Anti-carb advocates may have painted bread as an evil that will wreak havoc with your digestive system and expand your waistline, but it is still almost impossible to resist the smell and taste of a freshly baked loaf of bread. Even more so if that loaf of bread happens to come out of the huge wood-fired brick oven at Lust.

Situated on the Vrede en Lust wine estate just outside Franschhoek, Lust is a bistro-cum-bakery that, in addition to producing artisan breads, serves up wholesome breakfasts and lunches. The bakery and kitchen is under the supervision of chef Jean Pierre Smith, who takes no shortcuts when it comes to producing the finest breads – his sourdough bread takes a minimum of three days to prepare!

Not surprisingly, bread features quite strongly on the menu – in fact, you can even create your own sandwich from scratch using a nifty little sandwich card. The bistro takes the same approach to its pizzas – also cooked in the wood-fired oven – which turn out to be remarkably affordable.

In addition to the create-it-yourself pizzas and sandwiches, the bistro also has an à la carte menu that includes suggested Vrede en Lust wines for each dish. On the menu, you’ll find hearty fare such as slow roasted pork belly and crispy-skinned duck breast. Daily specials on the chalkboard change with the season and the availability of fresh produce. The buffet lunch on Sundays, which offers up a selection of slow-cooked roasts, gets pretty busy, so it is worth booking a table in advance.

Although the interior at Lust hints at a big farmhouse kitchen, it’s far too modern and uncluttered to be the real deal; the décor can best be described as country chic. A few comfortable couches and the large tree-lined patio make it the perfect place to while away a lazy afternoon. Order a bottle of wine and one of the platters off the menu – artisan charcuterie, cheeses, breads, and preserves – and the afternoon will take care of itself.