It’s no secret that there’s a fair number of South Africans in London, so you’re bound to come across some great South African eats. There’s many things SA is known for, but if there’s one thing we truly excel at it, it’s meat. And that’s exactly what Vivat Bacchus in the heart of London aims to showcase, bringing the flavours of South African cuisine and, notably, the South African braai, to the UK.
Now, as any South African will tell you, a braai is not just a barbecue. It’s so much more than that. Some will argue it’s about sitting around the fire. Some will argue it’s about the wood. Some will argue it’s about the quality of the meat. But everyone will agree that it’s inherently just a little bit different.
Vivat Bacchus pays tribute to the legendary braai, and most of their menu is braai-inspired (to some degree). Pair it with some good South African wine, which some will argue is the best in the world, and you’re set up for greatness.
Needless to say, my foodie photographer and fellow SAFFA Robyn and I were enormously excited to visit Vivat London Bridge for a taste of home.
Welcome To Vivat Bacchus
There are two Vivat Bacchus branches in London, the original Farringdon branch, which opened back in 2003, and the London Bridge branch, which we visited.
The London Bridge restaurant is lovely, tucked away in Hay’s Galleria just across from London Bridge Station, with elegant wooden decor, little tufts of greenery, wine-lined shelves, and low, intimate lighting that creates a cosy yet polished winery-style atmosphere. The restaurant feels like a little hidden gem, a secret celebration of South African wine and food in one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods.
Cosy, warm, and comfortable, the setting at Vivat Bacchus is stunning.
They also have a downstairs section that’s ideal for private events or intimate dinners … or Vivat’s unique Passport To South Africa experience, a one-hour curated wine tasting and SA flavour pairing that’s ideal for first-timers wanting to learn more about South African wine, or anyone with an affinity for South African wine and culture.
The Vivat Bacchus Menu & Prices
Vivat focuses on a little bit of everything, but steak and wine are definitely front and centre.
Stand-outs include the Biltong Trolley, a pre-starter experience to introduce diners to biltong and droewors, two South African cured meat staples, as well as the “From The Braai” section, which introduces guests to one of the pillars of South African culture, with offerings ranging from traditional beef sirloin or fillet to Karoo lamb, ostrich, and boerewors, a traditional sausage.
From South African MCC to world-class SA wines, Vivat has it all.
On the wine front, Vivat Bacchus holds the largest South African wine collection in London, with over 400 wines available in its walk-in cellars, though the list extends well beyond South Africa for those who want to explore further.
“Vivat Bacchus” roughly translates as “”Long live the God of Wine”, so it’s no wonder that the restaurant takes its wine seriously.
It also shares an owner with The Humble Grape, a respected London wine bar and shop with several locations across the city, which speaks to the serious wine credentials at play here.
Vivat Bacchus Review
The I Love Foodies Experience
In true I Love Foodies style, we could not visit Vivat without trying all the best bits.
On the menu:
- Biltong Trolley (£24): A selection of wagyu, beef, and zebra biltong and droewors bites
- Smoked Snoek Paté (£13.50): Served with peppadew relish and crisps
- Braaied Asparagus (£13): Served with macademia cream and Cape Malay crumb
- Heritage Braai Selection (£95, for two): Ostrich fillet, sirloin, brandy & coke pork, and boerewors
- Creamed Spinach (£7.50)
- Green Beans & Almonds (£7.50)
- Peppermint Crisp Tart (£9)
- White Chocolate & Amarula Cheesecake (£9.50)
We also added some exceptional South African wines, including a Bartinney Chardonnay and a Nieuwe Haarlem Pinotage, South Africa’s signature red wine grape, as well as two glasses of Genevieve MCC (Méthode Cap Classique, South African sparkling made in the traditional French Champagne style).
Spoiler alert: Everything was excellent!
Portions were generous and beautifully presented, the service was remarkable (knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient), and the food was divine.
Of course, neither Robyn nor I are new to biltong, but we really enjoyed the presentation of the biltong trolley and the history given, as well as the selection of cuts presented. Zebra and wagyu aren’t the most common options back home, so this was a lovely treat, and while I did find the droewors a tad oily, everything was very delicious.
For those unfamiliar, biltong is air-dried meat, cured with spices and vinegar, while droewors is dried sausage. The concept is similar to beef jerky, but much more flavourful (personal opinion), and definitely a South African must-try. And while it may sound a little bizarre to those who’ve never had it, it truly is such a treat, especially for meat-lovers.
Biltong and droewors are the perfect way to start an evening of South African dining.
Snoek paté is another SA favourite that’s an absolute treat. Snoek is a game fish native to the Southern Hemisphere, but it’s intrinsically linked to South African coastal heritage and especially the West Coast. It’s often enjoyed on a braai or as smoked snoek but, of course, snoek paté is always a favourite, too. The Vivat option was just a tad too salty for my liking, but it was still really, really delicious and I’d definitely have this again.
The asparagus, with that beautiful braai flavour, was excellent. I’ve never actually had asparagus on the braai before – what a phenomenal idea! – but I’m now armed with new inspiration for when I go visit my family next.
Left: Smoked snoek paté. Right: Braaied asparagus. Both excellent.
The Heritage Braai selection and accompanying sides were also world-class. The brandy and coke pork (or branna & coke, as Vivat calls it in more Afrikaans terms) was something I’ve never tried before but the flavours were divine – sweet, sticky, and delicious.
Both the ostrich and the sirloin were also excellent, perfectly medium-well and full of flavour, while the sides were just like back home. Creamed spinach is a must with every steak meal back in SA, something I didn’t realise until I had it with a friend who thought it quite bizarre. Well worth having, though!
The boerewors, slightly thicker and chewier than what I’m familiar with, was the only option that wasn’t my absolute favourite. Generally, you’d get thinner and thicker boerewors options, and I personally find that the thinner sausage has more flavour. If you’re not committed to a specific boerewors like I am, though, you’ll probably like the Vivat one just as well since the sausage itself is great.
The Heritage Braai Board with creamed spinach and green beans is exceptional.
And then, dessert … now, I’ve been craving peppermint crisp tart for quite a while, so having this at Vivat was an absolute treat. They serve it in a giant dish and scoop a portion out at the table, which gives the experience that typical eating-at-a-braai-with-friends feel. It’s creamy and rich and probably not the best choice after a very heavy meal, but worth every bite!
The cheesecake wasn’t our first option but it came highly recommended – and I fully understand why. This was divine. If I had to choose between the two, I’d probably be Team Cheesecake, which surprises me, too. But this really was a fantastic slice of cake! I’m also a massive fan of Amarula, a popular, creamy South African liqueur made from sugar, cream, and the fruit of the wild African marula tree.
Left: Peppermint crisp tart. Right: White chocolate and Amarula cheesecake.
All in all, there’s nothing I’d fault. Except for the slight oiliness of the droewors, saltiness of the paté (which, granted, is meant to have a hint of salt), and the chewiness of the boerewors, every bite at Vivat was exceptional. It’s definitely a restaurant that has to be experienced – and returned to.
The food, the flavour, the taste of home, they’ve got it all to make South African hearts very happy and convince everyone else that SA cuisine is bold, beautiful, and worth enjoying time and time again.
Visit Vivat Bacchus
If you’ve been to South Africa, are from South Africa, or just want to try exceptional meat-focused cuisine and wonderful wines, Vivat Bacchus should be on your list.
Booking is a must.
You’ll find all the details for the London Bridge branch, which we visited, below, but don’t forget that there’s Vivat Bacchus Farringdon as well.
Vivat Bacchus Contact Details
Address: 4 Hays Lane, London Bridge, London, SE1 2HB
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday (12:00 – 23:00)
Website: www.vivatbacchus.co.uk
Call: +44 20 7234 0891
Email: londonbridge@vivatbacchus.co.uk
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Written by Benike Palfi
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Article Date: June 2026
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