A few of our favourites

The best way to discover central historic Stellenbosch is on foot.

Here are few of our close-by favourites to help you make the most of your time with us. Take a stroll along the oak-lined streets, where you will find a maze of boutiques and gift shops, interlinking with sidewalk cafés, bistros and restaurants.

CENTRAL HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy spectacular views and breath-taking scenery on any of the several walking, running and biking trails along the Coetzenburg Sports Grounds.
Rent a bike from the Stellenbosch Trail Fund and explore the Eerste River Trail around the corner from the villa.
Admire the Moederkerk’s (“Mother Church”) Neo-Gothic Tower that was completed in 1863.
Take a journey back in time at the Stellenbosch Village Museum.
Meander through the Botanical Garden where exotic foreign plants share the space with indigenous varieties in a tranquil atmosphere.
Enjoy a leisurely walking tour and learn about the region’s unique cultural diversity on a 4-hour Classic Cape Cuisine Walk.

ARTS & CULTURE

Visit Gallery University Stellenbosch (GUS) - a contemporary exhibition space, managed by the university’s Visual Arts department.

Pop in at IS Art for solo and group exhibitions of South African artists and craft makers.

View Stellenbosch University’s permanent collection of paintings, graphic works and sculptures at the Sasol Art Museum.

Get lost at Oom Samie Se Winkel (Uncle Samie's Store) - an institution that stocks everything from straw yard brooms to clothing.

At the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, over 60 sculptures have been carefully placed along 4 kilometres of landscaped paths.

Retreat to the Rupert Museum for a wonderful collection of over 350 contemporary South African art works from 1940 to 1970.

WINE AND DINE

Expect a meaty treat at The Fat Butcher - a contemporary steakhouse serving a variety of meat dishes (vegetarian options available).

Relish a fusion of flavours at Post & Pepper - a dining destination for exquisite small plates, complex wine, and friendly flawless service.

De Eetkamer (“The Dining Room”), offers a variety of sharing-style small plates in an array of global flavours.

Enjoy a 12-course South African-inspired culinary feast at Eike Restaurant – owned of renowned local chef, Bertus Basson.

Known for its traditional “boerekos”, De Volkskombuis is a recently renovated South African restaurant with a Cape Dutch focus.

Enjoy delicious laid-back Italian fair and the best pizza in town at the local favourite, Decameron Restaurant. The terrace is great for balmy nights.

Sit under the oaks and enjoy the freshest sushi and Japanese Tapas in a beautiful courtyard setting at Genki Sushi.

EATERIES, CAFÉS AND BISTROS

Brunch/ Lunch at Meraki for their seasonal treats, marvellous cakes and delicious fresh raw juices.

Grab the best take-away burger and hand-cut chips in town from De Vrije Burger. Free soft-serve ice cream included with every burger ordered!

Indulge in a fresh local spread of note at Greengate’s daily lunch buffet (vegan options also available).

De Warenmarkt offers a range of delectable speciality meats, crepes, baked goods, craft beer, coffee, and fresh Saldanha Bay oysters. The crumbed chicken burger is our personal favourite.

Share creative small tapas plates with a local twist at Spek & Bone (“Bacon & Beans”).

BARS

Enjoy a wide variety of local craft beers and taste flavour-infused gins at Craft.

Sip, sample and choose from a range of local wines at The Stellenbosch Wine Bar in the bustling centre of town.

Sip on small-lot wines at the buzzing Bartiney Wine and Champagne Bar in central Stellenbosch.

Get into the late night swing of things at Balboa Balcony Bar (only 23y and older – open until 02:00).

Mingle with an ever-present stream of young locals at De Akker - the oldest licensed pub in town. For a more sophisticated experience, pop into Hanks Irish Pub on the 1st floor.

End the evening off with a drink at De Stomme Jonge - a cosy bar/resto filled with hip clutter and a friendly crowd of artsy regulars (open until 02:00).

Further Afield

Stellenbosch is the wine and culinary capital of South Africa. There are more than 160 members of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, and within easy reach of the villa you can also explore the region’s most noteworthy and exciting wineries with spectacular architecture and dine at some of the top-rated local restaurants that regularly rake in the most coveted local and international awards.

WINE ESTATES

Beloved for its magnificent garden that is laid out over 3,5 hectares – there is an ever-changing showcase of nature’s bounty at the incredible Babylonstoren.

The popular Blaauwklippen Family Market is open on weekends with a seasonal focus and a strong emphasis on local, organic and sustainable food, produce and good. In addition, the Bike Park is a haven for kids and cyclists of all ages.

Boschendal Wine Estate might be one of the Western Cape's oldest wine farms, but there's plenty of new and exciting things happening on the farm.

Landscaped gardens and incredible views provide the perfect backdrop to outstanding restaurants, a destination spa, and luxury boutiques at Delaire Graff. A must visit is Indochine Restaurant.

De Toren is uniquely situated on a hilltop location that catches the cool ocean breezes, with ancient soils and terroir perfectly suited to growing some of the world's finest Bordeaux-style wines.

Thoughtfully selected for its prime position, Ernie Els Winery is framed by panoramic views of Cape Town and Table Mountain to the west and Stellenbosch and The Helderberg Mountains to the east.

At Jordan the focus is on producing fiercely individual wines that combine the fruity accessibility of the New World with the classic elegance of the old.

Of all the very fine red wines made in Stellenbosch and elsewhere in the Cape today, the name Kanonkop is consistently among those at the top of the lists compiled by critics, judges, collectors and buyers.

Unwind and rejuvenate at the Lanzerac Spa, a sought-after wellness retreat and relaxation hideaway. Relax the senses and let the harmony and tranquillity of this majestic valley gently restore body and mind.

Tokara is an exceptional vineyard estate with striking architecture, extraordinary art and panoramic views over Table Mountain.

Indulge in their famous steak or poached salmon with chips, or their legendary wine tasting at Rust en Vrede - one of the most iconic wine farms in Stellenbosch.

Uva Mira’s vineyards that stretches as high as 620 metres above sea level creates a climate for wines that are by definition elegant in style. Their Chardonnay has been crowned best in the world several times.