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Stellenbosch · 33 Church Street · Est. 1713

Where the familiar is made spectacular

Good evening, Stellenbosch. There is a table with your name on it.

Tonight's menu
★★★★★ 0+ five-star reviews on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2024 Best Stellenbosch Restaurants

Welcome to Helena's

Heritage food with finesse, and a subtle twist in the detail

Inside the five-star Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel & Spa — a 1713 National Monument in the historic heart of Stellenbosch — Helena's serves good, honest South African food, cooked with care and plated with flair. Superb local wines, poured by people who know them, make the evening.

Our menus follow the bounty of the Cape, with an emphasis on freshness and provenance: Swartland lamb, Overberg trout, Hemel-en-Aarde mushrooms, Boplaas Cape Tawny. Walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability, and you are welcome to bring your own wine (corkage R80 a bottle).

7days a week
3rooms to dine in
1713the house was built

Read the story

Chicken liver pâté with pistachio and toasted brioche
Helena's leather-bound menu on a white tablecloth
A glass of Stellenbosch red on the terrace

Three rooms, one address

Choose where the evening happens

The main dining room at Helena's The conservatoire at Helena's The front porch of Coopmanhuijs at dusk The main dining room

From the kitchen

Dishes guests come back for

Open seven days a week

A day at 33 Church Street

Serving now
Breakfast pastries and fruit
07:00– 10:30

Breakfast in the conservatoire

Farmhouse plates, eggs Benedict with smoked trout, rooibos-poached apple crêpes. Weekends & public holidays 07:30 – 11:00.

Serving now
Lunch at Helena's seen from above
12:00onwards

Long lunches on the porch

Bobotie phyllo parcels, the famous mezze platter, prawn linguine and a Sunday lunch worth clearing the afternoon for.

Serving now
The chef plating a dinner course
Dinneruntil 22:30

Three courses, candlelight

Springbuck carpaccio, rack of Swartland lamb, chocolate symphony. Choose one of each for R475, or wander the à la carte.

Private dining & celebrations

Your occasion, our table

Birthdays, anniversaries, bridal teas, book launches and year-end functions for up to 28 guests — with no venue hire fee and a menu shaped around you, from à la carte to a set two or three courses.

Mothers' DayFathers' DayWomen's Day brunchHeritage DayWinemakers' dinners
Plan an event
A celebration table dressed with red roses
A red velvet celebration cake
Champagne and a wrapped gift
Guests toasting at a celebration

What our guests say

0+
★★★★★

Five-star reviews on Tripadvisor

Top rated on Tripadvisor Best Stellenbosch Restaurants and Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice awards

Read more reviews

A peaceful, relaxed atmosphere — a bit of old-worldly charm without the stuffiness. It's not often that you get to enjoy a three-hour dinner!
Martino — Tripadvisor
I had the mushroom risotto and I haven't had a better one in Italy or elsewhere. Highly recommended!
Johueb — Tripadvisor
Think fairy lights and crickets sounding in the background. Our waitress was lovely and very attentive. So glad we came!
FarAway — Tripadvisor
Greeted by Sbosh who sorted us a table outside, gave us a complimentary glass of prosecco, then served us an incredible two-course meal.
Alastair G — Tripadvisor
The beef short rib was simply outstanding — tender, rich and cooked to perfection. A special thank you to Gerda, who made our evening.
Savvy Sarah — Tripadvisor
“Someone who receives friends and gives no personal care to the meal prepared for them, is not worthy of having friends.”
Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, 1755 – 1826

Tonight, or any night

Where the familiar is made spectacular

See the menus