Esteemed Pan-African chef and culinary visionary Coco Reinarhz is reopening his celebrated restaurant, Épicure, at its elegant new home in One Rosebank. Marking a powerful return after a pandemic-induced pause and openings in other places, the new Épicure is a reawakening of Pan-African gastronomy in Johannesburg.
“We’ve found a new home for Épicure, and with it, a renewed purpose,” says Chef Coco. “This is not just a restaurant – it’s a place where Africa speaks through food. We all eat together because we are together.” At the heart of Épicure’s revived concept is the deeply African tradition of communal dining, the idea that food is meant to be shared, not divided into individual portions. Rather than following a conventional ‘starter-main-dessert’ format, the menu is structured around small and large plates, with a selection of sharing platters, all designed to be enjoyed together at the table.
Chef Coco’s travels through 41 African countries have deeply shaped the menu, which offers a selection of dishes reflecting the continent’s rich culinary diversity. Guests can expect the signature "News of Africa" menu – a culinary journey spanning the North, East, West and South of the African continent, with a focus on dishes that share “good news” from across the continent. A Central African welcome drink – a homage to Chef Coco’s roots – anchors the experience.
Beyond the food, the restaurant’s design blends African elegance with contemporary style. “This is Africa redefined. No clichés, bright beads and drums, but subtle, Afro-chic nods to a modern continent and civilisation,” says Chef Coco.