CLUB KLOOF — Restaurant in Gardens

We dined here on Sunday to celebrate a birthday. Having been here before and really enjoyed it we decided to come back and bring all our friends to show off this lovely experience we had. Unfortunately our second experience once in a bigger group was disappointing and we were honestly embarrassed having invited our friends here. We got there at 14:00 and ordered drinks shortly thereafter. Once they arrived at around 14:30 we put in a food order for a round of starters. Our drinks began running empty while waiting for these starters and our waiter didn’t communicate with us until around 15:30 to say twice that the starters are “coming”. At around 15:50 he came around and asked to confirm our order. Let me reiterate: this is now 80 minutes wait for starters and he had only just confirmed our order. No apology. We then confirm and decided to remain cheery as we were celebrating a birthday. Big mistake. Once the starters came out at 16:05 the waiter stated that “if we want to” we can order desserts because the kitchen closes at 16:00. We came here to eat a meal of starters, mains, and desserts. We were visibly upset and he said he will ask the kitchen to remain open to make the main course. We ordered our main meal and while it was coming out, 3 of the dishes we ordered were sold out and the waiter offered replacements that we didn’t feel like but we were honestly so hungry at that point that we didn’t care. Then we asked about items that never came out and the staff told us they cannot do anything about it as the kitchen had already left. The prawns which cost R290 were horrifically burned and placed in a plate of burned oil but we couldn’t complain about this because the kitchen had left. The meatballs were tasteless. Couldn’t complain or send back. We couldn’t order desserts, and couldn’t order more drinks before the bar closing as our waiter ended up just avoiding us after all that went wrong. At no point did the waiter apologise to us for clearly forgetting to put in our order of starters which led to us not being able to order mains on time. I don’t think the restaurant is appropriately equipped to handle parties of more than 3 because an 8 seater was clearly too much to cope with for both the waiter and the kitchen staff. Cocktails were delicious and that...

I don’t recommend celebrating any special occasion at Club Kloof. What was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of my life—my birthday and surprise gender reveal—was mishandled and left me feeling heartbroken.

I called ahead to book and explained in detail how important the evening was. I was assured everything would be taken care of: we’d be seated at a special round table, and my cake—my big reveal—would be served on a plate to surprise my family and friends. But none of that happened.

When we arrived, we were seated at the wrong table. When I brought it up, all I got was a dismissive “oh sorry.” Then, some of our mains and drinks were delayed, and others weren’t even prepared. They finally offered to bring the missing dishes after we had already finished eating.

They brought the cake out in its box instead of plated as promised. This was something I agreed to pay extra for. That moment was supposed to be so special—the highlight of the evening—and instead, it felt like an afterthought. My friend could see I was really disappointed and sad. She stepped in to ask them to plate it for me and fix how they poorly handled this. She ended up bringing it to the table herself.

When I spoke to the staff, they said they had no record of my requests or plans, even though I’d explained everything and said I called in to book. I did not email. It was clear that the person who took my reservation hadn’t made any notes. Instead of taking accountability, they made me feel like it was my fault. As an apology, they offered free dessert—which was unnecessary, considering we'd just eaten the cake.

When the bill came, even my deposit hadn’t been accounted for—it was just one issue after another. I left the restaurant feeling so disappointed. What was supposed to be a joyful night ended up feeling like I wasn’t seen or cared for at all.

I don’t usually write negative reviews, but I felt it was important to share my experience. If you’re planning a special event, I’d suggest going somewhere else. Moments like these are so precious, and you deserve a place that will treat them with the care and respect they deserve. Not just been seen as another table...

Very disappointed in how you select customers to give good service i’ve been to your place before nice cocktails nice food the second time around i wanted to make a booking and inquire a few things nobody seems to answer your phone or attend to watsapp i come all the way from claremont only to enter your building and everyone just stared nastily and looked away, this was shocking and i even looked at myself like have i gone invisible, one guy who seems like the manager but i cant be sure because he holds no qualities of a manager just stairs me in the eye no smile no greeting nothing was very intimidating i said hi and let him know i wanted to make a booking only for him to give me a straight ‘no we are fully booked’ and that was the end of it, i do understand you might be fully booked but what happened to being nice ?? Is nice even a word to your establishment or maybe i just didn't look the part for your right of admission well let me know rather that give me nasty stares it really ruined my day for such a hyped up place on instagram you should also post that you have a target clients not just anyone who can pay the bill it was disheartening as i arrived with excitement but not even to be offered space for another day is what get me or even being apologetic about it all, what i got was rude selective service because those beautiful waiters can definitely smile and greet and those managers are trained but i guess all that is not for people that look the way i do, in case you are wondering how i look i also don't know how i look but i know I'm human and i know service and that was not...