LA COLOMBE REVIEW | WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TO DINE AT CAPE TOWN'S MOST FAMOUS RESTAURANT
Updated: 1 hour ago
Some meals are dinner, and some are the reason you book the trip. On September 26, 2025, we drove up into the forest above the Constantia vineyards to La Colombe, one of the most celebrated restaurants in the world. Here's what it's really like to dine at La Colombe, what to expect from the tasting menu and how to get a table.
WHAT IS LA COLOMBE?
La Colombe is a fine-dining restaurant at Silvermist Estate, high above the Constantia valley on the edge of Table Mountain National Park. It's led by executive chef James Gaag and is one of the most awarded restaurants in Africa. When we went, it had just been ranked No. 55 on the 2025 World's 50 Best Restaurants extended list, and it has since been named the best restaurant in Africa.
The setting is half the magic. You arrive through the trees to a bright, elegant dining room with views over the forest and vineyards toward the mountains.
THE TASTING MENU
A meal at La Colombe is a multi-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons, so no two visits are exactly the same. Expect lots of theater: dishes arrive in unexpected ways, and every course has a little surprise.
The one dish that never leaves the menu is the Tuna "La Colombe." It's been a signature since 2014: delicate tuna served in a sealed tin that's opened at the table.
OUR MENU: SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
Here's what was on our tasting menu, course by course. It opens with snacks from the estate's own vegetable garden and moves through the sea and land before finishing with spring strawberry sorbet:
Silvermist Vegetable Garden
Wild Boar Snacks
Sourdough, Truffle and Artichoke
Tuna "La Colombe"
False Bay Market Fish
Namibian Red Crab
Agave
Coal-Fired Lamb
Spring Strawberry
IS LA COLOMBE WORTH IT?
In a word: unforgettable. La Colombe was, without exaggeration, the best meal I've ever had. Every course arrived with a little bit of magic, from the first bites out of the Silvermist garden to the final spring strawberry dessert, and it felt less like a meal and more like an experience we'll be talking about for years. If you're going to splurge on one meal in Cape Town (or honestly, anywhere), make it this one.
For what it's worth, a tasting menu at one of the world's best restaurants costs much less in Cape Town than it would in New York or London, which makes La Colombe one of the best-value special-occasion meals you can book.
HOW TO BOOK LA COLOMBE
Book early. Tables go months in advance, especially in spring and summer (roughly September to March).
Expect a deposit. La Colombe takes a deposit when you book, with a full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours ahead.
Consider lunch. Lunch is a great option if dinner is booked up, and La Colombe sometimes offers a lower-priced seasonal lunch menu on weekdays.
Check the service charge. A discretionary service charge is added to the bill, so you don't need to tip on top.
Leave the kids at home. Children under eight aren't allowed.
Plan your ride. Silvermist is about a 30-minute drive from the V&A Waterfront. We'd recommend an Uber or a driver so everyone can enjoy the wine.
Menus and prices change often, so check La Colombe's website for the latest before you book.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is La Colombe?
At Silvermist Estate at Constantia Nek, in the hills above the Constantia wine valley, about 30 minutes' drive from the V&A Waterfront.
How far in advance should you book La Colombe?
A few months ahead for dinner, especially in high season. A deposit is required, and you can cancel for a full refund up to 48 hours before.
What is the signature dish at La Colombe?
The Tuna "La Colombe," served in a sealed tin that's opened at the table. It has been on the menu since 2014.
Can kids go to La Colombe?
Children under eight aren't allowed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I'm Alexandra
I'm a travel-obsessed planner, foodie and firm believer that a well-planned trip makes life better. Want a trip like this one planned around you? Tell me where you're dreaming of going, and I'll take care of the details.
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