Cape Town Christmas Lunch

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Cape Town Christmas lunch (or Christmas Eve dinner) is offered by a number of local restaurants, it's a matter of what time of day and what sort of meal and setting you are looking for.

Strangely enough there seem to be few, if any, options for an evening meal on Christmas day - that's a little puzzling.

If you find any, please let me know asap. Thanks!

Which Day and at What Time?

Much of our Cape Town Christmas tradition seems to derive from the British colonial influences, rather than the Dutch influence.

As a result our festive feast tends towards lunchtime, and traditional grub was always pretty heavy on turkey and Christmas fruit 'pud'!

Actually - given the heat of the Cape town climate in December - an evening meal makes far more sense, and lighter more contemporary menus now also abound.

Christmas Eve Dinner

The only Christmas Eve option I have found so far is Buitenverwachting - haute cuisine so not good for little kids :(

If you DO find another, again, please let me know asap :)

Your Favourite Fare...

Fine dining? Traditional turkey? Casual? Contemporary?

Given Cape Town's increasingly "foodie" reputation, the options are limitless.

If you plan to eat at midday, I recommend lighter options, as the heat can be oppressive and you may all regret gulping down a heavy, rich meal!

Your Preferred Setting for Cape Town Christmas Lunch?

In keeping with the 'heat warning' I gave above, I usually prefer and recommend a cool, leafy venue for Festive Feasties. However, I have in fact had a number of requests for 'Cape Town Christmas lunch venue suggestions at the beach.

It's likely that my African-ness means I take for granted that bright, sunny days will abound for months at a time! So if you are treasuring each sunny day before your return to a cold, dark Northern winter, here are some beach options for you!

Cape Town Christmas Lunch by the Beach

(Links to menus will open in new tabs as they take you away from Cape Town Family Holiday Magic)

I have had one site visitor who has already booked for Christmas day at the President in Bantry Bay. While that is fine fare and right at the water's edge and close to Saunders Roks with its small tidal pool and crescent of sand, it's certainly not my first choice for lunch at the beach!/p>

One fabulous seaside option is Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape Point - what an iconic place to spend Christms day. Whilethe restarant is not at the beach - rather suspended above the sea on a cliff! - it is stunning and afterwards you have your pick of the Reserves' beaches before you head home. A good option if you want to make a day of it.

There are three other options I know of for the 2009 season, all at nicer beaches, though a little further from the CBD and Waterfront.

Each of these is on the Table Bay coast with incredible, classic views of Table Mountain and miles upon miles of awesome beach to enjoy

• Blowfish Restaurant at Dolphin Beach, Bloubergstrand
  A lovely, light-filled, spacious restaurant right on the dunes, offering views of Table Mountain from almost every table. It is known as a seafood and sushi specialist, but has a special Christams menu.
  10-15 minute drive from city centre.

• Ons Huisie, Big Bay, Blouberg
  An historic Cape fisherman's cottage on the rocks at the beach. Traditional fare with a Cape twist.
  15-20min drive from city centre.

• Melkbosskerm, Melkbosstrand
  An al-fresco buffet option with barbecued fish close to Melkbos beach.
  25 minute drive from city centre.

Cape Town Christmas Lunch in the Vineyards

As I mentioned, I love the leafy venues of the Winelands in hot weather. So here is my pick of the family-friendly winelands Christmas lunch options.

(Links to menus will open in new tabs as they take you away from Cape Town Family Holiday Magic)

• Bistro 1682 @ Steenberg Vineyards
  On the famous Steenberg wine and golf estate near Tokai.
  A tranquiland beautiful setting :)
  25 minutes drive from Cape Town CBD

• Lord Neethling Restaurant, Stellenbosch
  Set at the end of its famous avenue of parasol pines, this is a beautiful, historic venue. I have always enjoyed the meals I have eaten in this superb setting.
  40 minutes drive from Cape Town CBD

• Restaurant in the Vines at Rickety Bridge, Franschhoek
  Rickety Bridge is a special place in a the famous Franschhoek valley. And they have prepared a special child-priced Christmas day option.
  The menu is a clever concoction of traditional ingredients with a new twist.
  a 70 minute drive from the CBD.




Beyond Cape Town Christmas Lunch

(Links to menus will open in new tabs as they take you away from Cape Town Family Holiday Magic)

Hermanus - Pavilion at the Marine stunning cliff-top setting and fine dining.

Betty's Bay - The Whaling Station (no whale meat on the menu, I promise!

Plettenberg Bay - Sand at the PlettenbergAhh! Plett! What can I say? :)





These are just MY top picks. You will find more options are listed here.

Bon Appetit and Merry Christmas!






You may find the following related pages helpful:
Carols by Candlelight 2009
Cape Town Christmas
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
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