Move over Napa Valley. Stellenbosch has officially earned its place on the world food map. With 10 restaurants recognised in this year’s Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards (including one of only seven nationwide to clinch a coveted three-star rating), this Winelands gem is no longer just about wine; it’s where culinary ambition intertwines with heritage charm, and where South African chefs are transforming destination dining.
What makes it even more irresistible? You don’t need a plane ticket to Europe or Michelin Guide reservations made six months in advance. You just need a long weekend… and an appetite for exceptional food experiences, scenic splurges, and maybe some Shiraz on standby.
“We’re seeing more South Africans planning trips around taste rather than ticking off traditional sightseeing lists,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager, Flight Centre South Africa. “Culinary travel offers something deeply personal, connecting you not only with place but with people and culture, too.”
So, whether you’re chasing bold flavours or slow-sipped luxury (or both), here’s why your next gourmet getaway should begin in Stellenbosch.
The accolades: Why everyone’s talking about Stellenbosch right now
If there were any doubts about Stellenbosch being South Africa’s culinary capital, they were laid to rest on 31 March at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town. That’s where 10 local restaurants claimed their place amongst South Africa’s finest at the 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards – more than any other town or city outside of Cape Town itself.
What made this year stand out wasn’t just quantity, but quality across every tier – from bold newcomers to heritage fine-dining institutions. As mentioned, one restaurant earned a rare and coveted three-star rating (reserved only for those scoring over 90 out of 100), while four others clinched two stars – a benchmark reserved for consistent excellence across food, service, ambience and innovation.
Here are the ten award-winning restaurants putting Stellenbosch on every serious food lover’s travel menu:
Three-stars:
Dusk – 43 Plein Street
A fine dining experience rooted in fermentation-forward techniques and sensory storytelling. Expect house-made misos and garums alongside local cheeses, and dishes that look more like art than dinner.
Two-stars:
Rust en Vrede – Annandale Road
Serving a six-course tasting menu that fuses contemporary French technique with global flair – all served in a historic Cape Dutch wine cellar surrounded by vines. Don’t skip the wine pairing curated by sommelier James Mukosi.
MERTIA – Bird Street
Led by chef Matt van den Berg (ex-La Colombe), MERTIA delivers modern South African nostalgia through meticulous multi-course menus using hyper-local ingredients like Meuse Farm produce – paired with exceptional service that earned it this year’s Service Excellence Award too.
Clara’s Barn – Faure Village Road (Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate)
Set inside one of SA’s oldest barns, Clara’s is where you’ll find lip-smacking, nostalgic farm-style dishes, from fish-scale-enhanced bread courses to creative vegetable-forward mains celebrating indigenous plants.
The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira – Stellenbosch Kloof Road
Expect refined but approachable farm-style dining from Chef Marthinus Ferreira (yes, he trained under both Ramsay and Blumenthal). Expect seasonal menus with bold flavours, and some truly unforgettable wine pairings from Jordan Wine Estate itself.
One-Star:
Eike by Bertus Basson – Dorp Street
Eike is a love letter to South African culinary heritage, with playful plating and nostalgic storytelling woven into each dish (think springbok bobotie tartare or edible candles).
Hōseki – Delaire Graff Estate
Japanese omakase meets Winelands luxury at this intimate fine-dining spot led by Chef Virgil Kahn. Expect Wagyu beef grilled over invasive-species wood and bluefin tuna sliced with extraordinary precision… in full view of mountain-backed vineyards.
Post & Pepper – Old Post Office Building, Corner Bird and Plein Street
Chef Jess van Dyk serves up Asian-South African small plates inside a historic post office, with dishes like pork lollipops glazed in doenjang and XO kingklip winning rave reviews for flavour and fun factor.
Rykaart’s at Longridge Wine Estate – Helderberg Road
Laid-back family-style three-course feasts served on a biodynamic farm beneath sweeping views of False Bay.
Spek & Bone – Dorp Street
Tucked behind an old fruit market vine canopy lies this relaxed sharing-plate gem from Bertus Basson, where potato churros are covered in mushroom ketchup and Peppermint Crisp cones end things on a very sweet note indeed.
The town turning meals into meaningful journeys
Food is no longer just the cherry on top of a good holiday – it’s become the main course. According to recent studies, over 70% of global travellers now prioritise culinary experiences when booking a trip. And with the culinary tourism market projected to grow at nearly 20% annually until 2030, food-first travel is becoming a full-blown movement.
The sheer number of Eat Out stars may have put Stellenbosch in the foodie spotlight, but locals will tell you: this town has been quietly crafting world-class experiences for years.
“These awards are recognition not just for our chefs, but for an entire ecosystem of passion and place,” says Annemie Liebenberg, CEO at Visit Stellenbosch. “Our farmers, winemakers, producers, and artisans all contribute to creating something special here. It’s both heritage-forward and forward-thinking. And it’s deeply personal.”
It’s this convergence of old-world charm and new-school creativity that draws both local travellers and global gourmands to the region. And while other foodie-focused destinations often hinge on one season or signature event, Stellenbosch is refreshingly evergreen, offering different flavours (literally and figuratively) year-round.
“What makes Stellenbosch so special is how much flavour it packs into such a compact space,” says Turner. “You can go from cutting-edge omakase to wood-fired bread based on family recipes, all within five minutes of each other.”
In many ways, what Napa Valley was to Californian cuisine 20 years ago feels very much like what Stellenbosch is becoming now – just with bolder spices and better biltong.
“We often think we need to look far afield for world-class experiences,” says Turner. “But Stellenbosch reminds us that some of the best culinary adventures are waiting just down the road – served with heart and paired with heritage.”
So, if you’re planning your next date weekend, solo escape, or group getaway with fellow foodies, Stellenbosch deserves a spot at your table.
Go there hungry.
Leave full… in every sense of the word.
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