Sundays are not the same for me if there isn’t a hunk of meat coming out of the oven, so I went in search of places to enjoy a good old Sunday roast.
I grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe where roast was served for lunch every Sunday, so it’s not surprising that Sundays just aren’t the same for me if there isn’t a hunk of meat coming out of the oven, served with crispy roast potatoes, farm-fresh vegetables and dare I say it, rice (sorry Tim Noakes, but I was a skinny girl back then even with all those carbs).
Wanting to satisfy this Sunday roast craving without having to actually cook it myself (my gravy-making skills consist of getting a ready-made packet from the supermarket), I set about finding places where I could enjoy my favourite meal of the week. Here’s what I found:
1. The Azure Restaurant
12 Apostles Hotel, Victoria Road, Camps Bay
If you have a good appetite (trust me, you will need one) and fancy spoiling yourself, the Sunday buffet extravaganza at The Azure Restaurant is well worth the splurge of R345. I was astounded at how much seafood was available (including heaps of oysters with balsamic caviar) and have to admit that my favourite on the menu that day was the salmon and fennel quiche.
After you have ploughed your way through the cold selection (10 dishes) and the hors d’oeuvres (9 dishes), you finally get to the carvery section where you can tuck into three different types of roast with all the trimmings including Yorkshire puddings. There’s also a hot selection that had a mouth-watering blesbok cottage pie. I also managed a spoonful of Mrs Tollman’s creamed spinach (yum!) and Moroccan carrot and pine nuts with my plateful of roast meat and potatoes. Then to top it off, there were no less than 11 desserts to choose from AND a cheese board. Don’t let those cute-looking mini cheesecakes, tarts and Swiss rolls fool you – a few of those and I was ready to explode. I gave the cheese board a skip, ordered a coffee and went home feeling rather rotund and sleepy.
Apart from the ridiculous amount of delicious food, the restaurant and hotel itself is perfectly positioned to enjoy amazing views over the ocean, making for a sublime Sunday afternoon. Jenie Oliver, who plays every Sunday, is the perfect accompaniment and you will probably be adding her CD to your bill.
Tel: 0214379029
Email: [email protected]
Website: The Azure Restaurant, 12 Apostles Hotel
Price: R345
2. Beerhouse on Long
223 Long Street, Cape Town
I like rock music as much as I like roast, so the Beerhouse’s announcement of their Sunday Rock n’ Roast on their Facebook page immediately got my attention. They start serving their roast at noon and I am glad I got there at 12:30 as they had sold out by 14:00. I suggest you get there early too as they don’t take bookings and once the roast is sold out, it’s done.
Chef Roy MacAskill served up the most ginormous Yorkshire pudding I have ever seen. It took up most of the plate and nestled inside was cauliflower in a creamy white sauce, crisp mange-tout and baby marrows in a tomato relish. Sitting next to this (and only just fitting on the plate) were no less than five large golden roast potatoes and slivers of tender roast lamb covered in a rich gravy. It was a feast fit for kings, but at a pauper’s price of R95. There was so much food on my plate that I ended up taking a doggy bag home with me – that the dogs never saw.
I don’t usually choose a “favourite”, but I have to say that this was probably the best value for money and possibly the best Yorkshire pudding I have ever had in my life (sorry Aunty Merle!) Plus you get to enjoy craft beers (99 to choose from) and a cheerful vibe with your lunch. If you stick around until 17:00 an acoustic rock band takes to the stage to take you into the night. Remember, it’s Monday the next day!
Note: The lunch is incredibly reasonably priced, but watch out for the beers. They taste so good that you’ll probably order a few and they are not cheap. I almost had to wash the dishes before leaving.
Tel: 0214243370
Email: [email protected]
Website: The Beerhouse on Long
Price: R95
3. Diemersdal Farm Eatery
Diemersdal Wine Estate, M58 (Koeberg Road), Durbanville
There is nothing better than a Sunday drive through the countryside, followed by a lazy Sunday lunch. Especially if the drive is right on your doorstep! The drive to Diemersdal Wine Estate will take you through the picturesque Durbanville Wine Valley with its rows of vineyards and lush rolling hills. You won’t believe that you are only a 20 minute drive away from the city!
The Farm Eatery at Diemersdal is situated in the farm’s original stables with the water troughs still remaining as part of the restaurant’s interior. You can choose to sit inside (long tables for large groups or intimate tables for two) or outside at a pub-style bench under an umbrella where you can watch the horses frolicking in the fields. The three-course Sunday lunch was absolutely delicious, but I think I loved the presentation most (and I always say that presentation is everything).
The ice bucket for our wine arrived in the form of a rabbit-shaped casserole dish, followed by a platter of breads and pickles served on a heavy wooden board. The butternut soup was garnished with herbs from the garden in a brightly delightful bowl and the main course was served on a large platter that you could help yourself from, rather than a dish filled with food placed in front of you. It felt quite elegant serving up slices of roasted pork belly served with baby carrots with honey and cumin glaze, braised savoy cabbage and baby potatoes with parsley and anchovy butter. There was also a delicious chicken and herb pie that came in its own dish. There was a lot of food on the table for two of us and to be honest it could have fed three people easily (note the words “could have”). We finished off our meal with a chocolate brownie, poached guava and hazelnut mousse. Heaven on a small oval plate!
The Sunday lunch will cost you R220 with the menu changing on a weekly basis. Expect to walk away with a couple of bottles of their award-winning wines as well and don’t forget to buy a soetkoekie for the journey home – they are rather cute!
Tel: 0219761810
Email: [email protected]
Website: The Farm Eatery at Diemersdal
Price: R220
4. McPherson’s Restaurant
42 Gill Road, Tableview
The two-course Sunday roast at McPherson’s Restaurant on the Vlei will cost you a mere R75, but the view you get with it is worth millions. Plus, it’s a plant nursery, so not only do you have an impressive view of Table Mountain, you are also surrounded by pretty flowers and shrubbery.
The Sunday roast offering is perfect for those on a tight budget and those with big families. However, just because it is small in price doesn’t mean that the serving you get is small. It’s just like the plate of roast you would get at your tannie’s house and it certainly reminded me of roasts back on the farm. Especially because you get a teacup-dollop of rice on your plate with your roast beef, roast lamb, potatoes and veggies (which have been sweetened too, just like the old days when sugar wasn’t the enemy). For dessert there’s the South African favourite, Malva pudding with custard AND ice cream! Good old-fashioned food at a welcome old-fashioned price.
Adding to the charm are chickens that wander about freely, two African Grey parrots and a rather chubby cat who has a penchant for custard. After lunch you can take an amble by the vlei or shop for hanging baskets, seedlings and novelties to take home.
Kids can tuck into a meal from the kiddies menu and there is an outdoor play area with swings, slides and a jumping castle. Not to mention wide-open spaces for them to run and play. The perfect family outing!
Tel: 0215566012
Email: [email protected]
Website: McPherson’s Restaurant on the Vlei
Price: R75
5. Suikerbossie Restaurant
1 Victoria Road, Hout Bay
In 1938 you’d find revellers walking up to the Suikerbossie in ball gowns and bow ties for dinner, which was served at 22:00. After dancing until midnight, guests would then walk down to the beach for a swim in the sea before retiring for the evening. These days you probably won’t find guests in their evening dress (unless it’s a formal wedding), but the Suikerbossie is still one of the most popular spots in Cape Town for Sunday lunch.
The Sunday Carvery consists of three buffet-style sections and it’s tricky not to fill up on just one section. But before you even get started you’ll be presented with a glass teacup filled with the soup of the day to whet your palate. Then it’s to the starters table for pates, mezzes, salads, bread and rolls. The carvery has no less than three roasts (that day there was chicken, pork, beef and lamb) with all the accompaniments you could imagine, including roast potatoes, roast onions, vegetables, salads, sauces and gravies. While you are waiting in the queue, nip to the front and grab a piece or two of pork crackling if pork is on the menu – it’s the best pork crackling in town! The selection of desserts was outstanding and I loved the cute little glasses of jellies, mousses and tiramisu. There was also lemon meringue, fridge tarts, trifles and ice cream with hot chocolate sauce. You really need to leave room for dessert!
Lunch commences at 13:00 and is an all-afternoon affair – complete with a snooze on the swing bench outside if the weather is good or on the couch by the fire if it’s foul, while the kids can bounce about on the jumping castle. Adults pay R265 and kids (6-12 years) pay R75. Bookings are essential.
Tel: 0217901450
Email: [email protected]
Website: Suikerbossie Restaurant
Price: R265 (Kids under 12, R75)
The restaurants listed below also serve Sunday roast and although not tried and tested by myself, they sound delicious! I will certainly be checking them out this winter…
6. The Woodcutters Arms
37 Main Road, Hout Bay
For R105 you have a choice of at least two roasts; Rare Roast Sirloin of Beef with homemade horseradish crème fraiche, Lemon and Herb Half Roast Chicken, Karoo Leg of Lamb with homemade mint sauce, Slow Roasted Pork Belly with apple & chilli jam. Served with all the traditional accompaniments, roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and plenty of gravy! Lunch is from noon until it’s gone, so it’s best to book or get in early.
Tel: 0217910189
Email: [email protected]
Website: The Woodcutters Arms
Price: R105
7. The Lord Nelson Inn
58 St George’s Street, Simon’s Town
The hotel’s recent refurbishment marries its colonial heritage to a chic and modern look and every Sunday you can tuck into a 3-course Sunday lunch for R150. This includes a choice of two starters (think carrot and coriander soup or bacon and tomato quiche), a main course (think juicy slices of lamb or beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and gravy) and a choice of two desserts (think Malva pudding with custard or Berry Cheesecake). Lunch is served from 12:00 to 15:30 and booking is advisable.
Tel: 0217861386
Email: [email protected]
Website: Lord Nelson Inn
Price: R150
8. Forresters Arms
52 Newlands Avenue, Newlands
The Sunday Carvery at this landmark establishment has been going for almost as long as the pub. Here you pay according to your appetite! The carvery is served from noon onwards and you can expect a choice of two roasts (beef, gammon, leg of lamb) and roast potatoes with a choice of fresh vegetables. Lunch is from R135 and for an extra R20 you can tuck into a dessert to finish off your Sunday feast.
Tel: 0216895949
Email: [email protected]
Website: Forresters Arms Pub & Restaurant
Price: Standard plate R135, large plate R165, vegetarian plate (vegetables from carvery) R55, kids plate R75.
9. Dixies Restaurant & Pub
Dixies is another timeless classic where you can find good food and good company, all served with a fantastic view. I have had their Sunday roast in the past and can say that at R79.50 for a 3-course meal this is an absolute steal and delicious too. There’s always soup as a starter, followed by either roast pork or lamb served with a portion of rice, roast potatoes and two vegetables. Dessert is usually along the lines of a Crème Brûlée, ice cream and chocolate sauce, or a chocolate mousse served with cream. All the simple things that we know and love! They have two sittings, one at 12:15 and the other at 14:15, so you need to book.
Tel: 0217862105
Email: [email protected]
Website: Dixies Restaurant
Price: R79.50
10. The Hollow Tree
12 Old Oak Road, Bellville / 20 Oxford Street, Durbanville
Both branches of The Hollow Tree serve a Sunday roast every Sunday between 11:00 to 17:00. R105 will get you a choice of either Olive Oil & Rosemary Roast Chicken, Glazed Pork Neck or Succulent Spiced Roast Beef, served with cauliflower and broccoli in a white sauce, sweet roasted butternut, herb-infused roasted potatoes and a portion of steamed rice. The Sunday roast special is available for six hours every Sunday, but it’s still probably best to book.
Tel: Old Oak Road 0219140186 / Oxford Street 0219763522
Email: [email protected]
Website: The Hollow Tree
Price: R105
Obviously these are not the only places in Cape Town that serve a delicious Sunday roast. If you have a favourite place to go, let us know!
Updated June 2016
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