KAUAI Optenhorst Village — Restaurant in Drakenstein Local Municipality

Kauai Optenhorst Mall in Paarl is unfortunately the poorest Kauai outlet I’ve experienced in South Africa. I am dairy-allergic and a Black Tier Kauai member, and I have always trusted the brand to be safe and accommodating — but this branch has gone in the opposite direction.

The most concerning issue is their 2025 Summer Menu “Tahini Crunch Salad.” Traditional tahini is naturally vegan and dairy-free, yet this outlet serves a version with dairy and refuses to offer a proper alternative. When I requested a simple swap due to my allergy, I was told I would have to pay extra for a replacement sauce. This is completely out of step with other Kauai outlets across the Western Cape, Gauteng, and beyond, which have always accommodated such requests without hesitation or additional charges.

This approach makes the menu restrictive and unsafe for customers with allergies. I’ve previously had a serious incident at another Kauai outlet where my allergy request was ignored, despite being assured my meal was safe — resulting in a severe allergic reaction. Allergies are not a preference; they are a serious health necessity, and staff must understand this.

Kauai built its reputation on inclusivity, health, and accessibility. Unfortunately, this outlet undermines that reputation and risks alienating the very customers who have supported the...

As a vegan since 2014 and a long-time Kauai supporter (Black Tier Member), I’ve always valued the brand for its commitment to healthy, accessible, and inclusive food. Sadly, Kauai Optenhorst Mall in Paarl has been the least accommodating and most disappointing Kauai outlet I’ve ever visited (WesternCape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga).

The September 2025 Summer Menu “(New) Tahini Crunch Salad” is a clear example of how this outlet is failing its vegan and lactose-intolerant customers. Traditional tahini is 100% vegan — sesame paste, lemon, garlic — yet here it inexplicably contains dairy. When we asked for a vegan alternative, we were told we’d need to pay extra for a different sauce (Miso OR Vegan Nut Butter dressing). This practice is not only unreasonable, it’s inconsistent with how other Kauai outlets across South Africa handle such requests.

For a brand that should be leading the way in plant-based and allergy-friendly food, this approach is regressive. It EXCLUDES CUSTOMERS UNNECESSARILY and tarnishes Kauai’s name.

Kauai has been a trusted choice for me for over a decade, but if this outlet reflects the direction the brand is taking, it risks losing the loyalty of the very community that made it...

Visited Saturday 8th March. We ordered two items from the breakfast menu to eat in. We chose to sit outside as the shop was very hot and noisey inside. We waited exactly 32 minutes for our food to arrive. When the food eventually arrived, one of the dishes (sliced avocado on toast with poached egg) only had the avocado and toast, no poached egg. The waitress returned this to the kitchen. After waiting another 15 minutes and drawing the staff’s attention that we were still waiting, the order arrived. Overall a very disappointing experience and not the type of service one would expect. We will...