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The LivingRoom at Summerhill

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 20 Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Newcomer
Fine Dining South African Vegetarian Friendly
Summerhill Guest Estate, 9 Belvedale Rd, Cowies Hill, Pinetown, 3610, South Africa
(306 reviews)
RR

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • WiFi
  • Fireplace
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Newcomer
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 20

The LivingRoom’s aim is to showcase our provinces culinary diversity from product to plate.

Additionally, we strive to be one of the country’s flagships regarding sustainability and community development.

Gourmet Guide Description

Here’s a refined, immersive dining experience that blends sustainability with fine dining, seamlessly. Situated in the lush surroundings of Cowie’s Hill, this restaurant, helmed by chef Johannes Richter, is celebrated for its deliberate commitment to being environmentally responsible, using seasonal fare sourced from its own garden or nearby farms. Johannes, with his fine French culinary training and passion for Asian techniques, crafts tasting menus that rotate based on the freshest ingredients available, ensuring every visit is a unique gastronomic expedition.

Dining is intimate and personal, with seating for only 30 guests, fostering a curated and interactive encounter where Johannes often presents the dishes himself. Diners can choose between a five- or seven-course tasting menu, paired with wines carefully selected by Johannes’ wife, Johanna. One standout plate is the guava, fermented acacia honey, and bitter green sorbet. Inspired by the chef’s childhood memories of guava roll, this dish brings back those sweet and tangy tastes in a nostalgic, yet sophisticated, way.

The most evocative moment comes with the mabele sour porridge and amasi granita. This clever take on a South African staple whisks one back to childhood while demonstrating the chef’s ability to reinvent traditional flavours within a fine-dining context. It’s followed by another playful reinterpretation of a TV bar, made with amasi and sorghum, leaving guests with indelible epicurean memories, old and new.

Reviews (306)

4.9 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 5.0
Value 4.8
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.9
  • Yolande V. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 21 Jan 25
    An unbelievable experience. Everything was more than perfect. Thank you for the unforgettable evening. Grtz, Bruno ( Belgian chef )

  • Chloe H. Dined: 6 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Trevor & Marryl R. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 07 Jan 25
    From the greeting and service from Johanna and the stewards, the guitarist singing and playing gently in the corner, the tone was set for our taste buds to be tantalised. Every dish, including a number of amuse-bouche, set before us, with a reverent explanation, was heavenly in flavour and unique in presentation. Johannes is surely the best chef in Africa, if not the world, with his heart set on sustainability around food and its preparation. The various vegetables with flavours that required a quiet pause for their depth, spreads for the sourdough bread; the carrot soup; the moist and delicious chicken breast; the superb lamb, the sugarcane "popsicle," the moreish mabela dessert and the surprise "birthday cake" at the end. While mentioning only these, guilt arises for those, not singled out, equally good and with every mouthful arose pause to ponder the depth of flavour and presentation.

  • Alun F. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 05 Jan 25
    Highly recommended. Warm hospitality, attentive service, wonderfully innovative menu with tastes to match. Set aside 3-4 hours for your dining experience.

  • Kalai K. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 31 Dec 24
    It was an amazing experience, loved the food

  • Natasha H. Dined: 1 month ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 30 Dec 24
    The ambiance was warm and refined with delightful attention to the December holiday season. Every plate arrived like a carefully composed work of art—vibrant, visually striking and thoughtfully arranged. The attention to detail in the explanations of each dish added a layer of personal connection to the experience, making us feel like we were part of a larger culinary journey. The pace of the meal was perfectly calibrated. The timing of the wine pairings matched this rhythm beautifully. Each glass was carefully chosen to complement the dish it accompanied, enhancing the flavors and bringing out subtle notes that created an integrated experience. Each course felt like a visual celebration of the ingredients, inviting us to take a moment and appreciate the beauty before indulging. The restaurant’s commitment to local, seasonal ingredients shined as the backbone of the entire meal.

  • Thami M. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 29 Dec 24
    This is our new to go and favorite place!

  • Lelo N. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 29 Dec 24
    My goodness!! What a truly elevated the dining experience, the paired wines were beautiful & complemented each course perfectly. The service staff expertise was evident, as every selection harmonized wonderfully! An outstanding culinary adventure

  • Hester S. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 29 Dec 24
    Absolutely excellent. Great experience. Highly recommended.

  • Natalie C. Dined: 1 month ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0
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Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 18h30 - 21h30
  • Wednesday 18h30 - 21h30
  • Thursday 18h30 - 21h30
  • Friday 18h30 - 21h30
  • Saturday 12h00 - 21h30
  • Sunday CLOSED