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Salsify @ the Roundhouse

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 100
Fine Dining
Location Pointer 394M+HX Cape Town, South Africa
4.7
(801 reviews)
RRR+
Favourite

Attributes

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

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With sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Lion’s Head as a backdrop, Salsify is a cornerstone of Cape Town's fine dining scene and work to preserve heritage – paying homage to history, stories, and ingredients while crafting light, delicate dishes.

The interiors offer not only a glimpse of the building’s history but also challenge the ways and graces of the time period, merging old and new. From hand-made origami ceiling installation, to the 1.3m Lady Salsify to pops of colour and touches of local art, Salsify’s space is grounded in its location – between land and sea.

Chefs Ryan Cole, Nina du Toit and their team, serve modern cooking, inspired by nature and driven by the seasons. Within the richly storied walls of national monument, The Roundhouse, an opulent culinary journey finely balanced between history, seasonality, and sustainability – a meal at 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.

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

Reviews (801)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.5
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.8
  • Bronwyn E. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 25 Aug 25
    Sensational all round experience. Loved the story of the building.

  • Tamara S. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 21 Aug 25
    We had a wonderful evening with amazing food and great service! Highly recommending this beautiful restaurant.

  • Giada S. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 20 Aug 25
    Abbiamo passato un'occasione speciale in questo ristorante e devo dire che è stata una scelta top : personale super gentile, trattamento speciale, piatti buonissimi. Consigliatissimo

  • Johan V. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 19 Aug 25
    An amazing dining experience

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

    Reviewed on: Sat 16 Aug 25
    Best experience of my life so far. Everything was perfect

  • Roger C. Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 5.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 15 Aug 25
    Sink ran with only scalding hot water, utensils came out to me poorly washed 2 times. Otherwise on a normal day id say toilet 5 stars.. lol. Food was good but certainly not memorable. Kind of felt like the historical space was a talking point for arbitrary awards contention rather than a cohesive part of the dining experience.

  • Deshni M. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 14 Aug 25
    Dining at Salsify at The Roundhouse was a truly exceptional experience—elegant, refined, and memorable from start to finish. Service was impeccable - Attentive without being intrusive. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu & wine pairings, offering thoughtful recommendations & accommodating dietary preferences with ease. Each plate felt like a work of art, showcasing fresh, high quality ingredients & creative flair. Salsify offers more than a meal - its an experience worth savoring. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself, it's a destination that delivers on every level: ambience, service & exceptional cuisine.

  • Elisabetta C. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    3.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0
  • Stacey D. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 11 Aug 25
    A great fine dining experience....food was beautiful. Although the wine list was extensive the starting price for a bottle was overpriced. Didn't enjoy the smell of paint while we ate or the grinding outside while they maintained their property. A bucket list item ticked off

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