96 Winery Road Restaurant — Restaurant in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

If you've been here before and experienced great food and excellent service, perhaps you need to rethink and stay away. If you have savoured the pies that helped forge the reputation of this restaurant, and you wish to dine on the famous duck and cherry pie, you're going to be disappointed, it's not on the menu as it is now deemed a winter dish. This was never the case in the hallmark days. If you wish to face a grumpy and rude interaction from the manager, who said she is a partner in the business, then tell her you're disappointed to note that the pies are not on the menu. Sadly, don't expect friendly and knowledgeable service from the waitering staff either, perhaps it was just a bad day. The bread sticks came with a smoked wagyu butter? The butter left an unpleasant aftertaste, when queried the waitress was not particularly knowledgeable, helpful or concerned. Two pork belly dishes, which were enjoyed but weren't memorable, and two wagyu burgers, the first one very dry and bland, no sauce on offer other than tomato sauce to bring some moisture to the offering, the second ordered medium rare -ish and served extremely rare, my fault not to send it back, but enough was enough at that stage. Credit where credit is due, the chips were well cooked and crisp. The chocolate dessert was shared and enjoyed. The staff were sitting at the back of the restaurant when we left. Nobody made any effort to greet us as we left. I guess the customer is no longer important. An altogether disappointing and upsetting return to this restaurant, so much so that, although we still dream of the numerous duck and cherry extravaganzas that we've enjoyed in the past, we will not return when the manager decides when the pies will return...

The following relays my experience at the somerset 96 Winery road restaurant. Fresh bread was served with olive oil as the only sauce, with no offer by the waiter of vinegar. I ordered the 250g beef "very cheesy" wagyu burger, and to say the least I was very disappointed. The burger was far too large to be able to enjoy one whole bite that would contain both the beef, the mushroom and cheese. As the bottom half the burger shrunk due to the inability to bite off a whole section of the burger and to avoiding a public scene of a gaping mouth with sauce covering my nose and face, the disappointing normalcy of the taste and flavors became even more evident. The beef patty could have been fried on oil in any kitchen, with no additional spices or sauces present. The mushroom always overwhelmed the halloumi cheese, and neither the cheddar not the mozzarella were distinguishable throughout the entire burger. Half way through the burger, the bun was falling apart and could no longer be held in one's hand. The fried chips were overdone and very bite was a constant reminder of how much oil was used frying the chips, and continuing to eat them became unbearable. For R135 - not to mention the R205 for a 500g portion which cannot be shared as stated in the menu (heaven help the person who ever tries to eat that a table among friends and family), there was absolutely nothing remarkable or cheesy about the "very cheesy" burger.

Overall, I rated the restaurant 2/5, and wouldn't recommend...

96 Winery Rd is a truly remarkable restaurant that offers a unique and memorable dining experience. The small board menu features expertly crafted dishes that showcase the best of local ingredients and flavors, with great attention to detail in both presentation and taste. From seafood to steak to vegetarian options, there is something for everyone on the menu.

What sets 96 Winery Rd apart is the exceptional service provided by Allan and the team, who have been consistently offering top-notch service for over 15 years since we arrived in Cape Town. The warm hospitality and inviting ambiance create a welcoming and elegant atmosphere that is sure to impress.

The restaurant's universal appeal is further highlighted by the diverse mix of accents you can hear around the tables. Whether you're from the US, Germany, Switzerland, Congo, or South Africa, you'll find something to love about 96 Winery Rd. This creates a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere that adds to the restaurant's overall charm and makes for an even more enjoyable dining experience.

Overall, 96 Winery Rd is a must-visit restaurant that is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. With its exceptional food, outstanding service, and inviting ambiance, this restaurant is a true gem that you won't...