Wine, food and hike Cape Town's Southern Suburbs

Wine time

The greater Constantia wine route is well known for its Sauvignon Blancs. The cool climate of the ocean and age-old vineyards make for interesting full-bodied white wines with amazing texture. But really, it produces top-quality wines across all varietals.   Constantia Glen is an all-round favourite. The farm produces wonderful wines and it has great food. Oh, and did I mention the views?! It can be packed in the summer and getting a seat without a booking in under 45 minutes is very unlikely. Bookings are essential.If you are travelling with tiny humans, Buitenverwachting is ideal for littlies. With a relaxed "grab a bottle and a spot on the lawn atmosphere" locals love sipping wine on the lawns whilst the tinies make new friends. There is also more formal seating if you would like to do the wine tasting (without smalls). For something very unusual, make sure to taste Steenberg's wooded Sauvignon Blanc. In South Africa, this varietal is traditionally aged in aluminium tanks. You will easily be able to identify the oaky nature when compared to other Sauvignon Blancs from the farm and area. If you are up for a little more of a drive, Cape Point Vineyards has a stunning lawn and picnics with cellar door prices. 

Walk off the wine

Silvermine can be found right in the middle of the areas discussed in this guide. On a warm day, locals love the light hike to the Silvermine Dam. From there you can lounge and swim or tackle some of the hiking routes around the dam. Silvermine nature reserve has a small entrance fee. You will be able to pay by card. If you are staying in Constantia and want a light early morning or late afternoon walk with the locals, the Alphen Trail is a beautiful stroll. It starts right at the Alphen Hotel which is a great stop afterwards for a cocktail on their terrace. Cecilia Forest has an incredible waterfall (especially during the rainy winter season). This hiking route can be a great early morning start before setting off to a wine farm for lunch, or it can be extended to cover some of the famous Kirstenbosch's hiking routes or Table Mountain National Park for the adventurer.   

Let's eat!

Chef's Warehouse at Beau Constantia is an absolute must if you enjoy the finer things in life. Booking is essential. It is totally worth it, but make sure to go hungry! If you have limited time and sticking to the Constantia area, tapas at La Parada on Constantia Neck is fantastic. It has great views and often you are lucky enough to catch some live local musicians or the resident DJ.   Bistro 1862 on Steenberg Wine Farm sports a delicious seasonal menu with exceptional locally sourced ingredients. The wine-tasting room is right next to this restaurant, which makes for an easy migration into lunch or dinner after tasting their selection. If you are venturing a little further, Kalk Bay has wonderful bistros and bars. It is lovely to visit Kalk Bay when the weather is good. However, my personal favourite is choosing a window seat at Olympia Café or Salt with a full view over the harbour wall and watching the sea be "angry" on a day when the weather is miserable. That way you are also missing any traffic into town as locals love to flock to the lovely beaches in the area. If you are staying in Kalk Bay, have a look at the line-up at the Kalk Bay Theatre which has a very unique setting right on the sea.    

Where to stay

Although any of these activities are completely manageable if you are based in the city centre, staying in a location like Kalk Bay or Constantia will allow you a little more flexibility in terms of getting around. Kalk Bay and Muizenberg especially have their own heartbeat and run at a rate slightly slower than the city.