Being a working farm, dining here is very much in line with the farm-to-fork philosophy. There is a wonderful restaurant, Babel, which offers delightful breakfasts, lunches and dinners inspired by produce from the garden and from local butchers and cheesemakers, all enhanced by wine pairings from the cellar master. There is also a beautiful Greenhouse Restaurant set within the gardens where seasonal salads and snacks, scrumptious sandwiches, and freshly-baked scones are offered alongside a menu of refreshing local drinks and brews. The fabulous Bakery supplies the farm with freshly baked breads by day, and at night transforms into an unforgettable family-style dining experience with a lively atmosphere and themed evenings including Italian nights and South African braai celebrations. In addition, the Farm Shop, Milk Room, Bakery, Butchery and Lekker Kamer all offer tasty treats sourced and cultivated from the estate and surrounding suppliers.
It goes without saying that one of the highlights here is the wine. Every bottle is produced on-site in a state-of-the-art winery, and top of the list of experiences here is a wine tasting session accompanied by delicious food platters and surrounded by views of the conical Babylonstoren hill, Simonsberg and the Banghoek Mountains. Cellar Tours which take you from the vineyards above ground, through the underground wine tunnel and into the working cellar are very popular and, of course, conclude with a master tasting.
During your stay here you will have unlimited access to the famous 8 acres of working gardens. Orchards of abundant fruit, acres of vegetables, farm animals and a macrocosm of pollinating insects make up the botanical haven, alongside unique exhibitions and collections. You can get a glimpse of farm operations through various experiences, such as garden tours, olive oil blending or witnessing the essential oil distillery in the Scented Room opposite the cellar. Guests are encouraged to pick, taste, smell and touch as they meander through the beautiful gardens. Bicycles can be hired free of charge, and guests can also enjoy guided fishing and canoeing on the farm dam, and free mountain drives with stays of 2 days or longer.