Dining out in Swest!

D'Vine @ Willowbrook

In 2006 we discovered Somerset West and Willowbrook Lodge. We automatically fell in love with the area, its people, cultures, and surroundings and of course the hotel. We felt so much at home here. One of the reasons that attracted me to South Africa was the incredible food and wines that the country has to offer.

The indigenous produce here is remarkable, from its wide range of fresh fish, meats, fruits and vegetables, in fact some of the best I’ve seen traveling the globe. Here at Willowbrook we bring this vast array of fine produce home and turn it into elegant cuisine at our restaurant D’vine. With Andre Williams heading the kitchen and his team we have been recognized by being one of the best restaurants in Somerset West and amongst the top 100 of South Africa.

Somerset West has a varied array of restaurants serving everything from Asian to fine dining. Though the number of restaurants are limited the service and food is certainty recommended. I personally feel that food standards have improved greatly over the past ten years since I first discovered SA. The restaurants that I have dined in feel like that the restaurateurs truly care how they present themselves and their products. Many fine restaurants in Europe that I have dined in you have the sense that your just a name on a table and a number on a credit card. Here proprietors and managers alike actually go out of their way to make you feel welcomed.

The future of food in Somerset West has never been stronger. It was before places like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch who took all the glory. Now people are very happy to travel to eat. It’s imperative that we as hoteliers and restaurants keep these standards high. Whether you’re dining on a Thai green curry or a Springbok pate with hazelnut brioche visitors and locals will regard Somerset West as one of the finest towns to eat and dine, today and for decades to come. Click here for more information and contact details »

Jimmy’s Killer Prawns

Jimmy’s Killer Prawns began in 1991 in an old mining house in the CBD of Germiston. The concept was an instant hit and soon people were coming from far and wide for the unique taste of Jimmy’s Killer Prawns.

The strategy was to bring down the cost of prawns, traditionally regarded as a luxury item to be eaten on special occasions, to the level that allowed them to be eaten more regularly. A superb quality product backed by the outstanding service in a venue that was conductive to relaxed sociable eating. The success gave support to the notion that the motivation for eating in a restaurant is far greater than simply fulfilling the need for food.

Somerset West has great potential and is perfect for a Jimmy’s Killer Prawns outlet. The people, the places and the feeling of home makes Somerset West the ideal venue for our restaurant. The entire town complements our restaurant and what we stand for. Our menu is set to accommodate the prawns, which are organic and so much healthier. It also caters for the regular seafood palate and children with our wide selection of seafood and non-seafood cuisines.

We have had great response from our visitors and the number of regulars is increasing due to our immaculate service and delicious cuisines. We love Somerset West and will have a great future here. Click here for more information and contact details »

Find out about the Day in the Life of Jeandre Smuts of Jimmy's Killer Prawns. Read more »

96 Winery Road Restaurant

96 Winery Road Restaurant was founded by ex-Johannesburg restaurateur Ken Forrester, Devon Valley wine maker Martin Meinert and Chef Kathy Romer-Lee. The opening of the restaurant was preceded by lengthy debates in Ken's kitchen about the butternut colour of the interior and the name - Butternut? And so situated on Winery Road, it remained only to put a prefix in front of the name. No plot number, no twisted Freudian logic, just the abbreviation of the founding year designating the beginning of good fortune.

From the start, in May 1996 it has been our goal to delight each guest with a superb dining experience in our warm, relaxing venue set in the heart of the glorious Helderberg countryside. We use only fresh, often organic and where possible local ingredients to prepare our dishes. They are inspired by South African favourites and flavours from around the world. The fresh seasonal and inspirational menu changes almost every day, the main menu four times a year.

The food scene in Somerset West is becoming rather exiting. We at last have a couple of really good restaurants, coffee shops and delis to choose from, when in the past there really were few. It’s so nice to be able to get hold of wonderful goods at some of the food shops and delis around. I get excited when I see so many good quality products. Your taste buds just go off and you start planning your next sumptuous meal!

At 96 Winery Road we really base our menu on simple food cooked really well with lots of passion, but in the end remain true to what is local. We never compromise on quality and make everything ourselves. Click here for more information and contact details »