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Tokara Fine Dining

Contemporary South African
Location Pointer 3WJC+W3 Stellenbosch, South Africa
4.7
(7117 reviews)
RRR+
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Great Views
  • Gourmet Guide Plated

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Menu
Favourite

Tokara Restaurant, situated 400 meters above sea level on top of the Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch, offers its guests terroir focused contemporary cuisine, award-winning wines and dramatic views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. The building housing the restaurant is a Cape architectural icon utilising glass, steel and stone.

Tokara Restaurant opened its doors in October 2001 and was one of the very first iconic winery restaurants established in the Cape Winelands area of South Africa.

Within the first year of taking of the reigns of the Tokara Restaurant kitchen, chef Carolize Coetzee won the “Haute Performance Award” as South Africa’s most promising chef in the 2020 JHP Gourmet Guide, while the restaurant was included in the authoritative The World’s 50 Best Restaurants new “50Best Discovery” list for 2020.

We offer an à la carte menu for lunch and a set menu, either four or six courses, for dinner.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

Hogging the top spot on the winding Helshoogte Pass, Tokara Restaurant provides a breathtaking visual feast, from views to sensory plates. Under the expert guidance of chef Carolize Coetzee, the menu celebrates refined, modern dishes that honour South African flavours, traditions, and beloved home-cooked classics with innovative, authentic flair. Drawing inspiration from seasonal, locally sourced produce, Carolize has crafted a menu that epitomises her farm-to-table philosophy. Ingredients harvested from on-site kitchen gardens are showcased alongside Tokara Estate’s celebrated wines and olive oils.

A stellar start is the exquisite assiette of beetroot with goat’s milk cheese, grapefruit, caramelised walnuts, sorrel wood, sunflower shoots, and a citrus dressing. The main event, a faultless lamb rump with spiced butternut purée, lentil ragout, butternut crisp, Thai basil, and marsala jus, is superbly complemented by the Tokara Syrah, aged for two years in oak, elegantly displaying its complexity.

Dining at Tokara is an undeniable destination experience, not just for the exceptional food and wine, but also for the service, which balances effortless charm with a high level of care. Conversations with the chef reveal her deep connection to food, inspired by her family’s culinary traditions and her commitment to seasonality. Her love for creating core memories linked to her dining experiences shines through.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 21h00
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 21h00
  • Thursday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 21h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 21h00
  • Saturday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 21h00
  • Sunday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 21h00

Reviews (7117)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.5
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.8
  • NITHEVF Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 13 Sep 25
    Excellent. Out of this world. Beautiful food. Great experience for everyone in our large group.

  • Martina S. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 12 Sep 25
    We had a wonderful stay in your restaurant. The food was excellent and Sarah, our waitress , was very attentive and created a pleasant atmosphere. Thanks a lot.

  • Matthew L. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 11 Sep 25
    We added dinner after our tasting and it was a great decision! Our server, Sarah, was pleasant and attentive. Food was lovely.

  • Enrica U. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 08 Sep 25
    Such a beautiful location and amazing views. Top quality service and loved every moment. Highly recommend Tokara wine Estate Restuarant and I will definitely go back.

  • Taléta W. Dined: 1 week ago
    2.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 1.0
    Ambience 1.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 07 Sep 25
    I was very disappointed with our experience at Tokara. The service was poor, and we felt unwelcome from the moment we arrived. When we asked to enjoy cocktails at the bar to take in the views, we were told we could only order from the table. Later in the evening, the staff began packing up chairs around us, which made us feel rushed and out of place. I specifically booked this restaurant for the beautiful views and to give my guests a special experience, but sadly it fell far short of expectations. .

  • George H. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 07 Sep 25
    It was a most enjoyable experience. Special mention to our very vivacious waitress and information shared by Sipho, in management.

  • Yuliya M. Dined: 1 week ago
    2.8
    Food 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0
  • Anaziles Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
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