Now that the tourist season has quietened down, we’re left with the drifters who chanced a holiday in the south due to the weak rand. And it’s pretty great. The weather is cooling down and we’re left with the last chance to have the Cape to ourselves before it the Cape storms become a frequent visitor. As an avid wine consumer, I have taken to wine farms at late – but I have discovered something even more delicious: Their food offerings. It can be a tricky decision on where to go, but, since I have been exploring Franschhoek for a while, these are my top five places to spend a pretty penny that is well worth it.

La Petite Ferme

A gorgeous, country-cottage style restaurant if you’re looking for a hearty meal this is the place to visit. With one of the best views in the valley, think white linen table-tops, springbok bobotie and local wines in the conservatory.

Monte Rochelle’s Country Kitchen

Just look at that setting. You may think it’s situated in France, but the cobbled terrace offers so much more. Over looking the vines, enjoy a laid back style while eating a Garlic Butter Prawn Salad and sipping on top wines from their cellar.

Lust Bistro

If you’re a bread enthusiast, Lust Bistro is the way to go. An airy restaurant, it’s bakery provides the aromas of freshly baked breads and farm-style cakes. The service is delightful – and they even have free Wifi for when you’re in need to Instagram a few snaps of your luxurious eggs Benedict which hollandaise sauce uses grapefruit instead of lemon.

Holden Manz & The Franschhoek Kitchen

A restaurant which provides a daily menu depending on the freshness of goods, it’s exciting to know that what ever you order will be top notch. With its quiet elegance, it relies on it’s veggie patch, herb garden and fruit orchards for the daily meals. Just remember to save space for desert and, get this, if you have The Entertainer App, you can order one main meal and get the cheaper one on the house. It is so worth it. [If you are yet to sign up with The Entertainer App where have you been? Use the code 2oceans HERE and you’ll walk away with a a sweet little discounted on the App itself.]

Salmon Bar

This is the only restaurant on the entire African continent that boasts a menu of responsibly sourced, MSC-certified seafood. Now that is reason alone to get up and pop in. Call ahead to book a salmon and trout tasting with fish farmer and owner Greg Stubbs and get involved in being a responsible consumer of sustainable seafood. Delicious. Now, hopefully your next trip out to Franschhoek won’t entail any laborious decision making and you can set sail with ease and make great impressions on those who are unaware.

thanks Sim