One of Cape Town’s most flamboyant dinner-and-theatre experiences is making a grand return this summer, and it’s set to be more decadent than ever.
The upgraded Royal Countess Zingara will open her kingdom to the public this October, promising the kind of unrestrained spectacle only Zingara can pull off (ala Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge with a distinctly South African twist).
A teaser from the Countess herself shared to social media:
“A new reign of wonder begins October 2025. The whispers were never idle. I have wandered the world, gathered stories, and polished the crown. Now, my darlings, I return to the place where magic first danced beneath velvet and starlight. Cape Town, prepare yourself. This summer, the enchanting mirrored tent rises once more.”
Dinner bookings open 1 September 2025, while group bookings (20–30 guests) and corporate or full-show takeovers (30–400 guests) are already available — perfect for outrageous birthdays, high-drama year-end parties, or simply owning the tent for a night of unbridled theatre.
A legacy of theatrical indulgence
The Madam Zingara brand started back in the early 2000s as a bohemian Loop Street restaurant, famed for its lavish décor, theatrical flair, and touch of the fantastical in every dish. It was the era of Friends and Zingara’s legendary chilli-chocolate fillet!
After a devastating fire in 2006 destroyed the original space, the brand was reborn under a glittering spiegeltent - a travelling palace of mirrors that transformed dinner into a fully immersive spectacle. Over the years, the tent toured South Africa and beyond, blending circus acts, cabaret, and four-course feasts into a uniquely Zingara experience that became a cultural touchstone of Cape Town nightlife. Sadly it was forced to close in 2015.
Now, after a decade it will be a welcomed return to a heady mix of surrealist theatre, together with decadent dining.
What You Need to Know
- Group & Corporate Bookings: Open now
- Standard Bookings: From 1 September 2025
- Location: Century City, Cape Town (exact spot TBC)
- More info: www.zingara.co.za