The stylish interior at Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel.

The most stylish restaurant in South Africa has just been announced at the 2015 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards held on Sunday 15 November. A major design refurbishment at Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia, Cape Town, resulted in the restaurant scooping this year’s Boschendal Style Award.

What started out as a need for some new furniture ended in a complete facelift for the historic building by HotCocoa Interiors & Design. Dark, naked tables, leather and wooden chairs, and eclectic art pieces give the space a sleek feel so that the vibrant food by chef Peter Tempelhoff can be the star. Tables are accessorised with moody crockery, and vivid pops of purple flowers add romance to the dramatic and modern elements of the space. The simple palette of charcoal and warm honey tones is offset with a selection of contemporary art drawn from plants, fruit and nature.

Contemporary photographic pieces by Marc Stanes hang on the walls, adding a soft yet modern element to the decor. Canvasses of plants in rich burnt orange tones by Judy Bumstead counter the edgy charcoal hues, and a breathtaking classic oil still life of figs in a bowl by Basil Friedlander completes the picture.

The dining area at Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Chief judge Abigail Donnelly says of Greenhouse: “Oh so stylish. With dark tables and tactile, comfy chairs, it’s moody, minimal and contemporary. It’s a very special place.”

After going on stage to collect the award, executive chef Peter Tempelhoff said, “I tip my hat to the incredibly talented design team. It was so great to be involved and hands-on in the design experience, and to get my hands dirty.”

Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel won the Boschendal Style Award at the 2015 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards, where it was also named the number 4 restaurant in the Top 10. See all the winners here.