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MERTIA

Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Newcomer
Fine Dining French Japanese South African Vegan Friendly Vegetarian Friendly
Location Pointer 20 Bird St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
4.9
(707 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 (707)

4.9 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.8
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.8
  • Maja B. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 21 Feb 26
    Beautiful food and really great service! The pastry parts were absolutely world class and it was great to have Matt out in the dining room preparing some of the dishes next to tye table. An incredible experience that I highly recommend.

  • Shantel V. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 20 Feb 26 (Guest left no comment)

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Meggie, thank you for your lovely review, we look forward to welcoming you back soon! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Bert U. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 19 Feb 26 (Guest left no comment)

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Bert, thank you for your lovely review, we look forward to welcoming you back soon! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Tamayo J. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 19 Feb 26
    Mertia Restaurant is an absolute standout. The food was simply incredible — the flavours, the balance, and the sheer creativity behind each dish were on another level. Every plate felt thoughtfully constructed and exciting, yet refined. Chef Matt’s hospitality made the experience even more special. He takes the time to explain each dish in detail, sharing the inspiration and elements behind it, which adds so much depth to the meal. A definite highlight is the way they incorporate caviar across many of the dishes — it elevates the experience beautifully. The Aquatir Caviar is an absolute must-try and truly complements the creativity coming out of the kitchen. An unforgettable dining experience. Highly recommended.

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Tamayo, thank you very much for your thoughtful and wonderful review! We're truly honoured by your kind words and your recommendation truly means the world to us. We're absolutely delighted to hear you had an incredible and memorable experience - from the creativity and thoughtfully constructed dishes to the team's explanations and hospitality. Your kind words are the greatest reward we could receive and we have shared your compliments with our team. We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future for another memorable experience! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Angus M. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 18 Feb 26
    Brilliant experience all round

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Angus, thank you for your lovely review! We're absolutely delighted to hear you had a brilliant experience at MERTIA. We eagerly await the pleasure of welcoming you back for another memorable experience! Kind regards MERTIA Team

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

    Reviewed on: Tue 17 Feb 26
    It is always an amazing and extraordinary experience

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Matthias, thank you for your lovely review! We're absolutely delighted to hear you had an amazing and extraordinary experience at MERTIA. We eagerly await the pleasure of welcoming you back in the near future for another memorable experience! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Viktor S. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 17 Feb 26
    We had a very pleasant evening at mertia. The 10-course-dinner has been individually presented by the very knowledgeable members of the team (including charming Chef Matt himself) to give us insights to each meal. We enjoyed every moment of the friendly attention given to us and intend to visit again.

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Viktor, thank you for your wonderful review! Your kind words truly mean the world to us. We're absolutely delighted to hear you had a memorable experience and we will ensure to pass your compliments to our team. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another memorable experience! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Peter O. Dined: 6 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 17 Feb 26
    The food was outstanding, we enjoyed the evening very much. Our guest were very much impressed. Ambience only 4 stars because it was a little loud.

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Peter, thank you for your lovely review and feedback! We're absolutely delighted to hear that you and your guests had an outstanding experience and that the food left an amazing impression. Thank you as well for your honest feedback regarding the ambience. We understand how important a comfortable sound level is, and we will certainly keep this in mind as we continue refining the dining experience for our guests. We hope to welcome you back in the near future for another memorable experience! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Elizabeth S. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 16 Feb 26
    Ons ervaring by Mertia het soos elke vorige keer alle verwagtinge oortref oortref!

    MERTIA responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    Dear Elizabeth, thank you for your wonderful review! Your kind words truly mean the world to us! We're absolutely delighted to hear your experience at MERTIA exceeded all your expectations and we eagerly await the pleasure of welcoming you back soon for another memorable experience! Kind regards MERTIA Team

  • Litta L. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 15 Feb 26
    We loved the food and the thoughtfulness behind each ingredient. We especially enjoyed the storytelling - that’s the experience of fine dining!

    MERTIA responded on Mon 16 Feb 26:
    Dear Litta, thank you for your lovely review! We're truly honoured by your kind words and we're absolutely delighted to hear you enjoyed our storytelling and the thoughtfulness behind the menu. We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future for another memorable experience! Kind regards MERTIA Team

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