Location: Paarl
Top Things to do in Paarl
Top 10 Things to do in Paarl, Western Cape
Sipping your way across the Paarl Wine Route is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this South African town. Besides being part of the Cape Winelands region, Paarl is the place where the Afrikaans language was developed, a linguistic feat that’s commemorated by a dramatic monument. Cheer on your favorite pony at the Polo Club or hit the links at one of the area’s many beautiful golf courses.
Restaurants in Paarl
1. Avondale Wine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 52 reviews
At Avondale, we make extraordinary wines approved by Mother Nature. Certified organic and practicing bio-dynamic agriculture; we go beyond both these beneficial systems of natural farming by using the best 21st Century science, technology and knowledge to enhance sustainability. Our commitment to promoting life does not only lead to Mother Nature’s approval; it also ensures the premium quality of Avondale’s unique, naturally-made, slow wines. The vigour of our well-tended vines leads to excellent grapes bursting with fresh flavours that are evident in our individually-styled, classic wines, so full of life and character. Avondale is home to FABER -a contemporary farm-to-fork restaurant.
Reviewed By GeryV - Vancouver, Canada
You cannot ask for better: great organic food, a setting that cannot be beat and wonderful staff - the small but special menu has enough variety and the people make sure you have a great experience .... catch a sunset and admire the magnificent garden - you can make a check mark next to "GREAT DAY"
2. Ashia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Ashia is a Fair Trade Tourism accredited, world-class cheetah sanctuary and awareness centre outside Paarl in South Africa’s Western Cape, a mere 45 minute drive from Cape Town. An African name meaning ‘life and hope’, Ashia lies nestled at the foot of the dramatic Drakenstein mountains, providing the perfect setting for the sanctuary’s conservation, education and research programs. Founded to help prevent the further decline of the cheetah population, the sanctuary’s primary conservation initiatives entail the release of captive-born and raised cheetah into the protected wild of game reserves. This is financed and managed by our conservation arm, Ashia Cheetah Conservation (ACC), a registered non-profit company. Please note that Ashia has a strict no-touch policy and no children under 16 years are allowed around any animal areas.
Reviewed By 73Duck - Smithfield, United States
This is a must see attraction in the Cape Winelands. It is a very educational, up-close experience, but it's definitely not a zoo. We gained a tremendous appreciation for these big cats and just how tenuous their existence is in the wild. These are amazing creatures and kudos to Ashia for doing their part to provide a sanctuary for these cats that would have a tough time in the wild or would weaken the species if they bred with others of their kind. We also spent a nice peaceful the night here in the excellent accommodations (see separate review) here.
3. Fairview Wine and Cheese
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,079 reviews
Reviewed By SteveRainville99 - Orlando, United States
What am outstanding experience this was once again! The Master tasting was as amazing as always. Thanks to our Sommelier Juli who went above and beyond at every corner. She was so friendly, informative, and SUPER PATIENT with some of our party! For just $7 for a private Master tasting of 8 wines paired with 8 cheeses, in a gorgeous barbell room, this is the best deal on Earth! But just dont take my word for it, and make your way there, I promise you won't regret it! Thanks to Juli and the staff of Fairview for another wonderful wine tasting experience!!!
4. Nederburg Wines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
With a proud history dating back to 1791, the Nederburg winery, set against the imposing Drakenstein Mountains near Paarl, is dynamic, forward-thinking and progressive. A famous South African heritage wine brand, Nederburg is a leading example of the country’s wine excellence and innovation. Nederburg creates hand-crafted micro-cuvées for specialist wine lovers and beautifully balanced and accessible wines for everyday enjoyment, with equal commitment. They offer an exciting taste discovery. When the farm claims a reputation of wine excellence, it's no empty boast. Its recipe? Impeccable quality credentials, an ongoing award-winning track record, and a talented team led by cellar-master Lizelle Gerber, that strongly focuses on continually exploring ways to better their best efforts.
Reviewed By Dleewin - Cape Town, South Africa
My family and I enjoyed the most amazing lunch at The Manor Restaurant. We had the perfect table on the balcony, with the most beautiful views. The food was excellent and we all enjoyed delicious steak, burgers, and a charcuterie platter. We ended off with a really enjoyable wine and hot chocolate tasting. Our waiter took such good care of us - felt as if we were VIPS! One of the best wine farm and restaurant experiences we have enjoyed in Cape Town as a family. Highly recommended!
5. Afrikaans Language Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
Reviewed By Reispret
This was our first visit. Will definitely do it again. Beautiful interesting construction with a walk through tunnel. Neat gardens to relax and a small outside restaurant with a view and decent pizzas. Great outing for the whole family.
6. Mellasat Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
At Mellasat Vineyards we reckon we’re a bit different from the usual tasting facilities which you are used to. We have something for everyone from wine connoisseurs to the casual, everyday wine drinker. Our selection of wines varies from red wines for those cold winter days, white wines for something lighter, a moorish dessert wine as well as a delicate rosé…….. and then the most unique of them all - a White Pinotage, which is only made by us.Our tasting room has stunning views of the Paarl valley and the craggy Klein Drakenstein Mountains. We also do private functions, dinning and wine & food paring events.
Reviewed By VernonW143 - Cape Town, South Africa
...It is always encouraging when you find a vendor that provides a service that is consistent with excellence. When we purchased the WiKi-Deal vouchers we again noted that they offer email bookings and we opted for it and within 30 minutes of sending our reservation request, we received a confirmation reply back. The ladies here we found to be very enthusiastic and always welling to assist and answer any query forwarded to them. We had guest from up north and we are back again this time to redeem our WiKi-Deal Voucher for the Vintner's Platter, a glass of wine and an Exquisite Wine Tasting Experience. With the time-slot that we choose we had the whole tasting room to ourselves and that included having and enjoying the full attention of Elzaan and Gaymari who were absolute-lii on point in every way. Very knowledgeable about every wine that they served us. As it was the case that we did not know what was meant by “Exquisite Wine Tasting Experience” but we were pleasant-lii surprised it was 5 tastings 3 from the Dekker’s Valley range, 1 from the Mellasat range and that happened to be the “White Pinotage” remembering that they are the only winery that produces a white pinotage and 1 from the “Premium Exclusive Collection” been the Spanish wine “Tempranillo” a true-lii divine-lii tasting red wine. After the wine tasting experience you get to choose a glass of the wine of your own choice. How awesome was this not. We even had the thrilling experience of visiting "The Cemetery of Forgotten Wines" which occupies the entire basement under the tasting-room, an amazing encounter. You can even request to have a private session or function for a small group right here in the cemetery or as I saw it to be a large tomb or snazz-ii sepulchre. We discovered once again that despite the fact that they don't have a dedicated and full-on restaurant they have week-lii & month-lii events that offers "food & wine pairing", in winter they have a month long "soup & wine pairing", they have a Spanish-Day where everything centre’s around real Spanish traditions. They even have a Spanish red wine in the Mellasat Premium Exclusive Range named "Tempranillo, a true-lii well flavoured taste-ii wine. We all fell in love with it immediate-lii. We also discovered that on the 7th March 2020 they have the "Run the Vine & Tread the Grapes" event and on the 21st & 22nd March they have the "Gourmet Burger & Wine Week-End". We believe "The Picnic Days" are incredibly awesome which we will definite-lii attend when next it takes place...The Landscapes all around the entire area are picturesque and beautiful....everything about this Boutique Wine Estate and venue rocks!.....
7. Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Reviewed By emarieb_13 - Paarl, South Africa
A must do over the weekend No excuses. You can visit this by car, on foot, with a bicycle. Alone or with friends. And the experience will be divine. You and nature, nothing else. Just come... Enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Take a vigorous hike, or climb Bretagne Rock, follow one of the many hiking trails, visit Mill water Wild Flower Garden where numerous species of Proteas may be viewed, catch a bass at Nantes dam or enjoy mountain biking, picnics and panoramic views of the Drakenstein valley. Entry fees Entry is R30 per occupant in a vehicle payable at the reserve’s main gate. Entry is free during the week. Buy your map with the mountain’s MTB and hiking routes at the Paarl Visitors Information Centre at R50. Directions As you enter Paarl Main Road via the N1 from CT, take a left at the off-ramp. Follow Paarl Main Road, go straight over the first robot and then left at the first road on your left hand side (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive). Follow this road for approximately 6kms until you get to the Meulwater day braai & picnic site. Alternatively, follow the road leading up to the Afrikaans Language Monument (Gabbema Doordrif Road) and take the dirt road turning off to the right (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive) leading past the Amphi theatre, until you reach the Meulwater day braai & picnic site picnic area. GPS Co-ordinates: Lat: -33° 45′ 27.594″ Long: 18° 56′ 50.3658″ Facility hours Summer: 07:00 – 19:00 (1 Oct – 31 March) Winter: 07:00 – 18:00 (1 April – 30 Sept) Note: No entry is allowed 1 hour before closure times. Important information Remember, there are no shops on the reserve, so bring along your own fire wood, grid and supplies. Strictly no dogs or music is allowed in the reserve and day camps. No horse riding facilities available. Only licensed vehicles, no off-road motorbikes and/or quad bikes allowed. No larger than 22 seated busses are allowed. There are no swimming facilities on the reserve. Please help us keep the mountain clean by using available refuge bins. This is a high fire risk area – STRICTLY NO FIRES in areas other than demarcated braai/camp facilities. Report any fires immediately!
8. Plaisir de Merle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
in keeping with its long-standing tradition of "classic elegance", one of the Cape's best known wine estates is taking a novel approach when it comes to tasting exclusive wines in an exclusive venue. Come and enjoy the magnificent views and savour the best that Plaisir de Merle wines have to offer. Plaisir de Merle is a popular venue for private functions, weddings, conferences and exclusive "villa stays" in the historic Manor House.
Reviewed By melaniedI8301KF - Cape Town Central, South Africa
This farm offers Friendly staff and relaxing atmosphere. Kids are welcome and you can bring picnic blanket to relax on the beautiful lawns. They don't have a restaurant but their Cheese and Meat platters are to die for. The wines very fruity and nice. Will definitely go again.
9. KWV Wine Emporium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
The KWV Wine Emporium aims to attract, inform and entertain visitors through innovative experiences - all related to KWV's award winning products. Apart from a cellar tour, the KWV Wine Emporium offers a range of unique food & wine pairing experiences. Winner of the Great Wine Capitals 2015 award as the Regional Winner Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences and runner up in the 2015 Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayoral Tourism Awards in the category Service Excellence. The KWV 20 Year brandy was acclaimed the Best in the World being the 2015 ISC Trophy Winner. KWV also received the title of Best Brandy and Cognac Producer in the world. The first time in the ISC's twenty year history that a brandy, not a cognac, has won that title !
Reviewed By axelsL1196YB - Lillehammer, Norway
"Thank you so much" to the KWV Wine Emporium for high level quality time for both the cellar tour and wine tasting. It was a professional, perfect arrangement with a very good trained staff. (this visit was some years ago.)
10. Backsberg
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 97 reviews
A winery of over 100 years, Backsberg’s philosophy remains to provide enjoyment to a broad range of wine lovers by producing wines with not only structure and finesse, but also with a high level of drinkability. This philosophy exists under an overall umbrella of care – care for the land, the product, and the employee. Nestled on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, equidistant between Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, Backsberg maintains 63 hectares under vine and produces a selection of tiered wine and brandy offerings.
Reviewed By Pash93
Backsberg is one of two vineyards near Paarl which offers kosher wine tasting. It has better opening hours than Zjandwik and we went on 30 December. It was bustling with tourists coming for tastings. The wines came two by two. We had all five kosher wines, although the last was a kiddush wine disguised as a dessert grape. The staff were friendly, and we came away with a case of chardonnay. There were also gardens to explore afterwards. Overall all kosher wines are good wines and we were grateful to backsberg for a lovely afternoon
