Our menu was originally created by chef Evgeny Volkov, who came to South Africa from St Petersburg.
The city holds a special place in the heart of our founder, Irina Datsenko, who has always been inspired by its ever-evolving landscape of eclectic, world-class restaurants.

Drawing on this shared appreciation, Evgeny was invited to shape the first menu for Café 1865.
The result was a cuisine that is simple at its core, yet rich in the character and warmth of Eastern European flavours.

Evgeny also spent time in Naples, Italy, where he learned the craft of authentic dough-making from a local pizzaiolo. This experience became the foundation of our distinctive pizzas.

While Evgeny continues to consult with us, Irina carries this eclectic direction forward, introducing new flavours and ideas to Somerset West, guided by the same philosophy of honesty, quality, and creativity.