Salt. — Restaurant in Eastern Cape

Goodness, where do I even start. My husband is from EL and thought we should check out Salt for breakfast, the first day we visited the restaurant I enjoy every single bit of the experience - the omlette I had ordered was fresh, presentation was pleasing and the gentleman who serviced our table was friendly and a pleasure.

But all this changed so quickly, we skipped a day and went back to Salt only to be met by the most horrid service I've ever had to endure in my life, served by a lady there who I got to know is called Okuhle. This lady served us like we came with free food coupons that she had no time for, anyway she was funny from the get-go.

This was one of my busiest mornings so I was working and had my laptop on my lap the whole time, she came hastily to take our orders, I asked for Rooibos tea with milk, the tea came and I thought she would still bring the milk but after a long wait it didn't come so walked up to the coffee bar to ask the gentleman there for warm milk, and I came back to sit down only to notice that my cup had red lipstick on it so I waved and showed her this in the most friendly of ways so that we can change it. She seemed upset and unpleased about this request, strangely. She came back with another cup that was heavy-dripping of water with small black remains from brewed tea in and some more milk on top of the milk I had fetched earlier and she hastily left. Anyway, it was very clear this lady was in a bad mood of sort - I'm from out of town me, we don't know each other at all with this Okuhle so it couldn't have been me that upset her with my mere presence that day.

Anyway I had to wipe that second dirty cup just to move on and continue working. My husband was on a business meeting call at this time and was sitting in the car when his 2 friends came to join us, this was 5 minutes before our food order came (mine and my husband's), Okuhle put his plate on the table and came to stand next to me to insistently hand me the omlette plate in my hand while I was cleary typing on my laptop putting together an urgent article that was due, this is with all the space on the table but she stood there until I could take the plate from her - I'm really not sure what this was about but I had to stop working to grab this plate from her.

To my very shock, the omlette I had been looking forward to was black and burnt (see image), I sat there in so much disbelieve as I had been raving to my husband's friends that "I can't wait for my omlette, and that I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time we were there" etc. everyone at this point was laughing at this omlette, and teasing me that "You live by the omlette, you die by the omlette" as they could also pick up this Okuhle lady's appalling behaviour towards me, specifically.

After about 5 minutes I wave to her to tell her that the omlette is burnt, and still in a foul mood she says nothing, grabs the plate and goes into the restaurant as we were seating outside. She comes back with another better looking omlette and at this point I'm famished and just really happy to eat, I continue to eat while working and my husband's friends had received their orders too.

My husband was also done with his meeting so we are all sitting together eating, I don't know what that was, but towards finishing my omlette, I bite into these hard brown crystal-like particles, like something old and dried up that wasn't supposed to be in the omlette (we all couldn't tell what those things were). I honestly wanted to finish my omlette but couldn't because I feared those things were firstly poisonous so, I spat the entire bite out and didn't want to cause any issues in front of the people I had only just met that day.

This happened 2 weeks ago, I'm back home and this experience is haunting me to this day and that is the reason I had to put it down so that it can leave my system.

To that Okuhle lady 'umqhundu wakho sisi' for that traumatising service you gave. Next time, call in sick if you don't feel like serving people, I'm not your friend and that establishment truly...

Deeply Disappointed: A Lesson in What Not to Do in Hospitality

My recent visit to this establishment was nothing short of appalling. What was meant to be a relaxed Sunday breakfast turned into an infuriating experience marred by neglect, poor service, and a concerning undertone of discrimination.

Despite arriving early with a friend, we watched multiple patrons—who came either after us or at the same time—receive their meals long before we did. These weren’t complex orders, just straightforward breakfast items that should’ve taken no more than a few minutes to prepare. Yet, after an entire hour, we were still left waiting with only condiments and cutlery in front of us.

At least the waiter who printed our bill was honest in stating that she too had seen that patrons who arrived long after us had received their orders. Whereas when we finally decided to leave, the other server with the speed point offered the absurd excuse about “some dishes taking longer than others.” That explanation fell flat, especially since tables around us were being served efficiently with much more complicated orders compared with eggs and toast, and cake of the day which was ready made in full view of us. We even observed our waiter quietly slipping out a separate exit to serve other tables outside with patrons who arrived long after us, as though intentionally avoiding us.

It is deeply unsettling to consider that the colour of my skin or casual appearance suggested that I don't belong here, can't afford the food I ordered or that I couldn't leave a big tip, and may have influenced the quality of service we received. Every table that received prompt attention was either white or white-adjacent. Whether this was implicit bias or something more overt, it’s unacceptable in any service industry setting—especially one that relies on customer experience.

This restaurant has made it abundantly clear who or what it values and doesn't. I won’t be returning, and I hope this review prompts the management to take a long, hard look at their staff’s conduct—and their own...

Salt Eatery, nestled in Chamberlain Square in East London, South Africa, offers a cozy and inviting dining experience that resonates with both locals and visitors. Known for its warm ambiance and hearty meals, the restaurant has become a favorite spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The menu boasts a variety of dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Patrons have praised offerings such as crispy BBQ chicken wings, fillet steak with pepper mushroom sauce, and crumbed mushrooms. The establishment also features a selection of beverages, including local wines and craft beers, complementing the meals perfectly. Customer reviews highlight the friendly and attentive staff, with many noting the owner’s active presence in ensuring a pleasant dining experience. One reviewer mentioned, Fresh food, friendly staff and attention from the owner. Lots of regulars is a good sign. However, some feedback points to areas for improvement. A few patrons have reported inconsistent service during peak times, citing delays in order taking and food delivery. Despite these occasional hiccups, the overall sentiment remains positive, with many customers expressing their intent to return. Salt Eatery operates from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturdays, and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Sundays and public holidays. For those seeking a comfortable setting with flavourful dishes and a touch of local charm, Salt Eatery stands out as a commendable choice in East London’s...