Chief's Boma Restaurant — Restaurant in Gauteng

Severely disappointed about the service and experience from attending the buffet on the 15/12/2022. I have been to Chief Boma over 6 times in the past, when making this booking I specifically asked what will be served on the day and was told the normal African cuisine. I asked if Lamb chops would be served and was told YES it would be. As my family of four does not eat Pork or Beef i even called on 14/12 again to confirm this and the lady who answered the phone once again confirmed this.

when i arrived on the day i was told that lamb chops will not be served now, after saying this is not what i was told and that i want a refund and what to leave the manger Jonathan came and said ok he will get the chef to prepare some lamb chops at the back kitchen he said it will be a few. my reply was i paid for a buffet and you want me to be limited for food? I waited over 55 minutes to receive about 7 chops for 2 adults and 2 kids. I asked for the lamb chops to have BBQ spice and for it to be well done yet it was served to me only with salt and the meat was underdone as if it was still defrosting. I did not get anymore lamb chops then this i was limited at a buffet!

i asked to order beer on tap and was told that you'll have no stock of beers on tap, i asked to order a bottle of sweet white wine and was told you have no stock of sweet white or sweet red wine!

your peppermint tart dessert was OFF. The standard of your food was horrible!

your staff was standing next to my table talking about me in Zulu and thought i won't understand, they were wrong i did understand them.

Also, it was my wife's birthday on the day, when I called on the 14/12 your lady said they will sing happy birthday and give her a slice of cake that didn't even happen.

I paid R590 for a buffet and R200 on the day to be limited for food, well to eat tasteless chicken drumsticks and have gone off dessert, I am highly frustrated by this experience! I do not recommend this place you will be highly disappointed.

i have Emailed Florah Maseko, Didi Yon and the Manager and still waiting...

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) We visited Chief's Boma Restaurant at the Indaba Hotel in Randburg last night, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience overall.

The buffet selection is truly impressive! The salad bar was a standout for me – fresh, vibrant, and full of options like creamy avocado, feta cheese, ripe tomatoes, bean salad, broccoli salads, and so much more. Everything tasted garden-fresh and well-prepared.

Moving on to the hot food section, it was an absolute feast! A variety of stews featuring lamb, pork, and beef, paired with classic starches like pap, dumplings, and rice. They also offer game meat, which is expertly grilled right in front of you at the live braai station – such a unique touch that adds to the experience.

Where the experience slightly dipped for me was dessert. While the malva pudding with custard and the flowing ice cream were delightful, and the butterscotch sauce was out of this world, some of the other dessert options felt a bit dry and could use fresher ingredients. On the positive side, the fruit salad was extremely fresh and plentiful.

The atmosphere was absolutely magical, enhanced by a live marimba band that created a vibrant, authentic African vibe. We were celebrating our anniversary, and the staff made it extra special by surprising us with a slice of cake and inviting us to dance with the band – such a thoughtful and memorable gesture!

Overall, this is a fantastic spot for anyone looking for a true African dining experience with exceptional hospitality. Highly recommended for...

Food-wise, the selection was plentiful and with a large variety of exotic meats, salads and greens, stews and curries, and desserts. However it did not wow me taste-wise, as the grilled meats were overdone and came out hard and dry. Which was unfortunate, as I was excited for the kudu, wildebeest, impala, ostrich etc. The desserts were acceptable.

Service was almost terrible that night, but that could be because of the large volume of customers present as it was a weekend, Saturday night. I wished the servers were more attentive, as I was waiting for someone to take my drink order for almost 1 hour after being seated. Especially with the hard dry meats, I was dying for a drink.

The decoration was made to look very traditional South African together with the music. However the music was way too loud and the live music was even louder, making it way too noisy for my liking. At one point there was a large crowd dancing in front of the live band, and it would have been a pleasant scene except for the constant bouncing of the wooden floor causing me nausea after 5 minutes of being bounced around on my seat. I was grateful for when the song and dance portion ended.

For a first-time customer, I can see the value in the price - the food, the experience, the ambience. However having been once, I do not foresee myself going back for a second visit sadly. I would however recommend anyone to at least visit once and experience it all...