22 Church St Restaurant

Chef Sanel Esterhuizen was born and bred in the Klein Karoo town of Montagu but spread her culinary wings far and wide (including to London and Cyprus) before returning to her home town to open her own restaurant. It’s housed in a restored building that dates to the early 1900s where she serves hearty, flavour-packed food using locally sourced, seasonal produce. Locals and visitors to the village alike enjoy the friendly, efficient service from the small, well-run team. The menu includes, among others, burgers (available with a Wagyu beef, free-range chicken or black bean-and-walnut patty) and various cuts of steak with optional sauces. Daily specials may include starters of biltong bitterballen or pickled fish, while mains stretch to locally sourced trout and roast lamb shoulder. For dessert, expect the likes of malva pudding with boeremeisies (apricots soaked in brandy) and ice cream, or a chocolate torte with brûléed bananas, dulce de leche ice cream and honeycomb. Those without a sweet tooth will enjoy the cheeseboard.

Don't leave without trying:
Whipped goat's cheese with heirloom tomatoes, basil, infused vinegar and olive oil, or Korean BBQ fried chicken lollipops with cucumber kimchi and sriracha mayonnaise.