Even on a quiet weekday when custom is thin on the ground, everything about Nieuwedrift Wine Estate Restaurant thrums with a certain optimism. And beaming staff set the friendly tone with a sunny welcome.
Child- and pet-friendly, this tranquil space with its tented canopy, lush green lawn and Karen Mostert’s art gallery inside, certainly can’t be accused of pretension.
Once a month after the farm run, the Mostert family knocks out a mean breakfast of pizza, croissants, plus sweet and savoury flapjacks. The lunch menu is by no means haute cuisine. But the farm’s wines and MCC can be sampled and paired with mass-pleasers such as wood-fired pizzas, heaving 300-gm burgers with impeccable greens and a luscious sauce, steaks, calamari, salads and wraps.
Subscribing to an ethos of seasonal, sustainable and flavourful, the pizzas especially receive admiring nods from diners. Both the King Mostert with bacon, haloumi, home-made caramelised onions and crushed cashews and the Happy Hour with green figs, brie, caramelised onions, rocket and olive oil are cheery acts. But the star turn goes to the Chevi with Cervelat salami, mushrooms, peppadews, feta and olives.
Do try the wine tasting as well – complete with a small snack platter.
Situated 9 km from Piketberg off the N7, the restaurant is open seven days a week. Book for wine tasting and/or lunch: 064 6070041.
