Situated on the old Seidelberg Wine Estate, Spice Route Restaurant and Tasting Room boasts panoramic views towards the mountains surrounding Franschhoek. With plans to add a deli, chocolate factory and microbrewery, it looks set to become a hot lifestyle destination in Suider-Paarl. We checked out the brand new restaurant.

The food: South African fusion, with a hint of the subcontinent. Expect unusual additions to your meal like chocolate jus with venison and espresso foam with butter chicken. If that sounds a little off-putting, don’t worry: the flavours are very subtle. For starters, tuck into soy- and spice-cured duck breast or a delicious, chunky ceviche made with cured line fish. For mains, choose fromlight options like beetroot ravioli filled with wild mushroom duxelles or the perfectly pink venison loin, served with tasty German spätzle. Leave space for exotic desserts like DV dark chocolate and fresh chilli crème brûlée and apple tarte tatin.

The mood: Casual but elegant. A recently refurbished interior is simple and sparse, and a deck in the front makes the most of the views. It’s slightly more relaxed than most fine-dining spots in the winelands.

The wine: Predominantly that of the Spice Route wine farm out in the Swartland. Winemaker Charl du Plessis turns out some great blends; try the well-known Chakalaka or the flagship Malabar. If you’re in the mood to taste them all, sample eight wines paired with three taster portions of the main course for R90. There’s also rosé on offer (but it’s not currently produced at the farm) and French champagne if you’re feeling flush.

The people: Owned by the influential Charles Back (who also owns Fairview), therestaurant is designed to create a public face for the out-of-the-way winery in the Swartland. It’s more than just a restaurant, though. There’s a plan to create a whole new lifestyle destination, where visitors can shop and take tours through a chocolate factory, distillery, microbrewery, charcuterie and deli. Philip Pretorius – who cut his teeth working in the Goatshed restaurant at Fairview – is in control of the kitchen.

The verdict: A pleasant spot for lunch whilst exploring the wine route, or for a smart but not exorbitant dinner. It’s only been open for three weeks, so the menu is still being tweaked and renovations to the rest of the buildings are on the go, but Spice Route is already buzzing.

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