Salsify at the Roundhouse

Наталья Герасимова★★★★★★★★★★3.05 months ago

I was disappointed with our New Year’s Eve dinner at Salsify. This was not my first visit, I have been here several times before, and unfortunately this was the weakest experience so far. The wine pairing, which is usually outstanding and accompanied by an engaging and knowledgeable explanation, felt very weak this time. When a red wine was served with the wagyu and we asked what it was, the server could not answer and had to check. When she returned, she described it simply as a “typical Bordeaux blend,” which was far from sufficient for guests with some wine knowledge. Overall, we missed the thoughtful, detailed storytelling we had experienced during previous visits. A proper sommelier came to our table only a couple of times during the evening. The final pairing was a light cocktail and it was served without any explanation at all. As for the food, nothing surprised us. Many dishes were repeated from the standard tasting menu, whereas for a New Year’s Eve dinner we expected something more distinctive. Desserts were average. Overall, it was a weak impression and not an experience worth USD 1,200 for dinner. The wine pairing alone costs 3,650 ZAR per person (approximately USD 200). It is particularly disappointing because I had long been a strong promoter of this restaurant. Even as new, fashionable places appeared, Salsify always remained a benchmark for taste and exceptional service. Sadly, it feels like that era is over, and the restaurant is now focused on volume rather than the level of attention to guests and detail it once had.

Don Chan★★★★★★★★★★5.04 weeks ago

Every dish on the lunch menu is outstanding and beautifully presented. The staff is attentive and paces the meal perfectly. It is a flawless fine dining experience from start to finish. Bravo Highly recommended.

Reginald Browne★★★★★★★★★★3.03 months ago

We had a somewhat of a snafu with our reservation, clearly we prepaid the reservation fee, staff made an accommodation which we found acceptable. While we did not have the pleasure of the views, our experience was reasonably pleasant. What made the night was the attentive staff, executing with high professionalism. We spent 4 hours over 9 courses, 38,000 Rand later we we’re looking for additional food, the portion sizes could have been more given the price. The wine pairings were thoughtful as well as the interesting tableware, I only comment given the significant time between courses, we did a internet search for one of the glassware and the magnetic bread plate, hint to the back of the house speed up the kitchen.

Alex Hambrook★★★★★★★★★★5.05 months ago

Absolutely exceptional. Top tier dining. First of all; would like to thank all the lovely staff as they are all exceptional, but special thanks to Novely B who provided excellent wine recommendations and such kind service. The food was exquisite, only superseded by the service. Can’t fault any of the dishes and the experience really makes it. I left with a warm heart of all who served us, and a full belly from all the food and delicious drink. We requested to move to the views of the mountain, and whilst they were fully booked they made it happen and it was so wonderful. The food was so good, special shoutouts to the Artichoke dish, the lamb and the oysters and the bread - I could go on. The wine was excellent, okay so it was all great! Will defo recommend to all we know, thank you novelly and all the amazing staff

Olga May★★★★★★★★★★4.05 months ago

Visited in December 2025. South Africa 🇿🇦 Cape Town. I planned this visit in advance, as I always enjoy tasting set menus and seeing a chef’s vision of ideal flavors and combinations. The interior is elegant and refined, fitting perfectly with the setting. Upon arrival, you’re invited to wash your hands with a beautifully scented scrub — a thoughtful and memorable detail that immediately sets the tone. FOOD: This is a tasting menu restaurant. We opted for the lighter lunch version with fewer courses. The experience begins in a lounge area, where the story of the restaurant is introduced and the first bite is served. The opening tuna tartlet with layered sauces was excellent — rich in flavor with a delicate, crisp shell, instantly raising expectations for the meal ahead. Once seated at the table, we received several compliments from the kitchen, including a dish inspired by open sushi with abalone. While well-balanced and pleasant, it felt more like a conceptual reference than a bold interpretation — personally, I would have preferred a more contrasting and expressive protein. After the trio of amuse-bouches, we were served bread with mushroom butter, and the butter was outstanding — deeply aromatic, rich, and earthy, adding warmth and comfort to the early part of the meal. The savory doughnut felt slightly heavy and oily as an early course, while the fresh oyster was a highlight — clean, bright, and refreshing. The yellowtail dish was more problematic: the coconut pairing didn’t complement the delicate fish, and there were noticeable sinewy fibers that were difficult to chew. Overall, the dish lacked textural harmony. The artichoke course was thoughtfully constructed, with the artichoke itself cooked well — crisp and vibrant — but the accompanying gnocchi didn’t work. While the artichoke remained light and fresh, the gnocchi turned dense and chewy, clashing with the dish rather than enhancing it. The main course, lamb presented in two textures — a steak and a skewer — was a mixed experience. The steak was disappointing: dense, chewy, and lacking tenderness or depth of flavor. In contrast, the skewer was outstanding — rich, tender, and meltingly soft. If you enjoy fattier cuts, this was easily the best dish of the day. Desserts were a strong finish. Everything was carefully thought out — textures, flavor layers, sugar balance, and presentation were all spot on. A beautiful and satisfying end to a long lunch. SERVICE: Service was excellent. The staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, explaining each dish clearly. VERDICT: Overall, this was an interesting and pleasant culinary experience, but for me, the menu still feels slightly unfinished in terms of balance and execution. The restaurant clearly aims for a high level, yet some dishes lack the refinement and perfection you expect from this category. We’ve visited restaurants of a similar caliber where the overall satisfaction was higher. That said, it was undoubtedly a memorable and enjoyable experience — just not quite at the level it aspires to.