Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Paarl is known for its history, culture, natural beauty, and a centuries-old winemaking tradition.
Fun for the entire family, here’s everything you can enjoy in Paarl on your next visit:
Where to Eat and Drink
Lounah Café
This daytime café is set in one of Paarl’s oldest residential homes. Here, you can sample delicious meals prepared with seasonal and locally sourced produce. Menu items include smoothies, smashed avo on toast, green goddess omelettes, and a selection of cakes (there’s even an aesthetic room dedicated to the cakes).
Choose a seat in the shaded outdoor area, inside where you can connect your devices and catch up on work, or in their tranquil courtyard, complete with a water fountain. Lounah Café also hosts monthly events—check their socials for updates.
Website: lounah.co.za/
Brookdale Estate
Once a forgotten vineyard, this estate is now one of Paarl’s premier destinations for exceptional wines, world-class cuisine, and breathtaking scenery. The award-winning Brookdale Estate is home to the renowned Bistro at Brookdale, led by Executive Chef Gary Coetzee. Their seasonal menu brings an exciting fusion of flavours, each dish presented like a work of art. Be sure to stay for a wine tasting at one of the tables overlooking the vineyards.
Website: brookdale-estate.com/
Plaisir Wine Estate
Set among manicured lawns and ancient oak trees, Plaisir is a destination that offers a range of tastings, a food market, and a restaurant. At Plaisir, visitors are encouraged to experience the farm as a journey, with opportunities to sip and savour in a picturesque setting.
With an extensive selection of wines, gins and Cap Classique, guests can choose to taste indoors or soak up the summer weather outdoors. Pairings include Artisanal Fudge and Wine, Artisanal Nougat and Wine, and an MCC Tasting. For those feeling adventurous, lawn games are also available, perfect for a bit of friendly competition.
Website: plaisir.co.za/
Laborie Wine Estate
With two inviting onsite restaurants, Stoep and Suzanne, you can enjoy everything from coffee and cocktails to small plates, tapas, and pasta dishes. Make the most of the warm weather by arranging a seasonally inspired picnic basket paired with Laborie’s renowned wines on the lawns in front of the Manor House.
Before you leave, explore The Farm Grocer, where you’ll find a tempting selection of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, artisan breads, pastries, and, of course, fine wines to take home. Laborie hosts regular events, including their Vineyard Longtables, featuring a mouth-watering paired menu.
Website: laborieestate.co.za/
Adara Palmiet Valley
If you want to escape the crowds, visit a 300-year-old wine estate. Adara Palmiet Valley’s restaurant champions local farmers and sources seasonal ingredients sustainably whenever possible. Open for lunch or dinner, you can indulge in your meal under the ancient oak trees or in the cosy restaurant adorned with unique artwork.
We recommend trying their wines – they’re delicious! Booking is essential.
Website: adara-palmiet-valley.co.za/
What to See and Do
Hike up Paarl Rock
If you’re up for an adventure, a hike up Paarl Rock is worth adding to your bucket list.
Located in the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, this massive granite outcrop offers breathtaking views over the town. Choose the 5.1 km trail to Paarl Rock along a scenic gravel road, or, if you’re feeling daring, tackle the climb directly from the picnic area.
For those wanting to explore further, a trek up Bretagne Rock, a quick 15- to 20-minute climb, rewards you with even more stunning vistas.
Explore the Taal Monument (Language Monument)
The iconic Taalmonument (Language Monument) is located on Paarl Mountain. Besides being an architectural masterpiece, it provides insight into the history of one of Africa’s youngest languages, Afrikaans. Designed by architect Jan van Wijk, the monument honours the language’s diverse origins, tracing back to three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
A bistro (normal entrance fees and discounts apply) serves meals with stunning views of the Cape Peninsula and Boland mountains. There is also an open-air gallery showcasing new creative works in Afrikaans, along with playgrounds and outdoor games.
Free guided tours are available from Monday to Friday, and on weekends and public holidays by pre-booking only, for a minimum of 20 people.
Website: www.taalmuseum.co.za/

Sample Bespoke Pairings at KWV Wine Emporium
Spanning over 22 hectares, the KWV cellar complex in Paarl is one of the largest in the world. Here, you can enjoy a variety of tasting experiences, including the House of Fire tour and tasting, which offers a fascinating look into the brandy-making process, along with a brandy and chocolate pairing.
In the tasting room, sample everything from MCC and gin to wine pairings. A kiddies’ pairing is also available. They have also introduced a blind vertical tasting of three vintages of their flagship, The Mentors Perold.
Website: kwv.co.za/
Get Active at Playrock Adventure Park
For the young – and the young at heart – Playrock Adventure Park is the ultimate fun zone!
With an indoor playpark, trampoline zones, a mini-golf course, and an outdoor mini-soccer pitch, this adventure-packed park promises hours of excitement for everyone.
When you’re not bouncing through circuits, unwind with drinks and meals at the Restaurant & Bar. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, the venue is also available for private events.
Website: www.playrock.co.za/
Get Your Dairy Fix at Dalewood Fromage
This farmstead cheesery produces cheese from the ground up, focusing on a regenerative farming approach and handcrafted techniques. The quaint store has everything from milk, cheese, yogurt, and preserves to freshly laid eggs, which you can also pick yourself.
Website: www.dalewood.co.za/
Go Blueberry Picking
The Blueberry Bar is a one-stop shop for blueberry lovers. From blueberry picking (perfect for all ages) to blueberry treats and smoothies, you can enjoy it all. There is also a Blueberry Tasting experience, where you can sample five unique blueberry juice flavours. Blueberry punnets, preserves, and ice creams are also on sale.
Website: blueberrybar.co.za/
Get Creative at Fanglasstic
If you love all things artsy, Fanglasstic offers a fun and sustainable activity. This glass painting studio displays handcrafted, functional glassware and hosts workshops. Create one-of-a-kind glass art, and once you’re done, the team will carefully fire your artwork in their glass fusing kilns. The best part? You only pay for the item you choose.
Website: www.fanglasstic.co.za/
Where to Stay
Adara Palmiet Valley
This boutique farm hotel merges luxury with sustainability. The Cape Dutch homestead includes four main buildings and several smaller ones, all set in a majestic park with ancient oak trees, jacarandas, and rare camellias. The Paarl Mountains are a central feature, especially during sunsets.
In addition to the spacious accommodation, which is equipped with all the modern conveniences needed for a perfect getaway, Adara prides itself on its sustainable practices. For instance, electricity is generated using a photovoltaic system and stored in a battery buffer station. The energy produced is sufficient to supply the entire facility at night. Their water supply is also entirely independent. Some of the accommodation options feature private pools.
Website: adara-palmiet-valley.co.za/
Plasir
Plaisir’s historic manor dates to 1823 and boasts views of the Simonsberg Mountains and cascading vineyards. You can stay in one of five suites, each styled with period furniture and modern touches. Each suite has access to the infinity pool and the Plaisir trails on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, which are perfect for biking, running, and walking.
Website: www.plaisir.co.za/accommodation/
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