"Matthew Foxon's EatOut-starred modern South African room at the Saxon Hotel — book it in Sandhurst to close a deal."
The octopus comes early in the menu, charred and set against squid ink, green apple, and dashi, with a spike of kimchi to pull it together. This is Qunu, the fine-dining room at the Saxon Hotel in Sandhurst, named for the Eastern Cape village where Nelson Mandela grew up. Executive chef Matthew Foxon cooks a modern South African menu here, built on local produce and served as two, three, or four courses, with a six-course tasting on Thursday through Saturday. It earned an EatOut star for 2026. The Saxon does discretion well, and Qunu inherits it.
The Kitchen
Matthew Foxon runs Qunu as executive chef, and his cooking sits in the modern South African register: local ingredients, classical French technique, and a willingness to fold in flavours from further afield. The signature octopus, plated with squid ink, crisp apple, delicate dashi, and a touch of spicy kimchi, is the dish that shows the kitchen's range on a single plate. The Black Angus sirloin, paired with parsnip and polenta, is the one to order if you want the kitchen at its most direct.
The format is flexible: two, three, or four courses on any night, paired by the Saxon's sommeliers, with a six-course tasting menu running Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The room sits inside the Saxon Hotel at 36 Saxon Road in Sandhurst, the leafy suburb north of Sandton. Qunu took an EatOut star for 2026 and Two Plates in the 2025 Jenny Handley Gourmet Guide, which is the company it now keeps in Johannesburg. Plan on roughly R900 to R1,500 per person before wine, depending on how many courses you take. Order the octopus and the Black Angus sirloin, and let the sommelier pour.
The Room
Qunu sits within the Saxon, a hotel built into a former private residence in Sandhurst, and the room carries that hush. Lighting is low and warm, the spacing between tables is generous, and the sound never rises above a quiet murmur, since the Saxon's clientele is not the shouting kind. African art and dark wood set the tone without tipping into theme. Dress is smart: jackets are not required but most men wear one, and nobody arrives in trainers. The dining room is intimate, seating well under fifty, which is part of why it works for a private conversation. Ask for a table away from the pass.
Best for Closing a Deal in Johannesburg
Book Qunu to close a deal because the Saxon is built for exactly this kind of evening. First, the room is quiet and private enough to talk numbers without leaning in, and the spacing means the next table cannot hear you. Second, the discretion is real: the Saxon has hosted heads of state, and the staff treat a business dinner with the same low-key competence. Third, the food carries the night without demanding attention, so the menu becomes a backdrop to the conversation rather than the main event. Reserve early in the week when the room is calmest, take the three-course menu rather than the full six so the pace stays brisk, and let the sommelier handle the wine while you handle the table.
Not for
Skip Qunu if you want a lively, casual night out. This is a hushed, formal hotel dining room built for quiet conversation, not energy or a crowd.
Frequently Asked
Is Qunu worth it?
Yes, if you want fine dining in one of Johannesburg's most discreet rooms. Chef Matthew Foxon's modern South African cooking earned an EatOut star for 2026, the octopus and the Black Angus sirloin are strong, and the Saxon Hotel setting in Sandhurst is hard to match for privacy. At roughly R900 to R1,500 a head it is luxury-priced but fair for the standard. See where it sits in our Johannesburg dining guide.
How hard is it to book Qunu?
Moderately. Qunu takes reservations through Dineplan and the Saxon Hotel, and a weeknight table is usually available a few days out. The six-course tasting runs Thursday to Saturday and books first, so reserve a week or two ahead for a weekend tasting. Tell them at booking if you want a quiet corner for a business dinner. The hotel is happy to arrange parking and discretion for private guests.
What is the dress code at Qunu?
Smart, leaning formal. Jackets are not strictly required, but most men wear one and nobody arrives in trainers or shorts. The Saxon is a five-star hotel and the room is dressed to match, so think collared shirts, dresses, and proper shoes. If you are coming straight from the office, business attire is exactly right. When in doubt, dress up rather than down at the Saxon.
What is the average meal price at Qunu?
Plan on roughly R900 to R1,500 per person before wine, depending on how many courses you take. Qunu offers two, three, and four-course menus, with a six-course tasting on Thursday to Saturday that sits at the top of the range. Wine pairings from the Saxon's sommeliers add meaningfully to the bill. It is luxury-priced, in line with a five-star hotel dining room rather than a neighbourhood restaurant.
Is Qunu good for closing a deal?
Yes, it is one of the best business-dinner rooms in Johannesburg. The Saxon is quiet, private, and used to discretion, the tables are well spaced, and the food carries the evening without demanding attention from the conversation. Take the three-course menu to keep the pace brisk. See more options in our close-a-deal dining guide.
What should I order at Qunu?
Order the signature octopus first, plated with squid ink, green apple, dashi, and a touch of kimchi; it shows the kitchen's range on a single plate. For the main, the Black Angus sirloin with parsnip and polenta is Matthew Foxon at his most direct. If you have the appetite and the evening, take the six-course tasting and let the sommelier pair it. Save room for the cheese and dessert courses.