Come wander, taste, sip and celebrate at 96 Winery Road on Saturday 2 May 2026 at an event designed around the warm feeling of hospitality and familiar flavours 

For nearly 30 years, 96 Winery Road has been part of the fabric of Stellenbosch celebrations. It is the kind of place people return to for birthdays, anniversaries, milestone lunches, long-awaited catch-ups and those unplanned afternoons that turn into unforgettable evenings. For many guests, 96 is woven into personal history – the setting for first dates, family gatherings, engagement toasts, Sunday lunches and stories that have grown richer with time. That sense of memory, connection and occasion sits at the heart of its 30th birthday celebration this May.

Since opening in 1996, 96 Winery Road has built its reputation on a simple but enduring promise: good food, good wine and good times. Set against the backdrop of the Stellenbosch Winelands, the restaurant has long offered something that feels both classic and welcoming – a space where polished hospitality meets relaxed country charm. That longevity matters. In an industry where trends shift quickly and venues come and go, 96 has remained relevant by staying true to what people come back for: generous hospitality, memorable flavours and a setting that encourages people to linger a little longer.

As the restaurant approaches this milestone year, the focus is not only on celebrating the number 30, but on celebrating the people who helped shape the journey.

Join them for a celebration that centres on memory, heritage and guest connection. Come share stories, experience some throwback moments and see the role 96 has played in so many milestones over the decades. They’re inviting guests to honour the nostalgia of the past, as well as be part of their next chapter.

The event

When: Saturday 2 May 2026
Time: 12pm for 12.30pm
What: A relaxed, roaming experience designed to feel warm, generous and distinctly personal. Guests are invited to wander, taste, sip and celebrate at their own pace, creating the kind of easy, festive atmosphere that suits the personality of 96 so well.

The food offering will be a nostalgic journey through some of the restaurant’s much-loved flavours, served canapé-style to encourage mingling and discovery. Guests can expect a menu that nods to favourites from the past, including dishes such as West Coast mussels in a light curried cream sauce and crispy pork belly with tomato chutney. The experience will also bring the kitchen into the spotlight, with chefs working over the fires and wood smoker, adding those final touches that make each plate feel thoughtful and alive. More than just a meal, it will be a chance to see the craft behind the dishes and meet the team behind the scenes.

In true Winelands style, the celebration is about more than food alone. It is about the atmosphere, the storytelling and the people around you. There will be space to move, connect and soak in the occasion – whether that means chatting with old friends, raising a glass to shared memories or simply enjoying the energy of a place that has meant so much to so many over the years. The whole event is designed around feeling: the warmth of hospitality, the familiarity of favourite flavours and the joy of marking a milestone in good company.

This birthday celebration also reflects a broader anniversary theme that 96 has been building throughout the year: celebrating memory, community and the moments that matter. They’re encouraging guests to share their own stories and photographs, since the history of 96 is not only found in menus or milestones, but in the people who have passed through its doors over the last three decades.

So come revisit a beloved institution in a new way, or if you haven’t been there yet, take your chance to become part of the story.

Tickets

Tickets cost R850 per person and include food, wine and water.
Get your tickets online.