Want to eat out of doors this summer? We’ve put together a mammoth list of wine farms, hotels and restaurants that offer delectable picnic baskets. Clink your wine glasses on a grassy lawn surrounded by the vines, or on a leafy riverbank, and nibble on cheese, charcuterie, baguettes and pâté.

Johannesburg

The Cradle
The surroundings: along the Motsetse Stream.
The basket: a three-course buffet menu includes items like soup, potato salad, baked bread, courgette and feta salad, rare roast beef, leg of lamb, broccoli, chicken or Italian sausage, tomato pie, seasonal fruit and tiramisu. There are also other menu options available.
Price: R280 per person.

Dial-a-Picnic
The surroundings: Dial-a-Picnic make up baskets to order, so you can choose where to go.
The basket: the standard basket includes meatball skewers served with mustard, chicken drumsticks, cheese board with biscuits, seasonal fruits, baguettes, pâté or dip, potato salad, chocolate brownies and water. There are other basket options available too.
Price: prices vary.

Toadbury Hall
The surroundings: from Wednesdays to Sunday picnic at the hotel gardens. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can also head to the riverside picnic spots along the Crocodile River. For a romantic occasion, they will set up a private spot away from the other guests.
The basket: biltong, cold meats, peppadews, pâté, mini French loaf, roast beef fillet, rocket and onion marmalade, chicken kebabs with sweet chilli dipping sauce, roast vegetables, quiche, vegetable wrap, pasta salad, cheeses with biscuits and preserves, fruit kebabs, crème brûlée, chocolate brownies and coconut ice and a bottle of red or white or non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Vegetarian and kiddies menu options also available.
The price: R295 per adult, R115 per child.

Tres Jolie
The surroundings: sit on the manicured gardens on the benches, blankets and scatter cushions under wooden canvas umbrellas.
The basket: the Mediterranean picnic basket includes smoked salmon and cream cheese, beef and chicken kebabs, roti meat balls, hummus, tzatziki, homemade bread, olives, fruit kebabs with chocolate sauce and a cheese platter with biscuits and preserves. There are also other menu options available.
Price: R240 per person.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
Surroundings: Garden of Eden
Basket: pack your own; also bring a blanket and candles
Price: R150 per couple (in aid of The Black Eagle Project)

Durban

Dial-a-Picnic
The surroundings: Dial-a-Picnic make up baskets to order, so you can choose where to head.
The basket: the standard basket includes meatball skewers served with mustard, chicken drumsticks, cheese board with biscuits, seasonal fruits, baguettes, pâté or dip, potato salad, chocolate brownies and water. There are other basket options available too.
Price: prices vary.

Cape Town

Buitenverwachting
The surroundings: on the lawn under the ancient trees with tables and chairs provided.
The basket: pâté, salads, cheeses, quiche, dips with breads and biscuits, fruit kebabs, chocolate and koeksister truffles, tea and coffee. On Valentine’s Day there will be a St Luke’s Hospice Valentine Picnic. There will be a complimentary bottle of Buitenverwachting wine for each couple and Spectrum will be playing dance music.
Price: R125 per person, R45 per child under 10. R475 per couple for the St Luke’s Hospice Valentine Picnic.

Cape Point Vineyards
The surroundings: Cape Point Vineyards picnic is set against the backdrop of the glorious Noordhoek amphitheatre, overlooking vines, fynbos and Noordhoek Beach.
The basket: cheese platters and wine.
Price: on request.

Casa Labia
The surroundings: enjoy gorgeous views on the luscious lawn.
The basket: chicken liver pâté, a bulgar-wheat salad packed with vegetables, butternut hummus with homemade focaccia, prosciutto, salami, olives, crudités and fruit skewers with chocolate brownies.
Price: R285 for two people.

Cassia Restaurant
The surroundings: sit on the grass near the dam.
The basket: cold meat platter, cheese board, ciabatta, pâtés, fruit skewers, lamb wraps, chocolate brownies. Purchase wine from the bar.
Price: R240 for two people.

Cravings
The surroundings: Crave suggests you picnic at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town beaches, Table Mountain, Company’s gardens or Signal Hill.
The basket: the menu includes a wide selection of freshly made fruit and veggie juices, tasty smoothies, iced teas, iced coffees, fruits, salads, sandwiches, wraps and other deli fare. Pre-order your meals and drinks for your outing.
The price: R120 refundable deposit for the cooler bag; you fill it with your selection from the menu.

Dial-a-Picnic
The surroundings: Dial-a-Picnic make up baskets to order, so you can choose where to head.
The basket: the standard basket includes meatball skewers served with mustard, chicken drumsticks, cheese board with biscuits, seasonal fruits, baguettes, pâté or dip, potato salad, chocolate brownies and water. There are other basket options available too.
Price: prices vary.

Rumbullion at The Roundhouse
Picnic surroundings: sit on the white benches placed on the lawns with spectacular views.
The basket: find a menu inside the basket and tick off what you would like from the à la carte menu. Choose from the tapas menu, which includes things like salads, ciabatta breads, warm dishes, etc.
Price: varies depending on the meal selection. (Generally ranges from R40 to R100 per person.)

Winelands

8 To Go at Spier
The surroundings: enjoy the lawns of the farm.
The basket: includes wholesome fare such as home-baked breads, charcuterie, farm cheeses, fruit and olives.
Price: R220 for two people.

Bistro Allee Bleue
The surroundings: situated in Franschhoek, this wine estate offers great views of the surrounding mountains. There’s plenty of shade under the oak trees, and the children can play in the picnic area that is secured by a Cape Dutch wall.
The basket: olive tapenade, pâtés, cold meat platter, ciabatta, prawn cocktail, cheese platter, baguette, baked cheesecake. The price also includes wine tasting, 500ml water or tea/coffee.
Price: R145 per person; R45 for children under 10.

Boschendal’s Restaurant and Le Café
The surroundings: under the pine trees on their pavilion lawns.
The basket: a selection of pâté, baguettes, trio of meats, coronation chicken, duo of potato salad, garden salad, cheese, biscuits and red onion marmalade, and dessert.
Price: R150 per person excluding beverages; R59 per child excluding beverages.

Franschhoek Kitchen
The surroundings: sit along the Franschhoek River under the ancient trees.
The basket: freshly baked bread, melba toast, Caprese in a jar (mozzarella, confit tomato and basil), mixed olives, cheeses, charcuterie, smoked salmon roulade, chicken live pâté, green fig preserve, homemade chutney and jam, butter, fresh doughnuts and cheesecake.
Price: R145 per person.

Fyndraai Restaurant
The surroundings: sit by the river under trees on the grass.
The basket: pesto, vegetables, hummus, a cheese board, almonds, biltong, salads, chutney, breads and biscuits, chicken tandoori, pâté, apple tart, 750ml water and a bottle of wine.
Price: R135 per person.

Hartenberg Estate
The surroundings: picnic anywhere on the vast lawns of the estate under the oak trees or vines of the terrace. Children can enjoy the fully equipped playground. You can also take a walk on along the trail with your picnic in a backpack.
The basket: Eleanor Finlayson’s famous snoek pâté served with a selection of freshly baked breads, homemade chicken, bobotie samoosas, roasted vegetables, seasonal fruits and artisan cheeses served with a selection of salads, coffee and koeksisters, and a carafe of wine per person.
Price: R135 per person.

Hermitage at Hazendal
The surroundings: rolling lawns with a playground for the children.
The basket: pâté, quiche, Greek salad, crudités, biltong, kebabs, roast beef, cheese and biscuits, brownies and fruit juice.
Price: R130 per person; R35 per child.

Holden Manz
The surroundings: grassy river side under the oaks
The basket: Mezze fare including humus, tzatziki and olives, chicken liver paté on crusty freshly baked bread, salads, charcuterie, strips of sirloin, chicken and fine local cheeses and preserves, desserts and chocolate brownies. Each basket for two includes a bottle of mineral water and wine can be purchased additionally from the cellar.
Price: R145 per person with a special children’s menu at R45 per child. Tuesday to Sunday only

Johan’s at Longridge
Special Valentine’s Day Picnic (14 February) The surroundings: spectacular view of the peninsula.
The basket: roasted tomato tart with mozzarella and rocket, seared beef fillet with Dijon mustard, ½ roasted petit poisson (spring chicken), a vegetarian pasta salad, slices of marinated Franschhoek trout, chicken liver pâté and a selection of cheeses served with sesame crackers, pickles, olives, preserves, cherry tomatoes and cucumber strips with freshly baked baguettes. Finish with fresh strawberries with Longridge’s sumptuous chocolate brownies. Each couple can select a bottle of wine (Longridge Brut, Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon) to go with their meal.
Price: R500 per couple. Reservations are essential: 021 855 2004/5 or restaurant@longridge.co.za

Klein River Cheese
The surroundings: on the banks of the Klein River or in the garden. The children can enjoy the playground and farm animals.
The basket: homemade ciabatta, crackers, pâté, pickles, cold meats, salads and a selection of Klein River cheese.
Price: R220 (serves two).

Viljoensdrift
The surroundings: a large grass area with great views.
The basket: choose from the deli menu, including items such as ciabatta, pâté, cheese, jam, olives, pesto, smoked salmon trout, cold meats, ostrich carpaccio, mustard, chicken breast, biltong, koeksisters, nougat, chocolate salami and a selection of wines.
Price: depends on what you choose for your basket.

Warwick Gourmet Picnics
The surroundings: choose from four different spots at the estate: the private pods for romantic picnics or family get-togethers; the penthouse in the mountainous vineyards; the forest courtyards under the trees; or the lawns for formal or informal picnics. People can also bring their own baskets and there is also a jungle gym for the children.
The basket: ciabatta breads, cheeses, charcuterie selection, green beans salad, smoked salmon, pate, chutney, hummus, sun-dried tomato purée, brownies and wine gums.
Price: R299 for two; R49 for each child under 12.

Wild Peacock Food Emporium
The surroundings: have your picnic at the Stellenbosch botanical garden, the nature reserve, hike in the mountains or go to the beach.
The basket: local and imported meats and cheeses, fresh homemade bread and pastries, olives and pâté.
The price: they will fill up a basket with all the items you desire ranging from R100 per person upwards.

Zevenwacht Manor House Restaurant 
The surroundings: sit next to the dam and children can play in the park.
The basket: enjoy a selection of bread and biscuits, cold meats, cheeses and salads, or pre-book a braai basket and cook your own meal over vine wood fires. There is also a vegetarian basket available. For February and March, there is a special that includes a bottle of red or white wine at no extra cost.
Price: R280 for two people.

By Kelly Pluke and Katharine Jacobs