A menu that celebrates fire and local flavour.
South African cuisine has long had a love affair with fire, dating back to the flames of the humble home braai to the glowing, red-hot embers of the upmarket fire-cooking eatery. Fire is the inspiration behind One&Only Cape Town’s ROOI restaurant, the name (the Afrikaans word for red) channelling the energy of flames, of vitality and life. The stunningly designed dining space uses exquisite decor to reflect the warmth, community, fire and conversation of our traditional braai, with a sophisticated sizzle of rich colours and local design.
Prime ribs + prime reds
Bringing warmth to midwinter, a special focus in June is a celebration of the province’s finest, on the vine and on the bone. Sommelier Luvo Ntezo has delved into his vault of rare reds and chosen the last few bottles of wines that are no longer on the shelves anywhere else, but have quietly matured in the wine loft waiting for the perfect occasion. A food menu of slow-cooked, flame-finished prime ribs is that occasion. Think beef short rib with Bordelaise samp cassoulet; buchu honey pork ribs with smoked corn purée; lamb ribs with mint and pistachio; or succulent ribeye with roast celeriac purée and rostis. Pair one of these hearty dishes with a 2009 vintage of Oneiric Cabernet Sauvignon, an Eagle’s Nest Shiraz from 2015 or one of several other perfectly aged prime reds.
When 1 – 30 June 2025
On the main menu
The fire-themed grillroom menu is based around sustainably and ethically-sourced local ingredients, seeking out the very best from local producers. Expect to indulge in various cuts of South African wagyu beef, aged mutton, Kalahari venison and masala-spiced kingklip. Fire-cooked vegetables, grilled South Coast rock lobster, and flame-grilled tuna also star on the menu with flavours and spices telling the stories of South Africa’s melting pot of cuisines and cultures, and exceptional produce from both land and sea.
In your glass
From a bespoke cap classique cart circling among guests with a curated list of lesser-known bubbles from the surrounding wine regions, to a magnificent mixology menu of signature cocktails, the beverage offering is as wide-ranging as the food. Sommelier Luvo Ntezo has hand-picked a winelist of little-known wine farms, boutique vineyards and a few international classics, that allow him and the oenology team to recommend bespoke pairings to accommodate every palate, whatever your choice of meal.
By design
The space is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. Look out for the gorgeous swirls of local flora and fauna on the bespoke carpet, a whimsical mural of an African landscape and animals by local artist Elise Wessels, and a stunning tapestry of forged bronze tiling over the fire in the open kitchen crafted by Bronze Age. There are wooden horned seats, large Natal mahogany trees, carved and burnt wood, and pincushion proteas and many more design details to pore over, all creating a luxurious ambience with a feel of home.
ROOI promises a sizzling dining experience, richly imbued with fire and flavour.
Opening times 6pm – 10pm (last seating at 9pm)
Contact 021 431 5888, guestexperience@oneandonlycapetown.com
Where to find it One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
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