Out & About in Stellenbosch

Here's where to eat, stay and play when you visit the beautiful Town of Oaks (Eikestad)...

TREAT YOUR TASTEBUDS

Where’s there’s good wine, there’s always good food. The Stellenbosch food scene is thriving, with new hotspots popping up all the time. Don’t go on a historical walking tour without first carbo-loading at De Oude Bank Bakkerij (021 883 2187). Pair their dark rye or sourdough bread with a local produce platter and their quinoa fritter seasonal salad, and indulge. Just down the road in Church Street is the popular Best Bistro (021 883 3629) which possibly makes the best gourmet burgers in town (044 386 0005).

LAP UP THE LUXURY

From historic Cape Dutch homesteads to Victorian villas and five-star hotels, Stellenbosch visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation. If you’re looking for an authentic experience in the thick of town, try De Oude Werf Hotel (021 887 4608). Established in 1803, it’s said to be South Africa’s oldest hotel and the modern touches to its Georgian style add to its understated elegance. You could also stay on the edge of town on a working wine farm at Kleine Zalze Lodge (021 880 0740), where their tasting cellar and the award-winning restaurant Terroir is just a scenic stroll down the road. Play a round of golf or hop on one of the lodge bicycles for a bit of exercise before dinner.

TRACK DOWN TREASURES

If it’s luxurious, trendy or proudly South African, the shops of Stellenbosch are bound to stock it. Relish the opportunity to do some sidewalk shopping far away from anything resembling a shopping mall, and enjoy exploring some of the gems to be found in the little side streets. Be sure to browse the range of products hand-woven from mopani worm cocoons at Africa Silks (021 882 9839) for a unique gift that supports a job creation project in the North West. There’s also Arabesque (079 200 1003) in Plein Street for gorgeous scarves, jewellery, decor items and wooden furniture, and the sparkly Fidders Lights & Gifts (021 886 4655) for handmade crockery, chandeliers and glassware.

SOAK UP THE HISTORY

There are almost as many historical sites in and around Stellenbosch as there are wine farms. A good way to orientate yourself and form a mental overview of the town’s design is on a guided walking tour by the Stellenbosch 360 Tourism Information Bureau (021 883 3584). The locals who take you on these tours are strict with their watches, be warned, but they are very informative and have wonderful anecdotes and personal memories to share along the way. Highlights include the Burgher House (today the central office of the Historical Homes foundation in South Africa), the NG Moederkerk and Stellenbosch Village Museum.

BROWSE THE ART GALLERIES 

A walking tour of Stellenbosch will take you past numerous art galleries and an extraordinary amount of outdoor street art. Home to renowned galleries such as The Rupert Museum (021 888 3344), which is set on the banks of the Eerste River and houses industrialist Anton and Huberte Rupert’s private art collection, the Stellenbosch art scene is well respected for its innovation and is often at the forefront of trends. Also worth a visit is the Vincent Da Silva Gallery (021 855 0583) in Church Street, Stephen Rautenbach’s The Studio Gallery (021 886 7005) just down the road and the SMAC Art Gallery (021 887 3607)  in the De Wet Centre.  

DRINK THE FRUIT OF THE GRAPE

With well over one hundred members, the Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes (021 886 4310) is a formidable yet delightful challenge for avid wine tasters. Your best bet is to visit www.wineroute.co.za to see what the different routes offer. There’s information on private wine tours, child-friendly wine farms, wine walks, wine blending, wine and food pairing and much more. 

*Article first published in the August 2013 issue of SA Country Life magazine.

*Article and photos by Natalie Bosman.