ROOI Grillroom

ROOI means 'red' in Afrikaans — the colour of fire and of the meat — and it is the South African grillroom that One&Only Cape Town opened in October 2024 on the Dock Road island of the V&A Waterfront. It replaced the resort's previous fine-dining room with something more local and less formal, built around an open flame. Resort chef Terrance Ford and his team run a menu that reads like a national larder: aged mutton, Kalahari venison, South African Wagyu and South Coast rock lobster.

Everything passes over fire. The signature is the flame-grilled South Coast rock lobster, a favourite of chef Ford, alongside 'ROOI Selects' such as aged mutton, masala-spiced kingklip and Cape Malay grilled chicken. A more playful 'Buns on Fire' burger arrived as a later addition. Prices sit at resort level — ROOI Selects start around R265 and climb with the Wagyu and lobster — but the sourcing is serious, leaning on South African producers and Cape coastline seafood.

The room looks across the marina to Table Mountain, with warm, earth-toned interiors that nod to the restaurant's name and South African materials. Dress is smart casual, with the resort barring open shoes, sportswear and vests at dinner. Service is One&Only-polished, and the kitchen runs breakfast from 6:30am and dinner to a 9pm last seating. It is a hotel restaurant that locals actually book, which is rare on the Waterfront.

ROOI suits a team dinner because the grill format scales. Big cuts — lobster, Wagyu, mutton — are easy to share, the long tables take a group without strain, and the waterfront view does the entertaining for you. It is inside a resort, so parking, drinks and a nightcap are all on site. Book the earlier sitting if you want to catch the light on Table Mountain before the kitchen's 9pm last seating.

For a birthday or a deal worth marking, ROOI brings occasion without stiffness. The flame-grilled rock lobster is a genuine centrepiece, the One&Only setting feels like a treat, and the South African wine list goes deep on local estates most visitors never see. Tell the team it is a celebration and they will pace the night around it. It is grand enough to feel special and relaxed enough to actually enjoy.

Not for a budget night out — this is resort pricing on a hotel island, and a full dinner with lobster and wine adds up fast. Skip it if you want a quiet, intimate two-top, since the room is large and built for groups and views rather than hushed corners.

Is ROOI at One&Only Cape Town worth it? If you want a serious South African grill in a resort setting, yes. The flame-grilled rock lobster, Kalahari venison and local Wagyu are well sourced, and the Waterfront-and-Table-Mountain view is among the best in the city. It is priced at resort level, so it suits a celebration or a team dinner more than a casual weeknight.

What should I order at ROOI? Order from the grill — the flame-grilled South Coast rock lobster is the signature, and the 'ROOI Selects' aged mutton and Kalahari venison show what the kitchen does with local meat. The masala-spiced kingklip is the pick for fish. Drink South African, since the list leans hard on Cape estates.

How much does ROOI cost? Expect resort pricing. ROOI Selects start around R265 and the Cape Malay grilled chicken is about R270, with Wagyu and rock lobster running higher, so a full dinner with wine reaches into the upper hundreds of rand per person. It is a special-occasion bill rather than an everyday one.

Where is ROOI and what's the dress code? ROOI is inside One&Only Cape Town on Dock Road, on the island in the V&A Waterfront. Dress is smart casual; the resort does not allow open shoes, sportswear or vests at dinner. Dinner runs from 6:30pm with a last seating around 9pm, so book the earlier end for sunset over the marina.