Damhuis Divine

With the sound of waves in the background, and the enticing aroma of seafood simmering in the small kitchen, it’s a shy, humble chef who is persuaded to tell his tale, while sitting in the cosy Voorhuijs of Die Damhuis Restaurant.

Stèfan Meintjes, born in Pretoria East in 1983, proudly calls himself a Capetonian, having cemented himself as an integral part of the community in the small seaside town of Melkbosstrand on the West Coast.

Here he lives and works, walking 100 metres to the restaurant, to share his passion at Damhuis, built by Cape farmer Christiaan Brand in 1785, and which a decade ago was a ruin. Today Damhuis takes pride of place in the heart of the community on Beach Road, with stunning views and an authentic seaside ambience.

Stèfan and his business partners resurrected the separate buildings in 2009, now a national monument, and cleverly combined them to create interconnected spaces that include the Voorhuijs, the Fishermen’s Tent, an open-air terrace, a beach area for children, and the Stampkroeg. The building is made of cow dung, sand, hay and whalebone, and a close look at the walls of the dining area reveals whale vertebrae strategically incorporated as a reminder of the all-round authenticity of the building, the food and the people.