De Vagebond Restaurant

We stayed one night in Swellendam and were looking for an authentic and cozy place for dinner. There were quite a few options, but luckily we ended up at De Vagebond — and we couldn’t have been happier with our choice! From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the warm hospitality, excellent service, and outstanding food. We had ostrich before, but never prepared with this level of quality — it was absolutely delicious. To our surprise, the owner personally came to each table to ask how everything was — genuinely friendly and down to earth. You can tell he cares deeply about quality, especially when it comes to the meat, which he prepares over an open fire. Special requests and changes to our order were no problem at all — everything was handled with ease and a smile. There was great music playing at the back entrance, just the right volume to create a relaxed vibe. We were told that during winter it’s usually quieter. We’ll definitely be back soon! :)

The food is amazing! We have had the Ostrich Filet, Pizza with Ostrich Sausage and the Ostrich Stroganoff. Everything has been very delicious! The atmosphere is also very nice with all the details from Ostrich eggs to lamps with Ostrich feathers.

Wow, what an exceptional experience. The staff were friendly and on point. The food was the best value for money we have had in years. The Carpacio starter was tasty. Steak was perfectly done. The choice was exceptional. We will be back. Well done Rolf and team.

Excellent restaurant. The food was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. The service was great, they were so kind to give us a table even though we arrived late, just before they closed the kitchen. Everybody was welcoming and friendly and we had a lovely time there. Thank you very much!

What a place! We had the famous ostrich steak and a beef steak. It really was something else. The meat was perfectly prepared and enjoyed every bite. The wine options are also very good. The service was amazing as well. The kindest waiters and the owner is also a wonderful person. We’ll definitely go back to this place when we visit again.

After some research we came across De Vagebond Restaurant. Owner Rolf made sure we were able to make a reservation despite our last minute address. The ambience was beautiful: old Hollands Kaap architecture with an inside that resembles an old Dutch farm. Felt like a slice of home. Service and food were also very good: the ostrich filet steak is a local specialty. First time that I’ve ate it in South Africa and I was not disappointed. Would recommend visiting when you are in Swellendam. P.S. - the restaurants serves great wines from Olivedale Private Vineyards which can also be visited just outside Swellendam.

Great food, honestly the beef and ostrich are one of the best i tried in south africa, lovely and calm vibes.

Google Review for De Vagebond Restaurant, Swellendam De Vagebond is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience authentic ostrich dishes. The jalapeño poppers are an excellent way to start, and the ostrich fillet—whether grilled or in a burger—is cooked to perfection. Another standout is the ostrich stroganoff, rich and flavorful. However, the service experience leaves something to be desired. Booking a table can be frustrating, as the manager often claims they are fully booked, yet once you arrive, there are always plenty of empty tables. Additionally, food takes around an hour or more to arrive, so don’t expect a quick meal. If you have the time and patience, though, the food is well worth the wait. Probably the biggest let down is, that this restaurant closes at 21:00 even over weekends! ⭐⭐⭐/5