Every Joburger knows the late-night glamour of The Greenhouse. It’s where the city's elite gather for good food, signature cocktails, and a late-night vibe. But what happens when the lights come up?
Since partnering with the Shortmarket Club earlier this year, this Sandton fixture has been quietly transforming. Now, with the November launch of their official lunch service, The Greenhouse is asking us to skip the midnight scene and try a midday slow-burn instead.
The move comes with the arrival of chef Leigh-Anne Knipe, whose impressive CV spans Restaurant Mosaic, Overture, Ethos and Proud Mary.
Knipe brings a refined but relaxed approach to flavour, crafting a menu that feels intentionally designed for slow, sunlit afternoons. “It’s important to have variety on your menu, whether it’s vegan, vegetarian or meat,” Knipe says. “We know how to deliver great food with flair, but the vibe here is more relaxed than fine dining.”
A flavour-driven feast
Her new lunch menu reflects that balance: approachable, thoughtful, and deeply flavour-driven. Highlights include Sumac-grilled chicken thighs with corn crème and charred peaches. There’s also Lobster mac ’n’ cheese with Gruyère, the bright and addictive Pan con Tomate, and the Almond and Blueberry Mess for dessert lovers.
Daytime invites leisurely lunches, girls’ afternoons, date days, or polished corporate catch-ups. And yes, the cocktails are part of the story. Long-pour favourites like the Henny Pot and the Boujee Bitch (my personal favourite) are made for afternoons that stretch into early evening.
At night, The Greenhouse shifts back into its self-proclaimed identity as South Africa’s "first authentic supper club,” where champagne pops, DJs set the tempo, and the social energy hits its stride.
But this new lunch service aims to reshape expectations. “People know Greenhouse for the nightlife,” says Monseca founder Luke Dakers. “What we want now is to show the full experience, it’s just as special during the afternoon.”
And truly, it is. The Greenhouse has long been a nighttime favourite, but now it offers something that doesn’t need to wait for sunset: that unmistakable Joburg afternoon that unfolds slowly, joyfully, and with just the right amount of mischief.
Check out our full review of this decadent dining experience over here.
Also read: Johannesburg Taste Test: The Peech Summer Sundowner Sessions
ICYMI: Nine Lives: The chic Rosebank supper club hiding in plain sight
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