Bellgables Country Restaurant Dining

Just 30 minutes from Johannesburg, nestled in the Cradle of Humankind, lies Bellgables Country Restaurant. Exuding an Italian countryside charm, this eclectic restaurant offers gourmet dining amidst its antique décor, making it the perfect setting for a date night or a special celebration.

Wilhelm surprised me for dinner here for my birthday weekend when we were on a getaway to the Cradle with his parents! It was incredible and I felt super special.

Book ahead just in case though when we went on a Saturday evening, there were just a few tables occupied. Check out the Bellgables website here for more information.

When you enter the Cradle’s property, you’ll be notified that you’ll have to pay a R50 per person conservation fee. Upon completing your meal at Bellgables, you will receive a receipt indicating the payment of the service fee.

Picture-Perfect Setting

Bellgables’ ambiance is a blend of rustic charm and refined elegance. Each table, whether set for two or six, is adorned with candles, statues, and knick-knacks, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant’s interior is reminiscent of an Italian country house, filled with antiques that add to its timeless appeal. Per person with a drink, expect to spend around R500 per person for a drink, sharing appetizers, and a main.

The restaurant is on the Cradle Boutique Hotel property and therefore there are plenty of wild animals around. We saw Springbok wandering around but they were too far away to get a good picture. However, there are also Giraffe, Zebra, Kudu, Sable, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, and Springbok on the property according to the website.

I saw a cheeky little monkey and at the end of the night, there was a zebra guarding our car.

The Food at Bellgables

The culinary artistry at Bellgables is remarkable. Dinner begins with delish fresh bread rolls filled with olives and sun-dried tomatoes. The farm-fresh presentation, featuring radishes and lettuce as decorative accents, totally enhanced the dining experience.

Salads and Starters

We ordered two salads as our starters. First, we ordered the brinjal stack, a tower of grilled eggplant slices layered with feta cheese and roasted brinjal, is a must-try. The fresh country greens salad, tossed with a tangy vinaigrette was perfect.

In addition to the menu items, we were also offered an ostrich carpaccio as the starter of the day.

Mains

For the main course, I highly recommend the Springbok steak. I don’t usually order meat but whenever there is game on the menu, I always indulge! Cooked to perfection (the chef recommends medium-rare), the springbok is served with a champagne cream sauce.

Wilhelm’s parents got the vegetarian curry, a medley of fresh vegetables simmered in a fragrant coconut curry sauce. It’s the only veg option on the menu. You could also get a couple of the veg starters. For those seeking seafood, the kingklip is served with a creamy sauce.

Service and Specials

In addition to the menu’s offerings, Bellgables features specials of the day. During my visit, we were offered the ostrich carpaccio as a starter and the roasted duck for dinner. Throughout the evening, the service was impeccable, with attentive staff.

Beyond its regular dinner service, Bellgables hosts a variety of wine-pairing events monthly. Check their website for the next event.

Wine

Bellgables boasts an impressive wine list. There is a cute walk-in wine cellar. I highly recommend indulging in a glass of Leopards Leap Pinotage Chardonnay, it was probably the best I’ve ever had.

A Walk to Cradles Boutique Hotel

Bellgables is connected to the Cradles Boutique hotel via a pathway that goes to the dam. You can take a walk, like we did, before your reservation.

We walked to the waterfall area of the dam, which was around a 30-minute walk back and forth.