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Basic Bistro
Review
About
Basic Bistro
Features
CUISINES
Contemporary
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Visa
Location
Parking Available, Street Parking
Does this restaurant serve Romagna food?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 7:30 AM
Sunday
9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Monday
7:30 am - 10:00 pm
Tuesday
7:30 am - 10:00 pm
Wednesday
7:30 am - 10:00 pm
Thursday
7:30 am - 10:00 pm
Friday
7:30 am - 10:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Contribute
4.4
1,076 reviews
Excellent
623
Very good
320
Average
86
Poor
24
Terrible
23
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Caroline M.
Toulon332 contributions
Sept 2024 • solo
A charming place, welcoming staff and attentive service. The menu is varied: excellent breakfasts with a wide choice. For dinner, I didn’t really like the Asian chicken noodles and peanut butter sauce, which were far too cooked for my taste, but that might be the way to taste them in South Africa. I recommend this restaurant.
Automatically translated
Written 23 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lew R
171 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
We had a return visit to 'Basic Bistro' after an absence of some time, happily open on a Sunday evening, when it is mostly the 'chain' venues in Stellenbosch that are open. Apart from the convenient location, the hospitable welcome, warm friendly (and efficient) service, the menu offers a diversity of choices, which they just seem to get right, from a small kitchen along with an interesting drinks list, and good coffees. Delicious ciabatta with dips (hummus, dukkah and more), followed by tandoori chicken skewers and a great salad. From pasta to burgers, here they also take great care to provide low carb and vegan options. Desserts were memorable - their baked cheese cake with lemon ganache, as was the rich dark chocolate cake and chocolate sauce. A unique dessert is their 'Magic Mousse', but discover that when you dine there! It was filled largely with local residents, and apart from a happy 'buzz', the music is not too loud, and we'll certainly return - it is also affordable and it is just that, a bistro!
Written 4 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico @ Basic
Hi Lew - thanks so much for you fabulous review! We really appreciate it and hope to see you again very soon. All the best. Rico
Written 4 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VTpondjumper
129 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
On a rainy day we we’re lucky enough to snag a table here. Not only was the food was delicious, they had heaters and blankets for those who ate outside. There were a variety of options so that those who are lactose intolerant or has mushroom or chocolate allergies didn’t feel like they just had limited choices on the menu. The establishment was very busy but wait time for service was minimal and with a smile. Portions were generous portions of Thai cuisine.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arnoud r
Warmond41 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
the menu and terras looked attractive . we ordered asian dishes. One was ok but the other was terribly salty. We informed the waiters that one dish was not good at all but they did not seem to bother. It took us half an hour(!) to get the bill. No reason for us to come back another time
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RidwanHoosen P
Durban5 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
This quaint restaurant has zippy service, great food, and is extremely affordable. The choice is an eclectic mix of international cuisine. Right next door to the Coopmanhuijs Hotel this eatery is almost always buzzing
Written 3 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico @ Basic
Hi there and thank you so much for the great review, we really appreciate it! Look forward to dining with you again soon! Best regards. Rico
Written 13 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Arthur N
Phoenixville401 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
Every town needs a basic bistro… Maybe not this particular Basic Bistro, but certainly one like it. A bistro is the ultimate culinary escape hatch. No matter what the occasion – business or pleasure… or amalgam thereof – it always seems to fill the bill. And after our fifteen-hour flight, Basic Bistro looked like the perfect spot to unwind and grab a bite before turning in for the night… especially since it happened to be located just across the street from our hotel.
The restaurant’s menu offers a bit of everything – from gourmet sandwiches & burgers to bountiful pastas and classic curries – and, for the most part, does not disappoint. My Santorini Burger (pictured) was, in reality, a moist & tender chicken filet garnished with red onion, tomato slice, bacon, arugula, and a fabulous tzatziki sauce (a creamy Greek yogurt sauce buttressed by cucumber and fresh garlic). Certainly, no complaints.
My companion’s Italian Meltzer was also up to the mark. grilled eggplant slices companioned by pan-fried baby marrow (a type of summer squash) and mushrooms in an Italian tomato sauce with melted cheddar cheese. Very nice… But then things really get interesting with a tiara of toasted ciabatta slices slathered in a delightfully pungent basil pesto. It doesn’t look like much; and a rather odd combo of tastes and textures… but… it works. It keeps the taste buds standing at attention. And that’s what counts.
Dessert? Some intriguing possibilities, but we settled on the Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake, home-baked and rife with lemon ganache and plump blueberries. A good choice, indeed.
The restaurant interior is casual and cozy; but, since it was a beautiful night, we opted for al fresco overlooking the street. At one point a group of wandering musicians even came by to entertain. A perfect evening… especially when fortified with a Bistro Blanc, the restaurant’s own white wine cocktail, several glasses of Niel Joubert Chenin Blanc, or a bottle of DeMorgenzon Syrah. Cheers!
Written 28 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annewoolcott
Godalming5 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
We came across this place by chance and had a really lovely dinner on a Saturday evening. Service was excellent and the chicken malay curry was amazing- really tasty and fragrant. Affogato to follow was equally delicious. Would definitely go back if we’re in Stellenbosch again.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
London Peter
London1550 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
We have been in SA for four months and use TA to guide us on our restaurant choices. So after two weeks in Stellenbosch we decided to try Basic Bistro.
This was the worst meal we had by a long shot. The Santorini Burger was bland and smothered in a tzatziki type substance that was inedible. The fries were called waffle fries but when they came they were potato crisps dripping with balsamic glaze. The sirloin steak was bland,over cooked and the chips were soggy. The presentation was the worst!
Superficially this place looks so inviting and based on other reviews others had a better experience than us.
It certainly is a Basic Bistro in all the wrong ways.
Written 26 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico @ Basic
Hi - very sorry to hear you did not enjoy our food. Most of our valued guests enjoy our casual bistro-style meals and we don't cater for fine-dining clientele for example. However, we will investigate into the meals you ordered and improve where we can. Best regards. Rico
Written 29 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hein W
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
Basic Bistro is soul food. Nothing fancy, but the food, wine, and vibe hit your soul. Within everything, especially the burgers, you can taste it is homemade. Their special ‘Hempies’ burger is one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, simply because you can taste it’s home made.
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
der Bewerter ;-)
Zurich135 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
Small restaurant which was very loud because a large group filled almost the entire restaurant.
Manageable menu (only 2 pages) and typical food for the region (hamburgers, steaks, etc.) but very tasty and great service from two young ladies.

Written 5 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo J
Cairo41 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
We ate the Malay chicken curry and the short rib beef curry. Both were delicious! We looked this place up on TA and it's understated ness appealed to us.
We enjoyed a lovely evening sitting outside watching the world go by.
Written 8 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendon
Cape Town2 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
Don't let its name mislead you, this character-filled, cosy eatery has plenty of good meal choices at very reasonable prices. Good service in a relaxed atmosphere. Great location on the vibey Church street.
Written 14 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico_Wessels_Basic
Good Day to You! __
Thank you for the fabulous review, we really appreciate it! __ We love it that you enjoyed our bistro! __ We hope to welcome you again soon! __ Safe travels! __ Rico Wessels
Written 17 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stuart Basford
Sheffield130 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Trouble with S.A is power outages at the moment however it just added to the evening.restaurants are now prepared
We split a pasta starter and then a burger each. They advertise thin chips but in reality they are crisps.burger excellent
The cheesecake was amazing
Overall good value for £30 for 2
Sat outside .it was crowded and good job we booked
Second visit and thought worth it
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico_777786
Good Afternoon! ______________________________________________________________________ Thank you for review - we appreciate this! ______________________________________________________________________ We are overjoyed that you love our little bistro and we hope to welcome you again soon! __________________________________________________________________ Safe travels! ______________________________________________________________________ Rico Wessels
Written 17 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
trippingferret
Kent229 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
After a surfeit of (very good) 'fine dining' in Franschhoek, it was something of a relief to settle down on the stoep at Basic Bistro (in one of Stellenbosch's quieter streets, but very central) for a most relaxing and enjoyable dinner. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and the recommendation of the house burger was spot on. An excellent evening. Highly recommended.
Written 11 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico @ Basic
Thanks so much for the fabulous review!
We really appreciate it and hope to see you again very soon.
Warm regards.
Rico
Written 20 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Byron31
Dublin309 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I booked this restaurant in advance, due to the good reviews online, but left disappointed. The food was just about okay. The low point was the wine and the service. We ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc, and when tasting and finding the wine warm, said politely, oh maybe just leave it in the ice. The waitress responded with, 'Oh is it not cold?'. I replied 'No, it's warm', and she just shrugged, plonked the bottle in the ice bucket on the ground and walked off. Incredibly poor service. First off, we're in Stellenbosch: respect and chill the beautiful wine. Second, your customer is telling you politely the wine is not chilled: offer an alternative, or at least an apology. Would not recommend.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico_777786
Good day Byron
We apologise for the poor service you received - I have addressed the matter immediately and I am having a meeting with the responsible waiter soon.
All our white wines are chilled, but the bar lady must have packed your selection just prior to order, causing a non-optimal temperature - our waiters know to offer you a chilled alternative, making this oversight unacceptable.
We have several Sauvignon Blanc's on offer and we would have gladly offered you a chilled one, had you brought this to management's attention during your visit.
We hope to see you again soon for a better experience!
Kind regards
Rico Wessels, Manager
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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