10 Best Constantia Restaurants

Constantia is a paradise for lovers of great food and wine. The culinary scene in the suburb is thriving. It seems every time I return to this beautiful area there is a buzz about a fabulous new cafe or restaurant that’s opened.

To explore this abundance of riches, I present ten of the best restaurants in Constantia. They reflect a diversity of cuisines, experiences, and stories. I also highlight a handful of other splendid spots, because they too are part of the story! Every innovative chef and passionate team conjuring culinary magic in the heart of the country’s oldest wine region is inspiring a new level of excellence. If you’re not a big wine drinker, there are great bars to visit for a beer or a cocktail.

For foodies, what’s not to love? Let’s celebrate and share the Constantia restaurants, both the older and the newer guard, dedicated to the special joy that comes from a good meal with fine accompaniment.

1. Best For A Culinary Adventure – Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia

• Address: Beau Constantia Wine Farm, 1043 Constantia Main Road, Constantia, Cape Town
• Hours: Lunch: 12 pm- 2 pm; Dinner: 6 pm – 8 pm. There is no Sunday dinner.
• Menu picks: Yellowfin tuna with Balinese mint sambal; Karoo lamb with garlic tahini; BBQ Ras El Hanout.
• From the garden menu: Vietnamese mushroom nem with fried peanuts, crispy onion, and sesame cream.

Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia serves an exquisite culinary experience. With a contemporary wood-and-glass design and spectacular views of the valley and surrounding vineyards, the restaurant is a collaboration between Chef Ivor Jones from TTK/The Test Kitchen and Liam Tomlin (2017’s Chef of the Year).

The playful menu is inspired by the Jones and Tomlin’s travels and changes regularly based on seasonality and the offerings of Constantia’s fertile garden. A wonderfully curated wine list features wines from the Beau Constantia farm, the larger region, and other fine wineries across South Africa.

Service and presentation are sophisticated yet relaxed. Among the current crop of Constantia restaurants, there are a few contenders for best restaurant in Cape Town; Chefs Warehouse is certainly among them.

The venue closes at 11 pm and reservations are advised.

2. Best For Romantic Dinner – The Conservatory At Cellars Hohenort

• Address: 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia, Cape Town
• Hours: 7 am – 10 pm
• Menu picks: 5-spice soft shell crab; confit pork belly.
• Vegan menu pick: Vish and chips (chickpea-nori, Pont Neuf potato, Aquafaba sauce tartare).

Nestled in the green lungs of Constantia Valley, The Conservatory is a magical hideaway. This restaurant at the Cellars Hohenort Hotel has attracted return visitors from all over the world for countless years.

The creative touch of late renowned hotelier Liz McGrath has always graced this establishment. Her influence is still evident following an exciting 2023 re-launch.

Floor-to-ceiling views link the stylish dining areas with nature. The restaurant leads to a dining terrace flanked by the hotel’s glorious gardens. Table Mountain looks on approvingly from the distance. The terrace is ideal for a honeymoon breakfast or romantic dinner.

The Conservatory has separate breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The Terrace Menu, which serves a high tea between 3 pm and 5 pm, has to be tried. For non-hotel guests, a reservation is recommended. 

3. Best For Fine Dining – La Colombe

• Address: Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek, Cape Town
• Hours: 12 pm – 2 pm; 6:30 pm – 9 pm
• Menu picks: Lasagne spinach, sherry, and autumn truffle anyone? How about Namibian crab, game fish, nahm jim, and Madagascan caviar? Or quail, crayfish, sweetcorn, and bisque.

Let’s talk about the awards first:

• In 2022, La Colombe was voted 56th on S.Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best.
• In 2023, it was 17th on Tripadviser’s Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the World list.

There are tons more accolades. But is the acclaim warranted?

No question, this modern French restaurant delivers innovative cuisine and an elegant dining experience. The use of fresh, local ingredients and a commitment to passionate foraging comes through strongly in expertly conceptualised dishes. I know ‘conceptualised’ is a fancy word, but you’ll see what I mean when you visit.

The setting at Silvermist Organic Wine Estate is glorious. Reaching the venue entails a picturesque winding drive, ascending through the heart of the Constantia Wine Valley. Unsurprisingly, the wine selection is top-tier.

La Colombe is certainly one of the best restaurants in Constantia. And its lofty reputation beyond Constantia may be justified too.

Reservations are essential.

4. Best For Casual Dining – Jakes in the Village

• Address: Steenberg Village Centre, Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
• Hours: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm (5 pm on Sundays)
• Menu picks: Burger and a craft beer; line fish with a crisp white; aged sirloin with a Durbanville Hills Shiraz.

Once upon a time, there was a small restaurant tucked off a narrow street in Kenilworth. This modest eatery called Jakes soon earned a stellar reputation. Cape Town wanted more of this sweet blend of great food and warm hospitality and, inevitably, the restaurant outgrew its humble base.

Today, Jakes rocks a much larger site alongside the Steenberg Golf Estate beneath the Constantiaberg Mountain. While technically just outside the Constantia borders, Jakes is such a local legend that it’s fair to consider it an honourary Constantia restaurant.

Jakes in the Village brings warm design, spaciousness, comfort, and mood lighting. It’s a super-versatile hangout, great for both special birthdays and candlelit dinners.

The venue opens onto a large garden which is cool for al fresco lunches and dinner under the stars.

With a vibrant bar and lounge, Jakes is open until 10.30 pm every night, except for Sundays when it closes at 5 pm.

5. Best For Breakfast – Chardonnay Deli At High Constantia

• Address: 87 Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
• Hours: 7 am – 6 pm
• Menu picks: Raw energy bowl; shakshuka bowl and egg; seafood penne. Plus a cheesecake to die for!

Imagine a modern-rustic eatery where friendly staff know your name and can’t wait to welcome you back. That’s Chardonnay Deli, set in a renovated old farm-style house in the heart of the wine route.

Owner Charmaine Anne Lilje’s passion inspires a wholesome, homily vibe that sees you coming back time and again – even if it’s just to drop in for a quick coffee and delicious pastry or decadent carrot cake. The place looks small from the outside but the interior opens onto a reasonably sized patio area shaded by oak trees.

Attention has clearly been paid to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Nourishing food and warm hospitality make Chardonnay Deli at High Constantia a local gem. Unsurprisingly, two more branches have opened due to popular demand – in Dalebrook and at Constantia Uitsig.

Parking is usually easy to find.

6. Best Winelands Experience – Jonkershuis Constantia

• Address: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Groot Constantia Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
• Hours: 8 am – 9 pm
• Menu picks: Smoked trout and egg croissant with cream cheese; prawn and red pesto fettuccini; vegetable and chickpea Malay curry. The fluffy scones, with jam and cream, whisper sweet temptation!

It’s sometimes hard to believe there are gorgeous wine farms within 18 km of inner-city Cape Town. Jonkershouse is a must-visit destination located at the beautiful Groot Constantia – the Cape’s oldest wine farm.

Approaching the historic Cape Dutch building through terraced vineyards and ancient oaks, it’s easy to imagine you’ve been transported to Bordeaux.

Jonkerhuis extends a welcome for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy a superb meal on the lawn, in the indoor restaurant, or an attractive inner courtyard.

Be sure to book ahead. Groot Constantia also offers tours and wine tastings.

7. Simon’s At Groot Constantia

• Address: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Groot Constantia Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
• Hours: 7 am – 10 pm
• Menu picks: Slow-roasted lamb shoulder; West Coast black mussels; Beyond Vegan burger. Pair meals with the valley’s wines or sample the selection of craft beers. A picnic menu allows you to select a hamper of delicacies and lay down a blanket under the oaks.

Simon’s is another superb Groot Constantia establishment.

Simon’s has been a part of Cape Town’s fine dining scene for over a dozen years. This classy yet rustic establishment has spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas.

The outdoor space is designed for diners to enjoy summer al fresco on a terrace with views of the vineyards. It’s a magical spot for a sunset dinner in the warmer months. In the Cape winter, or ‘Green Season’, you may want to move to the elegantly comfortable indoor section. Jazz and other local music often add to the ambience!

Reservations are advisable.

8. Best For Steaks – Cattle Baron

• Address: Shop No.1, Old Village in Constantia Village Shopping Centre, Cape Town
• Hours: 12 pm – 10 pm
• Menu picks: Ribs for 2; Carpetbagger (fillet stuffed with smoked mussels and cheddar); Sirloin Champignon.

Located in The Constantia Village, Cattle Baron is the go-to spot for the Southern Suburbs’s steak lovers. The fillet here, cooked medium rare in sublime basting, served with a side of chips and creamed spinach, is carnivore heaven.

The steaks are aged for 28 days and you are free to choose your cut from the block. The menu includes seafood, vegetarian, chicken, and other meal options.

Seating is available outside in the quiet mall courtyard, in a snug indoor section, or in a nicely appointed upstairs space (just be careful, the stairs are a little steep!).

There are several Cattle Barons in Cape Town and the name is synonymous with a casual quality dining experience.

The Baron doesn’t charge corkage, which is a win if you’re watching your spend or have a special bottle of wine at home that you’re itching to uncork!

9. Best For Socialising – Tashas

• Address: Constantia Village, Spaanschemat River Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
• Hours: 8 am – 6 pm
• Menu picks: Aubergine, beef, and yoghurt crumble; salmon zucchini; heirloom halloumi. The adjacent Waffle House does a delectable waffle!

A fixture of the buzzing Constantia social scene, Tashas delivers casual elegance in an indoor and outdoor setting. The vibe is busy and cheerful (don’t be surprised to overhear juicy titbits of local gossip). Expect to see relaxing shoppers, friends catching up, ladies who lunch, and sporty bods – the gym and several sports clubs are a stone’s throw away.

The menu focuses on breakfast and lunch, promising quality comfort food with a dash of creativity. The portions are pretty generous and prices are reasonable.

Tashas gets busy even during the week. They don’t take bookings but they recommend you arrive 10-15 minutes early and will try and seat you as soon as possible.

This trendy spot is located in The Constantia Village (CV), a pleasant upmarket shopping centre with ample parking. If Tashas can’t accommodate you, Wildsprout on the opposite end of CV also offers good food and coffee.

10. Best For Families – Blockhouse Kitchen

• Address: Constantia Uitsig, Spaanschemat River Rd, Constantia
• Hours: Sunday and Monday: 8 am – 5 pm; Tuesday to Saturday: 8 am – 9 pm; Breakfast Daily: 8 am – 11:30 am
• Menu picks: Eggs florentine with a mimosa; roasted pumpkin risotto; slow braised lamb shoulder.

Blockhouse Kitchen (BHK) is a large and stylish restaurant at Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, where chef Brad Ball serves comfort food with a twist. Brad used to work as executive chef at River Cafe – a popular Uitsig restaurant from back in the day.

BHK is family-friendly and busy; the food is simple, seasonal, and delicious. This is certainly no fine-dining restaurant. But for a relaxed and satisfying meal with family or friends in the heart of wine country, BHK hits the spot.

5 More Great Constantia Restaurants

Here are five more fab offerings from the valley:

1. Foxcroft finds the sweet spot between fine dining and a relaxed ambience. Located in High Constantia Centre, Groot Constantia Road, Foxcroft is pricey but delivers across the board. The cuisine, wines, and service are all immaculate. This is hardly surprising though, since it is co-owned by Scot Kirton, chef-proprietor of La Colombe.
2. Nest Deli is another Constantia Uitsig charm. Come for the single-origin coffee, stay for beautiful breakfasts and delicious light lunches. Lean into the farmhouse feel and shop a selection of jams, olive oils, cheeses, baked treats, and charcuterie.
3. Prashad Cafe is a lovely little Indian cafe-restaurant in Constantia Village that specialises in vegan and vegetarian dishes.
4. Presented by the Kove Collection, which operates many of the Atlantic Seaboard’s finest venues, Blanko at the Alphen Hotel is well worth checking out. Choose indoor or terrace dining and explore a menu influenced by Italy.
5. Old Town Italy brings the trattoria to the vineyards. This pleasant, attractive Italian restaurant is on the site where the Pastis traded for many happy years.

FAQs

Are Constantia restaurants expensive?

Constantia can be a pricey area to eat in. You can pay R900 for a four-course meal at the top restaurants, though there are many spots where you can eat a delicious three-course meal for half that.

What are the best vegetarian restaurants in Constantia?

Spirit Cafe and Prashad Cafe are two lovely vegan and vegetarian spots in Constantia. Wildsprout, Chardonnay Deli, Simon’s, and The Conservatory are among the many other eateries that serve vegan and vegetarian dishes.

What are the best restaurants on wine farms in Constantia?

Many of the finest restaurants in Cape Town are found on Constantia’s wine farms. Some of the best-renowned restaurants on wine farms are Jonkershuis and Simon’s (on Groot Constantia), Blockhouse Kitchen (Constantia Uitsig), Chefs Warehouse (at Beau Constantia), and Constantia Glen.

How far is Constantia from Cape Town?

Constantia is approximately 18 km from Cape Town CBD. Make sure you have a designated driver or can book an Uber back to your hotel if you plan to taste some wines.

Are there good restaurants in Constantia?

Constantia has well over a dozen excellent restaurants. Some Constantia restaurants, like La Colombe and Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia, are rated among the best restaurants in South Africa.