Everybody loves an ever-reliable neighbourhood bistro, and Paarl’s Noop delivers.
‘We cook the same food here as we do at home,’ boast the owners: unpretentious, often spontaneous, always delicious. It’s that commitment to always bringing its A-game that keeps diners coming back for more and turns new visitors into regulars over a single meal.
Also read: Your ultimate guide to a truly tantalising trip to Paarl
It has been doing this job so well since opening in 2005, that the owners were originally customers before they took over Noop in 2012.
The restaurant is in the heart of Old Paarl, set under two graceful old oaks. It’s housed in a heritage building, with broekie lace, sash windows and wooden floors. The food is uncomplicated and good.
The guiding principle is ‘keep it fresh, keep it local, keep it simple’.
At its heart, Noop is a warm, welcoming and friendly neighbourhood eatery that has taken the staples up a notch.
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The menu is anchored by the concepts of ‘fresh, local, simple’ – this means that if an ingredient is not available or out of season, that item is off the menu for the duration.
Local suppliers are supported as much as possible: fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs are from farms nearby; meat is handpicked almost daily from a local Paarl butcher, with Chalmar beef matured for 32 days; free-range Karoo lamb; and venison from the owner’s farm in the Namibian Kalahari.
Specials change daily, depending on inspiration or a rare or interesting ingredient available that day.
The crisp roast duck, springbok loin and yellowfin tuna are all favourites, and the homemade wild mushroom ravioli is very well received.
There is also an incredibly comprehensive wine list, as one would expect at a Winelands restaurant – the full drinks list runs to 72 pages, and that is not including the owner’s Cellar, which has some rather special bottles.
Picture: Noop / FacebookPaarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Swartland are well represented, as are Elgin, Stanford, Cape Agulhas, Hemel en Aarde and French bubbly. Wines in the old and new world styles and every varietal.
It can be overwhelming, so Noop is happy to recommend something for you to pair with your meal, and they’ll even bring over a copy of Platter’s South African Wine Guide if you’d like to get the experts’ opinions.
Details:
- Location: 127 Main Road, Paarl
- Times: Mondays to Saturdays, 11am to 11pm
- Contact: 021 863 3925
Cape {town} Etc discount: Indulge in a unique wine-tasting and safari game viewer experience for two with a wine safari tour, courtesy of Wines of Paarl for R450 (valued at R900). Get it here.
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Picture: Noop Restaurant / Facebook
