Under the forest canopy overlooking
the Indian Ocean, Zimbali Lodge & Spa
offers a considered coastal escapeshaped
by nature, comfort and connection.
Find Zimbali Lodge on:
Heritage, flavour and hospitality unite – Eleven Nations, One Table

SIGNATURE DINING AT THE LODGE
At Zimbali Lodge, Eleven Tribes celebrates South Africa’s eleven cultural legacies through thoughtful cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and vibrant flavours.
The lodge’s signature dining experience is inspired by South Africa’s eleven cultural legacies. Eleven Tribes serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, combining locally sourced ingredients with time-honoured technique.
From relaxed mornings to memorable evening meals, guests are invited to experience a dining journey shaped by culture, connection and the spirit of the country.

At the edge of forest and ocean, Eleven Tribes is as much a place to belong as a place to dine. It takes South Africa’s eleven cultural legacies, each one a living culture, and brings their spirit to the table through flavour, ritual and storytelling. Every course carries something of where it came from.

Guests are welcomed with the ceremonial Flame of Welcome before the meal begins. Time-honoured technique meets indigenous produce and the catch from a coastline half an hour away, plated with contemporary flair and paired with selected wines.
Cape Malay Chicken Curry • Lamb Rogan Josh • East Coast Potato Curry • Saldanha Mussel & Prawn Curry
Served with long-grain rice, roti, poppadums and sambals.
Roasted Quarter Chicken Leg • Slow-Roasted Beef Sirloin • Oxtail Cottage Pie
Served with roasted potatoes, roasted root vegetables, Yorkshire pudding or pap tart, creamy spinach and brown sauce.
Apple & Pear Crumble with Ice Cream • Sticky Toffee Pudding • Mini Trifles • Mini Tiramisus • Assorted Mini Cakes
Butter-poached West Coast sole, saffron mash, prawn meat, roasted red pepper, turned broccoli and clams in a shellfish and orange caviar velouté, a refined tribute to South Africa’s cross-cultural maritime history.
Dry-aged Bonsmara fillet confied in herbed butter, served on creamy sorghum-infused “risotto” with a splash of fermented amasi sauce and parmesan shavings.
Coal-grilled Line-fish with a fresh waterblommetjie pesto and “chewy,” dashi rice cakes to soak up the lemon verbena froth.
Chocolate bomb with dark chocolate ganache, chocolate soil, nutty chocolate tuile, cocoa powder and citrus gel. A celebration of fine chocolate.
Amarula crème pâtissière with pecan brittle, offering warm custard with a distinctly South African twist.
Pear tarte Tatin served with homemade vanilla pod ice cream, a soft and fragrant ending shaped by the Cape Winelands.
Our Other Dining and Social Spaces
Set beside the rim-flow pool, Trophy Bar offers a relaxed setting for coastal moments. Enjoy a refreshing G&T, handcrafted cocktail, fine wine or a light meal while taking in the views across the estate.
Open for breakfast and lunch, it is a natural gathering place to pause, unwind and enjoy the rhythm of Zimbali.
Indoors the bar is panelled in dark timber and quiet; outdoors the deck opens onto the water and the tree line. It works equally for a plate between swims and for sundowners at the end of an afternoon.
At Zimbali Lodge, Eleven Tribes celebrates South Africa’s eleven cultural legacies through thoughtful cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and vibrant flavours. Rooted in heritage, storytelling and hospitality, the dining experience brings together tradition and contemporary creativity in a setting where every meal becomes a shared moment.
Hours: 9:00 am – 16:00pm
The lodge’s signature dining experience is inspired by South Africa’s eleven cultural legacies. Eleven Tribes serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, combining locally sourced ingredients with considered South African flavours and contemporary culinary techniques.
From relaxed mornings to memorable evening meals, guests are invited to experience a dining journey shaped by culture, connection and the spirit of the country.
Set beside the rim-flow pool, Trophy Bar offers a relaxed setting for coastal moments. Enjoy a refreshing G&T, handcrafted cocktail, fine wine or a light meal while taking in views across the estate and glimpses of the Indian Ocean.
Open for breakfast and lunch, it is a natural gathering place to pause, unwind and enjoy the rhythm of Zimbali.
DINING EXPERIENCES
From garden-inspired fine dining in Franschhoek to beachfront bistros and relaxed lodge-style meals, each Dream Hotels & Resorts venue is crafted to reflect its surroundings, pairing local flavours with elegant ambiance and warm hospitality.
Booking is advised, particularly at dinner and over weekends. You can reserve through the widget on this page or call the restaurant directly at Zimbali Lodge & Spa on +27 (0)32 001 0550.
Yes. Eleven Tribes is open to day visitors as well as to lodge guests. Bear in mind that Zimbali Coastal Estate is gated, so let the restaurant know you are coming and they will arrange your access at the gate.
South African cooking built around the country’s eleven cultural legacies, using indigenous produce, coastal catch and veld provenance, with contemporary technique. The meal opens with the ceremonial Flame of Welcome.
Yes, on request. Reception needs a minimum of 48 hours’ notice before arrival. Menus may contain allergens and pork, so it is worth speaking to your server as well.
The Trophy Bar and Deck sits alongside the rim-flow pool and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the bar open through to late. It is the easiest option for a light plate without leaving the water.
No. Self-catering rates are room-only and the Presidential Suites have a full kitchenette. Restaurant bookings can be made at reception and charged to your account.
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Our Hotels & Resorts
Venue
A celebration surrounded by forest and ocean
Inclusions
Venue Details
Nestled beneath the forest canopy, Ngwenya Terrace offers a distinctive outdoor setting with views across the estate and towards the Indian Ocean. The open-air terrace creates a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, ideal for couples looking for a celebration surrounded by nature, fresh coastal air and the beauty of Zimbali’s landscape.
Contact details
• Mandatory/Required
oTHER VENUES AVAILABLE
Reception venue
Heritage-inspired dining for memorable celebrations
Accommodation
A tropical ceremony beneath the palms
Inclusions
Venue Details
Palm Court provides a beautiful setting for wedding ceremonies, where towering palms, indigenous forest and ocean views create a naturally memorable backdrop. With its grand staircase entrance and tropical atmosphere, the space captures the relaxed sophistication of Zimbali Lodge and offers a meaningful beginning to your special day.
Contact details
• Mandatory/Required
oTHER VENUES AVAILABLE
Up to 50 guests
Forest views meet coastal horizons
Accommodation
Heritage, flavour and hospitality unite
Inclusions
Venue Details
At the heart of Zimbali Lodge, Eleven Tribes brings together flavour, storytelling and hospitality through a dining experience inspired by South Africa’s cultural legacies. For wedding receptions, guests are invited to gather around the table and enjoy locally sourced ingredients, thoughtful preparation and cuisine that celebrates heritage through every course.
Contact details
• Mandatory/Required
oTHER VENUES AVAILABLE
up to 100 Guests
A tropical ceremony setting overlooking the ocean
Accommodation
Heritage, flavour and hospitality unite
Inclusions
Venue Details
At the heart of Zimbali Lodge, Eleven Tribes brings together flavour, storytelling and hospitality through a dining experience inspired by South Africa’s cultural legacies. For wedding receptions, guests are invited to gather around the table and enjoy locally sourced ingredients, thoughtful preparation and cuisine that celebrates heritage through every course.
Contact details
• Mandatory/Required
oTHER VENUES AVAILABLE
up to 100 Guests
A tropical ceremony setting overlooking the ocean
Accommodation
Heritage, flavour and hospitality unite
Inclusions
Venue Details
At the heart of Zimbali Lodge, Eleven Tribes brings together flavour, storytelling and hospitality through a dining experience inspired by South Africa’s cultural legacies. For wedding receptions, guests are invited to gather around the table and enjoy locally sourced ingredients, thoughtful preparation and cuisine that celebrates heritage through every course.
Contact details
• Mandatory/Required
oTHER VENUES AVAILABLE
up to 100 Guests
A tropical ceremony setting overlooking the ocean
Accommodation
Heritage, flavour and hospitality unite
Inclusions
Venue Details
At the heart of Zimbali Lodge, Eleven Tribes brings together flavour, storytelling and hospitality through a dining experience inspired by South Africa’s cultural legacies. For wedding receptions, guests are invited to gather around the table and enjoy locally sourced ingredients, thoughtful preparation and cuisine that celebrates heritage through every course.
Contact details
• Mandatory/Required
oTHER VENUES AVAILABLE
up to 100 Guests
A tropical ceremony setting overlooking the ocean