[category]
[title]
Chef Luke Dale Roberts has announced the upcoming closure of his acclaimed tasting-menu restaurant SALON as he prepares to launch an ambitious new culinary destination at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve.
The new restaurant, scheduled to open in late 2026, will form part of Tswalu’s luxury hospitality offering and marks one of Roberts’ most significant projects since the debut of The Test Kitchen.
As part of this transition, SALON will close in its current form at the end of March 2026. It will, however, remain part of the Luke Dale Roberts group and will be used as a private dining and events venue for exclusive lunches, dinners and special occasions.
Since opening in 2023, SALON has earned widespread recognition, including Best New Restaurant in Africa at the World Culinary Awards, Best Restaurant at the 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards, three plates from the JHP Gourmet Guide Awards, and three stars at the 2026 Eat Out Restaurant Awards.
Roberts explained that while SALON’s nine-course tasting menu has been highly celebrated, Cape Town’s growing number of tasting-menu restaurants has shifted dining preferences, and the reality is that only so many people want to dine in that format regularly.
“I believe diners will always value skillfully prepared food and thoughtful cooking, but increasingly they want the freedom to choose not only what they eat, but also how many courses they feel like enjoying,” added Roberts.
Tswalu's new dining destination
Roberts will work alongside long-time collaborator Carla Schulze, Executive Chef of SALON, who will contribute to the restaurant’s creative direction. The kitchen will be led by Dillan Kannemeyer, currently Head Chef at SALON, who will relocate to Tswalu to lead the team on site.
The forthcoming Tswalu restaurant will focus on sustainability, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place, drawing inspiration from the Kalahari landscape and South African ingredients, to create one of the continent’s most remote dining locations.
Sign up to Time Out Cape Town's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Mother City. You can also follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!