Located within the Hyatt Regency Cape Town, Urchin Restaurant has entered a new era under Head Chef Marcus Gericke, unveiling Journey — a nine-course tasting menu inspired by the landscapes, people, and flavours of the Western Cape.
Gericke, known for his thoughtful approach to local ingredients and acclaimed international career, has reimagined Urchin as an honest expression of place – where each dish tells a story of source, terroir, and heritage.
“Urchin has always been about connection to source,” says Chef Marcus Gericke. “This season, we’ve evolved the menu to tell a deeper story of the Western Cape through dishes that hold a sense of place, memory, and the people behind every ingredient.”
Recognised as Global Chef Africa & Middle East 2022–23, winner of the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award for his Remembrance (Quail Consommé) at the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy 2020–21, and crowned South African Chef of the Year 2024, Gericke brings technical mastery and narrative depth to Urchin’s next chapter.
A Culinary Road Trip Through the Cape
To shape the new menu, Gericke and his team embarked on a 1 627 km journey across the province — from Kalk Bay’s fishing docks to the Karoo plains, along the Garden Route, and back to Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap. Along the way, they connected with farmers, butchers, and home cooks, uncovering the traditions and seasonal wisdom that define the region.
The result is Journey — a nine-course homage to the Western Cape, inspired by the people and places encountered along the way.
An Ode to the Cape’s Culinary Heritage
The menu opens with Voorhappie, where snoek meets mebos and curry leaf — a nod to Kalk Bay mornings and the ritual of sea-to-table simplicity shared with local fisher Aunty Ashmita.
Freshly baked brown bread follows, paired with jam, farm butter, and fragrant fynbos oil — inspired by Stellenbosch’s oldest bread recipe and Urchin’s 20-year-old sourdough starter, affectionately named Pete.
The Beginbord course celebrates Paternoster crayfish with lemon garlic sauce — a study in restraint and coastal elegance.
A cold starter of pickled fish, radish, flowers, and Cape Malay sauce strikes a balance between spice, acidity, and freshness. Then, comforting braised oxtail with samp and fynbos atchar evokes the warmth of South African home cooking, elevated with contemporary finesse.
For the main course, Karoo lamb chops take centre stage, flame-grilled in true braai tradition with onion, coriander, and tomato bredie sauce — finished with pickled onion and fresh herbs for balance.
Before dessert, a nostalgic milk tart with vanilla and vrugte ysblokkie bridges cultures and memories.
The finale, malva pudding with sago and custard, reimagines a Cape classic, followed by a sweet padkos trio — peppermint crisp tart, hertzoggie, and klapperys — a taste of home to take with you long after the journey ends.
Each course celebrates sustainable sourcing, seasonal produce, and a plant-forward philosophy.
The Navigator Menu — A Relaxed Taste of the Cape
For a more laid-back experience, Urchin’s Navigator Menu offers an à la carte journey through the Cape’s beloved flavours. Inspired by Kalk Bay, Paternoster, Elgin, and District Six, highlights include cured fish with avocado and spring onion, lemon-butter prawns, slow-cooked egg with sweet potato, and warm malva pudding with brown-butter custard.
Approachable yet refined, this menu invites diners to taste the Cape in an unhurried, generous way — perfect for both locals and travellers.
An Evolved Dining Experience
Urchin’s evolution extends beyond the plate. The dining room now exudes polished warmth and intimacy, encouraging connection and conversation. Striking photographs from the team’s journey adorn the walls, capturing moments and landscapes that shaped the menu.
The wine list mirrors this storytelling, featuring labels that echo the region’s terroir and spirit.
“There’s a collective excellence at every touchpoint,” Gericke shares. “The team behind Our Journey has stepped confidently into a new era of identity — delivering a refined yet deeply human dining experience that celebrates who we are and where we come from.”
For returning guests, Urchin’s new direction offers sharper focus and poise; for newcomers, it’s a captivating introduction to the Western Cape’s culinary soul, told with craft, confidence, and conviction.