Chef Shaun Schoeman is to be commended for using so many indigenous ingredients, herbs and vegetables in his cooking at Fyndraai on the Solms-Delta Wine Estate in Franschhoek. He demonstrates skill by magnificently balancing the flavour profiles of traditional ingredients with rarely eaten veldkos and herbs, thereby creating his own version of modern South African cuisine.

Food

Expect hearty starters such as baked vegetables in a potato crust, with goat’s cheese and wild herbs, delicately perfumed with the savoury character of wild rosemary. Snoek and biltong find their place on the menu in a terrine with lemon geranium and wild herbs, alongside the fragrant aromatic Cape curry flavours of roti served with sambals.

Fyndraai Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Spekboom features in a delicious crunchy pickle, and a smoked Karoo ostrich carpaccio, dressed with a num-num sauce and fynbos greens, offers a uniquely South African taste.

The main courses present a variety of choices covering fish, fowl and meat. As strange as some of the ingredients, like suring (sorrel), ballerja (wild mint) and citrus buchu, might sound, the food is delicious. Taking care never to overpower the main ingredient, Shaun uses these indigenous flavours to bring out the best in each dish.

Fyndraai Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Even the classic South African desserts such as malva poeding, yskastert (fridge tart) and cheesecake are laced with rooibos tea, wild berry compote and wild mint.

Drinks

The selection is limited to wines from the estate, which are very affordable, priced from only R20 per glass.

Fyndraai Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Service

Staff are friendly and eager to please, but their knowledge about the daily specials and menu offering could improve.

Fyndraai Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Ambience

This is a beautiful setting, with Cape Dutch buildings set against the lush Franschhoek countryside. Inside, the table settings are informal with plastic place mats and paper napkins, but with such beautiful surroundings you will hardly notice, especially if you’re seated outside.

Fyndraai Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

And…

There are various attractions for visitors to choose from on the Solms-Delta estate. Visit the social history museum, Museum van de Caab; make a reservation for a history, music and wine tour; or spend time with a book in the Dik Delta Garden with its indigenous plants and herbs.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.

Have you soaked up the history and South African flavours at Fyndraai on Solms-Delta estate? Tell us what you thought by writing a review.