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Helena's Restaurant

South African Contemporary
4.5 RRR
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • WiFi

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Menu
Favourite

Rated #4 of 236 restaurants in Stellenbosch as voted for by client reviews on the leading global restaurant review platform. Rated #1 African Restaurant in Stellenbosch. Helena’s Restaurant aims to serve heritage food with finesse, often with a subtle twist in the detail – turning the familiar into the spectacular. The menu is designed to reflect the bounty of the Cape, with specific emphasis on freshness and food provenance. At Helena’s, good unpretentious food and special wine add to the pleasures of life.

Opening Hours

  • Monday 12h30 - 14h30, 18h00 - 21h30
  • Tuesday 12h30 - 14h30, 18h00 - 21h30
  • Wednesday 12h30 - 14h30, 18h00 - 21h30
  • Thursday 12h30 - 14h30, 18h00 - 21h30
  • Friday 12h30 - 14h30, 18h00 - 21h30
  • Saturday 12h30 - 14h30, 18h00 - 21h30
  • Sunday 12h30 - 14h30, 18h00 - 21h30

Reviews (1242)

4.5 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.5
Value 4.4
Service 4.7
Ambience 4.4
  • Kyle J. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 14 Oct 25
    We celebrated my wife’s birthday at Helena’s Restaurant in Stellenbosch, and it was truly an outstanding experience from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, the warm welcome and calm elegance of the space set the perfect tone for the evening. The atmosphere was a mix of classic style and modern comfort, making it feel both special and relaxed. The service was faultless. Every member of the team was professional, friendly, and genuine without being over the top. Each course arrived right on time, and the staff always seemed to appear exactly when needed. It’s rare to find service that feels this effortless and sincere. The food, though, was the star of the night. I had the Beef Oxtail - rich, tender, and full of flavour - served with sweet mustard, rooibos-smoked mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a golden pumpkin fritter. My wife enjoyed the Ostrich Fillet with red wine jus, date chutney, creamy herbed polenta, and orange-glazed baby carrots, perfectly complemented by a glass of Tokara Premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2022. Every plate showed real attention to detail - from the balance of flavours to the presentation that felt both refined and thoughtful. Even the smaller touches stood out: spotless bathrooms, soft background music, and a central location that’s easy to find. Helena’s Restaurant doesn’t just serve a meal - it delivers a complete experience that blends heart, skill, and style. Everything was perfect: the food, the service, the ambience, and the value. A well-earned 10 out of 10. Absolute perfection.

  • Johann E. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 14 Oct 25
    Always delicious, well-prepared food and fantastic service. Only one suggestion: please consider adding more small-plate type dishes on the menu for lunch, dinner and during the day.

  • Mark Dermot Henry S. Dined: 1 week ago
    3
    Food 3.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 08 Oct 25
    The experience was unexceptional

  • ANTHONY H. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Andreas G. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Michael D. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 29 Sep 25
    Great staff the best!

  • Rob M. Dined: 1 month ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 19 Sep 25
    Beautiful venue with great ambience. Excellent traditional meals cooked to perfection.

  • Alan S. Dined: 1 month ago
    3.3
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 17 Sep 25
    Lovely verandah, but as it was a cold windy day we sat inside - a pleasant room looking out onto the pool area. Service was efficient. We shared a bobotie with filo pastry and then had seafood bisques for mains. The food was OK, but lacked any wow factor. The bisque was certainly generous, but I counted 3 small prawns in a sea of fish, which for R 275 was not great value. Considering there are many excellent other restaurants in Stellenbosch, we think Helenas fell a little short.

  • Kapo Y. Dined: 1 month ago
    4.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 11 Sep 25
    Good food with fair prices

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