There are plenty of ways to explore Cape Town, but discovering the city and winelands from the window of a beautifully transformed double-decker bus, the Culinary Cruiser, with five-course dining experience unfolding at the table, is certainly one of the more memorable ones.
We recently experienced the Culinary Cruiser, an intimate fine-dining journey that takes you beyond the traditional restaurant setting and onto some of Cape Town’s most spectacular roads. With just 32 seats per journey, the experience feels personal from the moment you climb aboard, with the scenery constantly changing outside while the courses unfold at the table.
In collaboration with Ken Forrester Wines and acclaimed chefs Craig Cormack and Beau du Toit, the menu celebrates South African ingredients, from fresh Cape seafood and locally sourced produce from the winelands to rare mineral salts, with each course paired with Ken Forrester Wines.
We began with freshly baked Rye Sourdough bread, cultured butter and black lava salt, paired with Petit Chenin Blanc. The second course brought a trio of delicate bites to the table, featuring a Courgette Tartlet with crème fraîche, Prawn Toast with Tom Yum Kewpie mayo and Crispy Cauliflower with gochujang and sesame, matched with Ken Forrester Sauvignon Blanc Reserve.
Next came fresh Linefish Ceviche with mango, jalapeño and garlic aioli, finished with lemon, olive oil, avocado purée, dill and micro herbs. Paired with Petit Rosé, it was a beautifully fresh course that felt right at home with the Cape Town landscape unfolding outside.
The main course was Slow-Braised Beef Short Rib & Smoked Salt, served with pommes Anna, glazed baby onion, pickled mustard, asparagus purée and grilled asparagus. The tender short rib was paired with Ken Forrester Renegade Reserve, a Rhône-style blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre.
And then came dessert. A Dark Chocolate Tartlet layered with chocolate mousse, miso crémeux, salted butterscotch and fresh raspberries, paired with Ken Forrester Pat’s Garden Reserve. A Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Quite a delicious way to bring the journey to a close.
What makes the Culinary Cruiser particularly special for us is that the destination is part of the dining experience. Lunch and dinner journeys follow either Clarence Drive or Helshoogte Pass, with the route selected according to the weather conditions on the day.
We loved the idea of dining while the scenery kept changing, from dramatic mountain landscapes to the coastline and the wide-open ocean of False Bay. Imagine sitting down while the roads winds along the ocean, with the Cape landscape unfolding beyond your window. It is a very different way to experience Cape Town.
Nothing like dining on spectacular coastal roads between mountains and the dramatic waters of False Bay. Dine alongside the ocean with the coastline unfolding beyond your window.
There is also a vegan tasting menu available, along with non-alcoholic pairings, making the experience accessible to different dining preferences.
For us, the Culinary Cruiser is the kind of experience that turns a meal into part of the journey. You are not simply heading somewhere for dinner. The road, the views, the food and the wine all become part of the experience.
For more information and bookings, visit culinarycruiser.co.za.
Contact details:
Tel: 079 956 1883
Email: reservations@culinarycruiser.co.za
Website: Culinary Cruiser
Categories: Accommodation
