The Happy Uncles in Salt River, Cape Town, is everything you wouldn’t expect from a fine dining restaurant – and, conversely, that’s exactly what makes it everything you would expect, too.
Widely recognised as the Mother City’s first truly Halaal fine dining establishment, The Happy Uncles is tucked away at the back of the Spice Yard, a rather lonely property at the edge of Salt River that I would, under normal circumstances, not necessarily visit.
Even as my GPS led me down an empty Voortrekker Road early on a Friday evening, I felt a bit apprehensive. But I was on my way to meet a very good friend who did promise me I’d be in for a treat, and I trust her to the moon and back.
The Happy Uncles Restaurant Setting & History
Upon being greeted by security and parking my car safely within the Spice Yard confines, I was led up a small set of outside stairs and into a largely industrial space with exposed red bricks, concrete flooring, and a few scattered tables.
What is now The Happy Uncles began as a production kitchen catering for events, and this rustic feel is still very dominant.
But the space also glows with a promise of magic to come.
The Happy Uncles blends industrial and homey feels for a comfortable ambience.
A selection of le petit four is served upon arrival.
Chef Anwar Abdullatief, of course, is no stranger to the fine dining world, with prior culinary stints at Cavalli, Jordan, Siba’s Restaurant, and Rupert & Rothschild.
And while The Happy Uncles distinguishes itself as being fully Halaal, it is, in essence, everything you could dream of for a fine dining establishment … and so much more.
The Happy Uncles Menu & Pricing
Before I deep-dive into my own experience of the restaurant, I always find it quite helpful to provide a brief overview of what you can expect when visiting.
The beetroot tart was one of the most beautiful – and tastiest – dishes of the evening.
Like most of the best fine dining restaurants in Cape Town, The Happy Uncles offers an ever-changing set menu, with three options:
- 4-course set menu at R850 per person
- 6-course set menu at R1050 per person
- 8-course set menu at R1500 per person
Of course, prices are true at the time of publishing but are subject to change.
All set menus include a complimentary welcome drink (we were greeted by a beautiful non-alcoholic sparkling wine), free-flowing sparkling and still water, and a selection of petit four amuse-bouche.
There’s also an optional curated tea pairing at R75 per person.
We didn’t do a tea pairing on the night, opting for sparkling water and some gorgeous mocktails instead, but I have done tea pairings in the past and they can be a great addition to uplift any meal.
Dishes like the charred salad and sesame buns can be paired with sparkling non-alcoholic wine, mocktails, or tea.
That’s not to say you’ll need it – the food at The Happy Uncles speaks for itself.
The Happy Uncles Review
The I Love Foodies Experience
The I Love Foodies team was invited to try the 6-course menu, which included showstopper dishes from start to finish, with all the glitz and glam you’d expect from a fine dining menu, including dry ice magic and gorgeous plating.
In all my years of restaurant reviews, this hummus creme caramel was a welcome first.
Of course the menu changes frequently, but we enjoyed items like
- A snackle tart with roasted beets, served in a stunning cupped hands dish
- A hummus creme caramel with sesame seed bun and charred seasonal salad
- Sea bass ceviche
- Sour fig and pear palate cleanser sorbet made at the table (the standard option would have been a beautiful watermelon option, but I’m allergic to watermelon)
- The best braised lamb I’ve had in my life, served with confit root veggies and black rice
- A divine peachy peach dessert, a beautiful blend of olive oil & thyme sponge, peach vanilla dome, white chocolate crémeux, and a pistachio & cardamom ice cream
At no point in the evening did a dish stand out as being substandard. At no point was the service not phenomenal. And at no point did I wish the evening to pass more quickly, as can – believe it or not – sometimes be the case with drawn-out fine dining menus.
Ceviche done right – flavourful, not overly citrusy, and well-balanced.
The watermelon palate cleanser is a looker.
The pacing was perfect, the atmosphere phenomenal, and every dish a book of interesting flavours that had you savour each bite.
Most people not following a Halaal diet will equate fine dining tasting menus with a good wine pairing, but experience has taught me that this is definitely not a requirement.
In fact, enjoying a tasting menu sans pairing can often even be more phenomenal, as you’ll get to delight in the flavours a tad more without cloudy judgement. And while wine can often bring out flavours – and vice versa – we all know that a good dish can definitely stand on its own.
I’d even go as far as saying that a tasting menu without added wine pairing can significantly enhance the experience, and I can definitely add that The Happy Uncles is a fantastic spot to try this, regardless of whether or not you’re following a Halaal diet.
The braised lamb was outstanding. Also loved the fruit-cocktail-like presentation of the turnip and butternut.
The “peachy peach” dessert blended a peach vanilla dome with white chocolate cremeux, olive oil & thyme sponge, and pistachio & cardamom ice cream.
Visit The Happy Uncles In Cape Town
Overall verdict?
The Happy Uncles is a must-visit spot, a dinner destination that should definitely be on your radar and a go-to choice for your next great night our or special celebration.
Menus and even restaurant layout is catered to guests, so booking is required.
You’ll find all the details below.
The Happy Uncles Contact Details
Address: The Spice Yard, 100 Voortrekker Road, Salt River, Cape Town
Website: www.thehappyuncles.com
Call: +27 79 929 5322
Email: info@thehappyuncles.com
Written by Benike Palfi
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Article Date: April 2025
All information is correct at the time of publication. We do not accept any liability caused by errors, including, but not limited to, changes in price, menu, opening times, address, or other contact details.
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