9 winter specials to lift your spirits

Stay in a mountain cottage, book a date night, drink a chocolate martini

Last updated: 27 July 2022 

One big bonus in the cold season is that restaurants, hotels and businesses introduce winter specials so they can get bums in seats and beds. In our selection, you’ll find amazing winter warmers, don’t-miss winter specials, Tuesday date specials, Wednesday burger specials and others from Franschhoek and Stellenbosch to Cape Town city (and all across the Western Cape). So make a note of those that work for you. You’re welcome.

YOU’LL GET VALUE AT THIS STEAK BAR

The winter special offers a whole lot of meaty value for a steal at Iron Steak and Bar, for only R129 (see what it includes below). The steaks are cooked in a Spanish charcoal oven, as are many items on the menu (check out the sides, which will satisfy the vegetarians, in particular). There’s also a smaller special called Wagyu Wednesdays: Two 100g burger patties topped with Boerenkaas, truffle aioli and pickles on a toasted brioche bun, with a side of fries dripping in beef juices, for only R99.

Winter special: Popcorn smothered in beef dripping; 200 grams of grass-fed, flat-iron steak; a crisp, fresh salad and salted caramel ice cream in a cone
Price: R129
Availability: It’s on indefinitely
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 12pm-10.30pm

114 Bree Street | Cape Town | 021 422 1175 | capetown@ironsteak.co.za | @ironsteaksa | Image: Iron Steak and Bar

MAKE FRIDAY YOUR TREAT DAY

The bakery Cakes & Desserts’ delivers its Little Cake Box to customers every Friday. You can choose which option you want, a box for 2 or four or more, and it will be made up of desserts from around the world such as Jamaican Coconut Pie or American Boston Cream Pie. Plus there’s a different “treat of the week” every time, so you’ll always get a surprise.

Winter special: A box for 2 will have 4 slices of cake, and a box for 4, 8 slices
Price: From R120 for a box for 2
Availability: Every Friday, ongoing
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8am - 5pm

Boulevard Way | Capricorn | 021 709 0809 | info@cakesanddesserts.co.za | Image: Cakes & Desserts

GET A MARTINI + BOTTLE OF WINE FOR FREE

The Hussar Grill has a spectacular Date Night Tuesday offer: Two courses from the set menu, which offers three, plus a complimentary bottle of Hussar Grill 50th Red and some gorgeous chocolate vodka martinis. All of this for only R399 per couple. It’s a date that’ll set the perfect tone for the rest of the evening, and the best thing is it’s offered at every Hussar Grill across the country.

Winter special: Your choice of starters, main or desserts, plus a chocolate vodka martini each and a bottle of house red free
Price: R399 per couple
Availability: Tuesdays, ongoingly
Hours: Times vary, but find them here


Find address and contact details at www.hussargrill.co.za | @thehussargrill | Image: The Hussar Grill

RIDE MONSTER SCOOTERS MID-WEEK

Take your team freewheeling down a purpose-built Scootour track at Middelvlei Wine Estate, in Stellenbosch, mid-week and you’ll get an excellent discount. The track is an action-packed Flow Trail complete with berms, rollers, and a bush tunnel – it’s a real adrenaline rush. You’ll barrel down on Swiss-designed Monster Mountain Scooters for 1.5 hours, and afterwards the team can eat a hearty boerebraai lunch.

Winter special: The deal includes a guide, equipment and a complimentary glass of wine
Price: R550 per person
Availability: Scootours Flow Trail from R290 pp; lunch from R265 pp; archery from R180 pp; Scootours mid-week special is R500 pp
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 8am - 5pm


Scootours Cape Town | 082 7760 557 | @scootourscapetown | Image: Scootours

MAKE THE MOST OF GERMAN HOSPITALITY

This German café and bar in Green Point has a special virtually every day throughout every season, from summer right through to winter. There are burger specials, pizza deals, buffets where you can eat as much as you want, as well as daily drinks happy hours. This winter, it’s also offering Winter Lunch Savers for a steal. You’d be smart to make the most of the specials at Café Extrablatt.

Winter special: There are numerous dishes on offer, including an arrabiata, schnitzel with rosti, a calamari salad and a seafood pizza
Price: R70
Available: Until end 2022
Hours: Daily, 9am - late


Exhibition Building | Green Point | 021 434 3759 | @extrablattcapetown | Image: Café Extrablatt 

TRY THIS CLASSY WINTER SET MENU

Bobo’s in Mouille Point is a family restaurant with a gorgeous view overlooking the sea, so the scene is set for a special meal. It’s offering a winter set menu; you can either choose two courses off it, or three. The options are quite broad, five for the first course, four for the second and two for dessert. Dishes include garlic prawns, rump steak with fries, asparagus risotto. That said, there are loads of mouth-watering options at Bobo’s, so do have a look at the main menu for future incentive.

Winter special: It’s a three-course menu, and you can select one of each course depending on whether you’ve opted for two courses or three.
Price: R325 for 2 courses, R395 for 3 courses
Availability: Lunch or dinner, until 30 September, 2022
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 12pm - 10pm

1 Two Oceans Beach, Beach Road | Mouille Point | o21 439 9027 | www.bobos.co.za | Image: Bobo’s

BOOK A WEEK-DAY STAY AT BOSCHENDAL

Boschendal, in Franschhoek, has a very appealing winter warmer: Take time off during the week and you can book a cottage from R1 815 per night. The offer includes all cottages, as well as one farm tour and one morning Tree House Outdoor experience, as well as access to all the hikes and guided trails. You can also mountain bike, ride horses or picnic at Boschendal Estate.

Winter special: Book from Sunday to Thursday, at a reduced rate, and gain access to the farm, its trails and hikes
Price: From R1 815 for a cottage
Availability: Until 31 August, 2022
Hours: Monday - Sunday: 8 am - 9pm


Pniel Street | Franschhoek | 021 870 4200 | @boschendal | Image: Boschendal Estate

STAY IN A MOUNTAIN COTTAGE

Big Sky Cottages’ fully equipped, self-catering cottages are built on the slopes of the Mostertshoek Mountain, close to the Cederberg. Its winter special offers you a third night free if you book for two, plus there’s also a 20% discount for midweek bookings. From hiking and mountain biking to swimming in the communal pool, there’s plenty to do at Big Sky Cottages.

Winter special: You’ll pay just over R1000 per night for a couple, and R640 per child for 3 nights
Price: From R1 600 per night, 3rd night free; R320 per child per night, 3rd night free
Availability: Until 31 August, 2022
Hours: Daily

R43 | Wolseley | 071 354 9209 | @bigskycottages | Image: Big Sky Cottages

TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME LUXURY

Lairds Lodge Country Estate is a gorgeous, gracious, country retreat where you can fully sink into revive mode. Luckily, it has three specials running until the end of September. The Gourmet Package is a 2-night stay including 3-course gourmet dinners each night, breakfast daily and a wine or whisky tasting. There’s a 3-night Romantic Getaway and there’s a 3-night Whale & Dolphin package. Step into spring with a serene stay at Lairds Lodge.

Winter special: Gourmet Package includes 2 nights stay, two 3-course dinners and a wine or whisky tasting; Romantic Getaway includes 3 nights stay, two 3-course dinners, whisky or wine tasting, a bottle of MCC, a couples massage and romantic turn-down; Whale & Dolphin Package includes 3 nights stay, one 3-course dinner, a whale excursion and a brandy and cheese course for two.
Price: Gourmet Package, R3 500pp; Romantic Getaway, R5 600pp; Whale & Dolphin Package, R5 500pp
Availability: Until 30 September, 2022
Hours: Daily

N2 National Road | 20kms from Knysna - 8kms from Plettenberg Bay | 044 532 7721 | @lairdslodge  | Image: Lairds Lodge 

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