For South Africans, the name Kobus van der Merwe is synonymous with the local food foraging scene and his rustic seaside restaurant in the sleepy fishing village of Paternoster, two hours north of Cape Town. This pioneering restaurateur opened Wolfgat two years ago and has since established a worthy reputation as one of the industry’s most creative, humble and passionate chefs. The seven-course menu is a celebration of authentic strandveld cooking – a Cape West Coast specialty that heroes indigenous ingredients sourced along the shoreline.
This tiny 20-seater eatery is very much a local favourite but its international profile received a huge boost when it was selected as not only best “Off-Map Destination” but also Restaurant of the Year in the inaugural World Restaurant Awards held in Paris in February 2019. Kobus told AFP, “I don’t feel worthy. It’s a big title. My staff who go out every day gathering herbs, succulents and dune spinach, should be here… It’s their baby. I can’t wait to celebrate with them with a big glass of South African sparkling wine.”
The win, which places a well-deserved spotlight on sustainable and seasonal cooking, is a fitting reward for chef Kobus and his small, local and mostly female team at Wolfgat who share equal responsibility for cooking, cleaning and serving. Guests can expect inspiring dishes which are the culinary manifestation of the area, with some elements taking weeks of preparation, while others are handpicked on the day. A neat wine list features some unusual wines from the region and form the perfect complement to the spectacular veldkos menu.
Wolfgat offers a seven course tasting menu at R850 per person and is open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, and dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, by appointment only.
Make a reservation here: www.wolfgat.co.za/bookonline