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Die Damhuis

Seafood South African
Location Pointer 32 Beach Road Melkbosstrand
4.7
(7746 reviews)
R
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Child Friendly
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Sunsets
  • Wheelchair Friendly
  • Fireplace
  • Pet Friendly

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Menu
Favourite

The Damhuis restaurant officially opened its doors in 2009 and comprises a series of interconnected sections, including the Fishermens Tent, die Voorhuijs and die Stampkroeg, over 1000 square meters. Dedicated to offering a dining experience that will make guests want to immediately book for another meal as soon as they leave, the passionate people at the Damhuis know what it takes to earn the coveted “culinary hotspot” title. But it wasnt always the brightest jewel in Melkbosstrands crown.

The Damhuis came into existence after it was built by Christiaan Brand using cow manure, sand, hay and whale bones (part of the restaurants walls are unplastered so that guests can view the original walls) around 1785. Brand and his family were the first residents in De Melkbosch (Melkbosstrand) and originally used the building as a ‘visschuur (fish barn) where fish were cleaned, salted and dried.


Next to it was a boathouse where fishing boats and nets were stored. The ‘visschuur later became known as the ‘damhuis – named after the dam right in front of the house. This dam was the result of a fountain that still springs crystal clear water to this day. The fountain still exists on the property. The tarmac road – the present Beach Road, however, has long since covered the dam.

Over many years, the building evolved from fish store to private residence, and with more and more urban development the natural spring fed dam, right in front of the Damhuis, had to make way for the current Beach Road. However, the natural water spring is still very much alive on the property.

Today, more than 200 years since Christiaan Brand and his family stayed here, the Damhuis has been declared as a National Monument and still stands proud as Damhuis Restaurant with its rich history and heritage along the beautiful seaside of Melkbosstrand.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 09h00 - 21h00
  • Wednesday 09h00 - 21h00
  • Thursday 09h00 - 21h00
  • Friday 09h00 - 21h30
  • Saturday 09h00 - 21h30
  • Sunday 09h00 - 21h00

Reviews (7746)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.7
Value 4.6
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.7
  • Jan V. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Debbie K. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food N/A
    Value N/A
    Service N/A
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 04 May 26
    Great!

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 04 May 26:
    Hi Debbie, Thank you for rating your recent experience. I’m so glad so see you enjoyed a wonderful Sunday lunch with us. Look forward to welcoming you back again in the near future.

  • Lynn H. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 04 May 26
    It was wonderful

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 04 May 26:
    Hello Lynn, Thank you for the lovely review. I’m so glad you had such a wonderful Sunday lunch with us. Hope to see you back at Damhuis again soon.

  • Alida B. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 04 May 26 (Guest left no comment)

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 04 May 26:
    Hello Alida, Thank you so much for the lovely 5-star rating after your lunch with us on Sunday. It’s always good to see such a positive review across the board, and we really appreciate you taking the time to leave it. We hope to welcome you back to Damhuis again soon.

  • Marinda S. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 04 May 26
    All our food was top class! Tuna steak, pasta, ribs. Ribeye steak, everything top notch! And our waitress was absolutely fabulous too. We’ll be back again and again and again ✅

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 04 May 26:
    Hello Marinda, Thank you for sharing your review - what a pleasure to read. I’m so glad everything on the table was enjoyed the way it should be, and I’ll definitely pass your kind words on to our team as well. That always means a lot. We’ll be very glad to welcome you back again soon.

  • Frikkie J. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 03 May 26 (Guest left no comment)

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 04 May 26:
    Hi Frikkie, We appreciate the review. Glad to see you enjoyed lunching at Damhuis. Hope to see you again soon.

  • Jens R. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 02 May 26
    Great like always***

    Die Damhuis responded on Sun 03 May 26:
    Hello Jens, Thank you for the review and recommendation. We’re so glad you enjoy coming back time and time again. Looking forward to welcoming you back again soon.

  • Alma M. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.7
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience N/A

    Reviewed on: Thu 30 Apr 26
    Simply the very best in Melkbos for dinner, like last night😍 Unfortunately we also had breakfast on Monday, public holiday. Will definitely not have breakfast at Damhuis again🫢 very disappointed, very expensive for what we got🫢 my husband ordered an egg dish of R121 - couldn’t believe what he was given for that price 😪 a total rip off, not a proper breakfast for an adult male at that price 😪 Couldn’t believe the charge for an extra egg is R25. Taking into consideration that I pay R 85-00 at Die Spens weekly for 18 big, fresh, farm eggs, an average of R 4-72 each. If you use them as your egg supplier, your profit is more than 400%😪 I’m prepared to pay for quality, the ambience, excellent service - but this sounds like daylight robbery to me. Damhuis always our first choice for lunch & dinner, but obviously not for breakfast after this terrible experience🫢

    Die Damhuis responded on Sun 03 May 26:
    Hi Alma, Thank you for taking the time to write this and for sharing it so honestly. I’m really glad you enjoyed your recent dining experience with us, and it means a lot to know that we’re still your first choice for lunch and dinner. Eating out is about so much more than the ingredients on a plate, and we know people are paying for the full experience when they choose to spend time with us. At the same time, you should still leave feeling good about what arrived at the table and the experience around it. From your review, it’s clear breakfast did not feel that way for you. If you’re open to it, you’re welcome to mail me directly at stefan@diedamhuis.co.za Thank you again for taking the time to share this, and for your continued support of Damhuis.

  • Zelda B. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 30 Apr 26
    Like every single time, Damhuis delivers on best food, best service and best value for your money. Love the historical building, always try and sit at Table 3, my utmost favorite spot in the restaurant. Would always recommend Damhuis for great food.

    Die Damhuis responded on Thu 30 Apr 26:
    Hello Zelda, This is the best kind of review to get. To know you walk through our doors knowing you're going to have a great meal, be looked after well and enjoy the cosy atmosphere in a memorable setting every time - that means a lot to us. Thank you for coming back, and for recommending us so warmly. See you again soon.

  • Petro T. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 30 Apr 26
    Damhuis never disappoints. Great food, service & ambience. A must to visit

    Die Damhuis responded on Thu 30 Apr 26:
    Hello Petro, Ah, that’s lovely to read - thank you so much. We’re really glad you keep leaving happy, and even more so that Damhuis still feels like a place worth recommending. Looking forward to seeing you again.

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