Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town up the R27 'West Coast Road', Yzerfontein seems to be having a moment.
For years it was little more than a sleepy holiday town popular with weekenders and retirees, but Yzerfontein is fast filling up with sexy villas, must-visit artisan bakeries and delectable restaurants.
This summer sees a brand-new addition to the West Coast menu, with restaurateurs Darren Badenhorst and Callan Austin opening The Beach House, which blends coastal charm with a touch of the culinary elegance the duo are famous for in the Cape Winelands.
But this is no DUSK or Le coin Français, where you can expect world-class degustation menus with refined service. At The Beach House Badenhorst and Austin plan to take things down a notch. Maybe kick off their shoes and get their knives out to fillet a slab of fresh line fish. Here it’s about landscapes and provenance, seafood and sea views.
There are those in abundance too, with designer Hayley Breytenbach adding a dose of Ralph Lauren-style elegance to a decidedly laid-back destination. The result is a space that feels timeless yet stylish, with custom features like a deep Beach House Navy paint, handcrafted naval-themed balustrades and antique maritime décor
Chef Jacques Grove will head up the kitchen, overseeing a menu that will offer coastal-heavy cuisine that celebrates the produce of the wild West Coast.
Think freshly harvested mussels from local waters and seafood caught by local village fishermen. Certainly don’t miss the Whole Baked Line-Caught Fish, cooked over coals. There’s a fine touch of foraging here too, with one of the signature dishes the Baai Slaai, a foraged salad with dune spinach, soutslaai, and wood sorrel flowers. Prefer something meaty? There’s a 1.2kg Prime Rib on the bone served with Café de Paris butter to keep you happy. Or keep it simple with classics like Fish and Chips and Peri-Peri Chicken. Wines will focus on West Coast estates, which are known for their seafood-friendly Sauvignon Blanc.
Speaking of friendly: the outdoor terrace will be decidedly pet-friendly, so you can step in off the beach without leaving the furry family at home.
The Beach House opens on October 24, serving lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. Book a table via Dineplan.
Oh, look... there's a new eatery in the Durbanville Winelands too!