Location: Swellendam
Top Restaurants in Swellendam
Where to Eat in Swellendam: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Swellendam is the 4th oldest town in the Republic of South Africa, a town with 17,537 inhabitants situated in the Western Cape province. The town has over 50 provincial heritage sites, most of them buildings of Cape Dutch architecture. Swellendam is situated on the N2, approximately 220 km from both Cape Town and George.
Things to do in Swellendam
1. Old Gaol Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 313 reviews
Reviewed By Ruth P - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
We couldn't book our first choice restaurant and how placed we couldn't because we would have missed out on the experience of eating at this restaurant. The waitress was so helpful and friendly and the food was first class.
2. La Sosta Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 521 reviews
La Sosta is a FINE DINING Restaurant. A modern and contemporary Italian Restaurant working with 3 Different Tasting Menu . EatOut Award 2014 BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN SOUTH AFRICA Reservations are recommended.
Reviewed By JaniLondon - London
We were collected from our B and B and taken to the restaurant. Outstanding 7 course menu, of which you could mix and match from land, sea and garden sections. The chefs’ skills and presentation were exemplary and definitely best meal we have eaten in S. Africa.
3. Koornlands Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
Koornlands Restaurant is the longest serving restaurant in Swellendam, established in 1994. We pride ourselves as being amongst the finest. Warm, friendly and always professional. Our menu often changes due to the seasons and availability. A menu gegustation with wine pairing is available for table participation. Our venison is legend and so is our comprehensive wine cellar. Dine alfresco on the veranda or the garden. We care about vegetarian and vegan preferences. Reservations are highly recommended, due to limited Seating. 04.00 PM - 06.00 PM Drinks 06.00 PM - 10.00 PM Dinner
Reviewed By ScottishMyszka - Scotland
We were only in Swellendam for one night and took a gamble on where to have dinner.
We loved all:the menu, the attentive service, the ambiance.
After three weeks of eating in fine restaurants we were still very impressed.
The game dishes are fabulous and elegantly presented.
Thank you hard working team.
You,TA readers go and find out!
4. La Belle Alliance
Overall Ratings
4 based on 250 reviews
La Belle Alliance, a family run restaurant since 1998, is situated on the main road between the Drostdy Museum and the Dutch Reformed Church, on the banks of the Koornlands river.The historical building was formerly a masonic lodge with some symbols still visible on the premises today. The garden Terrace offers tranquility and shade under a canopy of White Stinkwood trees and lots of Sunshine and blankets on cooler winter days."Specials" include both traditional and international dishes, all freshly home made.La Belle Alliance is renowned for its efficient and friendly service. The venue is child and dog friendly and the ideal spot to enjoy a relaxed breakfast or lunch.Opening hours: Mondays to Sundays: 8am to 5pm.Fully Licensed.Credit cards accepted.Languages spoken: English, Afrikaans, Dutch/Flemish, French and German.Indoor (50 pax) and outdoor(100 pax) Seating.Groups welcome.Find us on facebook.GPS longitude: 20'27' EGPS Latitude: 34' 01' S
Reviewed By EricaPienaar - Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
In season you are lucky to find an open table. The food is excellent and very good value for money. Lovely to sit outside, hear the water running down the river and birds in the trees. Lovely for families with kids. Good & friendly service from staff and owner. Winter time, sitting inside with fireplace going and lovely tomato soup is a winner.
5. De Vagebond Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 338 reviews
Under New ownership since 1 December 2010, it became a Family Restaurant serving Local Cuisine and Traditional South African Dishes, including; Bobotie, Game Pie, Kudu Fillet, Springbok Shank, Malva Pudding. We stock some of the regions finest wines and have a fully stocked bar. A big fire will be burning in the evenings if the weather allows to welcome all to a romantic night of the best South Africa have to offer.
Reviewed By Nk-ilo - Paris, France
Though the staff is really nice and the decoration is ok, the food is just...awful!
Why cover a perfectly good steak in a disgusting mushroom and bleu sauce? We don't know! Why serving a TON of fried mozarella cubes as a "salad" accompanying a TON of chicken shnietzel, we don't know!!
It came from a good intention, but quantity over quality was NEVER a good idea!!
The restaurant could be nice but please, please, please, stop covering everything in grease and sauce!!!! (meal's picture)
6. Powell House Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 399 reviews
We make you feel at home. A quaint restaurant serving delicious food at great value.
7. Woodpecker Pizzadeli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
Swellendam is home to the Woodpecker Pizzadeli.Well known for our thin base pizza variety, delicious pasta dishes, homemade burgers and scrumptious schnitzels!Licensed.
Reviewed By John D - Petts Wood, United Kingdom
Well this was a good random pick from the wife. As we was driving from Stellenbosch back down the Garden Route, we got stuck in a rather random traffic jam which resulted us in getting stuck twice for 20 minutes on the road whilst resurfacing was happening on the N1, so we needed to make a pit stop.
Wife pulled out her phone, got out the Trip Advisor app and this is where we ended up.
I had a rather enjoyable cheeseburger and the wife got the largest pizza she's ever seen on her plate.
The service was good. Nothing to complain about at all, so can recommend.
8. Drostdy Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Drostdy Restaurant has the best mountain views in town, overlooking an indigenous garden with a lovely outside Seating area, (weather permitting). Our aim is to offer and deliver freshly produced meals, a relaxing experience matched with efficient and attentive service, all set in the beautiful surroundings of this 1757 heritage building. We believe in; and offering value for money and a variety of choice, both traditional and contemporary dishes on our menu. We welcome our guests to sit back and enjoy a lovely dining experience. PS We have a well priced, varied wine list and do not allow to bring your own beverages, please.
Reviewed By Bokkop - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
We had some good news to celebrate and lucked on this wonderful restaurant to do so. On a loveluy evening we sat outside and enjoyed great food and excellent service. Fortunately it was walking distance from where we were staying otherwise the wine would have been a problem!
The next day we read the back story of the restaurant and, given the qualifications of the owners, it is no wonder that it is so good.
9. Field & Fork
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Field & Fork derives its name from the culinary vision of bringing locally sourced quality produce from the field to your table. Chef and owner Francois du Rand, serves these ingredients with a great passion for food and a dash of French flair. Field & Fork is located in Swellendam's heritage area and forms part of the Drostdy Museum. Steeped in history and oozing character, this restaurant brings you modern style bistro food with panache.The menu is small and changes often but caters for all palates.Our wines as our food, are only sourced locally from award winning wineries. Welcome to the Field & Fork. Opening hours: Mondays to Sundays from 6pm for dinner service.
Reviewed By Ruth P - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
We were recommended to go to this restaurant but overall we were disappointed.
We couldn't get a reservation on the first day we arrived so immediately booked for the next night. It is obviously very popular but we found that sometimes one waiter/ress didn't know what another waiter/ress had already said or done - there was a lack of coordination and as the place began to fill up with people it became a bigger problem.
Service was slow and the food wasn't anything out of the ordinary. In fact we had had a better experience and food at the place we had been to the previous evening.
Having only had a main meal, 2 glasses of house white wine and 2 coffees we felt it over overpriced. Would not go back again
10. Oppi Stoep
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Coffee shop
Reviewed By Jilldutoit - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
We were so disappointed to find the Oppi Stoep is no longer trading in Swellengrebel St. We had earmarked the restaurant as being conveniently close by to visit after our rambles into the places of interest on either side of the road.
