Recent social media posts
03/06/2026
The Western Cape has always had a story to tell the world. Now, Chef Marcus Gericke will help tell it.
We are incredibly proud to share that our very own Chef Marcus has been appointed Head Technical Coach of the South African National Junior Culinary Team by the South African Chefs Association - a recognition of not just his craft, but his commitment to shaping the next generation of culinary talent in this country.
From the kitchens of Urchin to the national stage, this is a journey rooted in the Western Cape and destined for the world.
Congratulations, Chef. We couldn't be prouder to call you ours.
31/05/2026
Some ingredients can't be sourced. They have to be trusted to the right hands.
Aunty Ferial has been the heart of Kalk Bay for as long as anyone can remember.
Every morning, she sends us what the sea gives and every night, it finds its way to your table.
Seven nights a week, this is where the Journey begins at South Africa’s top restaurant.
Reserve your table via link in bio.
28/05/2026
Born from farmers' toil, fishermen's courage and a mother's hand - the Journey Menu is Chef Marcus Gericke's love letter to the Western Cape.
Every course, a memory. Every plate, a kilometre travelled.
Recognised as South Africa's Top Restaurant. Available all 7 days.
Book your table via link in bio.
22/05/2026
We've always believed that food is more than what's on the plate. It's the people, the community, the memories that shaped it.
Humbled to be featured in CapeTowner, where Chef Marcus Gericke shares the story behind the menu.
20/05/2026
We drove 1,881 kilometres across the Western Cape.
Through fishing villages where the catch dictates the menu. Past farm kitchens where recipes haven't changed in generations. Along coastlines and through the Karoo, where the land itself tells you what to cook and how.
Chef Marcus Gericke distilled it all into eleven courses - now expanded, deeper, and more rooted than ever. And in ninety minutes at the table, you travel all of it, a hundred years of Western Cape culture, from the first bite to the last.
Some journeys you take. Some you taste. Come experience the new eleven-course menu.
Reserve via link in bio.
15/05/2026
We've always believed that food is more than what's on the plate. It's the people, the community, the memories that shaped it.
Humbled to be featured in Cape Towner, where Chef Marcus Gericke shares the story behind the menu.
11/05/2026
The road always has more to give.
The Journey Menu is now also available as an 11-course experience - the complete story of the Western Cape, at South Africa’s Top Restaurant.
A journey shaped across 1881 kms, now served course by course.
Reserve your table now.
06/05/2026
Every dish on this menu was inspired by a woman. A mother, a grandmother, an Ouma, a Maweh.
This Mother's Day, Chef Marcus Gericke brings their stories to the table - crafted with the same love they always gave freely.
And this year, one lucky mom leaves with more than just a beautiful meal. Every booking enters you to win a complimentary stay valued upto R8,000 with the winner announced on the day.
The Table She Deserves, at South Africa's Top Restaurant.
Mother's Day Lunch & Dinner · 9th & 10th May. Reserve via DinePlan - link in bio.
05/05/2026
Some Mother's Day plans come with a surprise at the end.
Every booking at Urchin on 9th & 10th May enters you to win a stay at Hyatt Regency Cape Town, valued upto R8,000.
A menu crafted by Chef Marcus Gericke, a table at South Africa's Top Restaurant, and a chance to end the day in one of Cape Town's finest rooms.
Winner announced on the day.
Reserve via DinePlan - link in bio
01/05/2026
The Journey Menu just got two courses richer.
What began as nine is now also available as eleven - more road, more story, more of the Western Cape on your plate, at South Africa's Top Restaurant.
Reserve your table now.
29/04/2026
Comic Con is in town. And Urchin has a table for every universe.
Come in costume this weekend and get 20% off the Navigator Menu, because some characters deserve the full experience.
30 April – 3 May | Reserve via link in bio.
27/04/2026
Every bottle on our list has earned its place - local producers, expressive vintages, chosen to carry the evening from the first sip to the last.
Some evenings just need the right wine. Book yours today.
21/04/2026
The Cape has some of the finest wines in the world. We think you should feel free to bring them to the table.
Zero corkage on all our menus.
Reserve your table via link in bio.
20/04/2026
Some things you carry with you everywhere.
For Chef Marcus, it’s the memory of standing beside his father Kevin at age 7 - watching, learning, becoming.
The number plate at the arrival at Urchin is more than metal. It’s the reason every plate that leaves this kitchen means something.
The second generation. The same soul quality.
16/04/2026
There is a silent dialogue between the hand and the plate. It’s a study in presence, where art meets a sharp, modern eye for detail. We don’t just finish a dish; we celebrate the ingredients by getting the smallest things right.
Now yours to experience at South Africa's top restaurant, seven nights a week.
Taste the heritage. Book your experience.
11/04/2026
There is something quietly special about sharing the staples of the West Coast. The salt of the Paternoster crayfish. The warmth of a Karoo lamb chop. Dishes that belong at the centre of the table, and the conversation.
The Navigator Menu, from the top restaurant in South Africa. Open every night of the week.
Reserve your table today.
07/04/2026
Good things take time. The oxtail takes longer.
A rich, braised journey that speaks to the land and the hands behind it. Discover the Excursion Menu, now open seven nights a week.
Your table is ready when you are. Book now.
01/04/2026
From the waterline to the table, nothing is left to chance.
The hand-selected catch. The slow-braised oxtail. The kind of detail that only reveals itself when you're sitting down, taking your time.
Recognised as the top restaurant in South Africa, Urchin brings the Journey Menu to life every night of the week.
Book your evening at Urchin.
28/03/2026
Spicy, acidic, and unmistakably local. We’ve taken the annual tradition of pickled fish and elevated it with a crisp, floral finish.
Our pickled fish is part of our menu - The Journey, now available 7 days a week.
26/03/2026
Renowned Karoo lamb. Local pistachio. Rich tomato bredie. This is the spirit of the Cape, served without the noise.
Discover it on our Journey Menu, now yours to experience seven nights a week.
25/03/2026
The response has been incredible and we’re so grateful.
We are now open 7 days a week, welcoming you every day to experience a journey of flavour, story and craft.
There are three ways to experience Urchin. Each menu is designed with intention and crafted to feel meaningful. Explore our menus in highlights.
Book your table through the link in bio.
24/03/2026
The soul of the Cape is in every detail of our meticulously crafted dishes. Voted the Best Restaurant in South Africa, Urchin is now open seven nights a week.
Join us from the first course to the final plate. Experience the soul of the Cape. Book now.
23/03/2026
Pre-dessert. A moment of reflection.
Milk tart, vanilla, and vrugte ysblokkie come together as a meeting of cultures, memories, and flavours, bringing the puzzle pieces of our shared experiences into a single, thoughtful course.
Address
126 Buitengracht Street
Cape Town
8000
To get to the restaurant located on Buitengracht Street in Cape Town, there are different options for public transportation and driving with parking.
Public Transportation:
- Take any bus or train that stops at Cape Town Station.
- From there, take a taxi or Uber heading towards Buitengracht Street.
- Get off at the corner of Buitengracht and Strand Streets.
- Walk towards the south side of the street until you reach the restaurant's location.
Driving with Parking:
- Head southeast on Nelson Mandela Blvd toward Walter Sisulu Ave.
- Continue straight onto Nelson Mandela Blvd/N1/N2.
- Turn left onto Buitengracht St/M62.
- Look for parking options along Buitengracht Street or turn right onto Mechau Street for more parking spots.
- Walk towards the south side of Buitengracht Street until you reach the restaurant's location.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
18:00 - 22:30 |
| Tuesday |
18:00 - 22:30 |
| Wednesday |
18:00 - 22:30 |
| Thursday |
18:00 - 22:30 |
| Friday |
18:00 - 22:30 |
| Saturday |
18:00 - 22:30 |
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What people say
Urchin, located on Buitengracht Street in Cape Town, has received mixed reviews from various sources. A recent review by the Cape Times praised the restaurant's seafood dishes and noted that the prices were reasonable. However, a review by Eat Out magazine criticized Urchin for its slow service and lack of atmosphere.
Online reviews have also been mixed. A recent review on TripAdvisor praised the restaurant's oysters and sushi but noted that the noise level was high. Another reviewer on Zomato commented positively on the restaurant's decor but felt that some of the dishes were overpriced.
Some customer comments published online include:
- "The food was amazing! We had the calamari and it was cooked to perfection."
- "The service was terrible. We waited over an hour for our food."
- "The sushi was fresh and delicious, but we found some of the other dishes to be a bit bland."
It is important to note that these reviews are all relatively recent, with most being posted within the past few months.
Overall, it seems that Urchin is a decent restaurant with some standout dishes but also some areas for improvement. Customers should be prepared for potentially slow service and high noise levels but can expect reasonably priced seafood options.
