Wholesome food in a wholesome environment
Celebrity Chef and TV personality, Reuben Riffel’s fine dining restaurant in Franschhoek is offset by his lifestyle café, Reuben and Co. Café in the Val De Vie residential estate in Paarl. Part of The Yard Lifestyle Centre, which includes a gym, cycle centre, Olympic swimming pool designed by Olympic gold medal swimmer Ryk Neethling, tennis courts and future wellness spa, the Café restaurant overlooks the pool and open air terrace with glass sliding doors separating the inside of the restaurant from the terrace. This provides diners with protection from the seasonal winds while enjoying the natural light and spectacular mountain views.

The 350sqm, 213-seater restaurant incorporates differentiated spaces for guest to use through out the day, from breakfast to dinner.

The architectural concept was designed to reflect a fresh, wholesome environment and atmosphere that was in keeping with the restaurant’s menu, which is sourced from the Val de Vie gardens and local farmers. A workbench with loose seating pedestals and power outlets rests alongside the harvest table, which doubles up as a 'grab and go' space at different times of the day. Both areas sit in front of a coffee and juice bar where patrons can work, have meetings or refreshments after exercise. The long café-style front attracts breakfast and lunch diners with the taller bar counter in front of the bar attracting shorter visits and cocktail drinkers. Set deeper in the space is a more enclosed intimate seating area that uses texture, colour and darker finishes ideal for evening dining. Central to the space is the lounge area with comfortable couches, a log fire and screen.The Show Kitchen with open glass display walk-in fridges is visible from all spaces and is central to the core proposition of the restaurants commitment to fresh daily produce.