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Salsify @ the Roundhouse

Fine Dining
4.7 RRR+
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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 18h30 - 20h30
  • Tuesday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h30 - 20h30
  • Wednesday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h30 - 20h30
  • Thursday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h30 - 20h30
  • Friday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h30 - 20h30
  • Saturday 12h30 - 14h00, 18h30 - 20h30
  • Sunday CLOSED

Reviews (1034)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.6
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.7
  • Michael S. Dined: 1 day ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 14 Feb 26
    Thank you for yet another great experience and for giving us table #1, much appreciated! We will come back!

  • Michael B. Dined: 1 day ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Kirk and Linda M. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 13 Feb 26
    Only distraction was the loud birthday music (and more on their phone) on table next door and the shouting and aggressive behaviour of them and another table, who objected to the intrusive behaviour. Not the restaurants fault but it was not the "entertainment" we expected. Should you explicitly require "mute only" use of phones?

  • Dale H. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 13 Feb 26
    A thoughtful, technique-led experience. Chef Ryan and his team are in a league of their own — an exceptional afternoon at Salsify.

  • Ryan O. Dined: 3 days ago
    3.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 2.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 12 Feb 26
    Our expectations were very high for our 20 year anniversary, and whilst we had a lovely lunch, Salsify didn't quite live up to what we expected. We have had more special experiences at places like La Colombe, Pier or Chef's Warehouse. It was odd to walk out the front door after lunch and have the entire kitchen staff sitting on the floor at the entrance eating their sandwiches and playing on their phones. Restaurant also had zero ambience - very echoey and you could hear everything going on in the kitchen - maybe some music might help.

  • Astrid K. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Christiaan P. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Fabian R. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Nathalie R. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Patrick S. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 07 Feb 26
    It was a few years ago that we visit Salsify but this year we thought we are going back for dinner instead of lunch. Really liked the menu, all the dishes where our taste. Nice service, you cannot go wrong

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