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Die Damhuis

Seafood South African
Location Pointer 32 Beach Road Melkbosstrand
4.7
(7872 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 (7872)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.7
Value 4.7
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.7
  • JEANNE D. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food N/A
    Value N/A
    Service 5.0
    Ambience N/A

    Reviewed on: Wed 16 Sep 26
    OLY THE WINE AND THE WITRESS GOT A 5 STAR. THE BURGER WAS TERRIBLE. MEAT NOT FRESH. OLD BUN. ITS A SHAME THAT A RESTAURANT OF THIS CALIBRE DONT HAVE FRESH BREAD. THE PORK BELLY WAS FLABBY AND FATTY AND NO CHRISP IN SIGH. THE STEAK WAS OK AND UNDERDONE. I ATE AROUND THE EDGES AND TOOK THE REST TAKE AWAY. BUT THE VEGGIES WAS NOT FRESH AT ALL. . WE HAVE BEEN EATING AT THE DAMHUIS FOR YEARS. BUT SORRY TO SAY IT IS GOING DOWN QUICKLY. IF THE FOOD IS NOT GOOD THE AMBIENCE, VALUE , LOCATION OR SERVICE CAN NOT MAKE UP FOR IT.

  • Michele A. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Morne S. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 14 Sep 26 (Guest left no comment)

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 14 Sep 26:
    Hello Morne, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a rating and for your support. We are glad to know you had a positive experience with us, and we truly appreciate it. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

  • Marietjie M. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 14 Sep 26 (Guest left no comment)

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 14 Sep 26:
    Hello Marietjie, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a rating and for your support. We are glad to know you had a positive experience with us. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

  • Jeani G. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 14 Sep 26
    Enjoyed the most succulent Oxtail dish for main course followed by a tastebud tantalizing Cheese cake desert.

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 14 Sep 26:
    Hello Jeani, Thank you for the lovely review. It sounds like you chose very well. I’ll make sure the kitchen team hears this and they’ll be pleased to know the meal left such a good impression from start to finish. Our menu has quite a few hearty Cape favourites alongside the seafood, so it’s always nice when guests explore a little beyond the usual choices. Hope we get to welcome you back again soon.

  • Ersilia F. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 14 Sep 26
    Die Damhuis is a lovely venue, and I'll definitely be back. I have been before and recommended it to quite a few people. Unfortunately, the swordfish was dry, and the butter sauce provided was too thick to "soften" the fish. Note to self to not order this again...

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 14 Sep 26:
    Hello Ersilia, Thank you for taking the time to share this, and especially for continuing to recommend Damhuis to others. I’m really glad you still enjoy coming to us, which is why I’m sorry that you didn't enjoy the swordfish on this visit. I appreciate you explaining what didn’t work for you, and I’ll pass that feedback on to the kitchen team. If you’d like to share anything more about the meal, you’re always welcome to email me directly at stefan@diedamhuis.co.za Thank you again for the support, and I’m glad this won’t be your last visit.

  • corlia e. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 11 Sep 26
    Lovely

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 14 Sep 26:
    Hello Corlia, Thank you for your review and for the 5-star rating. We are so pleased to hear that you had a lovely experience with us at Die Damhuis. Your support means a lot to our team, and we truly appreciate it. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

  • Allen U. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 09 Sep 26
    We were a group of 16 golfers celebrating tge end of our winter series. Damhuis went out of their way to accommodate us and ensure we all got our meals simultaneously. Had a fantastic afternoon. Thanks to our server Mike for his excellent service.

    Die Damhuis responded on Mon 14 Sep 26:
    Hello Allem, Thank you for such a lovely review. A table of 16 is no small gathering, so I’m really glad we could help make the end of your winter series a proper afternoon out together. Getting everyone served at the same time makes such a difference with a group, and I’ll make sure the team knows it was appreciated. I’ll also pass your kind words on to Mike, he’ll be very pleased to hear them. Thanks for choosing Damhuis for the celebration. We’d be very happy to have the golfing crew back again.

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