A taste of Africa in the heart of Sandton

It’s not always easy to find African cuisine that feels like home when dining out, especially if you’re looking beyond your neighbourhood or the usual local spots.

There’s a growing demand, or perhaps it’s always been there, for traditional meals like samp and beans, pork trotters, and enyama ngaphakathi (the inner parts of the meat) to be more regularly available in upper-market spaces.

While a few eateries around the country are stepping in to fill this void, Roar Bistro and Bar, located at the Michelangelo Towers in Sandton, is doing it with flair.

Their new offering? A ‘Taste of Africa’ buffet lunch every Friday for R350. I recently tried this proudly South African-inspired spread with a friend, and let me tell you, it delivers on flavour and comfort.

What's on the menu?

Think hearty mains: beef tripe, mixed chicken gizzards and hearts, head-and-body chicken, beef shin, pork trotters, cow heels, and even cow’s head. A solid selection, especially perfect for the cold, rainy days Joburg has been serving lately. I tucked in, and standout dishes included the chicken hearts, pork trotters, and beef tripe. The meats were tender, falling off the bone, and seasoned beautifully. Starters were more like sides, coleslaw, beetroot salad, and potato salad. And in true local fashion, no traditional meal is complete without chakalaka, side veg, dombolo, pap, tomato salsa, and montu spinach. The entire menu is headed by Chef Thabang Mohapi, and you can taste the heart behind every bite.

Now, one could argue that everyone has their own preference for dombolo, but this one held its own.

Roar Bistro and Bar buffet lunch, corn and montu spinach. Picture: Sandisiwe Mbhele

Some of the meat platters on display. Picture: Sandisiwe Mbhele

A dished up plat of Roar Bistro and Bar buffet lunch, 'A taste of Africa'. Picture: Sandisiwe Mbhele

Close up of the montu spinach. Picture: Sandisiwe Mbhele

The dessert section could use a bit more love. On the day, the options were carrot cake (the cake of the day), bread and butter pudding, and fruit salad. Now, I may be a workout enthusiast, but I have a serious sweet tooth, something we probably need to check on. I understand that Africans aren’t exactly known for having the biggest sweet tooth or a deep dessert repertoire. But honestly, I disagree with the former. However, we agreed the carrot cake hit the right notes with just enough nuts and spice.

The bread and butter pudding was also decent, but needed custard to tie it all together. There is always room for indulgence, and it would be great to see a little more creativity or variety here to finish the meal on a high.

We shared a few of our suggestions with the manager, Kudakwashe Dhliwayo, who was warm, welcoming, and incredibly receptive. With his years in hospitality, it’s clear he understands the value of guest feedback. He also shared a bit of the restaurant’s backstory. Roar is a relatively new offering from Legacy Hotels, formerly known as Piccolo. It’s now in its second year and steadily growing in popularity.

The atmosphere and interior are bold and vibrant, with colourful interiors and a lively energy. If I had one note, it’s that the music could come down just a notch. There are plans to take guests across the continent with flavours from Nigeria and beyond.

This Friday's buffet lunch is great for a nostalgic food trip without leaving the city.

At R350 per person, it's best to come hungry and if you’re looking to ease into the weekend, there are bottomless mimosas for R250.

Reservations are essential, email roar@roarbistroandbar.co.za or call +27 (0)11 245 4846.

Oh, and we heard about their brunch too. We can't wait to try it.