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Salsify @ the Roundhouse

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 100
Fine Dining
394M+HX Cape Town, South Africa
(740 reviews)
RRR+

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Great Views
  • Sunsets
  • Fireplace
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 100
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50

Chef Ryan Cole and his team build on their background of modern, classical cooking in this Refined dining houses in a national monument Expect the unexpected.
Within the walls of The Roundhouse, a heritage building that has assumed many faces over its storied past, guests pass through the central chamber that hosts the muse 1.3m Lady Salsify statue into a luxurious lounge and absorb the contemporary, historically-inspired artworks that fill the interior.

The first dining room, aptly named the “Leather Lounge, exudes a feeling of comfort and opulence, with floor to ceiling leather-clad panels and an inviting fireplace.

The second dining room, the ‘Sea Room, boasts spectacular vistas and is where the distinguished legacy of the space is complemented with touches of modern furnishings and crisp white napery that blends seamlessly to evoke a feeling of old world charm.

An opulent culinary journey accented by daring decor and whispers of history- a journey with Salsify is unlike any other.

Gourmet Guide Description

The setting is sublime, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Lion’s Head, with the Twelve Apostles providing a dramatic backdrop. Housed in the historic Roundhouse, Salsify gives a subtle nod to the site’s history while its menus and décor change seasonally and sustainably. You’ll be welcomed with a washing of your hands and taken to the new
Preservation Chamber, where fermentation is showcased in various stages of development. Settle in for a world-class 10-course chef’s menu or a reduced menu, knowing that your meal will redefine the way you love food.

A coal-roasted oyster with spekboom and ginger is dubbed ‘rys, vleis en aartappel’. The charred West Coast abalone with squid ink custard and Madagascar caviar is without doubt the finest way of indulging in this precious hero protein. Move on to the cold-smoked yellowtail with amasi whey, dill, and sorghum, knowing that while chef Ryan is dedicated to sourcing the finest local ingredients responsibly, his first choice is to catch from the sea himself.

The vegetarian course of a parsley dumpling with Jerusalem artichoke and wood sorrel transitions seamlessly into butter-fried line fish with lime leaf and a local squid emulsion, before the pork jowl with sultana and pork skin crumb shows that the chef’s boundary-pushing extends beyond ocean fare. Karoo Wagyu beef sirloin, joined on the plate with beef shin-baked rice and chakalaka, is cooked to perfection. The predessert of Madagascan vanilla and guava may lead into ‘Bertie’s pecan nuts’ with cherries and ancient grains. Every course is thoughtfully married with a wine of note and is completely in sync.

Reviews (740)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.6
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.8
  • Wouter L. Dined: 4 days ago
    2.8
    Food 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 29 Apr 25
    Most of the dishes served raw, which is acceptable, but the steak main course was inedible raw and chewy

  • Michael B. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Laurie B. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Li-Chi P. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    3
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 21 Apr 25
    A nice lunch experience with great views - we initially booked for a pax of 10 and they seated us in a very dark part of the restaurant without any natural light. Lighting was very yellow with no views. We arrived early and asked to be moved into the main area with better lighting. Guest manager seemed rather annoyed but they proceeded to help us. Would recommend checking with staff ahead of time where you will be seated as they have two areas - one exposed to views and great lighting - other is dark without any views. Overall was a lovely experience, however nothing really memorable about the food (from my side). I liked the detail on the butter knife. Interiors were all quite under whelming.

  • Elke M. Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 21 Apr 25
    A fine dining experience. Very good food and they took very good care of our dietary requirements. When explaining the food the waiters could explain it a bit more slowly. The restaurant is definitely on the very expensive side , still would recommend if you want to have a relaxed and very good dinner for special occasions.

  • Jo M. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 20 Apr 25
    Superb!

  • Lars L. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • KRIS D. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 19 Apr 25
    beautiful location, super welcome and service, star-quality lunch

  • Elmar T. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 17 Apr 25
    I've been a couple of times at Salsify but always in the evening. This time it was for lunch. So the experience might be different for dinner guests. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. We especially liked the little history lesson in the beginning. The food was solid, no blunders. However it was not as creative and exciting as the dinner courses that I have had before (with the notable exception of the oysters in the beginning, those were fabulous). But especially the main course (beef fillet) was really very run of the mill and nothing I would have expected in a restaurant of Salsifys calibre. Still, in itself nothing to complain about but considering the price range a tiny bit disappointing.

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Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h00 - 20h00
  • Wednesday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h00 - 20h00
  • Thursday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h00 - 20h00
  • Friday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h00 - 20h00
  • Saturday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h00 - 20h00
  • Sunday 12h30 - 14h00