Imagine a sun-kissed vineyard producing a fine Merlot, overlooked by a Michelin-starred restaurant at Brasserie prices - you've just imagined dining at Tokara, one of many, excellent vineyard restaurants around the western Cape.

Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are chockful of vineyards, from major producers like Boschendal to smaller, boutique estates like Buitenwervachten, Meerlust and Bouchard Finlayson, where wine tasting is well-organised, and a line up of three to five half glasses of new world nectar costs £1-2.

Dotted among these vineyards are gastronomic restaurants whose prices are shockingly reasonable - check out Reubens in Franchhoek, opposite the more expensive Le Quartier Francais, or opt for a vineyard with a gastronomic restaurant attached, like Terroir, or the more contemporary Tokara in Stellenbosch.

The Tokara estate offers everything you could want from a vineyard. I sampled some of the finest whites and reds in a smart modern tasting room, before dining on excellent "New South African" cuisine in the contemporary, glass-walled restaurant, overlooking rolling vineyards.

Dishes like Kingclip (a local fish) with green fig balsamic and honey caramelised nuts is typically South African, while Tagliolini with salmon and Crayfish cream, suits more conventional diners. Washed down with an excellent Tokara Red, followed by a Sabayon Surprise, the bill was a ridiculously cheap £27-30 for three-courses with wine.

There's no doubt that French food is slightly finer (it's hard to compete with the flavours of sun-ripened Mediterranean produce), but when it comes to combining great wines, good food and spectacular views, French Vintners could take a few lessons from the way they're doing things in the Cape.

.....and sleep!
by Julie Broadbent

We travelled the garden route some 4 years ago and found accommodation en route through The Portfolio collection - B & Bs but not as you know them from the UK! The quality of both the catering and the accommodation was superb and really good value for money. Plus, it gave you the opportunity to meet the really friendly locals.
Wine "Experts"?
by Ann Newton

My husband and I visited the Wine Warehouse on the V&A Waterfront. We purchased two different trays of wine samples. Out on the decking we shared these 2x5 glasses of wine,verbally comparing our thoughts, then filling on the questionaire sheets. There were pieces of cheese and some plain crackers to eat as we worked our way through the wines. It was a perfect setting and we were just having a bit of fun being "Wine Experts". A day we have never forgotten, all very simple but when you are in Cape Town you feel, life cannot get better than this.
Food AND wine
by Maureen Gale

The vineyards in the Stellenbosch region had the most amazing restaurants.
Boschendal and Delheim remain uppermost in my memory - brilliant food, excellent wine, friendly people - what more could one expect for this sort of holiday.
Additionally the scenery in SA is stunning, Table Mountain, the beaches and the markets are a must. Would love to return.
Cheap as Chips
by Dave Sleaman

Go into any Ocean Basket and have the fish platter it is amazing and very reasonably priced
Melrose Arche
by Kyle Stanway

Melrose Arche in rosebank JHB is fantastic they have sent it up nicely and the food choice and the food itself is superb deffinately recomend it to anyone who goes to that area
Gourmet capital of South Africa
by Jacinta O'Meara

I spent an amazing 5 nights in wonderful Franschhoek (French Corner)- the gourmet capital of South Africa. This town is nestled among spectacular mountain scenery and is home to some of the best wines in South Africa. The choice of world class restaurants is great (recommend Boulabaisse). Try Val D'Or or Petit Ferme for accommodation. Best holiday ever!!!
do not delay the day
by brian pursey

Fine people,fine wine and food, fineweather a time to see the life of the rainbow nation
Portfolio B&B
by Carole Sayers

Any one travelling to South Africa on their own should check out the Portfolio B&B collection. Four of us travelled around for 3 weeks and every property we selected from the collection was superb.The descriptions and maps are very accurate and make the planning of your trip very easy.
Gastronomic Delight
by Bob MacDougall

The lovely town of Franschhoek is blessed with some fine eateries. A sumptuous lunch at La Petite Ferme was memorable, but the phrase 'to die for' must be reserved for the dinner conjured up by award winning chef, Peter Tempelhoff, at the Grand Provence. A culinary experience in exquisite surroundings which could rival some of London's top establishments!
Teriffic Hospitality
by Nick Lewis

A fabulous barbeque during a wine tour at Mr Beyers Truter's winery, Beyerskloof.

I have been drinking pinotage ever since!

A terrific week at the Pontac Manor Hotel in Paarl, the base for our wine tour. The welcome and contentment made the holiday seem so secure and rewarding. If I could afford it, I would go back again and again.