http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25695 During the summer there are tables outside, but as we were there during the winter they had a roaring open fire.
It is really popular with the locals but is quite a small place so we recommend booking before you go.
The prices were very reasonable, working out to be about £10 for a main course when we went during August 2009. There were a couple of a couple of different pasta dishes avaiable but we tried the Gemsgok which was just beautiful.
The staff were brilliant - attentive and friendly but not too pushy. They were enthusiastic about explaining the food they had on the menu.
They also have accommodation available, although we didn't stay there so can't comment.
Swellendam is a two hour drive from Cape Town.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25695 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25634 It's run by a former Milanese optician and his ex-banker wife (he's front-of-house, she's the chef) who decided to down-size their lives and move to South Africa.
The peasant-style food is as good as you'll taste in SA or anywhere else. Try the tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, or the pork with apples and prunes.
We took our own wine along and they charged us a nominal sum for corkage.
They have rooms to stay, so you don't have to stagger too far to bed.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25634