{"id":216973,"date":"2022-08-01T20:27:12","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T18:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/?p=216973"},"modified":"2022-08-03T07:36:06","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T05:36:06","slug":"stellenbosch-explodes-with-new-restaurants-and-more-to-come","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/stellenbosch-explodes-with-new-restaurants-and-more-to-come\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellenbosch explodes with new restaurants, and more to come!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/a>I had not been to Stellenbosch since the beginning of Lockdown in March 2020. Last week I spent a day in the town, to walk through its centre, and updating my information of restaurants that have opened and closed in the town since my last visit.<\/p>\n

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I discovered multiple new coffee shops and informal eateries, and a growing number of wine bars. And the start of a challenge to Chef Bertus Basson\u2019s dominance of the university town as far as fine-dining goes.<\/p>\n

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Finer dining restaurants\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n

# \u00a0Post & Pepper<\/b> opened in the old Post Office in the literal centre of the town, on Plein Street. \"\"<\/a>Chef Jess van Dijk is its owner, and is assisted in running the restaurant by Manager Dimitri Hadzigrigoriou, both having worked at Protog\u00e9 in Franschhoek previously. Chef Jess has been a Head Chef at La Colombe in Constantia. The restaurant is running a two-course Special at R200. The Mediterranean Salad is a beauty of fine art (photograph above). Despite being so new, the restaurant has already been nominated as Best New Restaurant in Africa in the World Culinary Awards.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 De Eetkamer<\/b> opened in June on Drostdy Street, and \"\"<\/a>its owner Chef Marco Cardoso has worked for Chef Liam Tomlin at Chefs Warehouse and Thali in Cape Town. His restaurant is chicly decorated, in gentle blue\/grey, and the artwork of one artist. For hot Stellenbosch days its large outdoor seating area is sure to be a hit. The menu consists of Small Plates to share, ranging in price from R95 to R140. A number of dishes are Indian-inspired.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Le Siemma Caf\u00e9 Bistro<\/b> has opened in Dorp Street, \"\"<\/a>its French Chef Sebastian Castelot from Paris having worked in various Michelin Star restaurants in the city, and at various five-star hotels around the world. A South African wife brought him back to her birthland. \u00a0The restaurant is named after his daughter\u2019s Sienna and Emma. Two courses cost R 200 and three courses R250 on its Winter Set Menu. \u00a0The menu is French-inspired. The wines are local.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Rykaart\u2019s<\/b> offers snacks, small plates, main courses, and desserts. Chef Alex Rykaart used to cook at The Vine Bistro at Glenelly. The restaurant is closed for a winter break until 9 August.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0Dusk<\/b> will open on Plein Street on 1 September, a joint venture of Franschhoek Chefs Darren Badenhorst and Callan Austin. \u00a0It is described on its website as a \u00a0\u2018revolutionary, immersive, captivating and unique dining experience<\/i>\u2019. A 13 course Tasting Menu will be offered at R1395.<\/p>\n

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Casual eateries<\/u><\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Back\u2019s Restaurant <\/b>has closed down on the corner of Bird and Church Streets. It is not known what will take its place.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 \"\"<\/a>Hygge Hygge<\/b> has opened on Church Street. The menu is mainly an all-day breakfast one, with a lunch and dinner menu too. Vegan diners catered for. The name originated from Denmark, a nation known as one of the happiest in the world. Visitors are encouraged to let the guard down, and cosy down in the small venue.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Le Grand Domaine Enoteca<\/b> has opened \"\"<\/a>\u00a0on Church Street, more bar than restaurant. Its Le Grand Domaine and Stellenview wines were previously exported, but are now available locally. The menu includes risotto, squid, steak, and more.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Meraki Caf\u00e9<\/b> has found its third home in \"\"<\/a>Stellenbosch, now on Church Street, and previously on Reyneveld and Dorp Streets. Service most arrogant of all the new restaurants I visited. \u00a0Open from 7h00 – 19h00 daily. Cakes, muffins, tarts, freshly squeezed juices from Babylonstoren, Burgers, wraps, sandwiches, steak, squid, salads, and more. Confusing is that the bar has a separate name Bertha, and even if you sit in the Meraki Caf\u00e9 section the cutlery comes with a Bertha serviette. Not cheap. No prices on the menu on the website,<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Vadas Pasteis De Nata & Caf\u00e9<\/b> has opened on Van Reyneveld Street. It only sells Pastei \"\"<\/a>De Natas and beverages.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Mood<\/b>. Coffee Shop with Sox footwear opened on Reyneveld Street, there being a branch on Dorp Street too. Ethically sourced green coffee beans.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 \"\"<\/a>Moji<\/b> is a Take-Away on Reyneveld Street, offering beverages, sandwiches, wraps, muffins, cupcakes, salad bowls, homemade pies, croissants, rusks, and cookies.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Taste Restaurant<\/b> operates from the same building as Moji, offering cakes, cupcakes, and a Harvest Table.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Seattle Coffee<\/b> has opened on Plein Street<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 The Little Fish<\/b> has opened in the De Wet Centre courtyard, offering seafood dishes.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Q-Bar <\/b>by Quoin Rock Winery, offering Quoin Rock, Namysto, and Knorhoek wines \"\"<\/a>to taste, and Knorhoek craft gins.<\/p>\n

#. \"\"<\/a>Kristen\u2019s Kick-Ass ice cream<\/b>, De Wet Centre, Church Street, part of a company with outlets in Noordhoek, Newlands, and Constantia.<\/p>\n

# \u00a0 Plaisir Wine & Gin Lounge<\/b>, Bird Street, offering tastings of wines, gin, and tapas.<\/p>\n

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Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide\/Mein Kapstadt Guide, Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide<\/strong><\/p>\n

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