Stellenbosch on foot

Sure, wine farm restaurants have the best views, but when it comes to cool food spots, Stellenbosch’s city centre has got it going on. Spend a weekend in town and take

a walking safari to find the town’s hottest restaurants and bars

1 For crazy croissants:

SCHOON MANUFACTORY AND CROISSANT HATCH Stellenbosch locals shed a tear when, after seven successful years, Fritz Schoon’s glorious bakery left Stellenbosch for Somerset West. Now, the bakery is back in the Eikestad with two new locations: an industrial-chic “Manufactory” café in Bird Street, and a cute hatch in the De Wet Centre courtyard. At the Manufactory, start the day with soft scrambled eggs from Usana Farm, Ryan Boon bacon and country loaf toast – and watch while the staff wrestle huge batches of sourdough, dark rye and baguettes in the kitchen. The hatch – decorated in gorgeous floral wallpaper – focuses on croissants, baked goods and coffee – a signature Schoon blend courtesy of Conti Coffee. Don’t leave without trying one of the baked treats: think wonderfully almondy apple friands, strawberry-andyoghurt cronuts and ricotta-and-honey croissants. Schoon Manufactory Café, 91 Bird Street, La Colline; Schoon Croissant and Coffee Bar, De Wet Centre, corner Church and Bird Streets

2 For a single-malt whisky: HANK’S Named for famous barfly and author Henry Charles Bukowski – whose nickname was Hank – this fairly new whisky bar is a great spot for storytelling and slow sipping. Located directly above veteran drinking spot De Akker Pub, the moody, sophisticated space was designed by Story Design Collective, who recreated the atmosphere of a hunting lodge with pressed ceilings, leather banquettes and old hunting paintings (which frequently feature the character from the logo – a cheeky fox, which always escapes the hunter). There’s an impressive range of Irish and Scotch whiskies to try, as well as a couple of options from Taiwan, Japan, America and SA. Or sip on a perfectly poured whisky sour with a light egg white froth, or a Paloma – the Mexican cocktail that’s more authentic than a margarita. Catch live acoustic blues and folk on Tuesdays, and jazz on Thursdays.

1st floor, De Akker building, 90 Dorp Street (entrance on Herte Street)

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For a glorious harvest table: GREENGATE DELI

Pile up a plate of fresh salads and meat from the harvest table at this relaxed café. Sandwiches and pies (try the venison one) are another great lunch option. Sweltering Stellenbosch summer days call for milkshakes made with Italian ice cream or vegan blueberry-and-banana “nice cream”. Owner Ingrid du Toit is passionate about vegan cooking – so look out for other specials including vegan carrot cake, vegan chocolate and coconut cake and vegan tagines.

De Wet Square, corner Church and Bird Streets

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For farm-fresh food whenever you like: BOSCHENDAL AT OUDE BANK

Located in the former home of Schoon (see page 57 for their new location), this all-day spot is now also offering dinners from Wednesday to Saturday. Think farm pizza made with local, stoneground flour; organic yellow maize-battered hake and chips with charred onion dip, and farm-fresh salads – all developed by Boschendal’s star chef Christiaan Campbell. In the afternoon, pop in for a platter and a cocktail – try The Stopwatch Gang with whisky, pomegranate juice, citrus stock, stopwatch syrup, orange and pomegranate bitters and ginger ale.

7 Church Street

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For a slap-up lunch: JARDINE RESTAURANT George Jardine is the master of turning comfort food into fine-dining plates, like the braised Williston lamb shoulder “pie”, honeyed parsnip, grilled lamb kidney and roasted garlic (top). At his Andringa Street space (no. 9 on the 2019 Eat

Out Top 10), he serves a surprisingly affordable two- or three-course menu

(if you calculate based on cost per units of deliciousness). 1 Andringa Street