Last Updated on July 11, 2023 by Lauren Melnick
First-timers visiting Stellenbosch will usually come to the same conclusion.
Stellenbosch is the most wonderful place in the world for foodies. Go to any one of the Stellenbosch restaurants and expect wine pairings with every delectable menu item.
From avo on toast all the way up to a steaming bowl of pasta, you’ll always have an excellent glass of wine to wash down your meal.
Planning a trip to Stellenbosch can feel overwhelming, even for the hungriest and thirstiest of travellers.
With so much to sip and nibble on, how does one choose?
Today, I’d like to share the wisdom I’ve accumulated through many food-filled comas brought on by trips to the Cape Winelands.
Here are the best things to do in Stellenbosch for foodies!
Psst…Want more things to do in Cape Town and the Western Cape? Check out these other posts:
- 15+ Irresistible Day Trips from Cape Town
- 45+ Incredible Things to Do in Cape Town [Updated 2023]
- The Coolest & Best Coffee Shops in Cape Town
- 10+ Best High Teas in Cape Town You Need to Try ASAP
- How to Swim With Penguins at Boulders Beach in Cape Town
- The Best Hotels in Cape Town: Where to Stay for Every Budget
Table of Contents
- How to Get to Stellenbosch from Cape Town
- The Best Things to Do in Stellenbosch for Foodies
- Other Places to Visit in Stellenbosch
- Where to Stay in Stellenbosch
How to Get to Stellenbosch from Cape Town
The best way to get to Stellenbosch from Cape Town is to rent a car. It will give you the freedom to explore the Cape Winelands at your own pace.
However, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of renting a car, there are group tours to Stellenbosch.
The only downside? You are tied to their itineraries.
Unless you hire a driver for the day.
The Best Things to Do in Stellenbosch for Foodies
Ready to eat your way through the Winelands? Here are the things to do around Stellenbosch your tastebuds won’t want to miss!
Go on a Wine Tasting Tour of Stellenbosch
Hands down.
Without a shadow of a doubt.
One of the best things to do in Stellenbosch is wine tastings.
But with so many excellent wineries and so little time, where do you start?
Plus, who wants to be the sober driver when you’re exploring one of the top wine regions in the world?
The best way to get around to the different wineries is with the Vine Hopper. It’s a hop-on-hop-off bus with three different routes to choose from, helping you visit 5-6 wine estates in a day.
Choose the Southern Route, and you can visit one of my all-time favourite wineries, Neethlingshof. The farm holds a special place in my heart because of its spectacular Caracal red wine.
The Northern Route stops at some of the best wine tastings in Stellenbosh, such as:
- Simonsig
- Warwick
- L’Avenir
While the Eastern Route goes past Lanzerac and Boschendal. Two of the most beautiful wine estates in Stellenbosch!
Read More: 20+ Most Instagrammable Places in Cape Town
Other Wine Estates to Visit in Stellenbosch
Tokara Wine Estate
Don’t miss out on visiting the spectacular Tokara Wine Estate! Its spectacular views and tastings make it one of the best wine farms in Stellenbosch.
Plus, it’s on Helshoogte Road, one of the most scenic drives in South Africa!
Delaire Graff Estate
Delaire Graff oozes luxury, decadence, and beauty, making it one of the best places to visit in Stellenbosch.
The on-site boutique shops are the only destinations in Africa where you can browse exclusive Graff jewellery and watches!
The estate gardens are a backdrop to Laurence Graff’s art collection he has collected over the years.
Dine at the Indochine Restaurant or Delaire Graff Restaurant and stop by for a wine tasting while overlooking the Simonsberg mountain range.
Sign Up for a Gin Tasting at Autograph Distillery
Besides wine, Cape Town‘s next great love affair is
craft gin.
The apple of the Western Cape’s eye? Autograph Distillery.
With the title of the Best Gin in Africa and winning the Top Scoring Craft Gin award at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, a tasting here won’t disappoint.
Tastings are available by appointment only at Autograph’s gin lounge in Stellenbosch. For an hour, you’ll sip your way through three signature gins, adding different ingredients to experiment with the flavours.
You’ll get to taste:
- Autograph (the winner of all those awards)
- Distillery Road
- A limited-edition gin
Attend the Basewent Wine Masterclass
Tired of not knowing what dregs or notes are?
Or what it means when someone says a wine is “wooded.”
Then the Basewent Masterclass is for you.
In 2-hours, you’ll know how to sniff, twirl, and sip wine like the connoisseur you were meant to be!
It goes above and beyond your typical wine tasting.
With a wine expert to guide your swirls and tastebuds, you’ll indulge in a selection of boutique Stellenbosch wines and nibble on cheese and meats chosen to bring out of the flavours of each vintage.
Book a Picnic at Spier Wine Farm
I don’t know about you, but I love a good picnic.
Especially, if I don’t have to prepare the food and can simply arrive ready to feast.
Spier Wine Farm offers seasonal picnics made with local, natural, and organic produce.
For R295 per person, you’ll get a decadent basket full of treats like:
- Vadas Baguette with charred aubergine dip or with hummus, pesto and butter
- Vegetable Vietnamese rice wrapped spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce
- Curry spiced chickpeas & cashew nuts
- Marinated olives with orange, fennel & garlic
- Vegan Dark Chocolate brownie
Plant-based and kids options are available on request.
Searching for more places to go in Stellenbosch with outdoor dining experiences? Book a meal at The Table at De Maye. The restaurant offers a set, three courses, sharing style menu consisting of locally sourced ingredients.
Unleash Your Inner Tsarina at a Russian Tea Ceremony
Looking for unique things to do in Stellenbosch, but with a dash of opulence?
Make your way to Hazendal.
Inside the wine estate, you can dine like a Tsarina, underneath crystal chandeliers and hand-painted murals while you indulge in a traditional Russian Tea Ceremony.
Tea has played a role in Russian society since 1638, and Hazendal brings this to life. Your ceremony is centred around a samovar (a traditional Russian tea urn) full of Tsar tea blend and delicious sweet and savoury Russian delights.
Some of the delicacies you’ll sample include:
- Vatrushka – sweet cheese-tart
- Spinach Piroshok – fried pastry filled with creamed spinach and feta cheese
- Blinchik – thin crêpe with cream cheese, mushroom and herb filling
- Oladyi – crumpet with smoked salmon trout, dill and sour cream
Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan menu options are available on request.
Work Remotely From Backs Restaurant
As someone who travels while working, I’m always on the hunt for a restaurant with three things:
- Good coffee
- A mouthwatering menu
- Fast, stable Wi-Fi
Backs Restaurants meets those requirements and then them.
Situated in the heart of Stellenbosch, it’s the perfect place to catch up on some emails (or bash out a blog post) in between exploring the town.
Each item on the menu is paired with a wine, helping you find the perfect companion for your smashed avo toast, salad, or pesto pasta.
Read More: The Best 40+ Sites for Finding Remote Work
Other Places to Visit in Stellenbosch
Need a break from the glasses of wine and world-class culinary experiences? Here are a few other activities in Stellenbosch you don’t want to miss.
Visit The Stellenbosch Botantical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens are one of the best things to do in Stellenbosch on a budget.
Heck, if you’re a student, you don’t even pay the entrance fee!
Located in the historical centre of the town, it’s the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa.
Spend an hour wandering around the greenhouses and gardens home to indigenous and exotic plants
Entrance Fee: R15 per person
Read More: The Ultimate South Africa Travel Guide
Go Hiking at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
Just 10km outside of Stellenbosch is the breathtaking Jokershoek Nature Reserve.
There are various trails you can conquer:
- Swartboskloof to Sosyskloof: 5.3 – 6.9km and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. It’s an easy, scenic trail that goes through an indigenous forest.
- Swartboskloof Trail: 18km and takes 6 hours to complete. A steep ascent within the first 4.5km and goes to the top of Kurktrekkernnek. Plus, there is a waterfall!
- Panorama Circuit: 17km and takes 6 hours to complete. Incredible scenic trail with views of Assegaaiboskloof.
NB: Due to recent fires in the Cape Winelands, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is currently closed.
Read More: 10+ Spectacular Multi-Day Hiking Trails in the Western Cape
Where to Stay in Stellenbosch
Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge, here are some of the top Stellenbosch accommodation picks.
The Den
The Den in Stellenbosch is centrally located budget-friendly apartments run by Cape Summer Villas. You’re within walking distance of the bustling CBD and coffee shops, and then there is the rooftop pool!
Come here for a spectacular sunset and bring a bottle of wine to see the day out in style.
Lanzerac Hotel & Spa
Lanzerac Hotel is one of the bougiest places you can stay in Stellenbosch.
Positioned in the idyllic Jonkershoek Valley, you can expect decked out rooms that’ll make you feel like royalty, sweeping mountain views, and your own private pool.
Of course, you’ll have plenty of wine, and there’s an on-site spa to help you unwind after a long day of exploring Stellenbsoch.
What are your favourite places to visit in Stellenbosch? Did I miss out on any Stellenbosch wine farms you love? Hit ya gurl up in the comments!
If you like it, then you should put a pin on it!
Davis says
Great blog but where is the best coffee?! Help…………