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Salsify at The Roundhouse has revealed its third interior transformation, with co-owner and executive chef Ryan Cole collaborating with designer Jean Francois de Viliers.
The redesign remains rooted in Salsify’s three pillars: history, seasonality, and sustainability. These elements continue to be the backbone of the space, ensuring a cohesive and immersive dining experience.
In addition to the new design, Salsify has introduced two new rituals designed to slow guests down upon arrival, engaging all senses and deepening the connection with the restaurant’s ethos. These rituals emphasise the importance of taking time to savour the experience, an extension of Salsify’s commitment to thoughtful, deliberate dining.
“It’s been six years to get to where we are now – a considerable amount of time, and with time comes evolution. This year, and with this iteration, it really feels like a coming of age for the restaurant. We’re constantly striving to elevate the experience, and we can’t wait to share this new season of Salsify with our guests,” says Cole.
Among the highlights of the new design is the transformation of the old private dining room to the Preservation Chamber. A space rooted in the preservation of time, history, stories and of course ingredients. The chamber boasts the original masonry of the historic building which is contrasted with graffitied murals by international street artist Louis de Villiers, aka Skull Boy. The work narrates the story of one of the building’s earliest inhabitants, Dr James Barry, told through an anarchic style of art.
Within the Preservation Chamber, Chef Ryan showcases the pickling, fermentation and preservation of South African ingredients and flavours. Here, guests are welcomed in to begin their Salsify experience with the first gifts from the kitchen and a welcome cocktail. The Sea Room has also been reimagined, featuring art from emerging South African artists, curated in partnership with EBONY/CURATED.
The centerpiece of the redesign is the Origami ceiling installation in the Seasonal Room. This space has undergone several changes over the years. The current installation features thousands of old Salsify menus, some dating back to the restaurant’s opening, folded into flowers that now adorn the ceiling, symbolising both the restaurant’s journey as well as the team’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
“While the roof represents hours and hours of work for my team and I, it was well worth it. Seeing something as flat as paper become something so textured and varying is unparalleled,” De Villiers explains.
Pops of colour and touches of local art ground the space in its location and pay homage to the land and sea which surrounds it in a modern-meets-neoclassical fashion.
With the latest evolution, Salsify continues to solidify its legacy as a must-visit destination in Cape Town, offering an experience like no other. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Salsify invites you to take the time to immerse yourself in their newly reimagined space and the exceptional culinary experience it offers.
