There’s a fresh fire burning in Stellenbosch – quite literally – at Mill St Bistro, the celebrated bistronomy spot helmed by Michelin-starred Welsh chef Phil Carmichael.
Fresh from winning Bistro of the Year at the 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards, the restaurant has just launched a bold new menu that places fire, local flavour, and French finesse at its heart.
At the centre of this revamp is the MSB L’Entrecôte Experience – a refined twist on the Parisian classic that’s big on flavour and even bigger on value. For R350, guests are treated to a grass-fed rump steak seared over open flame and served not once, but twice – a deliciously indulgent double-take that encourages you to linger and savour. The steak comes with bottomless shoestring fries, a silky mushroom café au lait sauce, and a green salad dressed in fynbos and honey vinaigrette. It’s a love letter to generosity, perfectly balancing elegance and approachability.
The rest of the menu continues the fire-forward theme with a range of wood-grilled meats that don’t hold back. Expect big cuts like a 500g Limousin T-bone, a bone-in sirloin, a robust Côte de Bœuf made for sharing, and a hearty lamb shoulder navarin.
But Mill St’s new offerings aren’t only for the carnivores. Comfort classics make a warm appearance: think French onion soup with boerenkaas croutons, mushroom gnocchi with spinach pesto, slow-cooked lamb pappardelle, and even a nostalgic macaroni and cheese dressed up with a herb crumble. Sides like beer-battered onion rings and dauphinois potatoes make the perfect pairing.
The toasted Boerenkaas Crouton that sits atop the French Onion Soup
Carmichael is quick to highlight the deeper philosophy behind the dishes. “Our menu is built on relationships,” he says. “We work with people who share our respect for quality – whether it’s day-boat fish from Abalobi or community-grown vegetables from Somerset West. This is about honouring that care and telling their stories through food.”
The Mushroom Parfait (above) is the stuff of foodie dreams. It’s topped with a pickled mushroom salad and served with a warm garlic and herb flatbread.
The Coffee Martini is a must try, if you like Cocktails
Mill St Bistro has always leaned into its unique blend of rustic charm and technical precision. Housed beneath the Mill Street Monument, it offers relaxed dining with an edge – floor-to-ceiling doors, an open kitchen, a curated wine deck, and one of the best by-the-glass lists in the Cape. And now, with this new menu, it’s firing on all cylinders.
Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, this is the perfect season to rediscover Mill St. Bookings are highly recommended.
📍 Mill St Bistro, Cluver Markotter Building, Mill St, Stellenbosch
💻 www.millstbistro.co.za
📧 reservations@millstbistro.co.za
📸 Instagram: @millstbistro
