Homespun Blouberg — Restaurant in Table View

Dining at Homespun By Matt in Blouberg was a truly memorable experience, showcasing creative dishes, exceptional service, and a tasting menu priced at R695 per person that’s well worth the investment. While Homespun Claremont may have the edge in terms of aesthetics, the food here is where the magic really happens, making the drive more than worthwhile.

We began with an amuse-bouche of delicate fish ceviche. It was fresh and light, though the sauce could have used a touch more soy for depth. Still, it was a lovely start, with tangy and oceanic notes that whetted my appetite for the courses to follow.

The first course, beef tataki, was an absolute standout. Perfectly seared, crumbed fillet paired with fried onion added crunch and depth, while the ginger wasabi delivered just the right amount of heat to balance the richness. The velvety sauce tied everything together seamlessly, creating a dish that was both bold and harmonious.

Next came the Angus tartare, which stole the show for me. Served with buttery brioche, the tartare was rich and luxurious, elevated by Wagyu shavings and a subtle sweetness from the apricot, which mimicked an egg yolk. A silky, flavorful mousse on the side brought the dish together, and even the rice crisp was thoughtfully seasoned. Every element felt purposeful, and I could have happily eaten this dish every day.

The palate cleanser, “Molecular Delight,” was a refreshing champagne sorbet with lemony notes, accompanied by sweet caviar-like pearls and a light mousse. Sweet, tart, and perfectly balanced, it was the perfect way to reset before the main course.

The main dish of springbok medallions with mango mustard, polenta, and potato was flawless. The springbok was tender, juicy, and beautifully seasoned, complemented by a rich jus that added depth to every bite. The fried polenta was a revelation. It was crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. Even the potatoes were expertly crisped and well-seasoned, providing a wonderful textural contrast. A creamy sauce tied all the components together, making each bite a joy.

For dessert, the Chocolat Mandarin delivered decadence in every bite. The brownie base was dense and rich, perfectly balanced with coffee and chocolate notes that weren’t overpowering. It was the kind of dessert you never want to end, leaving me wishing for just a little more.

Throughout the evening, the service was impeccable. Our waiter, Josh, was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly without being overbearing. Every staff member added to the warm, welcoming environment, making the entire experience feel special.

While Homespun Claremont remains visually stunning, the food at Homespun Blouberg is undeniably the star. From thoughtful plating to bold, balanced flavors, the team’s passion shines through in every dish. If you’re considering visiting, trust me, it’s worth the drive. I’ll...

This meal started out wonderfully, and our waitress was great, but it took a downhill turn midway through the meal that I will explain. It was a bit sad, I brought my mother here, it was one of her first meals in S Africa, where I brag about the food all the time to her. I chose Homespun because of the reputation and I had never been - it was one of the last of the fine dining restaurants I hadn't tried in the general CT/Stellenbosch/Franschoek areas. There were two things that brought it down - the first was some issues we had with the food, the second was an unforced error with our deposit.

Food: the first few bites were wonderful. But then the second appetizer and main courses really had problems. The first was a pork and crayfish dish, the restaurant either WAY over cooked the crayfish or left it under a kitchen heater, so it was hard to cut and very chewy. I would look past this if it was the only issue, but also this dish (which is a play on a dish served the last season or two in most of CT's best restaurants - pork/fish with a velouté of one or the other) was heavy pork belly and a very heavy filling sauce - instead of a play on heavy pork and light fish - or even better at the best that do it, light pork and heavy fish, it was just heavy. This problem was compounded when the next dish came, which was two different pieces of battered and deep fried pork (no deep frying mentioned on the menu). That battered deep fried pork came with minimal dotting of vegetable pure, about 1/4th of one carrot cut into 4 pieces and 3 tiny mushrooms. It felt like a fancy plated Belgian snack bar. The only redeeming thing is it did taste pretty good - I mean pork stuffed donuts should be hard to mess up.

Deposit: Our reservation was originally for 4. The day before the other two informed me they could not join. Dineplan does not allow you to alter the reservation because of the deposit, so I emailed them the evening before (looking back now 23.5 hours before our reservation). When we got the bill we were informed that that change was less than 24 hours before, so we would forfeit the deposit on those two seats. The money isn't really the issue here, and I get S African restaurants protecting themselves with a deposit system - but this was so customer unfriendly - it just made me not want to ever come back - and it changed the mood of the evening with my mother. When we said something they did give us credit for the deposit, but it certainly didn't make for a pleasant experience. It's actually the thing that caused me to write this review because I think Homespun itself deserves the feedback that being greedy on deposits (other restaurants may have technically the same policy but in 5 years in SA I've never had one enforce it draconian style like this) is bad for their brand and creates a very negative last moment in the restaurant for...

Wondering what higher platitudes I can offer this restaurant. Wow, wow, wow. I'm not a very easily impressed man, but this restaurant really surprised me.

Firstly, it's a miracle that I have lived in the area for 4 years and have not seen this hidden gem. Secondly, the decor and setup is really cute, cosy, and elegant. They don't over do it, but just enough to feel elevated. Their service was impeccable. Our waitron was probably top 10 people that have ever assisted me in a restaurant. The other staff are also really friendly and helpful, even the host at the door. Impeccable.

Now, food. I don't like fine dining concept food just for the sake of it. It needs to strike a balance between logical and sensible to eat, tasty, and pretty. Their chef staff are really good at their craft. We had the 3 course menu but with added bells and whistles. The first course, an ostrich amuse-bouche, was the perfect bite. Crunch, umami, but of sour, complex. My main was pork and crayfish. That pork belly was top 3 belly I've had in my life. My only wish was having more of it! It was succulent and delectable. The crayfish really complimented it well. My dessert was a deconstructed and reconstructed cheesecake of sorts. Probably my most average meal, I don't think I had any transcendental experiences here. But still nice to end of the evening. There was a weird electric daisy item you could have in the meals that adds to the unique experience. Definitely try it at least once in your life.

Lastly, their bar: underrated technicians operating in there. Their cocktails looked gorgeous and tasted really good too.

Overall, am unforgettable experience. I have firmly decided that this restaurant shall be a go to whenever I'm looking for something slightly different from the norm. You will definitely see...