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Die Damhuis

Seafood South African
Location Pointer 32 Beach Road Melkbosstrand
4.7
(7826 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 (7826)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.7
Value 4.7
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.7
  • Coleen Ann S. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 27 Jul 26 (Guest left no comment)

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 27 Jul 26:
    Hello Coleen Ann, Thank you for your 5-star rating and for choosing Die Damhuis. We’re so pleased to see you had a lovely experience with us. Your support means a lot to the team, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. We hope to welcome you back again soon.

  • Riaan B. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 27 Jul 26 (Guest left no comment)

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 27 Jul 26:
    Hello Riaan, Thank you for taking the time to rate your visit to Die Damhuis. We’re pleased to see you had a positive experience, and we truly appreciate your support. We hope to welcome you back again soon.

  • Heinrich d. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 27 Jul 26
    Big portions of quality food in a historic setting with good service by the staff

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 27 Jul 26:
    Hello Heinrich, Thank you for your lovely review and for visiting Die Damhuis. We are delighted that you enjoyed the big portions, quality food, historic setting, and the service from our team. It means a lot to know these details made your experience a good one. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

  • Pieter S. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 27 Jul 26
    Service was good. We enjoyed the food. Can recommend Damhuis.

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 27 Jul 26:
    Hello Pieter, Thank you for your lovely review. We’re glad to hear the service was good and that you enjoyed the food. It’s also wonderful to know you would recommend Damhuis. We appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back again soon.

  • Ulrika M. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 26 Jul 26
    Lovely 70th birthday celebration for my Dad

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 27 Jul 26:
    Hello Ulrika, How lovely that you chose to celebrate your dad with us. I hope he felt properly spoiled and that you all had a wonderful time together. Thank you for letting Damhuis be part of such a special family occasion. Hope we see you all again soon.

  • Tracy-Ann C. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 25 Jul 26
    Fantastic evening all around. Thank you.

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 27 Jul 26:
    Hello Tracy-Ann, Thank you for spending your evening with us. I’m so glad you left feeling this way, and I’ll pass your lovely words on to the team — they’ll be pleased to know they helped make the night such a good one. Hope to see you back at Damhuis again soon. The Team

  • Avril S. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    3.5
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 21 Jul 26
    Die Damhuis is a firm favourite for Birthdays & celebrations, being close and quaint. Always disappointed to find the "baked" cheesecake, (as always specified on menu), to be a fridge one, more so a deconstructed fridge cake (pile of dry crumbs and bit of cheese mousse) which I did not enjoy. I personally found the generous amount of rich Feta cheese overpowered my Caesar salad, the chicken was tough and I was glad I only ordered half a portion, otherwise everyone was happy, thank you :)

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 27 Jul 26:
    Hello Avril, Thank you for taking the time to share this, and for choosing Damhuis for so many birthdays and special occasions. I’m glad the rest of the table enjoyed their meals, although I can understand why your own choices left you feeling disappointed. I appreciate you sharing the detail, and you’re very welcome to email me directly at stefan@diedamhuis.co.za if you'd like to share more about your experience. We hope Damhuis will continue to be part of many more happy celebrations with your family.

  • Felicity C. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 20 Jul 26
    It's always a pleasure visiting Die Damhuis. I had the Eisbein, which was perfectly cooked. The other family members thoroughly enjoyed their meals too. 😊

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 20 Jul 26:
    Hello Felicity, It’s always a pleasure having you and your lovely family with us. I’m so glad lunch was another good one for the books. Thank you for coming back to Damhuis and for leaving such a lovely review. Hope we see you all again soon.

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