Enjoy a jam-packed day full of world-class wine and gourmet food in the fabulous Franschhoek valley in the Cape Winelands.
Breakfast at Big Dog Café
Start your day with the new ‘dog’ in the valley, the Big Dog Café, with a delicious coffee and yummy breakfast. Open since May, 2017, the restaurant can be found at Terbodore’s flagship roastery and is open for business Monday to Friday from 7am, Saturdays from 8am, and closed on Sundays. A cozy, intimate eatery, with a great kid-friendly play-area, Big Dog Café is the perfect spot to begin your exploration of what Franschhoek has to offer.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BigDogFHK/
Wine tasting at Haut Espoir
Time for some wine tasting! Haut Espoir – meaning ‘High Hope’ – is nestled in the mountains at the end of the Franschhoek Valley. This family-run boutique winery produces distinctive, hand-crafted wines in harmony with nature. The 23-hectare farm has reserved 8 hectares to plant shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot and cabernet franc, while the remainder of the land has been set aside fynbos restoration, a riverine ecosystem, olive groves and vegetable and herb garden. Tastings are by appointment only and held in the cellar.
Website: http://www.hautespoir.co.za/
Lunch at La Petit Ferme
Enjoy lunch at La Petit Ferme, which boasts some of the most stunning views in the valley – the perfect backdrop for the restaurant’s delicious contemporary country cuisine. After a busy morning, what better way to enjoy a lazy meal in the winelands? Well-known for its exquisite food, paired with fantastic boutique wines, the award-winning restaurant is one of the most popular in the valley and with good reason. Great quality, at affordable prices, there is no better place to soak in the wonders of this beautiful valley.
Website: http://www.lapetiteferme.co.za/
Beer Tasting at Tuk Tuk Microbrewery
Make sure you take your time at lunch, and perhaps a short walk is in order before heading to your next stop for a beer tasting at the Tuk Tuk Microbrewery in the centre of town. Brewmaster Dewald Goosen has quickly made a name for himself with his bespoke brews, all made on site in the 250-litre capacity copper microbrewery. There are currently five craft beers in the Tuk Tuk stable with the Dunkel being our favourite. If you’re up for something light, there are also some great snacks to tuck into as well.
Website: http://tuktukbrew.com/
Dinner at Marigold
End your evening just next door at Marigold – Franschhoek’s first authentic Indian restaurant. Specialising in a variety of Indian dishes, from fragrant curries and briyanis to succulent meat cooked in the charcoal tandoor, Marigold head chef Vanie Padayachee has created something really special here. The wine list here – as you would expect from a Franschhoek restaurant – is extensive, while Tuk Tuk beer is also available on the menu. We recommend the sharing menu, which will allow you try everything on the menu.
