What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Grande Roche Restaurant
Review
About
The multi-faced venue, with its picturesque vistas is the ideal anytime setting – from breakfast on the patio next to the pool – to sunset, with oysters and bubbly or bar snacks and cocktails, on the terrace… For lunch and dinner chef Christiaan envisions a unique blend of fine dining with decent portions and a laid back atmosphere. “I just want to play with flavours and fresh local ingredients to do justice to the long history of this pearl of the Paarl” says Christiaan. The attention to detail stretches beyond the plate with the team sourcing local produce; establishing a food garden and striving for zero waste – using every element possible.
Features
CUISINES
International, Contemporary, Fusion
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Visa
Wine and Beer
Location
Parking Available
Menu
Does this restaurant serve alcohol?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 8:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 - 20:30
Monday
8:00 - 20:30
Tuesday
8:00 - 20:30
Wednesday
8:00 - 20:30
Thursday
8:00 - 20:30
Friday
8:00 - 20:30
Saturday
8:00 - 20:30
Contribute
4.6
51 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
4
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Trip552815
1 contribution
Mar 2025 • couples
What an all round wonderful experience! The view was wonderful, but the food and service made the evening. Chef Noah served up delicious and perfectly presented dishes, while Bobby and team provided five star service. We cannot recommend Grand Roche enough, we will be visiting again soon.
Written 4 March 2025
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.
Pat & Paul (Nerve Marketing & Events)
Durban260 contributions
May 2022 • none
We were too bushed to eat dinner ... but we had a great breakfast in the morning created by Chef Kevin, pricing at this restuarant is good value for money. Day visitors are welcome. Fantastic views on the terrace and from the lovely windows adds to the experience... will definitely pop in here agian when next in the Paarl area.
Written 16 May 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.
Sian R
Chippenham68 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
We stayed here from 4th to 7th Feb whilst in Paarl. A lovely hotel in lovely grounds outside Paarl centre. Paarl itself is a collection of things to see rather then spending time in the town.
We had a Duplex room with an upper floor. Nice room but needed updating. But comfortable with good amenities, a fridge, kettle, coffee maker and there was milk and water in the fridge on arrival.
Staff are lovely and the food overall was very good. The menu was changed on our last night there. No longer could we choose just on or two courses but we had to order a minimum of three which proved a bit much and was much more expensive too. This was a mistake, I feel.
Written 14 February 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.
Tal27
228 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
Just not the level it needs to be to match the glamour and world class offering of the hotel. Starting with the wine list - I appreciate the restaurant (and hotel) are now owned by the Britz family who also own the Under Oaks vineyard (one of our favourites) but the wine list needs to be much broader and provide more of a range of wines. A sommelier would not go amiss. The wine list is a couple of pages attached to the food menu, almost completely consisting of Under Oaks wines (some of which were not in stock?), and really underwhelming with a very hefty markup compared to other restaurants in the Cape. The disappointment continued with the food. For some reason the chef has gone with a concept where all plates are the same size, and you order as many plates as you want in whatever order you like. I remember the Tasting Room in Franschhoek used to do this in 2010, but it just didn't work for us, especially as the portion sizes were somewhere between a starter and a main and so just too large. The flavours were bland, with my mussels dish being the only one with a balance of flavours rather than just a mild kind of beurre blanc. The peach clafoutis was enormous. It was in no way cheap, and was very underwhelming. We had a trainee waiter to start with and she was absolutely lovely and very eager. In the end another waiter took over without any explanation to us at all which was strange - we hadn't complained, we were being patient as we could tell the original waiter was finding her feet.
All in all, it would put me off staying at the hotel in future which is a real shame, as who wants to stay in such an amazing place, and then have to drive somewhere else for dinner??
Written 23 February 2025
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.
Simon Hague
Singapore17 contributions
Jan 2024 • family
The Hotel has gone downhill since we last stayed in 2017, the new owners have not kept up investment in the restaurant and waiting staff and it’s evident. the rooms are still beyond excellent, well kept, well ,maintained.
However there is no full time restaurant manager. The chef is a severe downgrade on previous chef and the waiting on staff are friendly but young and not invested in the hotel.
The hotel can do much better, I’ve witnessed it first hand at its best and it’s evident it’s not just my opinion as the restaurant was empty.
Written 3 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.
CapeTownBear
Cape Town Central193 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
Grande Roche is destined to be the talk of town.
The chef and service team at the new Grande Roche restaurant work to make foods dreams come to life. Damn that service was some of the most informal grandness I have ever had. Hats off to our server Charlie!! Simply a gentleman and wordsmith with serious slaying server skills.
Innovative new taste profiles will have you pondering long after you leave. I have literally not stopped discussing the meals I have had at GR restaurant with all and sundry. As a tour guide I am fortunate to experience this often but this was somehow elevated. Not sure if it was the food, the chef and his team or the environs. Most likely a combo of all that.
I took my parents for their virgin cuisine fine dining experience. They were blown away by the meal and the myths of fine dining being beyond their reach. Their concerns dissipated bite by bite. They were made to feel most welcome even not understanding the nuances of amuse bouches and flavor profiles. Charlies was their guide and walked us all through the meal step by step. We are ever so grateful he was on hand to explain and enhance this first time for my parents. And the chef popped in and out to steer the ship and be a part of the experience.
We overnighted especially for this experience and were treated to the best breakfast we have had in years. Pre or post covid!! Again our server Pumlani rose to the challenge and nothing was too much trouble. Breakfast reinvented is all I can say. Mini corn bread!! Damn that was a surprise that took us by storm. The continental trolley - what a treat!!
To the restaurant team at Grande Roche I say a heartfelt Thank You. A lifelong memory was created that my parents and I will share for ever more. That's priceless.
Written 30 January 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.
LizelDV
Paarl172 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
Started our romantic evening with cocktails and a fantastic view. Then we moved inside to the elegant, colonial-style diningroom. Soft lighting, soothing music and loads of real candles burning took us to an ‘other-worldly’ veranda overlooking African vegetation. The service was attentive and friendly. The home-baked bread and brioche was amazing and the highlight of our meal was a feast of mushrooms with succulent chicken. All the other dishes were beautiful and tasty. We will be back for cocktails, sunset and cheese platters on that veranda. Thank You for a memorable, romantic dinner.
Written 13 April 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.
Linda C
Greater Johannesburg25 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
We had breakfast shortly after restrictions lifted. The staff went to so much trouble to maintain a high standard, make the breakfast interesting and delicious. Great views from the verandah. Love to go again.
Written 10 March 2021
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.
Veronique
Cape Town800 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
I booked a table last minute, but they were ready for me.
That evening, I was the only one in the restaurant (the hotels guest had a function somewhere else), but they provided a VIP service.
The food was delicious : the crayfish was divine, and the chocolate mousse to damn for!
The setting was nice and warm...
Written 11 October 2021
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.
Freedom512669
6 contributions
Jan 2021 • friends
I want to thank Inemari and her staff for a unbelievable experience at the restaurant at Grande Roche in Paarl. My daughter's 18th birthday party was canceled due to Covid and we were looking for a special place to spoil her and her closes friends. Inemari helped and in 2 days planned a fantastic cake, canapes, ballons and even went shopping for non alcoholic champagne (at that time no alcohol due to lockdown rules).
The food was fantastic, the service was great and the table was set for a queen,above all my daughter was blown away and could not stop smiling!
Thank you Inemari and personal of Grande Roche restaurant for making this memory last forever!
Written 2 February 2021
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.
Aimee
1 contribution
Jan 2022 • family
It's difficult to choose a single dish from the Asian inspired menu - they all sound too good. Since we were a large group we were able too sample every dish, and none disappointed. I had the crispy ceasar salad with white anchovies starter, which was both surprising and delicious. My main was the pork belly dish - the super crispy crackling was a winner. Excellent service, great food and very accommodating - can't wait to go again.
Written 2 January 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.
Ewa G
Hermanus18 contributions
Nov 2020 • couples
We visited Grande Roche restaurant just 2 weeks after they reopened under new, very professional management. The place, beautiful historical Cape Dutch building is facing Paarl Rock, the view from the terrace is amazing. There is huge choice of drinks and exquisite wine offer. Kevin, the new chef creats very innovative and delicious dishes. Everything is beautifully presented and of highest quality.
Last but not least, the service is attentive and observant.
We felt very welcomed and will definitely visit Grande Roche restaurant again.
Written 5 December 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.
Antivirus
Green Point27 contributions
May 2021 • couples
Absolutely outstanding vibe, scenery and ambiance. But you go to a restaurant for the food… so what is there to say about that, well we came here due to the reputation of Chef Kevin Grobler and we we were once more time blown away. Official lay the best Oyster we ever had… the beef Tartare toasted cheese, Ceviche were out of this world. Do yourself a favor, experience it and share your feedback 🤤
Written 5 June 2021
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.
Nicolette Hoffmann
Paarl11 contributions
Sept 2021 • family
Most beautiful setting in the Heart of Paarl. Food is excellent, generous portions and great prices.
One of SA best chefs Kevin Grobler is Headchef at the Grande Roche Restaurant.
Will be back for sure.
Written 21 September 2021
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.
coen_12
Johannesburg2328 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
From Bubbles and Braai to lazy Wednesday lunch to high end Breakfast,you name it,Kevin and Team will do it,with the outmost passion and finesse.
This place must be number one,no question.
Stunning Superior Excellent Excellent experience 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏.
We will be back 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
Written 21 April 2021
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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