The five-star Queen Victoria Hotel at V&A Waterfront will soon be home to Terrarium, a new fine-dining restaurant that aims to celebrate the bounty of nature with sustainability and hyperlocal sourcing in mind.  

The creator behind this new restaurant concept is talented chef Chris Erasmus. As no stranger to the South African restaurant scene, having previously run award-winning Franschhoek-based restaurant Foliage, Chris has a wealth of experience and an unwavering passion for culinary innovation led by an environmentally conscious approach to crafting dishes.  

Chris shares that the new restaurant, aptly named Terrarium, is “a space that is built around the concept of regeneration and the commitment to remain close to nature.” 

Chef Chris Erasmus, Supplied.

Located in the space that was previously filled by Dash Restaurant, Terrarium will be led by Chris and head chef Anlou Erasmus. 

Sustainability at the forefront of its food offering

The menu offering will be an eight-course Fauna or Flora menu, featuring either hyperlocal seafood and meat dishes or plant-based options. A lighter à la carte menu featuring smaller dishes will be available for lunch and in the bar area during the evenings. 

Terrarium, Supplied.

In line with the restaurant’s eco-conscious approach, unusual meat cuts will be sourced from small family-owned butcheries to help lower the demand for prime cuts, but without losing focus on quality or flavour.  

Other produce will be sourced from the local community, including suppliers like beekeepers and smokers, to affirm the restaurant’s commitment to supporting local and lowering its eco footprint. 

The sustainability ethos of the restaurant extends to its wine offering too, as the restaurant’s wine list, curated by Newmark’s Group Sommelier Marlvin Gwese (who featured in the Blind Ambition documentary), will include wines from bespoke winemakers and producers of natural wines. 

Chef Anlou Erasmus, Supplied.

The restaurant space will showcase up-and-coming South African artists in various mediums, from wood carvings to paintings and more. Terrarium is committed to supporting local creators in all spheres. 

Live music performances are also on the agenda for Terrarium, and it aims to feature performances from folk, blues and jukebox-style singers.  

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to introduce a contemporary spin on sustainable dining in this urban landscape,” shares Chris. 

 

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Part of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, Queen Victoria Hotel’s newest addition, Terrarium, will open on 1 November.

Bookings will open next week.  

The next Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards will take place in early 2025 where the Eat Out Yoco Best New Restaurant will be announced. Stay tuned to Eat Out for further updates!