Article by: Nicole Canning
Of the top restaurant trends for 2010 in the US, more than half focused on being “more sustainable, eco-friendly and organic”. This means that we can expect to see traditional eateries moving more towards carbon-footprint dining, tending their own vegetable gardens and providing seasonal and local menu options; not just the previously earmarked “organic places”. Restaurants will also look to support fair trade companies and sustainable seafood options as standard practice.
With the following list of places we’ve scouted where you can enjoy eating green, it looks like Cape Town isn’t too far behind world trends. How great will it be though when all restaurants employ some sort of social and environmental conscience?
1. Eight at Spier
You may have heard the hype around Spier´s latest challenge: providing a farm-to-table eating experience. All the produce in the restaurant is either grown on the farm or sourced from nearby farmers and combined to create nourishing, healthy and delicious food. Lorianne Heyns, the Chef at Eight (known as “Diva of Delicious“!) uses the word “challenge” herself when describing what it takes to bring food to the table. “Although wonderful and absolutely delicious, when you start looking at our natural and local produce, the variety is quite limited. Yet with a little bit of imagination we can do so many amazing things. The earth is in trouble and we have to find new and exciting ways of working with our local produce.”
Enjoy a day out appreciating the Cape´s winelands and pop by for brunch, lunch or tea between 10am and 4pm, from Tuesday to Sunday.
Web: www.spier.co.za
Mail: eight@spier.co.za
Phone: 021 809 1188
Address: R310 Lynedoch Road , Stellenbosch
2. Quensh Organic Deli
Quensh was opened in Observatory at the end of January 2009, a vegetarian eatery using only organic ingredients. “Local residents were very supportive and happy to have a supplier of great organic food,” comments owner Paulo Alveira. “We are always changing our menu to adapt to their needs.” Most popular meal? “The vegetarian risotto, lasagne and home-baked pies. Our organic coffee and croissants are very popular too, and I´d say our freshly squeezed organic juices and smoothies are just the best!”
Quensh offers breakfasts and lunches between 7:30am and 3pm, and dinner until 10pm. The store sells items like tofu and fresh produce as well as dried fruit, chutneys, cleaning fluids, jams, oils etc. They also run a box delivery scheme.
Web: www.ganics.co.za
Mail: info@ganics.co.za
Phone: 021 447 0714
Address: 42 Lower main Road, Observatory, Cape Town
3. Green Beans Café
“We make a heavenly wheat-free carrot cake made with organic carrots and organic spelt flour,” say owners Nicky and Dee. Need I say more?
Mail: info@greenbeans.co.za
Phone: 021 701 0100
Address: Westlake Lifestyle Centre, Westlake Drive, Tokai, Cape Town
4. The Greenhouse
Based at the tranquil and beautiful Cellars Hohenhort in Constantia, this elegant restaurant has been built around a giant 300-year-old oak tree. They focus on set seasonal menus and organic food.
Web: www.cellars-hohenhort.com
Mail: reception@cellars-hohenort.co.za
Phone: 021 794 2137
Address: 99 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia
5. Kwalapa
Emily Moya´s vision with Kwalapa in Newlands was to create a space that would inspire people to live differently and in balance with the world around them. “We aim to be a place where people can come and relax with friends under the trees, enjoy great food, gather fresh organic fruit and veg, buy nature-friendly house and body products and browse in our bookshop,” she says.
Emily is amazed by the great positive response they´ve enjoyed, and is thrilled to see how many people are becoming conscious buyers and supporters of our local organic farmers and producers.
Emily describes Kwalapa´s signature fare as: “Wholesome, delicious organic breakfasts and lunches with an amazing raw vegan buffet every Wednesday lunch. Lovacore* to the core!“
*A locavore is someone who eats food grown or produced locally within a maximum of a 240km radius.
Web: www.kwalapa.com
Mail: emily@kwalapa.com
Phone: 021 687 9314
Address: 31 Newlands Avenue, Newlands
6. & Union
& Union in the CBD is perhaps best known for its unique supply of Artisan beer. They do, however, offer a great selection of meats and cheeses as well, served on a wooden board with fresh bread, a side salad and homemade crisps. They describe themselves as a “natural” restaurant which is apparently identical to an organic restaurant, without the accreditation required to official label one´s eatery organic. They strive to source locally and their lovely meats are made by hand. Pop by for a late night organic coffee, with organic sugar and organic milk!
Web: www.andunion.com
Mail: pigandbeer@andunion.com
Phone: 021 422 2770
Address: 110 Bree Street (in the space under St Stephen´s church)
7. Bird´s Boutique Café
“Rustic” is the buzzword for Bird’s Boutique in Bree Street. The heavenly smell that envelopes you as you walk through the door confirms that everything that comes out of the kitchen is good for you and good for the earth. Their generous helping of chicken pie has to be a favourite, and the chocolate and cherry scones round off a meal well.
“We´re still facing the same supply issues we were six years ago, in trying to get what we need all the time. Luckily our customers understand how difficult it is to get organic veggies into the city, and we´re committed to building relationships with local providers,” says owner Heike Stegmann.
Mail: Heike.stegmann@gmail.com
Phone: 021 426 2534
Address: 127 Bree Street, Cape Town
8. Millstone farmstall & café
Support Cape Town´s first eco-village, Oude Moulen, by visiting the delightful Millstone café. It´s probably Cape Town´s most kiddie-friendly green restaurant, and they can play happily in the lovely garden setting. Enjoy wholesome snacks and meals and organic garden produce.
Phone: 021 447 8226
Address: Oude Molen Eco Village, Alexandra Street, Pinelands
9. The Cookshop
At the beginning of December last year, Sage Organic Café was replaced by the Cookshop. They aim to provide organic fare and are still one of the ethical co-ops collection points. They are open for breakfast and lunch from 7am till 4pm Monday to Friday and run an organic market every Tuesday.
Web: www.cookshop.co.za
Phone: 021 461 7868
Address: 117 Hatfield Street
10. The Quaffery
The Quaffery i
nvites customers to go and quaff some of their “quaffee”, made from 100% organic coffee beans. Their coffee expert is constantly on the lookout for exotic and superior pure Arabica coffee beans, so you´re guaranteed a flavoursome experience.
Web: www.thequaffery.co.za
Phone: 021 761 6981
Address: 74 Witkin Park, York Road, Wynberg
The liveeco team
