To the Golden Seagull

Centerpiece on the promenade

This trendy surfer deli entices and indulges with a creative menu, healthy visions, and a view of the sea.

Various Mediterranean dishes and glasses of rosé wine on a set table, a person takes a forkful of food. — © Peter Bender I Sylt Marketing

The promenade in Westerland on Sylt is the heart of the island metropolis. It serves as a venue for international surfing events, wine and music festivals, for strolls and first dates, for farewells or new encounters, and so much more. Always accompanied by the sea and the tides, there's almost always something going on here, from New Year's Eve to the Windsurfing World Cup in the fall. And although the Westerland promenade celebrates its origins in the 1840s and has been continually developed and modernized thanks to the tourism that emerged shortly thereafter, something always seemed to be missing here, especially in recent years.

It is precisely this gap as well as the empty rooms of the former Kölln shop diagonally opposite the Musical shell the two entrepreneurs Fabian de Vries and Dirk Effler from now on. With their island-inspired surf deli “To the Golden Seagull” They want to create a place that is not only a perfect destination for guests, but also offers added value for the locals. "Our menu consists of healthy dishes that cater to every hunger. Fabian is a very creative chef, who is already familiar with the Tofree has built something great in Tinnum,” enthuses Dirk, trained sailmaker and kite instructor, from his business partner.

"Our menu consists of healthy dishes that cater to every appetite. Fabian is a very creative chef who has already built a great reputation with Tofree in Tinnum."

Fresh wind on the promenade

Sylt_PUK_24©peterbender_476 — © Peter Bender I Sylt Marketing

The responsibilities of the two Sylt residents, Dirk originally from Berlin, Fabian from Wilhelmshaven, are clearly divided. "We have complete trust. I don't interfere with his cooking, but rather take care of the cleaning, tidying up the shop in the morning, starting the coffee machine, and getting drinks," the man with the overalls and brown curls gives a brief insight into what goes on. The fact that both of them, in addition to the "Golden Seagull," as it is called for short, also have other “Heart projects” It is hardly surprising that they are doing this, but it makes a lot of sense. Because Dirk and Fabian are individual type visionarieswho want to make a difference, to modernize the island of Sylt with their resources and talents, and to help shape positive change. Surfhouse Sylt In Westerland, a few stretches of beach further south, Dirk has also created one of these special places, which invites you to unwind and introduces those interested to the sport of surfing.

Here in Westerland, in the 50 years ago the foundation stone for the surfing on Sylt. This is also why the two believe it is important to bring the sport into the rooms of the Westerland deli on the promenade. If you look around the surfing metropolises of the world, whether in San Sebastian, Lagos, San Diego, or Biarritz, these trendy locations are part of the landscape of every promenade. They are meeting places that create space for so many things. From a quick chat at the soft ice cream hatch to Stammtisch At one of the wooden high tables, the deli seems to be just the place for this: for shared exchange, for togetherness.

International influences

Sourdough bread with salmon, spinach and avocado presented on a wooden board. — © Peter Bender | Sylt Marketing

From surf-inspired accessories to Portuguese canned fish (a true delicacy!), the shop not only evokes visual but also indulgent surf vibes. The menu is enhanced by various focaccias, some of whose crusts come from Lund Sylt in Hörnum, such as "Salmo" (smoked salmon, coriander, lime dip, and avocado) or "Carl's Vegetable Garden" (pickled, grilled, tomato, and vegetables). Carl is not only the namesake of this creation, but also a key figure in his role as chef. He previously worked in fine dining on Sylt and Berlin and now supports the Goldene Möwe team with his expertise and delicious ideas. The menu is rounded out with croissants, pastel de nata, salads like the "Caesar Salad," panzanella, the classic fish platter, and soft serve ice cream with various toppings.

The shop will remain partially open over the winter. Then, when the activity on the promenade is a little more relaxed, the seagulls gliding over the sea can be observed even better. After a few conversations, it became clear that this was the name given to the seagull. As a spirit animal, it represents freedom and lightness, vision, courage, and sociability. We want to have plenty of exactly that here, now and in the future.

Text: Julia Petersen

To the Golden Seagull