De Eetkamer: Bold + Original Small Plates in Stellenbosch

From the day chef Marco Cardoso opened the doors of De Eetkamer in Stellenbosch in April 2022, locals have claimed it and word-of-mouth has spread. In a beautifully renovated old stable close to Stellenbosch’s Moederkerk, the upmarket eatery buzzes nightly with a convivial crowd lured by flavour-packed small plates and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Marco’s innate skill, delicacy and signature style are evident in every single dish that comes off the pass. These are punchy flavours and enticing aromas presented in an informal style that throws away the plating tweezers and focuses on flavour. “I want it to be a very approachable place, where people can enjoy simple, honest, good food and a good mood,” Marco says.

A culinary journey across the world

Marco’s ever-evolving menu of about 12 small plates spans the globe from Japan, Korea and Peru to Morocco and the Mediterranean. There’s no set format. Order two or three dishes and a glass of wine (the winelist is a cracker) for a light lunch, or settle in for a leisurely evening sharing a succession of dishes over two or more courses.

A real showstopper (and a fixture on the menu – there’d be an outcry if it was taken off) is the Korean fried cauliflower. Biting into the crispy crust reveals a densely juicy vegetable, with intensely moreish sweet and salt elements in the sauce, and a spritz of delight in a charred lime to squeeze over at will.

Apart from that, Marco pushes the boundaries of creativity and crafts new culinary delights with the freshest of seasonal ingredients. Think gnocchi with ricotta, herb pesto and walnuts; a preserved lemon risotto, deep-fried artichokes with paprika aioli; and Peruvian chicken and flatbread with green chilli and coriander.

Sweet dreams

We shared a chocoholic’s dream dessert – chocolate ganache with oreos and pecan nuts, a generous and richly decadent slice. The sea salt caramel crème brûlée also comes highly recommended.

De Eetkamer is a Stellenbosch gem that demands more than one return visit.

Good to know A big open courtyard shaded by umbrellas and trees is ideal for lazy lunches and dining alfresco on sultry summer evenings.
Opening times Monday, 5.30pm – 9pm
Contact 021 001 8308, [email protected]
Where to find it 3 Drostdy Road, Stellenbosch
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