I first dined at De Vagebond in May 2014, when I was attracted to a bustling throng of diners outdoors on a balmy Friday night in Swellendam. Other restaurants were empty at that time and my son and I were in search of a simple and honest dinner, which I hoped to wash down with a cold beer, and the al fresco dining area gave it a casual, summery feel.

But the De Vagebond I experienced that night was in complete contrast to the ‘new’ restaurant I encountered during my second time around, after it was acquired by a new owner, Hannes. De Vagebond had metamorphosed into a serious restaurant, with food that could compete with some of the best in the Cape Overberg region, without the price tag.

The interior received careful styling; the romance of flickering candlelight lending it a glowing warmth. The menu promised a choice of South African favourites, from steak through to fresh fish, albeit with the culinary wisdom of someone who knew what they were doing in the kitchen. I sampled calamari and Asian-tinged starters which were rich and delicious, deciding on the fillet for mains. I’d recently dined at two 5 star hotels and felt that my steak was on a par with the quality and flavour of the ones I’d enjoyed there. I was blown away by the professionalism and standard of food in a restaurant that had only been open for a week – owned by someone with no previous experience in the restaurant industry! I can only imagine what great things are to come, if this was the opening week.

De Vagebond also offers diners three different experiences; al fresco dining out front (balmy in summer and warmed with a fire in winter), a dedicated indoor restaurant space, and a cocktail bar in the back, making it a real must-visit spot for any stop-over in Swellendam. From the wine list through to dessert, I felt that De Vagebond was excellent value-for-money and exceeded any expectations I’d had of a previously ‘pub-style’ restaurant.