Ellerman House has long been lauded as one of South Africa’s most sought-after hotels, and for more than 30 years has drawn well-heeled travellers to its unique eyrie overlooking the Atlantic Ocean above Bantry Bay. Along the way, it’s picked up plenty of awards, from being named No. 3 in the world in The Telegraph's World's Best 50 Hotels for 2024 to ‘Best City Hotel in Africa’ in the prestigious Travel + Leisure ‘World’s Best Awards’ 2024. Of course, it also tops our list of the Best Hotels in Cape Town.
And while the hotel has been largely off-limits unless you've booked a room for the night, there's now a delicious reason for locals, tourists (and those lucky resident guests, of course) to visit, as Ellerman House unveils a culinary upgrade with the launch of Curate, a brand-new restaurant set to make waves on the city’s fine-dining landscape.
Open for bookings from 16 May 2025, Curate brings together South African terroir, top-tier technique, and a one-of-a-kind setting in the hotel’s striking Wine Gallery.
At the helm of Curate is Ellerman House’s Head Chef Kieran Whyte, who has created and curated a bold multi-course tasting menu that celebrates South African flavours, local produce and seasonal craftsmanship. Think Amagwinya & Caviar, a Cape Mushroom Melktert, or a Prieska White Chocolate Pap for dessert. Tasty!
Each dish can be paired with wines from Ellerman House’s 10 000-bottle cellar, each hand-selected by in-house wine stewards to reflect provenance and innovation.
While Ellerman House is famous for its sea view, Curate is set in the striking Wine Gallery. It's a subterranean space designed by local sculptor Angus Taylor, who turned to stone, steel and light to celebrate both South Africa’s three centuries of winemaking and its diverse terroir. Together with Taylor, the new interiors for Curate were brought to life by one of the owners, Nell Harris, and Natalie Haarhof of Just Design, blending natural textures and a refined aesthetic to create an immersive dining experience.
“Curate is a natural evolution of our commitment to innovation and excellence,” says Carol Kohne, CEO of Ellerman House. “It’s about crafting immersive, sensory journeys that reflect the soul of South Africa.”
The launch of Curate also coincides with the rebranding of Ellerman’s relaxed à la carte restaurant, now known as OneEighty, where in-house guests and visitors can enjoy seasonal plates and a knockout Atlantic view.
Curate is set to open in May 2025, welcoming in-house guests and a few fortunate outside diners for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday. According to the hotel, prospective patrons can “make reservations to be invited to Curate or OneEighty” via Dineplan.
As you might have guessed, the Curate experience won’t come cheap. The Tasting Menu is priced at R1800 per person, with wine pairings available at an additional R1800 or R2450 (for the Connoisseur Experience) per person.
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