Best Burgers in Stellenbosch: Town and Wine

The best burgers in Stellenbosch are in the compact historic centre, around Dorp Street, Church Street and the Braak, the old town square, where student cafés and grills sit within walking distance of the university. The other place to look is the wine estates around the town, whose restaurants serve lunch among the vines.

Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second-oldest town, nicknamed Eikestad, the city of oaks, for the trees that shade its streets. It is also where Pinotage was created in 1925 by Professor Abraham Perold, a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, and a glass of it makes a natural match for a flame-grilled patty. Term time sets the rhythm: the centre is busiest when Stellenbosch University is in session.

Burgers in Stellenbosch: key facts

• Where to look: the historic centre (Dorp Street, Church Street, the Braak) and the wine estates of the surrounding valleys.
• Local pairing: Pinotage, the red grape created in Stellenbosch in 1925.
• The crowd: Stellenbosch University students in term time, wine tourists at weekends.
• Currency: South African rand (ZAR), the same in town and on the wine farms.
• Getting around: the centre is walkable; the estates need a car or a tour, and Cape Town is about 50 km to the west.
• What our guides check: opening status, a full street address, a dated price in rand and the burger the kitchen is known for.

Every guide we publish on Stellenbosch is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. For the rest of the Western Cape and the world, browse our burger restaurant guides.