Challenge 16: Ride In

| Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge | 

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

before her final graduation - 

Ride In is a unique concept. It is mainly geared towards cyclists wanting easy access to the trails of Jonkershoek but they are open to the public and are besides Postcard Cafe the only restaurants that pair the beauty that Jonkershoek Nature Reserve  has to offer with great food.

Situated at the start of Jonkershoek way, just 3 kilometers outside Stellenbosch, Ride In is a great access point to all Jonkershoek has to offer. If the ample parking spots, bike hires, showers and bike wash don't intrigue you, the cafe and accommodation sure will. 

 The cafe has a limited menu, but the meals are large, fresh and scrumptious. Their menu is displayed on the blackbooards above the counter and changes regularly. They also have a deal of the day, which goes along the line of a main meal, beverage and dessert for about R80-90 - so if nothing else, it's quite a bargain.

Previous lunch options include:

• Steak, rocket & blue cheese open sandwich, with a chocolate brownie and cuppacino (R 85)
• Steak & parsnip pie, with plum tart & coffee (R85) 
• Sweet chilli chicken wrap, with a chocolate brownie and BlueJay juice (R80)

The sweet chilli chicken wrap, with dessert and juice

Steak pie, with juice and mini muffin selection for dessert 

- they cater for the hungry! 

Steak, lentil & aubergine salad, with a Hazz coffee 

and oat & date bar

If you are not opting for their daily lunch deal, other options include all day breakfasts,  spicy chorizo quesidillas, aubergine, rocket & feta sandwich, pies, boboties and hearty  homemade dishes. If you're looking for an afternoon tea spot, Ride In also offers delicious treats and snacks. In fact, when my boyfriend (now fiance) wanted to introduce me to cycling, he made the lucrative offer of a post cycle sweet treat at Ride In - it obviously worked seeing as we are doing the Cape Cycle Tour next weekend, on a tandem... ;-)

The cafe also sells fresh flowers, the Buttanutt range of homemade nut butters, Artisan ice cream from Ice Cream Community and a variety of other energy bars, fresh juices, craft beers and even cycling equipment. 

The amazing view from the seating area and tranquil atmosphere is however what ensures that it is a firm favourite of mine. There is also a great play place which will keep the kids entertained. They also have a generator and free wifi - so if loadshedding strikes, Ride In is a great alternative to the office. 

Whether you are cycling past or just in search of a great meal, Ride In has a lot to offer. 

Amazing sunset as viewed from Ride In

 Outside seating area

 Entrance to Ride In

 Play area for the kids

Specialized bicycles are available to hire for the day 

The counter brimming with sweat treats

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Address | Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch

Trading hours | Monday - Saturday 07: 00 - 17:30, (Closed on Tuesdays). Sunday 07:00 - 16:00

Telephone | 021 883 3985

Email | info@ridein.co.za

Website | www.ridein.co.za

* Photo Credit: Ride In

The photos used in this post are not my own * 

Challenge 15: Taste Bud Eatery

| Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

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

before her final graduation - 

I often pop into the Taste Bud eatery, seeing that it is situated about 300 metres from my lecture hall. It is however not only their convenient location but their clean, fresh approach to food that keeps me coming back. 

Taste Bud has a simple approach - they offer a buffet lunch daily, where you help yourself and the menu is consistently adapted. They also offer the alternative of an a la carte menu. If you still can't get enough, Taste Bud also takes orders for homemade dishes that will make entertaining much more convenient. 

The Taste Bud Eatery has a comfortable feel to it

 and draws visitors and locals alike

The daily buffet is perhaps their biggest attraction. With quality ingredients and creative combinations you will never get bored of the selection. I promise, there are not a bain-marie in sight!  The homey vibe adds to the experience. Pricing is done according to the weight of your plate, so you can determine the size of your portion. 

Delicious buffet lined up

 There are numerous dishes to choose from 

and vegetarians are also well looked after

The buffet is prepared fresh daily 

so when it's done, it's done - best to come early!

Having quite a sweet tooth, the dessert table never disappoints. Their sweet selection also changes constantly, however the red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing seems to be a constant winner. They also make a superb red cuppacino and red latte, which for a non-coffee drinker is quite a drawing card. 

The only drawback is that inside seating can be limited on overcast days. On one of my visits, my friend and I were seated at a table for four as it was the last available option. Twice the manager asked if other patrons could join us at our table seeing as they had no more spaces available. We did not complain, but it is not ideal. During the course of our visit, we shared the table with a few different patrons. Towards the end of our coffee, we felt that they encouraged us to leave as soon as possible so that the table would become available again. In summer however there is ample seating available outside under the magnificent oak trees and judging by the seat allocation, this seems to be a firm favourite. 

The dessert selection 

The red velvet cupcakes -  clearly a winner!

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Address | 44 Reyneveld Street, Stellenbosch

Telephone | 082 336 5863

Trading hours | Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Email | tastebud.eatery@gmail.com