Boschendal Wine Estate

Boschendal Estate, located on the outskirts of the famous Franschhoek winelands is one of the oldest and most celebrated wine estates in South Africa. It offers a wide selection of wine that has collected dozens of awards, and includes a restaurant with a reputation for serving the best buffet lunch around. In short, Boschendal Wine Estate must be one of the region's best.

The buildings and architecture at Boschendal are spectacualr, and the dining room is in one of the many outbuildings on the property. It is traditionally decorated with modern twists, and inside the buffet is spread across the middle of the room on large wooden tables.

The food and the choice is almost too good to be true, and paired with the various wines a visit to the restaurant makes for memorable experience. On the cold side there is the softest salmon, beautifully cooked chicken, salads, pickles, sliced ostrich, and beef, among others. On the hot side the menu changes once a week, with regular highlights such as a delicious quiche and an amazing chicken liver pate, leg of lamb with all the trimmings such as roast potatoes, potato dauphinoise, vegetables.

Deserts are equally spectacular, with huge strawberry cheesecakes, a strawberry morangue, and the richest chocolate mousse all on offer. If that's not enough, there's always the cheese platter, which is made up of cheeses from from the various cheese farms in the region.

Overall this is a stunning buffet experience that can be booked up months ahead so be sure to get in early if travelling there during the summer months. Boschendal Estate also do a picnic outside on the grass under the pines and have a cafe that serves light lunches, snacks and teas, and the Estate also do short tours which offer insights into the winemaking process and the history of Boschendal.