This is possibly one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Unpretentious, great music, friendly service but most importantly absolutely perfect food. We had all 3 courses and will be back to try everything else. The Beet Tartare, Mussel Bunny Chow, Pork & Fillet could not be faulted. This place possibly beats a majority of the chefs in the Eat Out Top 10 best restaurants in SA. Well done Chef Christine & Team!
We started with dinner, went back for breakfast(they have starters brekkie) and finished with a lunch. Excellent service even during load shedding. Food superb. Definitely not average at all. Dullstroom's best spot. Relishes are amazing. Scotch egg best ever but the absolute must have the smoothest, creamiest most delicious peanut butter ice cream ever.
A little gem in the middle of Dullstroom. An absolute must visit! A little bit of Asia in a Ramen bowl with fillet. A little bit of Italy on a board full of cheese and cold meats. And to top it off blueberry and bacon crumpets. Nothing else to say!
The atmosphere was stunning and the food even better! We had a lovely three course meal together with wine chosen from their 3D winelist. Our only critique would be that the red wine was a little warm for our taste, however our waiter was more than willing to provide an ice bucket in order for the wine to chill to room temperature.
A definitive must when visiting Dullstroom!
The Art if food has done it again! I’ve only ever had lunch here before but dinner is a whole new experience that we loved! The food is beautiful and just so easy to eat. The wine selection is great as well. Hospitality 10/10 from every person that helped us. I cannot wait to return and sample whatever they have !
I absolutely adored everything about this place. The staff is friendly, the decor is quaint and warming and the food was fantastic. Everything was a winner- the menu is delightful creative, such care was taken in the not only the cooking but the presenting of the food. The portions were VERY generous and I was flabbergasted at how pocket friendly our bill was. Definitely worth a visit!
What a surprise!! Coming to Dullstroom you would not expect a restaurant that could give any of the top restaurants in SA a run for their money, but that is exactly what you get in The Art of Food.
From the nice, warm, romantic atmosphere to the amazing service...not even mentioning the food.
Their menu is simple in that there is no menu. The waiter flawlessly tells you about their specials in intricate detail. The food is expertly prepared and the flavours are interesting, and perfectly balanced.
A must visit!!
I cannot rave about Art of Food enough!
I can safely say that I have never experienced flavours like I did at Art of Food, at any other restaurant!
Dave and Christine are passionate, professional and attentive.
The menu changes regularly, depending on which ingredients are freshly available and this offers a welcome variety.
If you are ever in Dullstroom, or the general area, a visit to The Art of Food is absolutely ESSENTIAL - be sure to book in advance!
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A group of 7 of us were fortunate enough to get a booking this last weekend. We did book 2 weeks in advance, which I would recommend.
For a start, I had read recent reviews and although all comments about the food were excellent I did read some complaints about their children policy. When I booked I was told that children under 8 are not welcome. Always contentious, but I agree with the restaurant on this occasion. This is not a family restaurant. There is no kiddies menu or iPhone charging stations at the table. There are others in Dullstroom that are, but they are not fine dining restaurants. We did take our children but they are teenagers and were welcome.
So onto the food. There is no menu. Guests are tempted with a choice of a few starters, mains and desserts that change on a regular basis. Several of us chose the ravioli starter, others opting for the soup. The ravioli was exceptional, as good as I have had anywhere in the world. For my main, I went for the pork belly. Generous, succulent, and of course under delicious crackling. Others dishes ordered included Trout 4 ways, and souse-vide fillet. I tried both and they again were world class. Michelin quality. If we had Michelin awards in South Africa, I have no doubt most of them would end up in the western cape but 1 may end up here. Really, it is that good.
Ambiance is relaxed, spacious, but cozy, helped by a roaring fire and gigantic tables (no feeling like you are eating in a plane). They could well seat twice as many patrons, but have clearly decided that it is not about maximizing profits, but rather providing carefully considered dishes cooked by the co-owner head chef.
Price is in-line with more reputable franchise restaurants, making value here exceptional. A meal of this quality would cost 2-3 as much on a trendy Cape Wine Farm or “cheffy” Johannesburg restaurant. Service was exemplary through out the evening.
Folks it really is this good. The Art of food does not just deserve it’s No 1 rating for Dullstroom, but should be a top contender in the whole of South Africa.
Dave and Christine once again delivered pure excellence last night. The love, care, thought and preparation put into every meal on the menu cannot be faulted plus service excellence. Thanks to both of you for everything you do to make fine dining such a treat in South Africa! What a treat!
One of my favorite places in Dulstroom! Friendly service, good but not over elaborate wine selection and fresh and delicious food! A lunch must!
Interesting Resturant that catered to our very specific dietary needs. A vegan/ vegetarian meal was created for our large group with a large variety. Coconut cream lentils, mixed beans in tomato and boards with fresh breads with a variety of pestos’, dips and cheeses where the few dishes that graced the table. Desserts were on point- date pudding, chocolate brownie (would’ve liked more brownie on the plate though) and of course a peach sorbet(vegan).
We accidentally stumbled onto this place and met Christine around lunchtime saying that we would like to come back for dinner. We had no idea we were in for such a treat. The food was incredible and lingered for days after. We will definitely be going back to Dullstroom just experience the food from Art of Food. Thanks again for a very memorable evening! This place is highly recommended. Couple of tips...go hungry and have all 3 courses; choose a wine from their curated collection and definitely have a chat with Christine and co.
Art of Food is amazing! We came for the breakfast which is two course and incredibly filling.
I can only recommend everything as we tried basically all of it and it was all excellent.
The scotch egg is probably the best thing on menu. You have to come here.
They definitely live up to their name and provide art on your plate!
Staff are very friendly, warm and helpful. The menu is on the wall, which is certainly different from most places.
The food was absolutely fresh and equally great, you could taste everything that had been in the dish. The presentation on top of it was class!
The size of tables are probably the best I’ve been to in a long time, it can definitely accommodate very comfortably for a family of 4 people at a single table, which is usually hard to find.
A gem of a spot to visit, that’s for sure.
Truly great food served in the best possible way. And the guy who seated us (probably the owner) really did a fantastic job describing the different choices. Best food we had in South Africa.
And a little background to easier understand my point of view when reading my review. I work as a travel and adventure photographer and travel about 6 months every year. I have visited over 75 countries and appreciate real people, real places and real adventures.
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Don't expect the ordinary!
The Art of Food is located on the main road in the middle of the Dullstroom, decorated like a cozy, yet modern art gallery ready to chase away the cold and serve you some scrumptious food. By the by it is also plated to perfection.
The food was... Art. Not only did each plate look magnificent, it tasted amazing. The food, not the plate itself. A dish had all the elements it needed to be yummy, without bombarding you with lettuce or micro greens to seem fancy. These dishes were fancy, don't you worry about that. From Phyllo wrapped pastry omelettes to mascarpone stuffed french toast rolls covered with a passionfruit sauce. Everything was superb.
Service was on point from the moment we walked in. We were greeted by the plate master who showed us to our seats and took our orders. Simple, quick and oh so friendly.
The place had a warm welcoming feeling to it. It made you feel like home. With a lovely fireplace and all the art on the walls.
Perfect little spot for breakfast or lunch, or both if you ask us.
TTT's ratings out of 5: Food – 5 | Service - 5 | Atmosphere – 5 | Value – 5
The Art of Food gets Two Tasty Tummies' stamp of approval ...
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This was a location like nothing I ever experienced. Booked the Friday night for my wife and I. Changed the booking same day to make it earlier, no problem. Turned up to dinner to see approx 8 to 10 tables upstairs. Shown to our seat by the freshest most police waiter ever and asked if we wanted drinks. Noticing there was no wine menu we were shown to the wine rack and helped to choose.
Choosing our food was a delight as there was no trailing through a menu as normal. What turned out to be the owner and the chefs husband took us through the 2 starters, 4 mains and dessert on offer tonight. TONIGHT being the word as the menu changes as often as daily according to the availability of the freshest ingredients available.
Broccoli and gorgonzola soup with stuffed bread and tortellini stuffed with Parma ham, garlic and olive oil was the starter. Well didn't want it to end.
Mains was described as a medley of beef with sous vis fillet beside a hand crafted steak pie , marobone topped with beef tartar. God I was sold on the second line. My wife chose the trout after being warned that it will ruin any other trout dish she thinks she likes or will ever look at. Trout fillets with beetroot . Understatement of the year, both dishes were superb and the knowledge passion and love for the food and the customers all 4 waiters showed was unseen anywhere.
Not to put too fone a point t the food experience and service was so good we returned for Sunday lunch and tried to work our way through the menu, ordering 4 dishes and a starter before it beat us. Needless to say cant wait to return and this will be the first place we est
Absolutely YUM! We had the chicken pie and fish dish and it is worth traveling 500km for lunch. Wonderful, cozy atmosphere in winter with the wooden fireplace. Thank you!
We ate very well! Two of us are vegan and the restaurant told us they can always adapt the ingredients. They made a great vegan curry with coconut milk and a delectable baguette! If u call them in advance they make everything vegan. The cooks were sent to a vegan workshop...
Absolutely delicious food. Max for 3 course meal was just over R400 a person. Well worth the money. Great atmosphere
This place was simply excellent. As the name suggests, the chef should be considered an artist. Their roast chicken pie was undoubtedly the best I have ever had. Seriously worth a visit. And what friendly staff, get stuck in a conversation with them!
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