Shake off the cabin fever and head to one of these cosy, highly-esteemed restaurants to get your fill of a superb night out and delightful winter cuisine.
WINTER DINING IN THE CITY
High-end Dining and Legendary Steak at The Capital Hotel
The hotel boasts two independent on-site restaurants: fine-dining option Utopia and famous steakhouse The Cattle Baron.
Utopia was voted Best Rooftop Restaurant in Africa by the World Culinary Awards in 2021 and 2022, and rightly so. Indulge in West Coast oysters, locally sourced MCC, and an exciting assortment of culinary offerings. Soak in 360-degree views over Cape Town from the 15th floor while relaxing in comfortable seating and a laid-back atmosphere.
The Cattle Baron is a renowned steakhouse that has fast become one of the trendiest steakhouse concepts in Cape Town. Its elegant interior, decorated with rich wooden tables and intimate booth seating, provides the perfect warm spot for winter. A covered patio area allows guests to soak up the sun and watch the people go by, while the Cattle Baron bar area is the perfect spot to unwind with a cocktail.
Cost: Various. Book at Utopia: [email protected] | tel: 0027214183065
Book at The Cattle Baron: book here
Where: The Capital Mirage, 40 Chiappini St, De Waterkant, Cape Town
Sunday Carvery Lunch at the President Hotel
Every Sunday, the President Hotel hosts an indulgent carvery lunch. One of the buffet tables is dedicated to carvery, while others include a fresh pasta station, a kiddies buffet, and more. The menu also offers everything from butter chicken curry to a range of light, starters.
With live entertainment, gorgeous views and both cosy, comfortable indoor seating as well as outdoor seating for warmer days, guests will delight in the offerings of the atmosphere, too. Explore the full menu here.
Cost: R345 p/p. R150 for kids ages 6 – 12. Children ages 0 – 5 years eat free. Book via email: [email protected] or call 021 434 8111
When: Every Sunday at midday until further notice
Where: The President Hotel, 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay
Hacienda
Turn up the heat at Hacienda, a Bree Street Mexican restaurant inspired by the Baja Peninsula. The winter sharing menu features Mole Hacienda, taco cola amarilla (yellowtail sashimi), brisket adobo taco, Oaxaca adobo rice and churros, and guajillo chilli chocolate ice cream.
Guests can also look forward to Tequila and Mezcal from the BAJÍO Region, among the cowboy-feel interiors, filled with ceramics, mosaics and cosy leather booths. Certainly an inviting setting for memorable evenings.
Cost: R395 per person, includes a glass of merlot. Book through Dineplan
When: Until 1 September
Where: Hacienda, 92 Bree Street, Cape Town
Boma on Bree Winter Set Menu and Small Plate Tuesday Special
The winter set menu includes dishes like Adobo Taco brisket with salsa macha, pineapple, sesame seed and pickled sandia, and churros with burnt banana dulce and chocolate guajillo ice cream. They’re also offering a 3-for-2 special on Tuesdays on small plates, which includes a free drink.
Transportive interiors evoke the warmth and exoticim of an African dessert, while the bespoke hidden tropical basement bar tempts diners to venture downstairs for a post-dinner cocktail or night cap.
Cost: Winter menu: R395 p/p. Small plates: From R30 each. Book via phone 021-109 0039 or email [email protected]
When: Until 31 August
Where: Boma on Bree, 107 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD
WINTER MENUS IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS
Southern Sun Newlands Café’s Locally-inspired Winter Menu
Executive Chef Sihle Dlamini at Southern Sun Newlands Café is serious about nose-to-tail cooking and infuses each dish on the seasonal menu with his own brand of authenticity. Chef Sihle’s journey into cooking started in his grandmother’s kitchen in Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal and led to leading hotel restaurants.
Wholesome and hearty new additions on the menu include a stuffed bone marrow with a beef reduction served separately, beetroot and charred butternut salad with goat’s cheese, and much more. For a truly South African twist, try the crispy peri peri chicken livers with a mini iDombolo (steamed bread) and a tomato sauce. The Newlands Grill also features a mini braai platter with a premium fillet steak, tender beef liver, a slice of pap tart layered with chakalaka, boerewors, and a lamb chop.
Cost: Various; a la carte menu. Book via email: [email protected] or call 021 683 6562
When: Until 1 September
Where: Southern Sun Newlands Café, 7 Main Road, Newlands
Winter Tapas Special at Bistro Sixteen82
From dishes like beef pot stickers with red cabbage and mangetout salsa to wasabi dusted calamari, arancini with parsnip and roast onion to pork ribs with sticky ginger and soy, the winter tapas menu at Bistro Sixteen82 is sure to excite a range of palates. Chef Kerry Kilpin’s selection of five dishes changes daily and is also available in vegetarian and vegan options. The special is served to tables of up to ten people.
The exquisite views over the indigenous garden and vast vineyards don’t hurt either.
Cost: R515 for Tapas For Two (Five tapas dishes to share between two people). Book via email: [email protected] or call 021 205 3866
When: Until 30 September
Where: Bistro Sixteen82, Steenberg Farm, Steenberg Road, Tokai
DAY TRIPS: WINTER MENUS IN THE WINELANDS
Spice Route Winter Offerings
From chocolate tastings at Beyers to wood-Fired Pizzas at La Grapperia, farm-to-table dining at Jewell’s Restaurant to a tasting room filled with award-winning wines, the Spice Route centre in Paarl is a culinary adventure destination.
Find out more about the impressive range of offerings here.
Cost: Various. Book here
When: Various
Where: Suid-Agter-Paarl Rd, Southern Paarl
Spier Winter Picnic
In the Western Cape, winter still offers sunny and dry days here and there – make the most of them with a curated seasonal winter picnic basket at Spier.
Including soup, half a rotisserie chicken and a tempting cheese and charcuterie spread, it offers all the flavours with none of the fuss that comes with making your own. There’s also a kids’ picnic menu, as well as a vegetarian and vegan option, just to make things that much more convenient.
Cost: R395 p/p, R180 per child under 12. Book here
When: Until end September.
Where: Spier Wine Farm and EState, R310 Baden Powell Dr, Stellenbosch
Moody Lagoon Restaurant’s Sunday Lunch at Benguela Cove
Executive Chef Annie Badenhorst, renowned for her culinary expertise, skillfully crafts mouthwatering dishes using the freshest, finest ingredients, perfectly complemented by the estate’s award-winning wines. Nestled in picturesque landscapes, it’s the perfect spot for a memorable Sunday retreat.
The menu includes mains like Boerenkaas arancini, chestnut hummus, caponata, charred cauliflower, mushroom, kohlrabi and sprouts and ‘Massaman duck curry’ confit duck leg quarter, duck breast, pomme Anna, Massamanu curry sauce, cashew nut and coconut crumble. Explore the full menu here.
Cost: Various; a la carte menu. Book here
When: Every Sunday
Where: Moody Lagoon Restaurant, Benguela Cove Wine Estate, R43, Hermanus
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