A Global Feast in the Heart of Betty’s Bay
Tucked between mountains and sea, where the fynbos sighs in the breeze and penguins waddle like quirky old souls, you’ll find Waaygat – a hidden gem of a restaurant in Betty’s Bay that tastes like a passport full of stamps and stories, and you, the lucky happenstance observer of excellence.
At the helm of this culinary voyage are André Middleton-Le Roux and Kurt Middleton-Le Roux, two seasoned chefs who’ve travelled, savoured, lived, loved and cooked their way across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
They’ve brought home not just recipes, but deep flavours, textures, and that rare gift: knowing how to make people feel welcome and provide a calming space to explore a range of culinary sensualities and relax into it.
For this chapter of their lives, it is Kurt who rules the kitchen, while André works his front-of-house magic.
Between the two of them, Shanice, Priscilla and Velia in the kitchen, the beautiful, sparkly-eyed Bianca, sweet-faced Jack the Jack Russell and the welcoming ambience, the Waaygat experience is warm, embracing and absolutely moreish.
World Flavours, Local Hearts
Waaygat’s menu is a thoughtfully curated journey through Pan-Asian inspiration, laced with Mediterranean flair and the best local produce the Overberg has to offer. Think crispy duck spring rolls, hand-folded dumplings, or spiced satay skewers that taste like a humid night in Bangkok. Expect vibrant salads scattered with fresh herbs, fish caught just hours before landing on your plate, and desserts that manage to be both delicate and indulgent.
You won’t find tired clichés or overworked trends here. Every dish feels like it’s been tested, loved, and prepared with passionate purpose. The menu changes with the seasons and sometimes, the mood of the ocean, but always delivers on balance, flavour, and presentation.
The Atmosphere: Unpretentious Elegant Zen-Space
Set just off Clarence Drive, Waaygat invites you into a cosy, contemporary space that feels like a calming, elegant Zen hide-out. Bamboo pendant lights stud the ceiling with a soft, warm glow, casting ethereal, intertwining shadow lattices. Soft, alluring music makes you feel like you’ve ambled into someone’s loveliest travel memory. In case you missed the first time I used the word: Waaygat is a sensation and a deeply moreish experience.
And then there’s Jack, the quietly charismatic Jack Russell who greets with glee, keeps watch from his corner and works the floor like a tiny maître d’. He is part of the furniture, part of the family, and very much part of the charm.
Service with Heart
The Waaygat team delivers service that is polished, yet personal. Bianca is often on the floor, making sure everyone’s wine is topped up, questions are answered, and guests are genuinely enjoying themselves. You’ll feel looked after, not hovered over. It’s the kind of place where conversations stretch long into the night, and you forget what time it is.
A Table Worth Travelling For
It’s no surprise that Waaygat has become a destination restaurant. Locals book early, and out-of-towners happily detour for it. Online reviews consistently praise the food, the atmosphere, and the feeling that someone truly cares about what ends up on your plate.
But perhaps the most telling sign? Diners return. Again and again. For the food, yes, but also for the feeling.
Waaygat isn’t flashy. It’s not trying to be anything other than itself: a small, soulful restaurant with a big heart and a global palate. It’s an invitation to slow down, taste widely, and enjoy the offerings of people who love to cook, host, and delight.
So if you find yourself anywhere near Betty’s Bay, make the booking. Come with curiosity. Bring your appetite.
You will thank yourself afterwards if you had the foresight to book a stay in Betty’s Bay with Be In Betty’s Bay to allow you to unabashedly linger longer at Waaygat.
The Current Menu at Waaygat
The menu changes as often as the seasons, as any self-respecting menu would.
Please check updates on www.waaygat
Food For The Soul
Every dish on the Waaygat menu is crafted with intention, from the sourcing of fresh Overberg produce to the global techniques honed across continents. This is not food for show—this is food for the soul.
