Eat Out San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna Chef of the Year 2019, Bertus Basson, has a food philosophy rooted in traditional South African food culture with a modern outlook. Bertus is famed for the remarkable success of all his Establishments, of which the first he opened as chef and owner in 2007. His restaurants have been awarded prestigious accolades from the Eat Out guide and Rossouw’s Restaurant guide. Since 2007, his establishments have grown into a family of restaurants that now includes Chorus, Eike, Kantien, Spek & Bone, Bloem, Ongetem, Toevlug and De Vrije Burger.
As a chef, Bertus advocates believing in what you do, as well as having faith and confidence in your produce. His commitment to great food made with fresh, local ingredients, and an acute attention to detail is the key to the culinary success for which he is highly regarded. He sees his work as an important responsibility – to express South African heritage, and creatively tell the stories of our history, our people and our food.
Bertus is a popular television personality, bringing his years of experience to the table with series including In Die Sop: Restaurant Evolusie and Sjefhuis, as well as The Ultimate Braai Master, Brood en Botter, Goed, Beter, Bertus and Kokkedoor: Vuur en Vlam.
CHORUS opened at Waterkloof Wine Estate in Somerset West in October 2022. CHORUS serves a seasonal five course menu. Our focus is simple, focused, seasonal cooking, where the menu is dictated by ingredients. The wine list celebrates Waterkloof wines, as well as featured wines from other South African producers.
Chorus Menus
Eike is nestled in an old historic building in the famous Dorp Street of Stellenbosch, also known as “Die Eikestad” – The Oak City. Eike celebrates traditional South-African cooking to its fullest by drawing inspiration from nostalgic food memories. We are a country of diverse people and influences, but the one thing that brings all South Africans together is what we eat. Eike is about being inspired by being a South African, and celebrating our food heritage. Bertus believes that tradition paves the way for our future. For lunch a 3 course menu is served, while a 5 course menu is served for dinner.
Eike Menus
Spek & Bone is located at a historic site next to the original Stellenbosch market, behind Oom Samie se winkel. This small plates eatery and wine bar is a real hidden gem, tucked away just off Dorp Street. The name is inspired by Bertus’ and his wife, Mareli’s, pets. “The restaurant is named after our pig and our puppy, Spek and Bone, who are (surprisingly) best friends and truly inseparable”, explains Bertus. The pets were named after the classic food combination of pork and beans. The authentic simplicity of the restaurant can be summed up in the Afrikaans saying ‘Om vir spek en boontjies te werk’ meaning to work for ordinary food, not for money.
We invite guests to join us under the oldest fruit-producing vine in Stellenbosch (how fitting!) and for a curated tapas menu with big, bold flavours, best shared with friends and paired with specially selected South African wines. The Bassons find great joy in fantastic food, great wine and an incredible playlist, and you’ll find all of these at Spek & Bone.
Spek en Bone Menus
Brand new in his stable of restaurants, Bertus has poured his personality into Kantien… you’ll feel it in the vibe, see it in the decor, taste it in the menu. It’s rock n roll, through and through. Serving next-level Pizza and more, eat in or take away, it’s just the place for a quick lunch or dinner.
Kantien Menus
BLOEM is our new restaurant on the Paul Clüver Wine Estate. BLOEM serves breakfast and lunch. Our focus is simple farm cooking in the heart of Elgin.
Bloem Menus
100% Free range beef, double cheese, home made bun and all the trimmings.
De Vrije Burger is the home of great burgers and fries in Stellenbosch. De Vrije Burger keeps it simple, but amazing. So amazing, in fact, that the restaurant won the Eat Out Everyday Eatery Best Burger Award in the Western Cape for 2019. We invite guests to drop in and enjoy a burger and a bevvie with us, seven days a week. We’ve got plenty of inside and outside seating, and a private room available to hire for intimate celebrations. For queries, please contact us via email.
With every De Vrije Burger purchased you get a De Vrije Roomys.
De Vrije Burger Stellenbosch
De Vrije Burger Contact Details
De Vrije Burger Stellenbosch
Monday – Sunday: 12h00 – 20h00
Address
13 Drostdy Street, Stellenbosch, 7600
De Vrije Burger at the Time Out Market
De Vrije Burger Contact Details
De Vrije Burger at the Time Out Market
Monday – Sunday: 11h00 – 23h00
Address
Time Out Market Cape Town, The Old Power Station, Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 7806
Toevlug Menus
Following the same food philosophy based on quality local produce and South African cooking, Bertus and Adele Grewar launched Abundance Catering – with an aim to wow guests with delicious food at any type of celebration and event.
