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Cavalli Restaurant

Reservations Collection Delivery
Bistro Contemporary Fine Dining
Cavalli Estate, Strand Rd, R44 Highway, Somerset West, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7129
(2410 reviews)
RRR

Attributes

  • Outdoor Seating
  • Great Views
  • Fireplace
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Gourmet Guide Plated 2019

Cavallis Everyday Gourmet menu is all about celebrating real food that nourishes and excites. Putting a contemporary, inventive spin on classic dishes, we grow our own seasonal herbs and have many vegetable varieties grown from seed and cuttings. As the first Green-star rated restaurant in South Africa, we treasure the beauty of our natural heritage. We simply believe in eating delicious, fresh, whole foods prepared in a way that honours the seasons. We want our food to be the kind that people enjoy not just once but again and again, the type of food that people come back for.

Gourmet Guide Description

'from soil to soul' 'Cavalli' means horses in Italian. In South African culinary terms, it means excellence. Settle yourself in dappled sunshine on the deck with arresting views of the dam, paddocks and Helderberg mountain range. In winter the contemporary, minimalist décor indoors does not compete for eye-time with the seamlessly efficient open kitchen. Here it is all about the excellent cuisine. It is a joy to witness the team at play, and to meet the fledglings as they take turns to serve and introduce the dishes, proudly and confidently, at your table. Chef Michael Deg has refined his flavours to perfection on this chic equestrian estate. Cavalli Restaurant is the perfect backdrop for a chef of this calibre, and the produce garden on the estate constantly inspires him. His love affair with a simple ingredient is made evident, with style and sophistication, on the plate. Nature's relationship between the soil of Stellenbosch and the seasons is in obvious harmony. As the first Green-star rated restaurant in South Africa, Cavalli treasures and celebrates the beauty of natural heritage. Some dishes are simply presented, like the barley and mushroom risotto with a delicate Parmesan custard. Others are infinitely styled with precision, like the seven-hour slow-cooked octopus with fermented black garlic aioli, squid-ink crisps and radish, topped with a fynbos dressing. A main course of confit duck leg with orange, fennel marmalade, mustard pommes mousseline and black kale, will keep the heartiest of appetites sated. Michael excels at creating vegan and vegetarian dishes that the strictest carnivore will swop sides for – his imagination runs riot when his soul connects with the soil. The menu constantly evolves as ingredients present themselves in the garden. Wander around the immaculately manicured 100-hectare estate to admire the horses, sunken gardens and art, with a last stop to the winery to buy Cavalli wines that the sommelier matched with your memorable dishes. "It's now all about constantly refining dishes." Chef Michael Deg

Reviews (2410)

4.5 out of 5.0
Food 4.7
Value 4.3
Service 4.5
Ambience 4.6
  • Ruth S. Dined: 1 day ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 25 Feb 21
    It was the best lunch we had this summer at the Cavalli (eating always the same). Thank you

  • Johann L. Dined: 6 days ago
    3.8
    Food 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 22 Feb 21
    Starters were very good .Mains unfortunately disappointed . Chicken curry dish poorly presented ,over spiced . Steak was tough. Ordered an expensive 2015 vintage red wine .2014 was opened and served .Inferior vintage to 2015

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

    Reviewed on: Mon 22 Feb 21
    excellent experience, previously ate there when first opened, pleased they have kept the same standard. highly recommended

  • Andile N. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 22 Feb 21
    Cavalli retains in my opinion it’s position as best restaurant in South Africa with food that is truly South African (including the portions) in an amazing settings. It will always remain a must visit in all my trips to Cape Town.

  • Irene W. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Adrienne H. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 21 Feb 21
    Still the best place to dine out. Luckily the quality of the food has not suffered due to Covid. Thank you.

  • Rika L. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Marian N. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 20 Feb 21
    Exceptional thank you.

  • Marica F. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Adrian A. Dined: 1 week ago
    3
    Food 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 19 Feb 21
    My husband and I went there for our 10 year wedding anniversary. The food was so disappointing. The oyster was ok, the ceviche was ok but lacked serious acid. The grilled fish dish was served cold and really nothing special. The worst was a pasta dish I asked for as I am a pescatarian and did not want the "cube" (bite size portion) of lamb. It was a layered pasta dish with some tasteless grilled mushrooms plus some chestnuts. The sauce was tasteless and thick. The whole dish was bland beyond words. Finally, the dessert was probably the worst I've ever had. The yogurt ice cream and grilled pineapple were decent, but the cake itself tasted like a "fridge". It was dry and I think if I bought a cake in Pick & Pay, it would have tasted better. We spent R2K on this meal and it has been a while since I've actually wanted to demand my money back. We've been wanting to have dinner there for a while and left it for a special occasion. My husband and I are from Argentina. He is a private tour guide for the Latin American and European markets. He has visited almost 80% of all the high-end wine estates in the Western Cape and was incredibly disappointed.

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Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday CLOSED
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 21h30
  • Thursday 12h00 - 21h30
  • Friday 12h00 - 21h30
  • Saturday 12h00 - 21h30
  • Sunday 12h00 - 14h30
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