KOORNLANDS RESTAURANT, Swellendam - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

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About

Koornlands Restaurant is the longest serving restaurant in Swellendam, established in 1994. We pride ourselves as being amongst the finest. Warm, friendly and always professional. Our menu often changes due to the seasons and availability. A menu gegustation with wine pairing is available for table participation. Our venison is legend and so is our comprehensive wine cellar. Dine alfresco on the veranda or the garden. We care about vegetarian and vegan preferences. Reservations are highly recommended, due to limited seating. 04.00 PM - 06.00 PM Drinks 06.00 PM - 10.00 PM Dinner

PRICE RANGE

€4.00 – €17.00

CUISINES

African, International, Fusion

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

678 reviews

Excellent

491

Very good

137

Average

31

Poor

10

Terrible

9

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garry612

Waltham Abbey22 contributions

A Gem

Mar 2020 • none

My wife and I visited Koornlands Restaurant a couple of weeks ago. There were no tables available outside but the staff offered to move one from inside for us. We decided to sit inside because we found the traditional style of the building and decor fascinating. With no air conditioning it became a little warm so the staff opened large patio doors for us. The menu is limited but very interesting. I had the Kudu Carpaccio to start and we both had Springbok Tagliatelle. It was one of the tastiest meals we had in the three weeks we spent travelling the Western Cape. Mariana, the owner and chef deserves considerable praise for her talent, the flavours were amazing and easily matched some of the fine dining restaurants that I have visited in London. The wine list was limited but the wines recommended paired perfectly with our dishes. If you happen to be in Swellendam you really should treat yourself to this gem of a restaurant.

Written 19 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John U

2 contributions

Our Second visit - lived up to expecttions

Jan 2020 • none

We booked Koornlands for dinner on the 4th January having eaten there previously in 2017, this time we had friends with us and we enjoyed the food and wine greatly. Some interesting aspects to the service - which we found endearing. Try it for yourself you'll not be disappointed

Written 12 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

irishsunshinechaser

Clonmel13 contributions

Traditional South African food.

Jan 2020 • couples

We had a delicious meal at this restaurant on our honeymoon. To start we had warthog bitterbalen and the Kudu carpaccio which were really tasty. My husband had the African platter which consisted of wilderbeast and ostrich which he felt was one of the best meals he had on our honeymoon! I had the Kudu with noddles which was also delicious. The chef came to speak to us twice during our meal! She was very welcoming and friendly. We would definitely recommend!

Written 14 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

antongunter

Shropshire77 contributions

Great place, food and a funny chef

Mar 2020 • none

we visited swellendam for a second time and had read some great reviews. I contacted the restaurant prior to our arrival from the UK to SA as they had claimed a great wine list, and being responsible adults we wanted to drink loads and not have to worry about driving back to our accom. They arranged a taxi to collect us, which turned up early but we were so eager we jumped on board. Great chat with the cabbie and when we arrived, we were greeted by our waitress. We ordered a drink and then ordered from the great food selection and the even better wine list. Great atmoshpere although it was quiet, partially due to the timing of our visit but also the dreaded c-virus. Firstly, (and i am so sorry i have forgotten her name) but the chef is fantastic, made great food and is great company. Secondly, the food, is out of the ordinery (im not going to tell you what makes it this as you need to go and experience it), but the menu has some interesting meats. The wine list has everything you will want and need and is all local. This is genuinely a place for visiting and enjoying top food, top wine and more importantly .............. top company (sorry again i forgot your name)

Written 19 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bonedetectives

London68 contributions

A warm welcome, superb food and great wines. Not to be missed !

Aug 2023 • couples

We spent a wonderful evening at this wonderful cozy restaurant, recently reopened following an extensive refurbishment. With a great homely atmosphere combining a traditional Cape Dutch hearth with log fire, African music, and a warm welcome, this delightful restaurant offers some superb cuisine matched with an excellent wine selection. The food is best described as African fusion, combining local ingredients such as Ostritch, Springbok and Warthog with European, Asian and Middle Eastern influences. We can recommend the Springbok ragu and the Zatar spiced Ostrich steak, but I don't think you'd be disappointed by anything on the menu. The Malva pudding is not to be missed. The service was warm, friendly and very attentive, and even though our hosts apologised for being short of staff the entire experience was five star.

Written 20 August 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trip172807

1 contribution

Evening meal

Jan 2020 • couples

We were recommended this restaurant by locals and we were not disappointed. The food was absolutely first class and great value for money. We had a lovely bottle of Pinotage to accompany the meal. We shared the salmon and olives to start and then had the curry dish. Service excellent and we had a nice chat with the owner. Don’t miss this little gem! Graham & Fiona

Written 25 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sam B

1 contribution

Best restaurant experience of the South Africa holiday

Aug 2023 • friends

Our evening at Koornlands was simply wonderful. The ambience was reminiscent of an invitation to a friend's living room with a fireplace and was just incredibly hospitable overall. As the waitress was ill, we were served in an extremely charming and entertaining manner by the actual second chef while his wife cooked. The food was simply outstanding and we couldn't stop praising it. The menu is manageable - just as it should be in a good restaurant and everything we ate was good to outstanding, such as the ostrich fillet. Overall, it was just a wonderful evening with an excellent ambience, great hospitality and, above all, great food.

Written 20 August 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

a3whd

Hazel Grove508 contributions

Great Filet steaks

Feb 2024 • couples

It was not full as the husband who is also a chef had a fall and they could not cater for the usual numbers. Nevertheless the 2 filet steaks we had were beautiful and cooked to perfection. GF no problem with the sauce. Excellent service from Kingston.

Written 18 February 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

proftrish

Canterbury41 contributions

Slow cooked deliciousness

Mar 2022 • couples

The restaurant was recommended by our hotel; such a great choice! It’s a rustic building typical of the area. We sat on the veranda which was lovely. The food was divine; we had the warthog ragu which was delicious- slow cooked, melt in your mouth tender and delicately spiced with cloves. Followed by the unbaked cheesecake. Super wine list. Can’t recommend it enough.

Written 23 March 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

db42015

Honiton20 contributions

A Foodies Delight!

Dec 2023 • couples

This restaurant was recommended by our hotel, and we were very pleased we took their recommendation. The Chef clearly has high standards and wants every plate to be an enjoyable experience which it certainly was. Coupled with delightful service we went away feeling we'd discovered a real foodies gem.

Written 21 December 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cartay_11

Johannesburg11 contributions

Dinner

Jun 2022 • solo

What a huge disappointment. Steak quality was poor. Tough and overcooked. Vegetables obviously frozen not fresh. Salad limp. All of which could be be forgiven if the owner/chef didn't remonstrate loudly at me for not liking her substandard food. Not somewhere I would ever recommend there are way better restaurants in this beautiful village

Written 18 June 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bastian P

1 contribution

Excellent Experience!

Mar 2022 • none

We stayed in Swellendam for two nights and after our first night at Koornlands, we did not even bother to try any other restaurant. We went straight back! The restaurant is located a bit off the main road and from the porch you overlook a nice quiet garden. The service was excellent. The wine selection very reasonable. The food was amazing. We came traveling from the Garden Route and had experienced some good food. But nothing topped Koornlands. The day-menu is well selected and the ingrediencies are fresh. You will find nothing unexpected but the way the chef (the owner who we have met an who is such a character - very nice person!) makes it has just a bot of a twist. We will be back!

Written 24 March 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

alextrip

La Tremblade6 contributions

Excellent local cuisine restaurant

Jan 2024 • family

We went there twice during our stay in Swellendam. Our favorite restaurant from our stay in South Africa. The welcome was warm and professional. The chef always comes to say hello at the end of the meal. The most important thing is the cuisine...local, tasty, the meat for example perfectly cooked and well seasoned. Congratulations to this wonderful team!

Written 4 January 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Judith D

1 contribution

Excellent quality and value

Mar 2022 • none

Both starter (seafood cocktail) and mains (steak and curry) were excellent, tasty and good portion size. The best meal we have had yet in our SA trip. Very reasonably priced too. Wholesome and lovely setting. Service excellent. A must if passing through, but book and try to be outside.

Written 6 March 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patricia W

30 contributions

Home cooking at its very best

Jan 2023 • couples

Second time we’ve been to this wonderful little restaurant. The food is local home cooking at its very best. Delicate flavours that melt in your mouth. We’d highly recommend the warthog ragu but all the dishes coming out of the kitchen looked delicious. Tremendous staff. Can’t recommend enough.

Written 23 January 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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