La Colombe, Cape Town’s Most Awarded Restaurant
Perched on the slopes of Silvermist Wine Estate, between the famed Constantia Wine Valley and Houtbay, is La Colombe; one of Cape Town’s most acclaimed fine-dining restaurants.
La Colombe means “the dove” and offers a blend of modern French cuisine with a South African twist, ensuring a dining experience that is both unforgettable and unique.
The Setting
La Colombe’s location is understated. As guests wind their way up the Bokkemanskloof mountain, panoramic views open across the Cape Flats (the valley between the mountain ranges of Cape Town and Stellenbosch).
The restaurant itself overlooks a small vineyard and up towards the deep forests of Orange Kloof Reserve – essentially the back slopes of Table Mountain.
The restaurant’s minimalist yet nature-forward interior enhances the sense of intimacy, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere for diners with each table loosely facing the beautiful exteriors. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for foraging fowl and piggies; in our case we even ran into a lost little lamb while on route to the restaurant!
The Philosophy Behind the Food
At the heart of La Colombe’s success is a commitment to quality produce, technical precision and creativity. The restaurant’s menu reflects a delicate balance of French techniques with bold, local flavours that showcase the rich diversity of South African ingredients. Each dish tells a story of both global influence and local tradition, expressed through a carefully curated experience.
The Tasting Menu Experience
La Colombe is known for its exquisite tasting menus, which are a multi-course affair designed to take diners on a culinary journey. The tasting menu typically changes with the seasons to reflect the freshest produce available, and each course is paired with an optional wine selection that enhances the flavours.
We Did Not Include the Wine Pairing
I find wine or alcohol tends to quells my appetite and distract from the purpose of the visit – the cuisine. Of course a LITTLE bubbly was consumed on the day (Silverthorn’s Green Dragon to be precise), which paired very well with all of our courses.
Course by Course
The La Colombe tasting menu starts with a welcome note from Head Chef James Graag, presented with an amuse bouche in a dove’s nest. I am a sucker for a crunchy treat accompanied by a soft or gooey base, and this mushroom rendition did not disappoint. (Pictures above.)
The second course was a bread course (mine kindly switched for the gluten-free version). This course has drastically changed since my first visit. The first time had a gorgeous porcelain acorn, which once lifted revealed a lid filled with a sealed pate.
On this occasion, a charcuterie presented with various mousses shaped as vegetables, slivers of fresh trout, duck and strips of wagyu were presented on a trolley to each table. I love a bit of this and a bit of that – so this was right up my alley. Not a finger print on that mushroom cap in sight! Spectacular.
The third course continued with La Colombe’s famous “tuna” which sees guests opening a whimsical “can of tuna” to reveal perfectly seared tuned. This dish exemplifies the restaurant’s playful approach to fine dining and its mastery of flavors and presentation. Not eating seafood, I chose the vegetarian option which is beetroot and perfectly sour, salty and firm.
If you’re Capetonian, you’ll appreciate the delicate design of the forth “Cape Coastline” course, which is presented in the shape of False Bay. This Malay inspired cauliflower dish was excellent, however, the original course is a fish course and was one of the best of the meal for my Mom.
Our palette cleaner channeled the famous “Granadilla Lolly”, a famous ice lolly sold on the beaches of Cape Town. Dry ice, frozen granadillas cut open to reveal passionfruit sorbet, delicious!
By this point in the meal, we were feeling quite full and starting to wonder how we’d manage the remaining courses! The old cliché of leaving a fine-dining restaurant still hungry certainly doesn’t apply at La Colombe.
The sixth course was lamb and traditionally my favourite course. Tender Karoo lamb was served with velvety celeriac and pomme purée, accompanied by an exquisite jus. Exceptional.
In hindsight, the rose, rhubarb, and pistachio (RRP) dessert left the most lasting impression after my meal at La Colombe. During my previous visit, the dessert featured orange chocolate—a flavour I’m not fond of, which left the dessert course a bit flat for me. However, in 2024, the RRP dessert was unforgettable.
Why? Crisp pistachio ice cream balls (closer to sorbet), and delicate, crunchy “leaves” of a rose paired with the fresh, vibrant flavours of rhubarb – an ingredient rarely found in South African cuisine – made for an exceptionally delicious and unique finish to the meal. Again, with a delightful presentation.
Final Course
To close the meal, a petit four chest was presented that allowed each guest to pick a few of their favourite flavours. This is how La Colombe has expanded – the ensure guests end a meal with some of their preferred, favourite flavours. This included flavours of cheesecake, peanuts, apple crumble, to name a few. They were delicious, but didn’t surpass the RRP for me!
Why La Colombe is Special?
The service at La Colombe is excellent. From the moment guests arrive, they are treated with warmth and professionalism. The staff is knowledgeable about both the food and the wine, offering insights into the ingredients and preparation methods while remaining unobtrusive.
La Colombe has consistently ranked among the top restaurants in the world. It has earned numerous accolades, including a spot on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and has been recognized with local awards for its innovation and excellence. Its reputation has made it a must-visit destination for food lovers from around the globe.
Enjoy the Discounted Winter Special
La Colombe runs a special each winter that reduces their lunch time rates during the week. We took advantage of this offer that saw our meal reduced to R1395. The special is currently running until the end of November so do not miss out! Visit their website to see the latest special as it updates annually.
Final Thoughts
Having visited previously, I enjoyed the experience, but wasn’t as convinced as many others. Returning in 2024, I can whole heartedly say the restaurant has reached new heights and is exceptional. Our meal cost around R1395 per person, excluding the compulsory 13.5% tips and drinks – worth every cent for a special occasion.
La Colombe leaves a lasting impression, not just because of the food, but because of the way it makes guests feel—immersed in the beauty and flavors of South Africa. Book as soon as possible, this restaurant does not have a lot of availability – particularly in high season.
