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Ratings and reviews

Travellers' Choice2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
R 144 - R 287
CUISINES
International, European, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
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meals, features, about
Reviews (30)
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All reviews lunch ice cream tasting menu prawns pork belly steak devon valley sparkling wine stunning views great wine brandon wines mountains bubbly setting terrace estate
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Reviewed 1 week ago

We dined at Clos Malverne on the 5th March . It was a memorable evening with wonderful views and excellent food and service. We both chose the prawn cocktail in a pastry case followed by wonderful venison. My husband likes his venison ‘medium’ , I...prefer ‘medium rare ‘ . We both received exactly what we requested . I had not read any reviews before our visit and it was only when starting to write this review I saw them . I would refer you to Grand Tour , comprehensive review on January 17th. I agree completely with them . Also the good review below this . Give it a go …… you will not be disappointed . It’s a great unpretentious restaurant where you will be warmly welcomed I wish I had a restaurant like this near me in England .More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 1 week ago

For the first time after the takeover by Nicole Marais we invited friends to the restaurant of the wine estate Clos Malverne for lunch. The wonderful view from the front terrace in glorious weather is still indescribable. The competent and very friendly service provided by...Albar and team was phantastic. After the MCC Clos Malverne Sparkling Brut (not really brut), we chose the unoaked Chardonnay to accompany our meal. The summer menu, which can be chosen à la carte or as a two or three course meal is very popular. Both, the prawn-cocktail with „Mary Rose-dressing in a pastry waffle, as well as the Spring Bock fillet on Lyonnaise potatoes were beautifully decorated on the plates and of high quality – only the meat was not really medium as recommended as well-done. The cheesecake for dessert is a surprise. The whole experience convinced us and invites us to come back again.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

This used to be our favourite wine lands restaurant. Due to life, we didn’t go back for an extended period, and returned for a special occasion… wow were we disappointed. Meal surrounded by a swarm of flies. A nice salmon steak was ruined by a...big bowel of ice cold slimy rice. The steak was burnt and had a sour split mushroom sauce. The chicken salad consisted of blocks of blue cheese and tasteless chicken. Kids vegetables were peppers and onions. General apathy in management and what seems to be complete loss of taste in the meal construction. The systemic change and drop in quality at this restaurant is so dramatic, I can’t see us ever going back.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 3 February 2024

My late husband and I used to make a point of dining at Clos Malverne on our annual vacations so when I visited with a friend recently I was excited to return. I knew that it had changed hands but thought it would be fine....I started with the lamb ribs. I know they should have a certain amount of fat on them but I could hardly find any meat. They were almost inedible. For my main course I went on to the braised beef. I make this myself so, again, I know that there should be a certain amount of fat to bring out the flavour but there was so much that it made me feel nauseous. The cheeseboard was fine. Sadly the front balcony frameless glass doors had derailed the previous day and it was sweltering. We asked very politely whether it would be possible to have a fan to cool us down but were told this was not possible. Then we saw a table of four suddenly being provided with a fan! I spoke to the FOH who said that it had changed from the previous fine dining and she would get someone to email me the next day. I really am not bothered that it wasn't fine dining. I just wanted a decent lunch. I received a rather patronising email, part of which stated: "We are introducing our new menu next week and we are working hard to ensure that the new menu is a much lighter one, with much less fatty cuts of meat, to avoid more disappointed guests". So it's probably not just me who raised the issue of fatty meats. Such a disappointment. Sorry Clos Malverne I won't be back.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed 17 January 2024

Before visiting the Clos Malverne restaurant I researched some reviews online. I had to try it out for myself, as no restaurant can have as many bad reviews as this one? It was then that I realized every bad review is revering to the previously...owned establishment that catered to the sophisticated-bland market. I am always up for a challenge and I was pleasantly surprised from the word “GO!”. Who am I? I am a normal being, middle class if you wish. I do have a sense of style and taste I cookbook author and former television cook who also trained in food. I have worked in the forefront of the hospitality industry from aviation to cruise ships and I don’t think there is anything that one can tell me about pretentious, affluent, upper-class, elitist, entitled, opinionated people, who are set in their ways and not open for change. I have done restaurant reviews for many years and I have to say, my recent visit to the restaurant at Clos Malverne’s was outstanding and everything opposite of what I have read on the internet, coming to the conclusion the reviews were written by a bunch of… well the above mentioned. I believe the restaurant has been taken over by a brand new up-and-coming chef called Nicole, and I have to say, I think it was the best meal experience ever. Really, really good food. No pretentious little bits of food, no stiff, straight-back, upper-lip people, but only a warm and welcoming atmosphere with regular people and definitely child-friendly. They even have a kiddies menu which I believe was not the case before. It is heartwarming to discover an establishment (or shall I say intrepaneural chef and restauranteur) that has the interest of the local people at heart and not only the seasonal foreigners. My conclusion is, affordable, friendly, warm, bistro-style food, family orientated, fresh seasonal ingredients, substantial portions, very now, happening, and current – the best value for money. If you are looking for absolute value where the portions are “more is more” and the taste is better than home cooking, then one would be a fool not to try this restaurant. Pure homemade goodness, moreish and wholesome, sorry mom, your food was good but not as good as this. Go Restaurant Clos Malverne! Go, Nicole!! I shall return soon. Blessings Chef Frederick.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 14 January 2024

A disappointing celebratory visit for the three of us. We booked months earlier. Beautiful views over the mountains and the expectation for good food was the reason for booking. The restaurant was very quiet and we had asked for a window table. We were brusquely...told the free table was not available. After a discussion, the waitress said she'd "make and exception" after we were shown to a table really for two The weren't many more than a handful of tables. Tough lamb riblets, over done steaks and risotto you could stand a spoon up in! No recognition of the celebration? Regrettably the website paints a better picture. We could not recommend.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 8 January 2024

We booked the whole restaurant for a special birthday celebration. The whole experience (from the initial booking, selection of set menu dishes, arrival drinks and canapes, the quality of the food and the service from all staff) was excellent! I can really recommend Clos Malverne...for any special occasion. Amy Dec 2023More

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 4 January 2024

Disappointing. Since the original owners retired the wine-pairing menu, once a gourmet's dream, has been discontinued. The new menu was disappointing. The view is still beautiful; service was very pleasant but very slow; and the food was adequate. The feta, avo, rocket, strawberry salad starter...was lovely, but the duck was overdone and a bit uninteresting, and the apple and pecan pie tasty but a trifle stodgy. There were no vegan dessert options. Orange juice came out of a carton, and the wine was OK but not fabulous - as it used to be.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 30 December 2023

This is fantastic restaurant and a beautiful location. The staff were very helpful and friendly and always very attentive. The menu was varied but not too much which we like . We had the strawberry, peanut brittle salad and the lambs ribs to start (...my only negative was that the ribs were overcooked for me as i like them pink. We then had the Seafood risotto and the fish thermador. Absolutely beautiful and the Clos Malvern Brut to wash it down.More

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 11 December 2023

Its good – but not as good as it once was, which is a shame as we want this restaurant to succeed and appreciate that the new management need some time to find their feed. However, their strategy of moving downmarket with much larger food...portions, less smart dining, (but less generous on wine pouring's) doesn’t do it for us. Judging by how easy is was to reserve a table on the veranda (something that used to happen only if you booked 3 months in advance) I would suggest that the new strategy isn’t bearing fruit yet. This was once a highlight, an essential must-do restaurant, it’s still a nice-to-have, just not outstanding anymore.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 4 December 2023

This was not a good experience. Food was edible but the atmosphere was sad! Even with the magnificent view. Art sale of some sort, badly done...and in competition with the otherwise tranquil view. This is my second visit that was disappointing. Not sure if I...will return. No real service.More

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 2 December 2023 via mobile

This was our favourite wine estate in SA. We have been 5 times. Sadly the restaurant has been sold off. The tasting menu gone and the menu streamlined . The food is mediocre at best and the management have little knowledge of the wines blaming...a lack of cooperation with the winery. The accommodation is also separate and though very reasonably priced lacks the attention expected and provided elsewhere. Really disappointed. Much better options out there.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 1 December 2023

Sadly, our experience was similar to Shona's. We have been here 10-12 times over the past 10 years and always rated it as one of our favourite dining experiences, but not this time. Our starters were ok, but our main courses were dreadful, particularly my...wife's prawn risotto, which was a plate of sludge. We left before finishing our main courses, a near-unique experience for us. In the past the dining room had always been full but on this occasion it was nearly empty, so I'm guessing others have had a similar poor experience. To be fair, the waiting staff were great but battling against a very poor kitchen. Such a shame.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 16 November 2023

Such a disappointing Sunday lunch . 5 November 2023 We have been dining at Clos Malverne for over 10 Years and it has always been an outstanding experience . We have been visiting Cape Town for over 20 years for a long stay every September...until November and Clos Malverne has always been top favourite . Until now ! My brother described it as the worst meal he had ever had in South Africa and our party of 8 all agreed we would never return . There are so many excellent restaurants out there! The starter of riblets which 3 chose were totally inedible. The mains were unappetising food dumped on the plate . We asked for a second bottle of Clos Malverne Sauvignon Blanc but 2 were not available ! I could mention more that disappointed but safe to say the whole experience was very poor and the chef needs to up her game !!More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 1 November 2023

Always excellent, our two lunches in one week again did not disappoint. The views from the balcony are stunning, the service attentive and friendly, the menu choices superb (we opted for the wine pairing lunch) and I was thrilled with my choices of tempura hake,...kudu tartare, salmon and then cheesecake. On the second occasion I swapped the hake for mussels and the salmon for kingclip, equally delicious. Luncheoning here is a highlight of our Stellenbosch stay and we look forward to returning.More

Date of visit: December 2022
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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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Clos Malverne Restaurant, Stellenbosch - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor