There are few cafés which serve up views like those from the new Bites Beach Café by Morukuru Family De Hoop, or whose walls could speak of such times past. Bites breathe new life into an ancient structure. This new addition for guests staying at the luxurious, off-grid, Relais & Chateaux accredited Morukuru Beach Lodge, and Ocean House offers an evocative drinking and dining alternative to their gracious, sweeping restaurant and dining room.
Bites Beach Café opened its doors in February 2023 in the ‘Koppie Alleen’ Cape Dutch cottage, a remote, beautiful and historic thatched fisherman’s cottage situated on rocks next to sand dunes with views of the magnificent shoreline of the untamed De Hoop Nature Reserve. No man-made structure is around for miles other than Morukuru Beach Lodge and Ocean House, which are discretely situated amongst the fynbos. Their stunning contemporary architecture forms a wonderful visual counter-balance to this historic cottage, happily brought back to viable use through this restoration. Koppie Alleen has been sensitively converted, incorporating modern architectural elements, such as floor-to-ceiling glazing, to capitalise on its remarkable position with its dramatic, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.
Offering indoor and outdoor seating, Bites will offer a ringside seat for land-based whale watching when the Southern Right whales migrate to these waters to calve between July and the end of October. A fireplace will take the chill off those winter months, and, in summer, the outdoor seating will offer visitors the perfect arena from which to take in and soak up the remarkable wildlife, views and sun.
With a casual daytime menu of fresh fish, wood-fired pizzas and burgers, Bites is open to walkers and day visitors to De Hoop Nature Reserve for lunch and coffee (as well as Morukuru Family De Hoop residents), whilst, in the evening, it will be exclusively for Morukuru Family guests, either from Beach Lodge or Ocean House, when the menu offers African-themed fine dining featuring South African dishes with a twist. It will also be used for sundowners, breakfasts and special occasions for Morukuru Family guests.
Marketing Manager Rinse Wassenaar commented: ‘Already enjoying an award-winning reputation for hospitality, Morukuru Family is delighted to offer this exciting new addition for our guests in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. With its unrivalled position, historic charm and excellent cuisine, we look forward to Bites Beach Café being a tuneful new string to the Morukuru Family bow.’
Pictures: Supplied
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