It’s not every day a humble restaurant in a Cape Town township makes it on to a “Best in the world” list but the time has come for 4Roomed eKasi Culture in Khayelitsha.
About the award
Food critic Besha Rodell travelled the globe for four months to come up with the 30 best restaurants in the world, in a joint project by Food & Wine and Travel & Leisure magazines. A panel of experts put forward recommendations and Rodell visited six continents, travelled more than 100,000 miles, and spent almost 300 hours on airplanes to narrow it down to just 30.
We’re very proud to report that two of the final 30 restaurants are located in South Africa, including 4Roomed in Cape Town and Le Wine Chambre in Johannesburg. “It is an honour for 4Roomed eKasi Culture Group to represent our community of Khayelitsha and the beautiful city of Cape Town”, says owner Abigial Mbalo-Mokeona. The 4Roomed team, she says, is committed to “using food as a tool to build [the] rural and township tourism economy”. Make your booking now to support Khayelitsha’s local entrepreneurs while enjoying the delicious food on offer.
4Roomed eKasi’s menu
4Roomed offers a set Feasting Menu, where dishes are brought to the table on bright ceramics made by a local artist. Chef and owner, Abigail Mbalo-Mokoena, serves up traditional South African fare with gourmet flare. The pap (similar to polenta) and butternut is baked in cubes, truffled, and served with a tomato relish. The umngqusho (samp) is elevated with tarragon and coconut cream and is perfectly soft and creamy. Served alongside these is a fragrant, flavourful vegetable curry and steamed bread. Meat dishes include a slow-cooked chicken and fennel dish, and sous-vide fillet of beef, topped with rich caramelised onions. A fresh green salad takes the edge of the summer heat. The set menu includes a dessert, which is always a surprise.
For group bookings of 10 or more, a fine dining menu is also available. The bespoke dining experience includes a minimum of five and maximum of 10 courses.
About Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha is Cape Town’s largest township, located along the N2 highway roughly 30 minutes from the centre of town. The name is Xhosa for Our New Home, so-called because people were moved here during the apartheid era under the Group Areas Act, which forbade people of colour living in places that were declared whites-only. In 1985 30,000 people were living here; by 2011 that number was close to 400,000. It is estimated to be the fastest-growing township in the country, and much of the housing is informal, so it’s hard to know exactly how many people live here.
Today, it is a thriving community of entrepreneurs and there is plenty to see and do in the area.
Read: One day Khayelitsha itinerary
Book now
Bookings are advised, and can be made via the website.
9 October 2019
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