WeeklySA_AdminDINING: The team behind Belly of the Beast, Galjoen and Seebamboes has opened a playful new East City eatery celebrating one of South Africa’s best-loved street-food classics…
By Len Maseko
Few foods evoke South African nostalgia quite like a boerie roll. The smell of boerewors sizzling over hot coals, fried onions in the pan and a soft white roll waiting to catch the juices recalls school fairs, rugby matches, Saturday braais, market mornings and roadside stops.
Now, a new Cape Town eatery is giving this familiar favourite a place of its own.
Buri opened in the city’s East City precinct in the first week of August, bringing a fresh interpretation of the humble boerewors roll to Shop 1, 99 Harrington Street.
The casual restaurant is the latest concept from Neil Swart and Anouchka Horn, the business partners behind Belly Restaurant Group (BRG). The group is responsible for some of Cape Town’s most distinctive dining destinations, including Belly of the Beast, Galjoen and Seebamboes.
Known for carefully considered food, clearly defined restaurant concepts and personal hospitality, BRG has turned its attention to one of South Africa’s most recognisable casual meals.
The traditional boerie roll is uncomplicated: boerewors tucked into a roll and topped with smoor, fried onions or whichever sauce happens to be on the table. At Buri, that same spirit remains, but every component has been carefully developed.
The soft white bun has been created especially for the restaurant. It is designed to hold the fillings while retaining the comforting character of the familiar boerie-roll bun.
The sausage is equally distinctive. Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants developed a bespoke boerewors recipe for Buri, giving the restaurant its own flavour without losing the essential character of a South African classic.
The menu begins with three standard rolls, each built around boerewors but carrying its own personality.
The Classic keeps things simple with boerewors and fried onions, while The Farmer adds smoor for a rich, homely combination of tomato and onion. The O.G offers a punchier option, pairing the sausage with garlic mayonnaise, chilli chutney and rocket.
Customers who prefer to customise their rolls can visit the restaurant’s sauce station, where tomato sauce, mustard and chutney sit alongside homemade barbecue, peri-peri and Buri’s signature sauce.
Once a month, the restaurant will introduce a “Buri of the Month”, allowing the kitchen team to experiment with different toppings, sauces and combinations.
The monthly offering could feature sausages such as bushpig knackwurst, venison wors and sosatie wors, as well as playful creations including skilpadjie wors. The rotating special is intended to give regular customers something new to discover on each visit.
“Everyone has a boerie-roll memory,” Swart says.
“It is one of those things that is so simple, but when it is done properly, it is brilliant. We wanted to have a bit of fun with that. The bun has been made especially for us, the boerewors has been made specifically for Buri, and the idea is to make something easy, generous and full of flavour.”
Buri’s playful character extends to its “Adults Soda Fountain”, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the traditional corner-shop counter.
The drinks menu includes brandy and Coke on tap, gin and tonic, beer and cider. The focus is on uncomplicated, refreshing drinks that naturally accompany a boerewors roll.
Those looking for something more indulgent can order Buri Loaded Fries, topped with garlic mayonnaise, chilli chutney, rocket and pieces of boerewors. It is presented as a dish for sharing – although customers may prefer to keep it to themselves. Dessert continues the restaurant’s light-hearted approach with soft mini doughnuts and a rotating assortment of toppings.
The options include caramelised white chocolate and pecan nuts; milk chocolate, hazelnut and Maldon salt; and a Peppermint Crisp tart-inspired creation finished with dark chocolate and Peppermint Crisp. Mini doughnuts dusted with tonka bean sugar are also part of the selection.
Horn says the restaurant is built around the pleasure of food that does not need to over-explain itself.
EVENTS
SA’S FINEST WINES ON SHOW
Johannesburg wine lovers will have a rare opportunity to taste some of the country’s most highly rated wines when the Tim Atkin SA Wines of the Year Showcase comes to Houghton Estate on September 3.
Hosted at Strauss & Co in Central Street, the walk-around tasting will feature more than 200 exceptional wines awarded scores of 95 points or higher in the 2026 Tim Atkin MW SA Special Report.
Now in its 14th year, the influential annual report celebrates South Africa’s leading winemakers, vineyards and wine regions. The Johannesburg showcase follows the official launch of the report at the Norval Foundation in Tokai, Cape Town, on August 31.
Guests will have an opportunity to meet British Master of Wine and internationally respected critic Tim Atkin, while tasting his selection of Wines of the Year and engaging with some of the producers behind the celebrated labels.
More than a showcase of top-scoring wines, the event promises to highlight the people, places and stories shaping South Africa’s increasingly acclaimed wine industry.
The signature tasting is presented by Private Clients by Old Mutual, in association with Brice & Burnett and Strauss & Co.
Tickets cost from R950 per person and include a complimentary Gabriel-Glas wine glass for guests to take home. The event runs from 4pm to 8pm at Strauss & Co, 89 Central Street, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg. As parking at the venue is limited, guests are encouraged to use a ride-share service where possible.
Shiraz finale
Wine lovers are invited to raise a glass as the fifth Cederberg Shiraz Festival concludes at Embarc Restaurant in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, on August 27.
Themed “Shiraz and Spice”, the festival celebrates one of Cederberg Cellar’s signature wines through carefully considered food pairings and an exploration of the variety’s distinctive character.
After travelling through five cities, the Johannesburg gathering will bring the festival to a close with an intimate evening of fine wine, contemporary cuisine and storytelling through flavour.
Cederberg Shiraz is known for its depth, complexity and expressive combination of dark fruit and spice. At Embarc, each glass will be paired with a specially crafted dish intended to complement the wine and reveal different aspects of its personality.
Situated at the corner of Fourth Avenue and 13th Street in Parkhurst, Embarc offers a modern dining experience in which accomplished cooking and fine wine come together effortlessly.
Cape’s Finest Wines on Show
Wine Concepts will host its 14th annual Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Celebration at Moyo Restaurant, Kirstenbosch, on September 10, from 6pm to 9pm.
Forty leading Cape wine producers will showcase more than 100 premium and flagship Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the distinctive styles and flavours of these noble Burgundian varieties.
Moyo’s chefs will serve a selection of snacks specially chosen to complement the wines, while fairy lights and a roaring fire will create a warm, convivial atmosphere.
Tickets cost R480 per person, including admission, wine tastings and snacks. All showcased wines will also be available to order at discounted prices during the evening.
Tickets are available through Quicket, at Wine Concepts branches, or at the door subject to availability. Enquiries: 021 671 9030, 021 426 4401 or newlandshop@wineconcepts.co.za.
Sip & Savour in Gauteng
Wine lovers can savour award-winning vintages, delicious food and live entertainment when Robertson Wine Valley takes over Centurion for a one-day celebration on August 29.
Gauteng wine enthusiasts will not have to travel to the Western Cape to experience the celebrated flavours and warm hospitality of the Robertson Wine Valley this month.
For one day only, a selection of the valley’s leading wine estates will gather at Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel in Centurion for Sip & Savour Gauteng — a leisurely celebration of fine wine, food and good company.
Taking place on August 29, from 10am to 5pm, the event will give visitors an opportunity to taste a curated range of wines while meeting representatives of the wineries that produce them.
Robertson Wine Valley is renowned for its diverse terroir, picturesque vineyards and award-winning wines. At Sip & Savour, participating estates will share not only their latest offerings, but also the stories, traditions and personalities behind their labels.
The event promises to appeal to seasoned wine collectors, curious newcomers and anyone looking for an enjoyable day out with friends or family.
Guests will be able to wander between winery stands, compare different cultivars and styles, and perhaps discover a new favourite bottle. The R400 admission ticket includes complimentary wine tastings from every participating winery. Food and artisanal products will also be available for purchase, allowing visitors to pair their tastings with a variety of delicious dishes and locally inspired offerings.
Live entertainment throughout the day will add to the relaxed atmosphere at Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel, whose leafy surroundings provide an inviting setting for the celebration.
While wine will take centre stage, the organisers have designed the occasion as a broader lifestyle experience that captures some of the charm of the Robertson Wine Valley without requiring Gauteng residents to make the long journey south.
The gathering also offers participating wineries an opportunity to connect directly with Gauteng consumers, introduce their ranges to new audiences and deepen appreciation for one of South Africa’s best-known wine-producing regions.
Children under the age of 18 may enter free of charge when accompanied by an adult, making the event accessible to families. Alcohol will be served only to guests of legal drinking age, and visitors are encouraged to make responsible transport arrangements.
Sip & Savour Gauteng takes place at Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel, 87 Jim van der Merwe Street, Clubview, Centurion. Tickets cost R400 and are available through Webtickets.– Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news
