Cape Town-based fine wine merchants Roland Peens and James Pietersen of Wine Cellar have selected and shared the seven Cape Town restaurants that they believe offer menus and wine list to impress. Take a look at their list below.
In Cape Town
Aubergine
Roland and James highly recommend this refined gourmet destination as their best inner-city restaurant of choice for food and wine pairing. Their wine list includes local and international wines which enhance Chef Harald Bresselschmidt’s creations.
Salsify
Luke Dale-Roberts does it again at this scenic Cape Town institution that offers an excellent additional older-vintage South African wine selection.
Black Sheep
If you’re looking for a fun local hangout with a good, contemporary wine list this is the perfect address
The Shortmarket Club
Roland and James speak the same language as Simon Widdison at The Shortmarket Club. He’s a seasoned wine geek, so be sure to engage with Simon around your selection when you next visit this Cape Town gem. Luke Dale-Roberts, his wife, Sandalene Dale-Roberts, his top chef Wesley Randles and manager Simon Widdison chose a heritage building just off vibey Bree for added intrigue.
La Tête
A classic Bree Street bistro, with a focus on nose-to-tail cooking, offering a light, menu-appropriate wine list. La Tête is a farm to fork eatery on Bree Street in Cape Town, the result of the culinary dream of two brothers, Giles and James Edwards.
Cape Town surrounds
Wolfgat (Paternoster)
According to Roland and James, the food and wine pairing at ‘The World’s Best’ is a must. The wine list highlights producers from nearby wine regions. The restaurant’s humble chef, Kobus van der Merwe, is a champion of SA’s indigenous ingredients, many of which he forages himself from sand and rocks along the coastline. The wines he’s selected perfectly enhance each of his seven foraged courses.
The Vine Bistro at Glenelly (Stellenbosch)
Chef Christophe Dehosse cooks up classical, wine-friendly food that will enhance your wine experience. The wine list is balanced and includes some great international options. Drawing inspiration from traditional, convivial French kitchens, the small menu changes regularly, featuring organic, grass-fed and free-range where possible.