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MERTIA

Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Newcomer
French Japanese South African
Location Pointer 20 Bird St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
4.9
(693 reviews)
RRR
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Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Wheelchair Friendly
  • WiFi
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Newcomer
  • Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 50

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At MERTIA, our values are at the heart and soul of everything we do. We prioritise sustainability, showcase South African heritage through global flavours, build communities and connections, and celebrate culinary craftsmanship - all while continuously evolving. We invite you to join us on this journey.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

It’s in what was once a bank that chef Matt van den Berg and front-of-house master Marais Kirsten-Uys realised their dream. Opening Mertia in their late twenties, they sought to define special moments and evoke memories with food. Stylish and elegant, the restaurant’s upper floor features wooden floors, well-spaced tables, and a private dining room that serves as the blank canvas on which they create their respective arts. The restaurant’s primary nod is to Marais’s grandmother, after whom it is named. The second nod is to the team, individually acknowledged on the back of the menu, which evolves seasonally.

A professional sommelier carefully pairs the wines, and like the rest of the team, exudes the passion that underpins every element of the dining experience.

Opening Hours

  • Monday 17h30 - 22h00
  • Tuesday 17h30 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 17h30 - 22h00
  • Thursday 17h30 - 22h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Saturday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Sunday CLOSED

Reviews (693)

4.9 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 5.0
Value 4.8
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.8
  • Samuel H. Dined: 1 day ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience N/A

    Reviewed on: Sat 11 Apr 26
    One of the best ‘fine dining’ experiences I’ve had in recent memory. It’s not easy to ensure every single dish on a tasting menu is consistently excellent. You expect one or two to fall a little short. But not so at Mertia. And one of the red wines served with the chicken course I’ll never forget. Michelin star standard dining at ridiculously reasonable prices.

  • Jacques S. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 08 Apr 26
    What made the most impact on our dining experience, was how well seasoned all the dishes were. More than often fine dining establishments draw your attention on the service elements and the visuals, but in this case, it was the seasoning of the food and the intensity of the flavour. The dishes also were all at temperature, and not tepid due to too much handling. The use of sauces to carry the flavour theme of the dishes reminded one of a more classical approach towards cooking which I highly appreciate, and the sauces also helped to ensure the dishes remain at temperature for longer. We found that the lighting in the dining room was a tad too dark to experience all the visual elements of the dish, and over a two-hour period you maybe want a bit more lighting to pull attention and focus on all the dishes, especially towards the end. This was minor though, and our wedding anniversary was very enjoyable.

  • Wolfgang R. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 07 Apr 26
    Eine wunderbarer Abend angefangen auf der Terrasse mit Blick auf den See und einem Glas Weißwein und dann später im Haus zusammen mit einigen anderen Genussmenschen. Die Gerichte waren sehr lecker und spektakulär auf dem Feuer zubereitet. Sehr zu empfehlen.

  • Aidan K. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 06 Apr 26
    A fantastic way to welcome an old friend from visiting from Dubai. The new menu definitely sets the mood for a cooler season to come with warm and welcoming flavours. And the humble chicken with nothing humble about it making course of the night. Congrats to another successful menu and keeping it dynamic!

    MERTIA responded on Tue 07 Apr 26:
    Dear Aidan, thank you for your wonderful review! Your kind and thoughful words truly mean a great deal to us. We're absolutely delighted you chose to spend such a special evening with us, and that the new menu brought a sense of warmth as the season begins to shift. It’s especially lovely to hear that the chicken stood out for you. We will ensure to pass your compliments to our team. Thank you for choosing MERTIA. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another memorable experience! Warmest regards MERTIA Team

  • Urs M. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 06 Apr 26 (Guest left no comment)

    MERTIA responded on Tue 07 Apr 26:
    Dear Urs, thank you for your lovely review! We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Katrin A. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 06 Apr 26 (Guest left no comment)

    MERTIA responded on Tue 07 Apr 26:
    Dear Katrin, thank you for your lovely review! We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Kind regards MERTIA Team

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

    Reviewed on: Mon 06 Apr 26
    Amazing dinner. Thank you team

    MERTIA responded on Tue 07 Apr 26:
    Dear Janene, thank you for your lovely review! We're absolutely delighted to hear you enjoyed an amazing experience. Thank you for choosing MERTIA! We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another memorable experience! Warm regards MERTIA Team

  • Rentia C. Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 05 Apr 26
    Very expensive for locals! Definitely a once off! Food was heavenly

  • Chris Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 04 Apr 26
    Fantastic restaurant with great service and surprising food dishes!

    MERTIA responded on Tue 07 Apr 26:
    Dear Chris, thank you for your lovely review! We're absolutely delighted to hear you had an amazing experience from the service to the tasting menu experience. Creating moments of surprise and delight through our food is something we truly love. Your kind words truly mean the world to us and we will ensure to pass your compliments to our team. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another memorable experience. Warm regards MERTIA Team

  • Lisa V. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 04 Apr 26
    An unforgettable experience. The food and service were truly world-class, thoughtful, precise, and deeply personal. What stood out most was the sense of connection; as the team rotated through each course, it felt like we were meeting the people behind the craft. Every dish built on the last. Layered with flavour, nostalgia, surprise, and beauty. Nothing felt rushed or excessive, only intentional. The wine pairing was exceptional. Bold, unexpected, and perfectly aligned with the journey of the menu.

    MERTIA responded on Tue 07 Apr 26:
    Dear Lisa, thank you for your wonderful and thoughtful review! Your kind words truly mean a great deal to us. It means so much to hear that the experience felt personal and connected, that you could feel the intention behind each course and meet the people behind the craft. This is exactly what we hope to share with every guest who joins us. We’re also absolutely delighted to hear that the journey of the menu and wine pairing resonated with you in such a meaningful way. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another memorable experience! Warmest Regards MERTIA Team

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