When we ask what it is that makes summer so special, for many of us, our mind goes to just how many beautiful outdoor experiences await in comparison to the wintry season. From the lush greens of Limpopo, the skyscraper-lined streets of Gauteng and the coastal plains of Cape Town, South Africa truly is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Summer and its vibrant colours set out in nature bring with it a sense of newness, adventure, and fun. The warmer weather also affords the opportunity of dining outdoors, with al fresco lunches and balmy summer evening suppers shared with friends, family and business associates, and the new experiences that come with that.
Trending events this season are brunch and lunch dates set in beautiful locations across the country with menus filled with all the fresh seasonal ingredients that nature has to offer.
Foraging
After last season’s drought and disruptions due to load shedding, many of South Africa’s farms are back with a bang, inviting visitors to take the day off to stroll amongst the grounds and enjoy the experience of being wined and dined.
Some farms offer a mixture of flower, fruit or vegetable picking, wine tasting and dining options. Cape Town’s Chart Farm, a 12-hectare flower farm styled after a classic English rose garden is one of the only places in the region where visitors can select and pick their own roses. Visitors can enjoy picking a variety of roses or enjoy a horse ride before heading to the cafe for mimosas and lunch.
A lovely option on the region’s farm route is the beautiful Babylonstoren garden, farm, and spa. It offers olive oil tours, citrus picking, and a range of other activities. The on-site deli is packed with cold meats, bread, cheeses, and drinks perfect for a picnic on their grounds. For an eco-slant to an outing, local fynbos and seaweed foraging and conservation group, Veld and Sea will be hosting summer coastal forages. Meet with the group at their base in Cape Point before heading out to forage mussels, kelp or fynbos, then learning how to incorporate your finds into delicious recipes. Unique dishes on the menu include seaweed-laden drinks and fynbos-infused bread as a starter. Bookings can be made via Quicket.
Brunch
Cape Town is fast becoming a world destination for iconic brunch experiences, with each unique in its own right. One such is brunch cafe Mulberry and Prince in the city centre, well known for its pastel pink entrance doors on Pepper Street. Once inside, the sugary vanilla scent of their signature brunch pancakes envelops your sense as you try to choose between delicious menu items such as chicken and waffles and shakshuka.
The only place in South Africa offering Dubai long-style brunches and possibly the most unique ocean views from the Atlantic Seaboard to Table View on the West Coast is the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront. Their seasonal brunch experience, Breakers Brunch officially relaunched in mid-October and is a luxury, multiple-course all-you-can-eat culinary experience curated by Head Chef Norman Heath. Guests can book either the Boujee Brunch package at R880 which comes with bottomless alcoholic drinks including cocktails and bubbly or The Soft Life package at R680 which includes unlimited soft drinks, mocktails and non-alcoholic bubbly.
Cultural
Any overview of the city’s wonderful food culture would be remiss to not include the fact that Cape Town is the only area in the world where Cape Malay cuisine is made.
The unique melange of South African, Malay, Afrikaans and Indian flavours makes experiencing these cultural dishes a truly out-of-the-ordinary experience. If you’re looking for a lunch experience of hearty, home-style warm foods visit the region’s Bo-Kaap precinct, which boasts Bo-Kaap Kombuis and Biesmiellah restaurants. Sample dishes such as traditional bobotie, classic slow-cooked tomato and lamb bredie or special frikkadels.
On Sundays, the Cape Malay lunch tradition is to order a specially prepared local dish of lamb and rice known as akhni, as well as a side of Cape Malay spiced, coconut-covered doughnuts called koeksisters. Locals then head home or to a beautiful roadside location with a view to enjoy their purchases for a hearty lunch.
If you’re looking for unique, out-of-the-ordinary summer dining experiences that invoke the senses through sight, touch, taste, and smell in the Western Cape, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. Remember with the summer season being incredibly busy with local and international tourists, it is ideal to make a booking well ahead of time and arrive early to find parking.