According to their website, the Constantia Nek Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Cape Town. I think that my mother would contest that as she often feels like her kitchen is the oldest restaurant in Cape Town. ;)
Seriously though, I can't confirm whether or not it's true, but based on the fact that the restaurant is in a spot secluded from the city's development I guess that it's possible that the restaurant is the oldest surviving restaurant in Cape Town. I have to be honest and say that we've never had dinner there, but I do remember stopping by for a couple of beers while watching a friend of mine play guitar in a band.
Back then the inside was decorated old-style, with benches that you'd expect to find in an old English tavern. What was really cool about the place was that they had extra-warm (that's slightly warmer than warm) fires burning inside to keep the place nice and toasty during winter evenings. While I stood outside taking this photo, I could hear voices and laughter emanating from the building - it would seem as though that warmth lives on, fire or no fire.
mjw
How old is old, I wonder? The oldest pub in Cape Town is the Perseverance Tavern in Buitenkant Street (it’s been going since 1836). Its back room is haunted. There’s a cold spot that moves around.
Paul
Post authorHey, I never knew of Perseverance Tavern – thanks for the link! I’m def going to have to check out that cold spot… I’ll get all psyched up by watching Ghostbusters or something. :)
“The summit of the Nek was an obvious resting point on the road to Hout Bay and as early as 1811 the land was leased, probably to furnish sustenance to travelers. The land changed hands a number of times till April 1923 Sydney Vincent Halls became the owner and the property was broken up. Halls set up a farm stall in the Nek and a couple of years later built the present “Candle Room” in which teas were served.” http://cli.gs/7gbhDt
I guess the writer doesn’t consider a Tavern a restaurant. :)
Julian Holden
Hi howzit? In 1998 I was head chef at the Nek for about 6 months. It was owned then by the Mueller family. I’m a german trained master chef and they came from Namibia and we all spoke german together. There were a great bunch of lads there, Gilbert and Mombassa my two chefs, and Dinky, Jackson, and William just to mention a few of the waiters. Keith and Ally an Austrian, were the managers then. A band called “Ruby” with Ivano on the drums used to play at the weekend. I wonder if they are still all there. I’m now living back in the UK after being deported in 2001, (My papers ran out and I got caught). What happy memories, I’ll treasure them forever. Best wishes to all from Julian.
futz
Hi
Do you have a email address that I can email you Julian, its about the restaurant.
thanks
Julian Holden
Hi Futz, my email is jfhfoto@btopenworld.com I’d like to know a bit about this restaurant as I only worked there for about 6 months, but it was a happy time…I also worked as head chef at the Long Street Cafe in Cape Town for a few months, the Croaking Frog in Kommiji Formerly Knightswood bush pub I believe. I also worked at the “Huggers Marina” underneathe the ABC boat club in the marina in Hout Bay with a chef called Martin Myburg….Unfortunately I’ve lost contact with him..he used to call me Pops because of my age….I was in my 50’s and he was a young whipper snapper, but a great guy. Looking forward to hearing from you, take care, Julian
Ann
Does anyone know who the current owner is of the Constantia Nek Restaurant?
Hello World
There is absolutely no greater time than now! There are plenty of things you could be interested in Hello World before commencing. The recommendations that practices will give you everything you will need for achieving success with your internet affiliate campaign business. To ensure that you achieve every thing you wish to, established tiny, effortlessly achievable goals on a daily basis. You could have a job club that will give you what you need to do. Frequently you have to spend some money to produce a small money, particularly when you’re a fresh internet affiliate online marketer. Do make investments cash back into your internet affiliate campaign strategies by advertising with some other web sites and solutions. Yahoo, Yahoo and Facebook or myspace are one of the well-liked internet sites you are able to publicize with and find out outcomes, should you do it correctly. You ought to be genuine together with your viewers should you want success with internet marketing. Being honest is the key to building a viewer foundation that may be focused on you. Being fraudulent together with your target audience can bring about them distrusting you and also avoiding your hyperlinks. Utilize an associate community. Affiliate marketing networking sites are useful for the reason that they behave as a portal attaching internet marketers and web sites. A good web designer will only desire to lover with networking sites that have good standing and they tools can assist you get individuals networking sites. If you work with reputed, established networking sites, it will be easy to build a far more favorable status.A suspensions was set up in 2011 on Cal affiliate marketers, but which includes since been raised, along with the hyperlinks might be re-established for those accounts. The law that created Amazon online fall the clientele from Cal was transformed so they can participate once again. If you have a problem with this, you need to sign-up. This should prepare yourself on what you need to do in issues of affiliate marketing. Whenever you enter the website marketing market having an toolbox of advice, you happen to be already on your way to success. The tips which were provided ought to have supplied you some advice which can help you get started with the web based advertising of your own internet site.
Trevor
After a meeting in CT CBD today, drove the long way scenic way home via Hout Bay and Constantia Nek. Upsetting to see the Constantia Nek restaurant closed and boarded up – remember it as bustling and busy place. Anybody know when it closed ?
Julian
It’s sad to hear that the “Nek” is closed, why? It used to be busy when I was head chef there. What’s happened to the Mueller family who owned it. I know Mr. Mueller wasn’t in the best of health, but he has two grown up sons and a wife. He used to live behind the restaurant. It would be nice to know why it is closed because I had a great time there.