Nothing says ‘summer has arrived’ quite like watching a fiery sunset in the Cape Winelands, with a sundowner gripped in your hand as you salute the stunning sunset scene.
Whether it’s enjoying a late afternoon wine tasting or a classy dinner with a glass of bubbly and a view – in this post, we look at where to go for sundowners in the Cape Winelands:
Dinner and drinks with a view: The Tangram at Durbanville Hills
Sunset at The Tangram at Durbanville Hills, Durbanville. Photo: Durbanville Hills
As arguably one of the most well-situated restaurants in the Cape Winelands, there can be no doubting that The Tangram at Durbanville Hills offers gorgeous sunset views.
With Table Mountain and surrounds stretched out before you and pristinely clear floor-to-ceiling glass windows showcasing the Durbanville Wine Valley and indigenous fynbos, Tangram is perfect for a romantic date orclassy dinner enhanced by soothing sundowners.
This award-winning restaurant is one of the best in the Cape Winelands and offers simple, yet sophisticated cuisine served up by head chef Tamzyn Ehlers and team.
Their restaurant menu offers a selection of starters, mains and desserts, whichare all beautifully complemented by their formiddable drinks menu.
So, order a quality glass of Durbanville Hills wine, a cocktail or sparkling wine with your dinner and toast the sunset in style!
Opening hours for Tangram Restaurant
Tuesday - Saturday (dinner): 18h00 - 21h00 (starters and mains); 22h00 (desserts closed); 23h00 (last rounds)
For their breakfast and lunch opening hours (Monday - Sunday), please see their website.
Twinkling twilight beauty at Vada’s Smokehouse and Bakery, Spier
Vada’s Smokehouse and Bakery on Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch. Photo: Tamlyn Ryan
For a relaxing, family-friendly evening in the Stellenbosch winelands, it is hard to beat Vada’s Smokehouse and Bakery. With both cosy indoor seating and spacious outdoor seating, this is a tranquil, yet homely meeting place of note.
It doesn’t hurt that Vada’s enjoys beautiful views of Spier’s lawns and Cape Dutch buildings and is itself housed within a charming, whitewashed Cape Dutch beauty.
While their menu is strongly focused on their delicious smokehouse offerings (including beef brisket and smoked pork belly), they also cater to vegetarianswith some tasty pizzas, sides, delicious desserts and baked treats, including their famous Vada’s pasteis de nata.
Order some Spier wine and enjoy peaceful sunset-meets-twilight dining in Stellenbosch.
Opening hours for Vada’s Smokehouse and Bakery
Monday - Sunday, 18h00 - 21h00 (dinner).
For their breakfast and lunch opening hours (Monday - Sunday), please see their website.
Toast the sunset at Peter Falke Wines
For a beautiful wine tasting experience in the Stellenbosch winelands, Peter Falke in Stellenbosch is an excellent option.
They are one of the few wine estates open till late for tastings, which makes them perfect for a pre-sundowner celebration!
With relaxed, yet elegant lounger-style garden seating, comfy beanbags and picture-perfect lawn spaces, Peter Falke sets the mood for a memorable sunset experience, especially in autumn and wintertime when the sun sets a bit earlier.
For nibbles, their on-site eatery offers a wonderful selection of seasonal sharing food, including gourmet cheese or charcuterie platters, fresh salads, cheese nachos and more.
Platters at Peter Falke Wines, Stellenbosch. Photo: Peter Falke
Order wine by the glass, bottle or carafe to complement your food and enjoy a special sunset in the garden. (Just note that group bookings are essential.)
Food service can take between 30-40 minutes during the season and sunny weekends, so it is advisable to pre-order your drinks and food ahead of time via email or phone reservation.
Opening hours for Peter Falke Wines tasting room
Monday to Sunday, 11h00 - 19h00
Please be advised that their kitchen closes at 18h30.
Sundowner sips and world-class dining at Delaire Graff
Bubbly for sundowners at Delaire Graff outside Stellenbosch. Photo: Delaire Graff
I have visited a few wine farms near sunset and few can compare to the beauty of Delaire Graff, with its gorgeous gardens, scenic wine lounge and world-class restaurants that blissfully overlook the majestic Simonberg mountains.
This jewel of the Stellenbosch winelands offers an elegant wine tasting lounge and/or stylish outdoorseating, where you can enjoy some quality wines until pretty late as wine farm tastings go.
Tables work on a first-come, first-serve basis so be sure to get there a bit early to snag a good spot.
Delaire Graff has some well-priced wine tasting options (including five wines for R125 per person) and a delightful sharing menu, complete with ice lollies, cheese- and charcuterie-platters and more to enjoy.
If you wish to toast the evening in style, order some of their excellent Cap Classique offerings.
If you have time, I also recommend exploring the estate’s lush gardens, which are stunning year-round.
For those fortunate enough to dine at one of Delaire Graff’s two award-winning restaurants in Indochine and Delaire Graff Restaurant, the views might be even better (if possible).
At Indochine, one of the top restaurants in the winelands, you can choose to sit inside its opulent restaurant spaces or dine al fresco out on the expansive deck.
Indochine Restaurant at Delaire Graff. Photo: Delaire Graff
While Delaire Graff Restaurant also offers dreamy al fresco dining on its scenic wooden terrace, as well as some stunning indoor seating options too.
Both restaurants offer sublime food options, service and beautiful settings that ensure a special dinner, overlooking the sunset, with your sundowner in hand.
Opening hours for Delaire Graff
Wine lounge/tastings
Monday - Saturday, 10h00 - 17h30 pm and open for wine (per glass or bottle) until 20h00.
Sundays: 10h00 - 16h30
Indochine Restaurant
Monday - Sunday, 18h00 - 22h00. (Last seating is at 20h00)
For lunch times, please visit their website.
Delaire Graff Restaurant
Monday - Saturday: (pre-drinks) from 18h00; 18h30 - 23h00 (dinner) (Last seating is at 20h00).
For lunch times, please visit their website.
It is worth noting that most of these sundowner options are perfect to enjoy year-round, not only in summertime. Including on balmy autumn- or clear winter-evenings when our Western Cape sunsets paint the sky with particularly vivid pink, tangerine, and red colours.