Salsify at The Roundhouse, a cornerstone of Cape Town’s fine dining scene – situated within the 300-year-old walls of a historic Camps Bay building – has revealed its third interior transformation in just four years. This latest evolution marks a significant milestone in the restaurant’s journey, reflecting its growth into a mature and sophisticated institution in the Mother City.
Chef Ryan Cole, executive chef and co-owner of Salsify, has once again collaborated with designer Jean Francois de Villiers to bring his fresh vision to life. The redesign remains rooted in Salsify’s three guiding pillars: history, seasonality, and sustainability. These elements continue to be the backbone of the space, ensuring a cohesive and immersive dining experience.
In addition to the new design, Salsify has introduced two new rituals designed to slow guests down upon arrival, engaging all senses and deepening the connection with the restaurant’s ethos. These rituals emphasise the importance of taking time to savour the experience, an extension of Salsify’s commitment to thoughtful, deliberate dining.
“It’s been six years to get to where we are now – a considerable amount of time, and with time comes evolution. This year, and with this iteration, it really feels like a coming of age for the restaurant. We’re constantly striving to elevate the experience, and we can’t wait to share this new season of Salsify with our guests,” says Cole.
Among the highlights of the new design is the transformation of the old private dining room to the Preservation Chamber. A space rooted in the preservation of time, history, stories and of course ingredients. The chamber boasts the original masonry of the historic building which is contrasted with rebellious graffitied murals by international street artist Louis de Villiers aka Skull Boy. The work narrates the story of one of the building’s earliest inhabitants, Dr James Barry, told through an anarchic style of art which tussles with the building’s history.
Within the Preservation Chamber, Chef Ryan showcases the pickling, fermentation and preservation of South African ingredients and flavours. Here, guests are welcomed in to begin their Salsify experience with the first gifts from the kitchen and a welcome cocktail. The Sea Room has also been reimagined, featuring art from emerging South African artists, curated in partnership with EBONY/CURATED.
The centrepiece of the redesign is undoubtedly the Origami ceiling installation in the Seasonal Room. This space, known for its modular nature, has undergone several changes over the years. The current installation features thousands of old Salsify menus, some dating back to the restaurant’s opening, meticulously folded into flowers that now adorn the ceiling, symbolising both the restaurant’s journey as well as the team’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
“While the roof represents hours and hours of work for my team and I, it was well worth it. Seeing something as flat as paper become something so textured and varying is unparalleled,” De Villiers explains.
Pops of colour and touches of local art ground the space in its location and pay homage to the land and sea which surrounds it in a modern-meets-neoclassical fashion.
With the latest evolution, Salsify continues to solidify its legacy as a must-visit destination in Cape Town, offering an experience like no other. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Salsify invites you to take the time to immerse yourself in their newly reimagined space and the exceptional culinary experience it offers.
