For many of our Northern Hemisphere visitors, this may be the very first time that they spend a Christmas in the sun! While a traditional turkey with all the trimmings can’t be beaten, slaving away in your rented villa’s kitchen in summer temperatures is not much fun. That’s why we have put together a list of our top Cape Town restaurants to go to for either a Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch. Booking is essential as the festive season is upon us and restaurants are filling up fast!
1. The Twelve Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay
Not only is this hotel famous for its wrap-around views over the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean and majestic Twelve Apostles mountain range, but this year the hotel is offering a four-course set menu Christmas Eve dinner (R1250 per person including gratuity) in the Azure Restaurant and the Atlantic Terrace Marquee. Ring in the festive season in one of the finest places to eat in Cape Town with a glass of eggnog on arrival, and enjoy a festive atmosphere with live entertainment. For a top Christmas lunch, Cape Town style (R1250 per person including welcome drink and gratuity) enjoy a buffet lunch including firm favourites such as turkey, gammon and mulled wine with festive hats, Christmas crackers and a special gift for each guest.
2. Mount Nelson Hotel, Gardens
Celebrate this Christmas in style at the grand old dame of Cape Town. Enjoy an indulgent Christmas Eve five-course set menu dinner with all the favorites in the hotel’s sumptuous Planet Restaurant whilst listening to seductive jazz tunes. (R910 per person including festive novelties, a glass of bubbly and gratuity) For Christmas Day, the Pink Lady is pulling out all the stops with a mouth-watering array of lunch buffet options at The Belmond Mount Nelson Ballroom. The Mount Nelson looks after families really well, making it a great stop on any family holiday, and has magnificent gardens and a lovely pool area. Contac them for prices and bookings.
3. La Colombe Restaurant, Constantia Nek
For one of the best places to eat in Cape Town look no further. The award-winning La Colombe (which recently relocated high up onto the Silvermist Mountain Estate) is offering a mouth-watering set menu for both Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch. (R1495 per person) You can expect an exceptional fine dining experience that will showcase the best of La Colombe accompanied by fabulous views. This is indeed one of the top restaurants in Cape Town.
4. Cape Grace Hotel, V&A Waterfront
The Cape Grace kicks off its festive season with a Christmas lunch (R895 per person). Feast on a sumptuous buffet with an incredible array of cold dishes, hot dishes and mouth watering desserts. Christmas Day dinner (R975 per person, R435 per child aged 6-12 years) will feature another seven-course set menu with scrumptious seared scallops, turkey and exotic mushroom risotto, to name but a few.
5. Eight At Spier, Stellenbosch
Celebrate Christmas lunch 2016 (R650 for adults, R65 for children under 12 including a welcome drink, Christmas crackers and a kids play area) at Eight at Spier with their delicious farm-to-table buffet lunch of mouth-watering Christmas roasts, festive garden salads and traditional desserts, whilst you enjoy their incredible grounds and the spectacular Stellenbosch surrounds.
6. Haute Cabrière Cellar Restaurant, Franschhoek
Enjoy a magical Christmas Eve dinner in the spectacular surroundings of the Haute Cabrière Estate overlooking the Franschhoek Mountain range. Start off the festivities with a glass of Pierre Jourdan Cap Classique, followed by live entertainment and a traditional Christmas dinner. A festive kiddies menu is also be available for the little ones. Contact them for prices and bookings.
7. Oude Werf, Stellenbosch
Feast on a five-course Christmas Day lunch set menu (R425 per person) which boasts such delicious treats such as Franschhoek salmon trout and shrimp terrine with avocado mousse, roast turkey with a traditional English chestnut stuffing, and steamed Christmas pudding with black cherry ice cream and vanilla crème anglaise.
8. The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Franschhoek
Treat yourself to a modern Christmas Eve dinner (R1590) or Christmas Day six course lunch (R1190, excluding gratuity and beverages) in the beautiful valley of Franschhoek. Enjoy this festive season in style as you feast on truffled wild mushroom velouté, saffron langoustine and pickled ginger risotto, 12-hour pork belly, and espresso fondant with red velvet and vanilla crumble.
