Welcome to Babylonstoren: A Slice of Paradise at Your Fingertips!

Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting beauty of the Garden of Eden at Babylonstoren. Trust me, seeing is believing when it comes to this heavenly oasis. Spread across a sprawling eight-acre landscape, this fruit and vegetable farm is a sight to behold, boasting a mind-boggling array of over 300 plant varieties, all grown with utmost care and respect for nature.

Here, Mother Nature herself even lends a helping hand to the Babel Restaurant by providing a year-round supply of fresh fruits and veggies. To keep things organized, the garden is neatly divided into fifteen distinct areas, each dedicated to growing specific treasures: vegetables, fruits, berries, bees, indigenous plants, ducks, and chickens. And the water that nourishes this bountiful land? It effortlessly flows through ancient waterways, sourced directly from a stream that has graciously sustained life for more than three centuries.

But wait, there’s more! Before indulging in a delightful feast crafted from the very ingredients you’ve marveled at, why not take a guided tour of this flourishing paradise, just like I did? Immerse yourself in the wonders of nature and witness the magic of freshly picked produce being transformed into a mouth-watering lunch. And don’t forget to make a pit stop at the picturesque greenhouse for a rejuvenating cup of herb tea in the midst of all this natural splendor.

Imagine strolling through a garden and selecting your own blend of herbs. That’s exactly what I did when I visited Babel. I handpicked lemon verbena, pineapple sage, and mint – a refreshing combination that perfectly complemented the rose water and strawberry cupcake I couldn’t resist.

At Babel, lunch is an exuberant celebration of the freshest local produce. The restaurant’s creator, Maranda Engelbrecht, is a true expert in Cape Town’s food and style scene. Her philosophy is simple: food should be served in its most natural and generous form, without unnecessary tinkering. She believes in the beauty of simplicity, and it definitely shines through in the dishes at Babel. Each bite feels like it came straight from the garden to your table.

The restaurant I visited was unlike any other I’ve seen before. It used to be a cow shed, but now it’s been transformed into a stunning space with tall glass walls and exposed white brick. The atmosphere inside is bright, relaxed, and incredibly stylish.

What makes this place truly special is its menu, which changes with the seasons and features ingredients that have been freshly harvested on the same day. One thing that stood out to me was the variety of vibrant salads available. They came in three different colors – red, green, and yellow – and were filled with an array of stunning produce that matched their respective hues.

I had the yellow salad, which was a delightful mix of edible lilies, passion fruit, carrot, papaya, tamarillo, pineapple, nectarines, yellow heirloom tomatoes, roasted corn, and melon. It was a true explosion of flavors and colors, and everything tasted incredibly fresh. While you could choose to add some protein like smoked trout, chicken, or yoghurt cheese, I found the combination of fruits and vegetables to be perfect on its own.

But it wasn’t just about the food; it was the attention to detail that made this dining experience truly unforgettable. For instance, the bread was freshly baked and served with a herb oil made from a mix of herbs grown in their own garden. It was these small touches that elevated the meal and made it feel special.

If you’re looking for a unique and memorable dining experience, I highly recommend checking out this restaurant. The ambiance, the seasonal menu, and the attention to detail will leave you with a lasting impression.

I have to tell you about this amazing dining experience I had recently. To start, they served us a delightful combination of Chenin grapes and cheesecake mousse. It was absolutely stunning! Moving on to the main course, I decided to try the artichoke and goat’s cheese tart with caramelized onions, tamarillo, and basil. Let me tell you, it was pure perfection. The pastry was incredibly crumbly and light, while the filling was creamy and incredibly delicious.

What really impressed me, though, were the side dishes that came with the main course. Let’s talk about the chips. They were hands down the best chips I have ever tasted. They were thick and chunky, with a perfect crispiness on the outside and a fluffy, soft interior. To top it all off, they were seasoned with coarse sea salt, cracked pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. It was a flavor explosion in my mouth!

After lunch, I had the pleasure of meeting Maranda Engelbrecht, who is one of the main forces behind this amazing idea. She showed me around her brand new project, which is almost ready to launch. It’s another barn that has been transformed into a delightful deli and bakery. They’ll be selling freshly baked bread, homemade charcuterie and cheeses, and they even have a wine tasting area.

Can you believe how talented this woman is? She is at the forefront of the food revolution in South Africa, and I am definitely on board with her.

Can you believe how talented this woman is? She is at the forefront of the food revolution in South Africa, and I am definitely on board with her.