Hermanus: Oysters, Ocean, and the Art of Living

From the briny bite of an oyster to the rhythm of a whale’s breach, Hermanus curates the South African coast like no other.

MASTERCHEFS & MASTERPIECESBEYOND BORDERS

Charlotte Madeleine CASTELLI

8/30/20252 min read

Hermanus, just a two-hour drive from Cape Town, is where the ocean becomes more than scenery: it is rhythm, breath, and narrative. Known as the whale-watching capital of the world, this coastal town offers something equally unforgettable on the plate – its oysters, pure and unadulterated expressions of the Atlantic.

To taste them here is to experience a dialogue between nature and culture, between the immediacy of the sea and the sophistication of South Africa’s culinary and artistic landscape.

The Recipe: Hermanus Oysters with Rooibos & Citrus Vinaigrette

At once simple and deeply rooted in the terroir, this recipe pairs the minerality of oysters with rooibos, the indigenous “red tea” of South Africa, brightened by citrus and honey.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 12 fresh Hermanus oysters

  • 2 tbsp strong rooibos infusion (cooled)

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • Juice of ½ orange

  • 1 tsp wild fynbos honey (or acacia honey)

  • 1 fresh red chili (finely chopped, optional)

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • Zest of lime or orange, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Brew a strong rooibos infusion (7–8 minutes steeping). Cool completely.

  2. Combine rooibos, lime juice, orange juice, honey, and chili (if used). Add black pepper.

  3. Shuck the oysters and arrange on crushed ice.

  4. Drizzle with vinaigrette and garnish with zest. Serve at once.

Wine Pairing Notes 

  • Sauvignon Blanc (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley) – Vibrant citrus and green notes amplify the vinaigrette’s freshness and the oyster’s briny core.

  • Chardonnay (barrel-fermented) – Rich, buttery layers bring a warm counterpoint to the oyster’s tender texture.

  • MCC (Méthode Cap Classique) – South Africa’s sparkling wine: bright, celebratory, and the perfect partner for oysters.

From Cuisine to Culture

Every June, Hermanus hosts the FynArts Festival, transforming the town into a stage for installations, performances, and exhibitions. It mirrors Cape Town’s own cultural heartbeat, embodied by institutions like the Zeitz MOCAA and the Norval Foundation.

Just as an oyster condenses the ocean into a single, briny mouthful, South African art distills memory, history, and resilience into visual forms. Food and art here share a common language: both are ways of curating the landscape, translating place into experience.

For the ultimate sensory journey:

  • Start your morning at the Old Harbour, watching whales breaching just offshore.

  • Enjoy oysters and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc at a seaside deck.

  • End the day with a gallery walk through Hermanus’ art spaces – a reminder that culture and ocean are inseparable here.

The Luxury of Simplicity

True luxury in Hermanus lies not in abundance, but in essential purity. An oyster freshly opened by the sea, paired with a wine that breathes the same air as the ocean, while whales leap in the distance – this is South Africa distilled into a single moment.

An experience fleeting yet unforgettable, like a perfectly curated exhibition: ephemeral in time, eternal in memory.

© Charlotte Madeleine Castelli | All rights reserved