Experience the magic of Darling - Where else in South Africa would you find Evita, a Voorkamerfest, and both a wild flower show and an exotic orchid show, on the same day? As you will discover even the wines of Darling have something special about them, and the fact that many highly respected wine labels outside Darling either have a vineyard here, or choose to source their fruit from our soils, is indicative of this.
Darling Brew Slow Quarter offers you the unique experience of our beer and food pairings. This growing trend highlights the variety in beers, for a variety of occasions with a gastronomy of flavors. One could try anything from our roasted, caramel native ale paired with melon and kudu bresaola to our spicy bone crusher wit beer paired with tempura prawns in a bone crusher and sesame seed batter. Beer is no longer the poor cousin, craft breweries are changing this one delicious brew at a time. Come be part of the movement.
Website: http://www.darlingbrew.co.za
The Darling Wine Shop
The wines of Darling are blessed with the consistency of quality due to their viticulture location and yet a diversity of style that makes them all so different. With scarcely half a dozen producers there is a lot to explore!
There is however a practical side to a visitors “route of exploration” in that in typical Darling diversity, the vineyards are located in four different directions from the centre of the town. To visit all the Vineyards in one-day is possible but not always practical, and this is what has inspired Darling négociant Charles Withington to come up with the idea of the Darling Wine Shop - a one-stop shop in the centre of Darling where one could buy virtually the entire range of any of the Darling wines, and at cellar door prices.
Telephone: 022 492 3971 | Charles 074 194 1711 | Website: www.darlingwine.co.za
The Marmalade Cat - Being a unique and trendy hot spot for locals and tourists alike, the Marmalade Cat, is everything its names suggests! The small marmalade-coloured building is easy to spot on Darling’s main road and as one walks past bougainvilleas to enter the yellow, white and blue polka-dotted shop, one is greeted by smiling faces, freshly baked scents and a kaleidoscope of gifts and collectibles individually selected by the owner, Sandi Collins.
The Marmalade Cat is the perfect place for a bustling atmosphere, freshly prepared, flavour-filled breakfasts, lunches, morning and afternoon teas. Specialties such as the fluffy bacon and feta omelets for breakfast, or the designer chicken pies will have you desperate to return for more! The Marmalade Cat is also open on Friday nights for their famous pizzas, which include a complementary salad to start and an atmosphere that is sure to have you dancing by the end of the night. The Marmalade Cat is also the perfect place for birthday or business functions, which must be booked in advance.
Telephone: 022 492 2515
Hilda's Kitchen @ Groote Post Wine Estate - This restaurant is situated in the historic manor at Groote Post Wine Estate on the Darling Hills Road and serves modern country cuisine. Hilda’s Kitchen was selected best new restaurant – West Coast '2004 Eat Out' restaurant awards. The perfect functions venue, ideally situated for weddings, conferences and parties.
Telephone: 022 492 2825
Cloof Wine Estate - Cloof produces intense, bold-flavoured wines from grapes grown under extreme conditions. Among its products are a Decanter 5 Star Award winner, a Champion Shiraz and numerous airline selections. The estate welcomes visitors for wine tasting (Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:00) and light lunches (Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 to 15:00). Details may be found on the Cloof website.
The estate also offers a superb venue for weddings and other functions.
Telephone: 022 492 2839
Website: www.cloof.co.za