24 Hours In Stellenbosch: Our Local List of Hidden Gems

Grab your vellies and join us for a wander through Stellenbosch’s best-kept secrets. From dawn-lit vineyards to dinner spots where the stories flow as freely as the wine, here’s Steph and Etienne’s tried-and-tested itinerary for experiencing the valley like a true local.

Morning (7:30 AM - 10:00 AM)

Skip your regular breakfast and start your day at Schoon Cafe (4 Church Street) for melt-in-your-mouth Nastergal Bostock French Toast served with nastergal jam - a berry that’s close to our heart. If you prefer something lighter, then cosy up at Meraki Living (43 Church St) for a Salmon Benedict served with Franschhoek trout. After you’ve cleared your plate, make your way to Stellenbosch Art Mile for a relaxed stroll. The 1.6 km route crosses six bridges over the Eerste River, stretching from the pedestrian bridge on Krige Street at Markotter to the Coetzenburg bridge.  

Mid-Morning: Wine Tasting at Thistle & Weed (10 AM - 1:00 PM)

Once you’ve got your steps in for the morning, drive along Jonkershoek Valley and make a planned stop at yours truly, Thistle & Weed (Leef op Hoop Farm, Jonkershoek Rd). Settle in, pat the resident dog Rex, and enjoy sweeping views across the Winelands (you can see as far as Table Mountain on a clear day) while tasting our wines. Led by either Schalk, our talented Assistant winemaker, or, if you’re particularly lucky, winemaker Steph herself, you can rest assured that you’ll be guided through a grassroots journey of our wines and their thorny origins. We also recommend our locally-made cheese and charcuterie board to enjoy under our shady trees while you sit back and put your feet up on our stoep. As a boutique winery, we host tastings by appointment only, so please book your experience for 10:00 or 12:00 or 14:00 in advance to ensure we can make it as special as possible.

Lunch (1:00 AM - 3:00 PM)

Now that you’ve worked up a good appetite, pop over to our neighbours down the road at Stark-Condé (Oude Nektar Farm) or Lanzerac (Lanzerac Rd) to enjoy their unique charm and delicious menu offerings. If you’re planning ahead, we recommend securing a table at Good to Gather at Rozendal - even famed Israeli-British chef and restauranteur Yotam Ottolenghi made a stop on his recent visit to South Africa. 

Late Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

As the sun begins to set behind the Jonkershoek Mountains, soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the historic Church Street with its ancient oak trees. In our opinion, the best way to enjoy the area is with some artisanal ice cream in hand, which won’t be hard to find given the admirable ice cream-to-wine-bar ratio in Stellenbosch. Our favourite spots include Moro Gelato (13 Andringa St) and Kristen's Kick-Ass Ice Cream (Shop 9B, De Wet Centre). It’s the perfect way to cool down and get ready for dinner.

Dinner (From 6:00 PM)

Dusk brings Stellies alive, and if you’re feeling peckish, you won’t be short on options. Why not explore some of our favourite restaurants like De Eetkamer (3 Drostdy Rd), The Wine Glass (13 Ryneveld St,) or Post and Pepper (c\o Bird and, Plein St) to eat as locals eat - plus, you'll spot some of our very own Thistle & Weed wines on the menu. If you enjoy the finer things in life, be sure to make a reservation at Mertia (20 Bird St), a fine dining restaurant where guests are treated to an open kitchen.

Prepping Your Trip? Here’s Are Our Pro Tips:

• Book your tasting in advance: WhatsApp us on +27 72 276 8373.

• Book your restaurant dinners in advance as Stellenbosch can get busy!

  
  
  
  

• Comfortable shoes are your friends (those cobblestones are historic for a reason)

• Our cellar can get chilly - bring a layer even on warm days

  Ready to start your Jonkershoek journey? Book your Thistle & Weed tasting experience here.