Mertia is a beautiful fine dining restaurant located in Stellenbosch, the renowned wine region and student town, in the Western Cape. The restaurant is under the leadership of owner and founder Marais Kirsten-Uys, while the kitchen is at the helm of talented Chef Matt van den Berg. This year, Chef Matt made his debut at the Best Chef Awards earning international acclaim with the award of ‘1 knife’; acknowledgement of a high standard of culinary skill.  Together, these two brilliant individuals create a formidable force in the culinary sphere.

Mertia’s moody romantic interior, sets the tone for an elegant dining experience. Think deep brown hues scattered with touches of gold and flickering candle light. The restaurant offers an array of menus including a 13-course tasting menu as well as a lighter 8-course tasting menu option. Wine experiences and non-alcoholic pairings are also on offer. The recent spring menu showcases a range of outstanding dishes. An opening act of brilliance, the ‘Snack Box’ delivers an explosion of flavour in every bite. The beautifully presented bread course is served alongside a mouthwatering biltong butter emulsion – one of the very best butters. Inspired by Chef Matt’s international travels, the ‘stroopwafel’ is a gorgeous crisp waffle showcasing a tasty savoury venison filling. Standout dishes included the ‘Kimchi & Crayfish’, a fresh dish expertly showcasing rich buttery crayfish beautifully balanced with kimchi and tangy tomato escabeche. Signature dishes include the decadent hen’s egg course and the mushroom vetkoek; simply superb. Dessert courses include the surprisingly interactive ‘Bite of Art’ and the delectable Jerusalem artichoke, with cacao and sheep’s milk. Mertia offers an incredible selection of wines. The sommelier is well versed with both local and international wines, curating the perfect pairing experience.

“Anything worth doing, is worth doing well” – these are the words of Marais’ grandmother, whom the restaurant has been named after. Chef Matt brings unique flavours, showcasing elevated South African cuisine, brilliantly executed. Marais combines a warm inviting charm with a creatively elegant eye for detail, that enhances every facet of the hospitality experience. Mertia is certainly doing it well. For a phenomenal fine dining experience – with a uniquely South African flair – Mertia promises an evening to remember.

You can find more information about Mertia here.