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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
(2434 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 (2434)

4.5 out of 5.0
Food 4.7
Value 4.3
Service 4.6
Ambience 4.6
  • Christoph H. Dined: 21 hours ago
    3.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 10 May 21
    Live performer was not suited to the venue. Her style of singing didn’t suite the occasion or the style of the restaurant. Over all food was good, however the aubergine was mono-chromatic and didn’t have contrasting textures. Octopus was too acidic. Rest of the food was great.

  • Victor H. Dined: 20 hours ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Henk C. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Lana F. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 03 May 21
    Refreshing new menu if interesting flavour combinations.

  • Garry H. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Julie G. Dined: 1 week ago
    3.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0
  • Taryn M. Dined: 1 week ago
    2.8
    Food 1.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 02 May 21
    This is the first time I have been so disappointed in my experience at Cavalli.i have been a patron since it opened and have always had delicious meals there. Last night I could see the menu was different and we were informed there was a new chef. I ordered my favorite pork belly and have to admit it was disappointing in both flavour and texture, no crackling and served lukewarm. The desserts offered appeared more savory than sweet with little to tempt one to order. I ordered the pear but was not keen on parmeson and burnt onion in a dessert. When it arrived I couldn't eat it as the flavor of cheese overwhelmed the dish and once again no crunchy texture to balance it, certainly not a dessert! The bone marrow with the bread is polarizing as many people don't eat it, I missed the old smokey butters we used to get. The menu is not well set out like previous ones and the ingredients are unfamiliar which comes across as pretentious. All in all, I don't think I will return until the menu has changed which is a great pity as I really loved the venue, food and wine.

  • JOANIE & ALASTAIR W. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Lebo M. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 25 Apr 21
    The views are absolutely breathtaking The food mouthwatering The service excellent

  • Simone V. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
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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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