La Sosta Restaurant

There are some restaurants that require a little homework to ensure you get a table, and La Sosta in Swellendam is one of those – but trust us when we say it is well worth the trouble. Run by husband-and-wife team Salvatore and Nina, La Sosta (which is also attached to a lovely guesthouse) is only open for dinner, on fixed dates, and serves a set menu – but it’s the kind of menu you’ll be dreaming about for a long time. They serve modern Italian food, with a highly seasonal approach, in an intimate 18-seater setting. Service is known to be very attentive and informative, and the wine list (with a great local focus) also gets rave reviews. Excellent fine-dining dishes have included a delectable prawn risotto with citrus butter and squid ink, as well as cappelletti with veal-and-pork stuffing and Grana Padano sauce. Salvatore and Nina are very hands-on, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Don't leave without trying:
The menu changes regularly but be sure to order their risotto if it’s on the menu, as well as the tiramisu.