Challenge # 5: Buena Vista Social Cafe

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

 - a student's quest to visit every restaurant in Stellenbosch, 

before her final graduation - 

This authentic Cuban restaurant is situated just outside Stellenbosch, on the R44 and was the venue for a friend's birthday party. Buena Vista is ideal for larger groups, seeing as they have ample seating as well as a separate dining, lounge and bar area. 

Entrance to Buena Vista, Stellenbosch

Photo Credit: Buena Vista Social Cafe

If you can't recall any familiar Cuban dishes, don't refrain from Buena Vista - even though they are a Cuban restaurant, they do cater for different tastes. The restaurant has an island vibe, it is surrounded by palm trees,  and big open bonfires in summer. You are seated at rustic wooden tables and interesting decals cover the walls. The staff also have a laid back attitude, without being slow or ineffective.  

Buena Vista offers an array of cocktails and tapas (such as calamari, chilli poppers, mussels and mezze platters). For mains you can choose between burritos, quesidillas, nachos, wraps and salads as well as all the usual meat and seafood dishes you will find at other restaurants. 

On Mondays they have a nacho special in terms of which you get a complimentary, standard plate of nachos with every plate of nachos that you buy. We opted for cocktails and plates of nachos for the table. We were also feeling brave and opted for some chilli poppers - however these are not for the faint of heart. These chillies mean business and are very spicy. Most of us could only stomach half a popper each. 

The nachos however was a great success. We had the Nachos con Pollo, which is the standard nachos with chicken (R 78) as well as the Lamb and Feta Nachos (R 85). With this order, we received two standard plates of nachos (spicy tomato nachos with salsa, guacamole and sour cream) for free. Their portions are generous and ideal to share. We had copious amounts of nachos going around! 

The nachos are really exceptional and I can really recommend this option - especially the lamb and feta nachos. 

Chilli Poppers, filled with cream cheese and served with sweet chilli sauce

Photo Credit: Buena Vista Social Cafe

Standard nachos with salsa, guacamole and sour cream

If you do visit Buena Vista for a birthday, ask them about their special birthday shot, seeing as it is not listed on the menu. On your birthday, their gift to you is a cuban birthday shot, rich in tradition. 

The manager will bring you a tray with a shot as well as a plate with an alcohol infused orange slice and cinnamon. He explains the whole process in detail before commencing. The orange slice is then lighted and because of the alcohol content it produces an impressive flame. When the cinnamon is sprinkled over, little sparks are created  - thereafter the shot is downed and the orange serves as a sweet treat. 

Birthday shot for Shirne

Good news! If you are not in the Stellenbosch area, they also have branches in Green Point and Durbanville - so you really don't have an excuse for not visiting them! 

Buena Vista - Stellenbosch / Somerset West

Lentelus Farm, R44

021 855 4454

Buena Vista - Greenpoint

12 Portswood Road, Greenpoint

021 418 2467 / 68

Buena Vista - Durbanville

Palm Groce Centre

021 976 7260

Alternatively, visit their website at http://www.buenavista.co.za/, from where you can make online bookings.