Cool Spaces: Surfshack

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES Claire Gunn

Neutral tones, layered textures and sophisticated finishes bring coastal cool to this new diner on Cape Town’s picturesque Camps Bay strip.

Boasting exceptional views of one of the Mother City’s most iconic beaches, the Surfshack is the latest addition to The Kove Collection‘s portfolio, which includes La Belle Bistro & Patisserie, Chinchilla, Lilly’s and, amongst others, the soon to be reopened 5-star boutique hotel The Marly, located just above the Surfshack.

Jo and Gregor Bremer of interior design studio Soda Custom were the duo behind the laid-back, contemporary interiors’ “rough-and-polished, rustic-modern harmony”, as Jo puts it. “We took inspiration from trips to the Mediterranean. One restaurant that caught our eye was Scorpios in Mykonos, Greece,” he explains. “Natural elements found on the island have been combined with modern architecture to achieve an amazing space.”

Texture plays an important role – in addition to timber and bamboo, there are rattan, woven and rope elements, raw linens and supple tan leather, and the walls have been roughly plastered. The interior subtly reflects the cuisine: Relaxed yet refined. On the menu you’ll find diner-style burgers, pizzas, steaks and seafood off the grill, as well as shared fusion dishes, all beautifully presented. It’s unfussy yet stylish.

The finishes are considered and contemporary, like the terrazzo bar counter with large jewel-tone chips and pizza oven clad in twinkling white penny round mosaics. Local design can be spotted amongst the custom pieces  – Hoi P’Loy wall lamps; Houtlander chairs; a row of Weylandts pendants above the bar. The mood is set for languid, sun-kissed summer lunches that dissolve into sundowners.

Surfshack is located at 201 The Promenade, Victoria Road, Camps Bay, and is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Sunday. For more information and bookings, visit surfshackdiner.co.za.