South African grill · V&A Waterfront, Cape Town · R265–795 per dish
South African grillR265–795 per dishV&A WaterfrontOpened Nov 2024, One&Only
"One&Only's South African grillroom, flame-grilled Wagyu and Masala kingklip from chef Terrance Ford. Book it to impress clients at the Waterfront."
7Food
8Ambience
6Value
About ROOI
Everything here is touched by fire. ROOI opened in November 2024 as the South African grillroom at One&Only Cape Town, replacing the resort's signature room with a fire-led menu of local cuts. Rooi means red in Afrikaans, for the flame the kitchen is built around. Resort chef Terrance Ford and his team grill South African Wagyu, Kalahari venison and Masala-spiced kingklip, with flame-grilled South Coast rock lobster from the sea. It sits on Dock Road on the V&A Waterfront, with Table Mountain through the glass. See the Cape Town dining guide for context.
The Kitchen
ROOI is led by resort chef Terrance Ford, and the kitchen runs on a wood-fire grill and local sourcing. The menu splits into steaks, South African Wagyu from around R795 and prime cuts, and the house ROOI Selects from about R265, where the standout plates live: aged mutton, Kalahari venison and a Masala-spiced kingklip that is the dish to order if you want to taste the concept. The sea side brings flame-grilled South Coast rock lobster and tuna, and dessert leans into South African classics like malva pudding and hertzoggies.
This is a hotel grillroom rather than a chef-driven tasting room, and the pricing is One&Only's: most plates fall between R265 and R795, so a full dinner with wine climbs accordingly. ROOI launched in November 2024 to reframe dining at the resort around fire and South African produce, and it books through Dineplan. The address is One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with Table Mountain and the marina filling the windows. It earns a look on the best grill rooms worldwide shortlist.
The Room
Polished and view-led. ROOI occupies the One&Only's flagship dining space on the Waterfront, with high ceilings, warm low lighting and generous table spacing that keeps the sound at an easy hum. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames Table Mountain and the marina, so the seats facing out are the ones to request. Service is full hotel-standard: attentive, formal, paced. Dress is smart, in line with a five-star resort. The room is built for a relaxed, well-served dinner rather than a loud night, and it suits a table that wants to talk.
Best for Impressing Clients
Book ROOI to impress clients because the setting carries the evening: a One&Only room, Table Mountain through the glass, and a South African grill menu that gives visitors a sense of place, from Wagyu to Kalahari venison. The spacing and hotel service suit a conversation, and the wine list runs deep on Cape vintages. It also makes a strong anniversary dinner for a view table, and a composed setting to close a deal over a long, well-served meal.
Not for
Not for a budget dinner or a quick bite. ROOI is priced at One&Only level, with plates to R795 and a bill that climbs fast once wine is added.
Frequently Asked
Is ROOI worth it?
For the setting and a South African fire-led menu, yes, with the caveat that it is hotel-priced. ROOI opened in November 2024 as One&Only Cape Town's grillroom, and the flame-grilled Wagyu, Kalahari venison and Masala kingklip are well executed. You are paying for a five-star room with Table Mountain views, so judge it as a special-occasion or client dinner rather than an everyday meal.
What should I order at ROOI?
Order from the ROOI Selects for the concept: the Masala-spiced kingklip, the aged mutton or the Kalahari venison show the fire-and-local idea best. For steak, the South African Wagyu from around R795 is the headline cut. The flame-grilled South Coast rock lobster covers the sea, and finish with a South African classic like malva pudding.
Where is ROOI and how do I book?
ROOI is at One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It books online through Dineplan or by phone, and dinner service runs from early evening. As a resort restaurant it is open to non-guests, but a view table should be requested when you book, since the seats facing Table Mountain and the marina are the ones worth having.
What is the dress code at ROOI?
Smart, in keeping with a five-star resort. There is no formal jacket requirement, but smart-casual is the floor and many guests dress up for the room and the views. Sportswear and beachwear read wrong here. For a client dinner or anniversary, tailoring or a smart dress fits the setting and the price point.
Open to non-guests. Request a Table Mountain view table when booking.
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Practical Information
AddressOne&Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront 8001
