ROOI, Designed by London-Based Muza Lab, Ignites One&Only Cape Town with Local Flavour in a New Take on Grillroom Dining
ROOI is a celebration of land and sea, touched by fire. As a South African grillroom, ROOI aims to redefine the traditional dining experience, allowing local influences to shine through in the smallest details, from décor to menu. Located in One&Only Cape Town, this innovative restaurant invites diners to immerse themselves in the best the country has to offer.
One&Only Cape Town, long celebrated for setting the gold standard in resort lifestyle and haute cuisine, has ignited the city’s gastronomy scene once more with its latest venture, ROOI. This sophisticated newcomer joins the resort’s impressive culinary portfolio, which includes the reimagined Vista Bar & Lounge, the Mediterranean inspired Isola, the intimate Wine Studio, and the iconic Nobu.
The art of assembly
Rising from the ashes of its predecessor, Ochre, ROOI — meaning ‘red’ in Afrikaans — embodies power, vitality, and the primal element of fire. The transformation, led by Muza Lab’s Founding Director Inge Moore, and Senior Project Designer Chironne Engelbrecht, stripped the space to its structural bones while maintaining its original footprint and infusing a flavour of South Africa.
In the main dining space, full-grown Natal Mahogany trees create intimate dining pockets beneath their spreading canopies. Overhead, two custom chandeliers by MUD Studios suspend hundreds of porcelain tiles like crystallised rain, while the private dining area showcases an innovative fallen tree pendant.
The restaurant’s stunning centrepiece is a sculptural curved oven that required full-scale mock-ups prior to installation. Above it, the Bronze Age Studio team dedicated their time to meticulously hand-laying copper tiles in a captivating tapestry of purple, rust, silver, and platinum. The entrance mural demands attention with its masterful depiction of wildlife, painted by Elise Wessels of Black Fan Studio. This exquisite artwork, completed over two weeks, conveys to guests at a glance the essence of the local fauna and flora, all without falling into the trap of safari-chic clichés.
The aesthetic achieves a balance between earthy and elegant. Warm terracotta and copper tones dance with soft limestone green, while bespoke details — such as Pincushion Protea embossments on menus and tables — weave in layers of local narrative. The custom host desk, featuring hand carvings inspired by Khoisan rock art, pays homage to the region’s original inhabitants.
An invitation to gather
ROOI elevates the beloved South African tradition of a braai from a casual gathering to a sophisticated dining experience without sacrificing the communal spirit. The menu reads like a love letter to local produce, featuring South African Wagyu alongside Kalahari Venison and Masala Spiced Kingklip. Signature cocktails pay homage to South Africa’s nine provinces, while the wine list reads like a who’s who of South African vintages, thoughtfully complemented by international classics.
A study in contrast
What makes ROOI particularly compelling is its ability to hold opposites in perfect tension. Four-metre-high sliding doors in the private dining area create architectural drama while maintaining intimacy. The end result is a space that feels neither overtly designed nor accidentally assembled. Instead, ROOI exists in that sweet spot where intention meets intuition.
In a city already spoilt for choice when it comes to dining destinations, ROOI manages to carve out its own distinct identity. It’s a space that celebrates South African cuisine not just through its menu but through every design detail, every carefully considered element, and every interaction. It’s fine dining with a local accent, and darling, it works brilliantly.
This article is an extract from our 2024/25 Coffee Table Edition. Click here to read the full issue.
