Foodies of Cape Town, rejoice. The Melting Pot has returned to the city where it all began, as chef John van Zyl throws open the doors to a brand-new location for his much-loved small-plate dining experience.
John van Zyl is no stranger to Cape Town kitchens. He trained at the Institute of Culinary Arts before cutting his teeth alongside Liam Tomlin, rising to head chef roles at both the original Chefs Warehouse in Bree Street, and later at Indian-inspired Thali.
In 2019 he launched The Melting Pot as a 10-seat Loop Street pop-up with globally inspired small plates, which quickly garnered buzz. That Squid Sando? IYKYK.
The Melting Pot concept then evolved and expanded into a full menu of plates inspired by Van Zyl’s travels, and found a permanent home at Oak Valley in Elgin, growing into a beloved summers-by-the-pool dining destination. That chapter closed in April 2024, but happily, The Melting Pot Seafood was by then a fixture of Time Out Market Cape Town, pivoting his signature small-plate ethos to focus on the Cape’s bountiful seafood.
Two years on, The Melting Pot has grown again, saying farewell to the Time Out Market and opening in a newly renovated space in De Waterkant.
It’s a multi-layered space this, suited for everything from after-work cocktails with a few plates, to a languorous mid-summer dinner al fresco.
Framing the front door is a new counter seating on the terrace, offering city views and urban vibes ideal for a quick negroni and The Melting Pot’s famous mezze platter. Down below, tables beneath the pepper trees are great for streetside dining and offer deep shade for warm summer lunches.
Step inside, and the main dining room is divided into two: the main room to the right and a more intimate space to the left. Banquettes and new pendant lights add a subtle elegance, while travel prints and photographs speak to the globe-trotting menu. But more on that in a bit.
First, wander past the kitchen and bar to climb the stairs to the most fantastic new addition to The Melting Pot: a spacious roof terrace overlooking the city. You’ll struggle to find a better place for cocktails and snacks, or bubbly and oysters – here with lemon, black pepper, and fermented hot sauce – in the city. The opening menu offers three oysters and a glass of bubbles for R195, which is something of a steal.
But it’s all a set-up for the main event, which is dinner (or lunch) downstairs.
Van Zyl is opening with something of a ‘greatest hits’ menu, with plates highlighting The Melting Pot’s journey so far. What’s common too, is that they all draw on his (and partner Sage’s) travels through global kitchens. And if you love Asian flavours you’ll be particularly happy here.
Think tuna sashimi with chilli peanut crunch. Fried fish tacos with smoked potato aioli. Singaporean chicken with Sichuan-pickled cucumber or Vietnamese chargrilled pork in a spicy tamarind nuoc cham sauce. Of course, the iconic West Coast mussels in a creamy white wine sauce, served with toasted sourdough and crisp fennel salad, make an appearance too. Happy days. Plates are priced from R155 – R195.
While you’ll struggle to choose just a few, Van Zyl comes to the rescue with a reboot of the popular ‘One of Everything’ option. It’s ideal for sharing between two, and well-priced at R850. If you’re still hungry after (unlikely), there’s a small choice of ‘Treats’: Lemon Cream, Apple Tarte Tatin and Affogato. Or, again, opt for the ‘One of Everything’ at R310.
With a prime location in the heart of buzzy De Waterkant, and a menu that’s flexible enough for a casual drop-in or a memorable date-night, expect The Melting Pot to fill up fast this summer. Bookings via Dineplan.
The Melting Pot is open from Tuesday to Saturday for Breakfast (7am-11am), Lunch (12pm-3pm) and Dinner (6pm-9.30pm). 137 Waterkant Street, De Waterkant.
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