GOLD Restaurant — Restaurant in City Centre

Entertainment & Ambience: Phenomenal. Management Attitude: Deeply Disappointing.

We visited Gold Restaurant with high expectations, and the evening began on a promising note. The vibrant drumming session, traditional dancing, and infectious energy of the place truly stood out — an immersive experience that beautifully showcases African culture. Our server, Leticia, was a complete delight — warm, attentive, and enthusiastic. She deserves every bit of praise.

The food, though diverse across multiple African cuisines, didn’t quite match the exuberance of the ambience. It felt more curated for variety than excellence in taste — not bad, but not memorable either.

But what truly marred our evening was a deeply disappointing interaction around a cocktail — the Tanzanian Dawa, recommended by Leticia. Upon tasting, it felt more like a fruit juice than a vodka-based drink. I politely informed her, and requested a second one (which I was willing to pay for) — but just asked that it be made properly.

Instead of a gracious, guest-first approach, in walked the bar manager, Floyd, who had the energy of a man forced to work against his will. Instead of offering a solution, he gave me a condescending lecture about "standard" bar measures (50ml). I gently responded that the global standard is usually 60ml, and that it wasn’t about the quantity — it was about guest satisfaction. His response? “My bar stock will get affected.”

Honestly, a 10ml difference? I have been in the hospitality business for 20+ years, and own several bars and restaurants myself — I have never seen a manager defend a drink that disappointed a customer so miserably.

Then came Andrew, Floyd’s senior. Unfortunately, he doubled down on the poor attitude. Defensive, sulky, and unwilling to acknowledge the simple fact that hospitality is about leaving the guest with a smile. Instead, he debated with me for 9+ minutes — telling me I should have ordered an extra shot and suggesting that my concern was about money — despite me having paid over 3000 SAR for two adults and a child and tipping generously.

The issue wasn’t the drink. It was Floyd’s attitude and Andrew’s tone-deaf response. Hospitality isn’t about clinging to policy — it’s about creating positive memories. Floyd and Andrew seemed more invested in being “right” than being gracious — a huge letdown for a restaurant of this calibre.

To the owners/management of Gold — you have something truly special in your concept, your entertainment, and your staff like Leticia. But managers like Floyd and Andrew can erode brand goodwill faster than you think. Their attitude made us feel like a burden, not a guest.

Would I return? Unfortunately Not

Would I recommend it? Yes — but with a cautionary note: don’t expect world-class hospitality if you...

Very disappointed with the overall experience dining today at Gold Restaurant.

During the booking process, we were asked about our food allergies/intolerance and any special request.

However, when we were allocated to our seats today, we were asked these questions again and there isn't any dishes prepared for lactose intolerant (even though I indicated during the booking process). Thought it is something really basic for any restaurant, which was unfortunately missed out by one of the most expensive restaurant in cape town. As the tomato soup, ice cream and sweet potato ball contains some diary (no alternative was given despite me indicating about my food allergy/intolerance), I vomited shortly after reaching my accomodation.

We were also repeated asked if we wish to order drinks and the waitress made a rather condescending comment "I wonder how you take down all the food without water". Errr.....that's because you guys charges a high premium which we refuse to pay?

During the payment process, we then noted that the receipt added the drumming experience charges which we specially wrote prior to confirm that it will be waived off as we had our city sightseeing passes. The waitress then told us off "You should have told me in the first place". IN THE FIRST PLACE, we are paying X5 a normal restaurant in Cape Town and we already asked previously. If the person who attended for the email did not let the waitress know, is it the customers fault/responsibility to remind them? Furthermore, there was already a service tax mandatory added into the bill (which obviously based on the above issues: I do not see any explicit good service). The waitress then asked if we wish to add anything else (i.e. tips).

The tables were really squeeze as they wish to maximise the headcount: it's easily only one arms away from the table beside AND behind me. Worst, our table was unstable and was moving...

On a side note, the food on the other hand was unique as it brings you across different parts of Africa. It's a unique experience. Similar to the other users previous comment, the food was small serving which you can add more. The drumming experience was unique but it's a little hard for us to understand the "humour" of the host.

For the price point and the service rendered/comments made to us, I do not...

Unethical Business with Bad Vibes, Waste of Time

I made the reservation long time ago, i was led to a very corner seating in upper stairs without any visibility to the main stage. Well, im not too upset because as a solo tripper i usually don’t get good seat and i thought at least it would give privacy. Looks like this restaurant wants to earn as much money as possible so it’s very big but with compacted and crowded seatings.

What made me really comfortable is suddenly 2 staff asked me to move from my seat — where I was facing the performers — to another spot at the same table, where I was sitting with my back to the stage. They’re saying Im taking selfies with other guests in. Excuse me? Who wants to take photos of other guests, I want to take video of the performers ok? Later I checked, there were some selfies when I was waiting for the slow food, but without any other ones’ faces. ( i regretted not checking my phone at that time😂).

This restaurant, instead of verifying what had happened, just ask me to compromise and they keep saying sorry - yes you should be. The “sincere” attitude and being tired after a long flight make me comply at the time, but later i realized it completely ruined the performance experience I had paid for because i had to turn my back every time to see the show. When I asked if I could return briefly to my original seat when they performed, I was asked to go all the way downstairs near the stage. Ironically I was facing those people who reported me and seeing them taking a lot of photos with other people in the background.

Okay: you asked me to sacrifice my experience to accommodate someone else’s unfounded discomfort. Now, this is your consequence — this bad review is what I use to make up for the experience I was unfairly denied. You took my side of the story for granted, and offered no support or balanced resolution on my first day in Cape Town.

In general, performance is lovely but food is not tasty, they’re salty, basic and wasteful. Service is not worth the price. Such a waste time cuz I originally wanted to create some good content on social media but turns out it’s not worth recommending to others. I went to the other live show restaurant the other night and had way better experience. This one will be beaten by...