Country Grand: A Free-Spirited Country Café to Drink in the Views and the Vibe

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Country Grand Franschhoek

Nestled high on the mountainside above Franschhoek village, Country Grand boasts one of the most breathtaking views in the region.

This stunning venue is located at Dieu Donné Vineyards, a winery on the wine tram route, and is the newest addition to the Grand Collection. The casual glitz and deluxe café menu are ideal for lazy lunches, sundowners, and romantic dinners. With its Instagram-worthy corners, Country Grand offers an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

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Setting the Scene

As you enter Country Grand, up a gracious flight of steps flanked by cascades of water, take a moment to enjoy your first photo opportunity. Once inside, Country Grand impresses with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views over the valley. The vaulted brick wine-cellar-style interior is glammed up with a rococo bar, red velvet couches, a candelabra, and a single red rose on each table.

The Outdoors

Down the stairs and outside, the generous brick patio offers a grandstand view over the valley, with giant café umbrellas shading the seating options. Eight tables for two are set in the prime position at the patio’s edge with uninterrupted views. It’s well worth booking ahead to reserve one of these. Wooden steps lead down to a sloping lawn and a deck adorned with fairy lights for nighttime dining under starry skies. A giant mirror ball, funky red-lips bench, and cushioned couches next to the vines pay homage to its beachside counterpart and offer playful retro-chic backdrops for glam selfies.

Café Extravaganza

The menu at Country Grand caters to all tastes and occasions. A giant Grand thin-based pizza or a towering Wagyu burger are easy choices for casual lunches. If you’re in a virtuous mood, perhaps the green goddess salad is an option. The pasta menu offers prawn linguine and chicken and broccoli pappardelle. For a romantic sunset dinner, select a three-course feast from the versatile menu: perhaps starting with oysters, followed by Chalmar beef or linefish tagliata, and finishing with a luscious chocolate pot or pink pavlova for dessert.

Sip Back and Relax at Country Grand

The palm-fronded bar and outdoor lounge encourage you to linger after your meal, drinking in the views as long as possible. The extensive cocktail menu has undoubtedly been designed for living it up in style. Live music at the weekends adds to the laidback-luxury vibe, so it’s easy to come for lunch and settle in for the afternoon. Or watch the sunset for an hour or two until the mountain views fade to pink and purple.

What You Need to Know about Country Grand

  • Country Grand is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm.
  • The restaurant is at Dieu Donné Vineyards, Uitkyk Street, Franschhoek.
  • You can book reservations through DinePlan.
  • The venue is wheelchair accessible, and debit cards and NFC mobile payments are accepted.
  • The restaurant has an onsite bar and serves wine, beer, and hard liquor.
  • Vegans, vegetarians, and groups are welcome.
  • The café offers lunch, dinner, small plates, and brunch options.
  • The restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Many visitors enjoyed the atmosphere, friendly staff, and stunning views. So whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another lazy lunch or romantic dinner, Country Grand is definitely worth a visit.

Amanda Wilson is a Cape Town-born journalist who covers the city’s evolving food scene for national and international outlets, tracing stories from Bo-Kaap spice shops to Khayelitsha micro-breweries. Raised on her grandmother’s Karoo lamb potjie and weekend hikes up Lion’s Head, she brings equal parts palate and pride to every assignment. Colleagues know her for the quiet warmth that turns interviews into friendships and fact-checks into shared laughter.

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