Chardonnay Deli: Where food, history, and heart meet in Constantia

When Charmaine Lilje first stepped into the old Constantia building that would become Chardonnay Deli, she felt something more than just the weight of its age.

“The creaking floors, the worn textures - it felt like the building had a soul,” she said..

“I wanted Chardonnay Deli to honour that. Not just a place to eat, but a place to feel.”

That vision has shaped the deli into one of Constantia’s most loved gathering spots, a space where heritage and heart blend as effortlessly as the aromas of freshly baked bread and roasted coffee drifting through the garden.

The building itself carries more than a century of stories, and Ms Lilje has made sure those memories remain part of its charm.

“We’ve kept the original windows and wooden beams,” she said. “It’s not about changing the building - it’s about letting it breathe and evolve.”

Ms Lilje’s love for food was born from simplicity rather than luxury.

“I grew up with very little,” she recalls. “That’s what shaped my love for food, learning to appreciate the simplest ingredients and the joy they can bring, even in hard times. At Chardonnay Deli, everything is made with care and honesty.”

It’s this philosophy that defines the deli’s menu - wholesome, comforting dishes that feel both familiar and special.

“Food and experience go hand in hand,” Ms Lilje added.

“It’s about feeding the soul as much as the stomach.”

Over the years, the deli has become woven into the fabric of Constantia life.

Locals often stop her to share memories of the building, from childhood visits to moments of youthful mischief.

“Someone once told me they had their first kiss in the garden,” she said.

“Another said they smoked their first joint at the back here decades ago. It makes you realise you’re part of people’s lives and memories, and now we’re adding new ones every day.”

For Ms Lilje, the deli is as much about connection as cuisine. “Now more than ever, people crave belonging,” she said.

“Places like Chardonnay Deli become more than food stops - they’re where friendships are formed, first dates are had, and traditions are made. Food is just the beginning; it’s the shared experience that builds community.”

That sense of togetherness was never clearer than during the pandemic.

“We kept our doors open safely, and the deli became a kind of sanctuary,” Ms Lilje said.

“It wasn’t about coffee or bread anymore. It was about seeing a familiar face, having a brief chat, and feeling human again. People told us it kept them sane, and that meant everything.”

Operating in a heritage space also brings its quirks.

“The building definitely has a mind of its own. Because it wasn’t designed for a deli, we’ve had to adapt to tight corners and uneven floors. At one point, we couldn’t expand the kitchen, so we rethought the menu instead. Those challenges ended up shaping who we are.”

As she reflects on what’s been built and what’s still to come, Ms Lilje hopes Chardonnay Deli will stand as a lasting part of Constantia’s story.

“Fifty years from now, I’d love for people to remember it as a place where generations gathered,  where the food was delicious, but more importantly, where life happened.”

For her, each day still holds that spark of purpose.

“I love creating - new dishes, new ideas, new experiences,” Ms Lilje said.

“Every customer, every experience, that’s what it’s about.”