Share This Article
Finding somewhere that suits the entire friendship group can feel like organising a small summit. Someone wants a proper lunch, someone wants a walk, and someone has already asked whether there will be anything besides wine. Add children or extended family and the spreadsheet practically opens itself.
With spring nudging us towards longer lunches and sunnier weekends, the Cape Winelands offers room to spread out and enough variety to keep the peace.
These four outings combine scenery with different ways to spend an afternoon. They also deserve a place on the year end function shortlist, before everyone’s November diary becomes a competitive sport.
1 Spice Route Destination for a group with several agendas
On Paarl’s southern slopes, Spice Route makes disagreement surprisingly manageable. Friends can explore neighbouring artisans on foot, tasting wine, beer, chocolate or charcuterie without repeatedly piling into cars. Their new tasting passport allows four choices, with non-alcoholic options ensuring nobody is reduced to watching everyone else sip.
The mountain views provide a shared talking point when tastes diverge. Regroup for an outdoor lunch at Jewell’s, where the terrace looks towards the Simonsberg, or opt for a Pinsa pizza at La Grapperia. It suits a sociable, gently wandering afternoon rather than a stopwatch itinerary.
Plan it: Passports cost R320 per person; the Explorer Voucher offers one tasting for R80. Meals cost extra. Destination hours are daily, 09:00-17:00; artisan hours vary and passport tastings finish at 16:00. Reservations are required for passport groups of ten or more; arrange restaurant seating separately.
Contact 021 863 5200 or info@spiceroute.co.za.
2 Brookdale Estate for lunch that earns its leisurely pace
Hidden in a valley above Paarl, Brookdale’s bistro, opened in 2023, is the choice for friends whose ideal activity is an excellent lunch. Its verandah overlooks vineyards and wooded slopes, giving a gathering the atmosphere of a country escape without requiring an overnight bag.
Seasonal cooking and an adjoining tasting room allow the food enthusiasts to linger while everyone enjoys the setting. Ask specifically for outdoor seating and discuss larger tables directly; a beautiful terrace still has finite space.
Plan it: Main courses on the currently published winter menu range from R230 to R380; spring menus may change. Lunch Wednesday-Sunday, 12:00-5:30; dinner Thursday-Saturday, 18:00-20:30. Reserve ahead, especially for groups.
Contact 087 183 3919 or bistro@brookdale-estate.com.
3 Spier for a picnic without the packing committee
Spier’s reimagined Picnickery takes the logistics out of lunch on the lawn. Collect a basket and settle beneath the Werf’s oaks or near the river, where conversation can stretch as comfortably as the blankets. This is the relaxed option for friends who would rather graze than negotiate courses.
Vegetarian, vegan and children’s baskets make mixed preferences easier to accommodate. Blankets, cutlery and glasses are supplied; appointing someone to remember the corkscrew becomes gloriously unnecessary.
Plan it: R425 per adult and R200 per child under 12. Book at least 24 hours ahead; groups exceeding eight should email werf@spier.co.za. Picnics are collected 12:00-14:00 and returned by 16:30. Confirm availability for your date. No outside food or drinks.
Contact 021 809 1100.
4 Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden for art in the open air
At Mulberry Farm outside Stellenbosch, sculptures emerge among indigenous planting, winding paths and sweeping mountain views. This is an unhurried outing for friends who enjoy discovering something together, with enough conversation starters to give the group chat a rest. Finish with tea and cake at the Old Storeroom; food costs extra.
Plan it: Entry costs R280 per adult. Private tours for 11–20 guests cost R3,500 per group, excluding admission. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 08:30–17:00; last entry 15:30. All visits require booking. Wear shoes with grip for uneven paths and steps.
Contact 021 880 0054 or reservations@dylanart.co.za.
So, close the spreadsheet, cast a final vote, and send that calendar invite before the year-end rush officially takes over.
Whether your crowd is there for the artisanal tastings, a marathon lunch, or simply a change of scenery, these Winelands spots prove that getting the whole group into the fresh air doesn’t have to require a logistical miracle.
All that is left to do is secure the booking, mute the inevitable group chat chaos, and let the Cape’s spring sunshine do the rest of the work.