The 11 best budget restaurants in the Winelands

Gino’s in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch opened its doors in the Winelands in 1996; they’re still going strong. Gino’s is situated in an atmospheric historical building on a quiet werf (a yard of sorts). Nothing trendy here; it’s a true Italian restaurant where they believe in family values and good food – think pizza, pasta, oven-baked melanzane, hearty Italian bean soup at good prices.

The recipes have never changed so you know exactly what you’re getting. No-one even minds that they don’t take bookings; you can wait with a drink in hand served by the friendly staff, some of whom have been there for more than
two decades. Once a Gino’s follower, always a Gino’s follower.

Address: De Kelder, 63 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch

Zuus, a Greek restaurant on the Main Road in the heart of Paarl, is the new(ish) kid on the block in this town. They describe themselves as “a culinary haven of Urban Greek Cuisine” and “a celebration of the Greek way life”. Potted bougainvillea greet you at the door, with Greek music wafting from the inside.

Once inside, blue and white checked table cloths and a delectable Mediterranean menu awaits you with dips like tzatziki, tarama (salata) and skordalia en melenzana. Starters include halloumi and spanakopita, ‘in the hand’ or ‘on the plate’ dishes like souvlaki, bifteki or a mixed grill for mains, and desserts such as baklava and phyllo pastry with Greek custard and honey finish things off.

Address: 161 Main Road, Hoog-En-Droog, Paarl

Blue Coriander is a hidden gem in the true sense of the word. It’s unassuming from the outside and inside, it’s in a side street and has no bells and whistles. What it does have is North Indian cuisine with bold flavours that deliver above what you expect at their prices.

I can definitely vouch for their palak paneer with homemade cheese and spinach cooked in onion masala with fresh cream, something I try wherever I happily stumble upon it. The Aleppy prawn curry was recommended to me; once tasted I understood why!

Address: 6 Uitkyk Street, Franschhoek

Simondium Country Lodge, on the R45 between Paarl and Franschhoek, has the charm of yesteryear coupled with warm hospitality and the added bonus of magnificent peacocks strolling around on the grounds. On weekdays, daily lunch specials at the quirky Gordyntjies Restaurant are on offer. Better value for money you will really struggle to find.

On Mondays, they have chicken schnitzels with chips and sauce of your choice, Tuesdays wholesome pastas and burgers, Wednesdays pizza, Thursdays – wait for this – afval (tripe) and oxtail with rice, but also burgers for less adventurous eaters, and Fridays a steak special, again with chips and sauce of your choice. Please note that on Saturdays, only breakfast is served until 12:00.

Address: R45, Franschhoek Road, Simondium

Man’oushe (plural ‘manakish’) is a popular Lebanese street food, in essence a piece of dough, crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside, topped with an aromatic spice blend, usually za’atar in olive oil, sometimes together with
cheese or ground meat. It’s usually eaten as breakfast on the go.

At Man’oushe Lebanese Bakery in a leafy street in Stellenbosch, doing a brisk trade since 2007, you can not only indulge in traditional man’oushe but also in classic mezze platters, falafel salad, home pickled olives, scrumptious babaganoush, a smoky aubergine dip and many more Levantine delicacies. The owners use some of their grannies’ recipes and everything is always served with
warm bread. Don’t miss the delectable Lebanese pickles. Man’oushe welcomes walk-ins at all times. No wonder there is always a buzz at this street café, with seating inside and outside.

Address: 14 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch

Eikehof farm has been in the ownership of the Malherbe family since 1903. It’s situated on the R45 less than a 10 minutes’ drive from the town of Franschhoek.

Under old oak trees as a wisdom of owls peer down at you, a variety of platters are served. If the weather does not allow for this, cozy inside seating is available too, but don’t neglect to wander outside to greet the owls.

On their cheese platters you will find four different cheeses from Dalewood Fromage; there are also charcuterie, fruit and nut platters on order.

Address: La Motte, R45, Franschhoek

Driving up the tree-lined avenue leading into Lanzerac prepares you for the spoil that awaits you at the deli at the bottom of this heritage property. On a wintry day, a table upstairs next to the fireplace is ideal; you can even play a game of chess that is all set up for whoever feels like a brainy challenge before or after their meal.

Opt for an all-day breakfast (I have my eye on the toasted banana bread for my next pop in), gourmet sandwich or a mac and cheese bowl (I devoured mine with pork and miso mayo smothered with creamy cheesiness). At Lanzerac Deli the team of chefs deliver good food with fresh ingredients and interesting flavours.

Address: Lanzerac Wine Estate, Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch

At Perdeberg Wines at the foothills of the Paardeberg Mountain, you can take the whole family – it’s truly child-friendly – for a casual meal, seated on wooden benches on the open lawn in summer or at the relaxed bistro-style restaurant.

On the menu you will find tapas or sharing plates, hot sandwiches, platters, pizzas, lunch specials such as chicken schnitzel, beef or chicken burgers, rump steak, fish or vegetarian curry, eisbein and a special kids menu.

Address: Vryguns Farm Windmeul, Paarl

You don’t get better than what you’ll find at Leopard’s Leap Rotisserie Restaurant just outside Franschhoek! This is a spacious establishment where it’s easy to chill out. Not only are you in for a relaxing environment with a view over the garden, vineyards and the life-sized bronze sculpture of a leopard by internationally-acclaimed sculptor Dylan Lewis, but here you enjoy tender, juicy roast meats with an array of side dishes from seasonal salads like Asian stir-fry or ingenuous combinations with artichokes, beetroot or blueberries, to roasted veggies such as curried potatoes or creamy vegetable bake, all from their own garden.

Your plate of side dishes is weighed, whereafter you choose between pork belly with loads of crackling, lamb, beef or chicken. If you can still manage dessert, there are mini portions of peppermint crisp tart, cheesecake or lemon meringues. A bottle of wine comes at R80 whereas in the rest of the town that is often the price for a glass.

Address: R45 Main Road, Franschhoek

Under Oaks on the Agter-Paarl Road in Northern Paarl is a bit of a hidden gem, but those in the know, know that this is where you go for delicious thin-crust pizzas baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. There’s also a range of pastas and a few a la carte items.

In winter, you sit next to cozy fireplaces in an old homestead, while in summer you have an uninterrupted mountain view. The service is warm and friendly, and the atmosphere also warm and inviting.

Address: Noord Agter - Paarl Road, Paarl

Hudsons prides themselves on their “seriously good burgers”. Let the good times roll, says Hudsons. Everyone who hangs out here, seems to agree. All their patties, beef and chicken, are free range (there are four plant-based burgers too) and come with a range of toppings, including different cheeses, homemade pickles and garlic sauteed mushrooms.

All the burgers are served with skin-on fries. On different days there are different specials too, and happy hour is every weekday from 16:30 to 18:30. Head to Hudsons for a casual night out.

Address: 77 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch