At Ascot Tours, we believe that the soul of a destination is found at its table. For years, the South African culinary story has been told through the primal allure of the braai (BBQ). But today, a more refined, yet equally authentic, experience is captivating any traveller: the Winelands Harvest Table.
This isn’t your standard buffet. This is a cornucopian celebration of farm-to-fork dining, where sun-ripened vegetables, artisanal cheeses, estate-reared meats, and freshly baked breads are presented with artistic flair. It’s a relaxed, yet utterly sophisticated, way for your clients to dine, offering them a true taste of place. As your on-the-ground experts, we’ve personally explored the very best of these offerings. Here are five of our top recommendations that you can seamlessly integrate into your clients’ itineraries, complete with a golfer’s pairing for that perfect South African day out.
The Bakery, Jordan Wine Estate
The Experience: For clients seeking a more relaxed and intimate setting with world-class views, Jordan is the answer. Perched on a hillside overlooking a tranquil dam and sprawling vineyards, The Bakery offers a harvest table that is refined and perfectly curated. The mood is lighter and more casual than a formal restaurant, but the quality is exceptional. Expect spectacular breads, inventive salads, and delicious charcuterie platters, all designed to be paired with their award-winning wines.
- Open: Daily, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
- Golfer’s Pairing: De Zalze Golf Club. A mere 10-minute drive from the estate, this championship course is a Top 50 regular, known for its beautiful and challenging layout that winds through vineyards and olive groves.
- The Ascot Tours Tip: The magic of Jordan is its terrace. When booking for your clients, we always insist on an outside table (weather permitting). We suggest they begin with a formal wine tasting at the tasting room to understand the estate’s terroir before moving to The Bakery. This elevates the meal from a simple lunch to a complete oenological experience.
Babel Restaurant, Babylonstoren
The Experience: Babylonstoren is not just a farm; it’s a global icon of garden design and gastronomy. Their philosophy is led by the garden, and the harvest table at Babel is a testament to this. It’s a fresh, flavour-forward experience where salads are picked only hours before serving and arranged by colour. This is the ultimate clean-eating, sophisticated dining experience that will delight health-conscious and foodie clients alike.
- Open: Lunch, Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
- Golfer’s Pairing: Pearl Valley Golf Estate. Again, this Jack Nicklaus masterpiece is the premier course in the Paarl-Franschhoek valley, making it the perfect morning activity before an afternoon of garden-to-table bliss.
- The Ascot Tours Tip: Our crucial advice here is to manage your clients’ time. The gardens at Babylonstoren are a destination in themselves and require a minimum of 90 minutes to explore properly. We always advise our clients to arrive well before their reservation to immerse themselves in the grounds. Missing the garden is missing the entire point of the Babylonstoren story.
Tokara Delicatessen
The Experience: Perched atop the Helshoogte Pass, Tokara offers some of the most dramatic views in Stellenbosch. While the main restaurant is a fine-dining affair, the Delicatessen, set in a separate, charming building, offers a more casual harvest-style experience. It’s a favourite for families and those looking for a relaxed lunch amidst incredible art and architecture. The focus is on high-quality, fresh produce, with a stunning selection of salads, pâtés, and baked goods.
- Open: Daily, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Harvest Table served at lunchtime).
- Golfer’s Pairing: Stellenbosch Golf Club. As one of the oldest and most respected clubs in the country, it’s a Top 50 course that offers a classic parkland challenge and is just a short drive from Tokara.
- The Ascot Tours Tip: We love positioning Tokara as a cultural stop. Advise your clients to look beyond the deli itself. The main winery building houses a breathtaking private art collection, and the grounds are dotted with sculptures. It’s a fantastic option for clients who appreciate art and design as much as they do food and wine.
The Manor House, Stanford Valley Guest Farm
The Experience: For clients exploring the beautiful Overberg region, perhaps on their way to or from whale watching in Hermanus, this is a hidden gem. Far from the polish of the Winelands, The Manor House offers a rustic, authentic, and soulful harvest table. The focus is on hearty, wholesome, and organic country cooking. It feels like you’ve been invited to a friend’s beautiful farmhouse for a Sunday feast.
- Open: Sunday Lunch, from 12:30 PM.
- Golfer’s Pairing: Arabella Golf Club. Just 30 minutes away, Arabella is a spectacular Top 10 course with one of the most picturesque closing holes in the country. It’s the perfect high-end golfing complement to a rustic country lunch.
- The Ascot Tours Tip: We recommend selling this as part of a full-day “Coastal & Country” itinerary. Clients can enjoy a morning round of golf at Arabella or a whale-watching cruise in Hermanus, followed by a scenic drive through the countryside to Stanford. It showcases the diversity of the region and makes for an incredibly memorable day.
At Ascot Tours, we don’t just make bookings; we curate experiences. By introducing your clients to these exceptional harvest tables, you are offering them a genuine, delicious, and unforgettable taste of modern South African hospitality.
Ready to craft the perfect culinary journey for your clients? Contact us today.