The Mediterranean Festival

In the never-ending search for commonalities, a rare opportunity exist in exploring the similarities amongst our cultural heritage and celebrating it with good food, wine and company.

Offering visitors a unique (and not surprising -much cheaper alternative) opportunity to experience the diversity of the Mediterranean cuisine on their doorstep. Only an hour's drive north of Cape Town, seated in the heart of the Swartland, the Riebeek Valley offers old world charm amongst olive groves, orchards, wheat fields and vineyards.

It is fast becoming a preferred destination for the adventurous gastronomes, liberated travellers and those in the know. Far away from commercialised trappings and predictability of the rest, it takes you back to a time and place where familial ties are revived around tables lain with tantalizing, yet humble local fare. Where the personal touch, fresh ingredients and obvious pride embellishes the rich heritage of tastes and flavours on offer. Reminds one of deeply rooted universal traditions that forms a true "partnership of the palate".

Not only catering for the discerning gourmet traveller, but also to the casual foodie, in search of tantalising mix of cultures, flavours and styles. Poured and plated in a tranquil iconic setting that reminds one of the abundance, beauty and intrigue of rural Italy, France, Turkey, Spain, etc.

Local restaurants have paired up with selected Mediterranean countries, representing the cuisine and added icons of the chosen country's culture.

Local wineries, under the umbrella of the Swartland Wine and Olive Route, the sub region of the West Coast, under which the Riebeek Valley falls, have innovatively been paired with selected restaurants so as to offer gourmands an added opportunity to fully experience the selections of local fare, so akin to the culinary lifestyle of the Mediterranean. Visitors in search of more formal lunching and dining may do so through bookings at selected restaurants representing countries of their choice. Wine menus will, as an option, also include selected Swartland wines on promotion. In the true spirit of 'Mediterranean meandering", the MedFest Streetfood Route will allow visitors, preferring to alternate their taste buds across a myriad of choices, the opportunity to sample small inexpensive portions in the form of mostly tapas, antipasto, mezze etc. as part of the Swartland Wine and Olive Route. In the tradition of the finest on offer, visitors can also go past local estates and establishments for interesting and tasty samplings, whilst learning more about our traditions. In addition, an array of interesting shops “Pantries” and B&B’s may be found in this area.

The grand old lady of Riebeek-Kasteel, the Royal Hotel, will host a fully fledged "Portuguese Day" on where guests are invited to celebrate both the culinary and cultural customs of Portugal.

To quote Oscar Wilde "After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relatives."

The Riebeek Valley MedFest is the surest way that visitors may cultivate an appetite for the finest in Mediterranean cuisine and a spirit of adventure celebrating the art of living.