Mertia: Home-Style Fine Dining in the Heart of Stellenbosch

Fine dining with its heart in Stellenbosch, Mertia is hidden away upstairs in the old Standard Bank building, its floor to ceiling windows looking out over Die Braak, the old watermill wheel, oak trees and Rhenish Church. Two sons of Stellenbosch, Marais Kirsten-Uys (back home after a year managing three Michelin-star Atelier Crenn in San Francisco) and chef Matt van den Berg fresh from La Colombe (and co-founder of How Bao Now) have created a sophisticated, intimate, understated and very comfortable space aimed at Stellenbosch locals.

The flavours of home

Their combined vision is a forward-thinking vision of a restaurant that mentors young chefs, puts a global and creative twist on South African food heritage, and pushes culinary boundaries, while feeling welcoming and relaxed.They’ve intentionally dialled down the fine-dining smoke and mirrors to create seasonal seven- and 12-course tasting menus their fathers would call a “proper meal”.

Named after Marais’ grandmother Mertia, their menus celebrate the flavours of home with a touch of nostalgia and plenty of delightful flourishes (we particularly loved Mertia’s pampoen tart recipe with the venison, a delicious kinglip with a brandade, and the jam and cheese bread course) and comes with superb wine pairings from sommelier Kudzai Beka.

The service is impeccable, the welcome warm, the flavours fresh and beautifully executed, Mertia is a fab addition to the Stellenbosch dining scene.

Good to know The seven-course menu is available only at lunch, the 12-course menu at lunch and dinner. You can also pop in for cocktails in the intimate bar from 4pm.
Opening times Tuesday – Thursday, 5.30pm – 10pm
Friday + Saturday, 12pm – 2pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Contact 076 644 8448, reservations@mertia.co.za
Where to find it 20 Bird Street, Stellenbosch (entrance off the Millstream side street)
Book through DinePlan

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