Franschhoek Wine Estate Lunch

Settle in for a long lunch in the Cape Winelands

Your table on the vine-shaded terrace looks across rows of vines towards the mountains beyond. Wines produced on the estate arrive alongside dishes shaped by the season, from vegetables grown in nearby gardens to local cheeses, Cape fruit, fresh seafood and Karoo-reared meat.

Lunch in the Winelands is not something to rush. Tasting menus often unfold over several courses, with each dish paired with a different estate wine. Franschhoek’s French Huguenot heritage remains an important part of the valley’s food and wine culture, but today’s chefs also draw on Cape Malay flavours and ingredients sourced from across the Western Cape.

Franschhoek has some of South Africa’s most celebrated restaurants, from elegant fine dining to relaxed vineyard kitchens. Nearby Stellenbosch offers historic Cape Dutch estates, innovative young winemakers and restaurants set among gardens, vineyards and old farm buildings. Constantia is closer to Cape Town and works well if you want to experience the Winelands without leaving the city for several nights.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram makes it easy to explore several estates without driving. Its different routes stop at a varied selection of vineyards, but it is worth checking which estates each line includes before choosing. If you have a particular restaurant in mind, book your table first and select the tram route around it.

Popular restaurants and estate experiences can fill up well ahead of time, particularly during weekends and the South African summer. We recommend reserving your lunch before you travel and arranging the tram, a private driver or a transfer so everyone can enjoy the wine pairings.

A few nights in the Winelands fit naturally between Cape Town and the Garden Route or Route 62. Explore our South Africa self-drive holidays and South Africa holiday ideas for inspiration.