The precursor to fine dining started around the 1780s when health-conscious bouillon shops evolved into grand “Parisian restaurants like Trois Frères and La Grande Tavene de Londres”.In France, Cesar Ritz, a Swiss developer, partnered with prominent French chef Auguste Escoffier at the Grand Hotel of Monte Carlo. This became the first restaurant to offer “luxury accommodations and gourmet dining all under one roof”. In France, fine dining became yet another way of aping the aristocracy.
Other luxury hotels soon developed across Europe.
The first fine dining restaurants in the United States operated in New York City, such as Delmonico’s in the 19th century. The restaurant contained a 1,000-bottle wine cellar and remains in the same location.
Beau Constantia
Constantia Mist, Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
021-794 3376
Website
Camphors at Vergelegen
Lourensford Rd, Golden Acre, Somerset West, 7130
021 847 2131
De Eetkamer
3 Drostdy Road, Stellenbosch
021 001 8308
Foxcraft
Shop 8/9 High Constantia Centre, Cnr Groot Constantia Road and Constantia Main Road, Cape Town
021 202 3304
FYN
5th Floor, Speakers Corner, 37 Parliament St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town
021 286 2733
Gate at Quoin Rock
Quoin Rock Wine Estate, Knorhoek Road (R44), Stellenbosch
021 888 4750
Greenhouse at Cellars-Hohenhort
93 Brommersvlei Rd, Constantia Heights, Cape Town
021 795 6226
Jardine
1 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch
021 886 5020
Jordan
Jordan Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
021 881 3612
La Colombe
Silvermist Mountain Lodge, Main Road, Constantianek, Cape Town
021 795 0125
Le Quartier Francais – Ranked 37th in the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards list
16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek.
021 876 2151
Overture
Hidden Valley Wine Estate, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
021 880 2721
Pier
Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
021 879 6328
Rust en Vrede
Rust & Vrede Wine Estate, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
021 881 3881
Salsify
Round House, Camps Bay
021 010 6444
The Restaurant at Waterkloof
Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Street, Somerset West, Cape Town
021 858 1491
Terroir
Kleine Zalze Wine Estate, Techno Park turn-off, Strand Road (R44), Stellenbosch
021 880 2721
The Tasting Room
Le Quartier Francais, 16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek
021 876 2151
For a list of Cape Town Restaurants – Click HERE
