Theatre nights are always a wonderful treat, with friends or for a date night. A few restaurants have theatres in the same vicinity and give discounts to theatre goers or some, like Stardust, have theatres inside the actual restaurant. So, you can have a mouthwatering steak and a gorgeous Cabernet, while watching a show.
Here are 11 restaurants with a theatre in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Montecasino Piazza
Montecasino has regular shows on, with the theatre being a central feature of the famous piazza. The piazza mimics a scene straight out of Tuscany with a perimeter of restaurants beneath orange-tinged buildings made to look like they’ve been standing for hundreds of years. The purposeful style gives the sparse outdoor dining, immense charm and romance, making it an ideal date spot before heading to a show. Restaurants in the piazza include Italian options like Col’Cacchio pizzeria and Ciao Baby Cucina, or the more upmarket grill house, Metropolis Lounge and Grill or Aayra by MasterChef SA winner Deena Naidoo.
The Barnyard Theatre – across the country
The Barnyard Theatre is a unique experience with branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The focus here is the show itself, with an in-house production company that showcases local talent through music and other performances. Many shows are dedicated to remembering the greatest hits in music, with covers of everyone’s favourites. On the food side, guests can enjoy gourmet platters to share, pizzas or a variety of buffet options. Food can also be pre-ordered when you book your ticket online.
Joburg City Theatre
There are three branches of the Joburg City Theatre, in Soweto, Roodepoort with the central Joburg Theatre complex in Braamfontein. Each location has a branch of Stages restaurant, which is open for specific theatre events. They serve traditional cuisine and simple bites like toasted sandwiches, smash burgers, quarter chicken and chakalaka and a stew of the day. Keep an eye on their website for shows on at the theatres.
The Market Theatre, Newtown
The Market Theatre strives to promote African arts and to give local talent a stage to shine and showcase Africa’s diverse cultural heritage. Right next door to the theatre is the Potato Shed, embodying Joburg’s vibrant culture specifically that which extends from the traditional bootleg brewery. Food is cooked over coals, combining a tradition of Southern American smoking with local ingredients and flavour. It’s a great vibe, even just for a drink, before you head to the iconic Market Theatre.
The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City
This theatre holds a plush, elegant interior reminiscent of an old opera house, but in a distinctly contemporary style. It allows guests to get a little dressed up for the occasion, which should naturally include a meal before or after the show. Gold Reef City offers two upmarket dining experiences, one being the jazz club style restaurant Back o’ the Moon and the other being the sophisticated Indian restaurant The Raj.
Cape Town
Con Brio bistro, City Bowl
With a very warm and welcoming atmosphere, Con Brio boasts a vast selection of cuisines which includes a lovely tapas selection on the changing black board menu. Show tickets for the Fughard Theatre receive 20% off your food bill.
Kalk Bay Theatre and Restaurant, Kalk Bay
The theatre and restaurant are attached with bookings being essential for the restaurant. Diners will have first choice of the unreserved seating for the theatre. It is strongly recommended that diners arrive before 7 pm.
The Rockwell Dinner Theatre, Green Point
A rare establishment offering fine-dining and excellent performances. The dinner includes four courses of local cuisine with shows from local talented actors performing South African plays.
Star Dust, Woodstock
Dubbed ‘the home of the singing waiter’, Star Dust boasts a number of Cape Towns up and coming stars as waiters who later perform to diners, each holding unique talents from comedic to singing. The wonderful designer tagine menu adds to the overall experience and makes every visit unforgettable.
The Baxter Theatre Restaurant
The restaurant is open Mondays to Saturdays for lunch and dinner. Authentic Indian food is served in a buffet style which includes traditional curries, biryanis, paneer and tikkas. The restaurant keeps in sync with shows so that you are able to have a quick bite before you take your seat in the theatre.
Alexander Bar and Café, CBD
Alexander Bar offers a unique experience in the heart of the city, combining old world charm with sensational and original performances. When you step inside, you are transported to the 20s or 30s. Each table has a telephone connected to the old rotary systems in which you can call to order a drink or chat to someone across the room. The theatre sits upstairs where bookings are essential.
