Zinzi Restaurant — Restaurant in George

After reading online that Zinzi's number 2 on the best restaurants in the area, we were a little surprised at what we found.

The location was beautifully set amongst trees, a pond and a beautifully kept lawn.

While browsing the menu, it was difficult for us to choose what to decide as everything sounded amazing.

Our 4 starters were delicious. Calamari, wonton, chowder (quite spicy) and a spinach soup.

After the starters were cleared, we waited for over an hour for the mains to arrive.

During our wait, we had the time to meander on the paths leading from the restaurant around the pond... twice... A waitress came to inform us that the oven was working slowly...

Once our mains arrived we were surprised at what we received.

The curry was extremely spicy, the rice so overcooked that one could nearly puree it to a mash, the roti however raw and drenched in oil, no seasoning. We had to ask for some chutney to flavour the dish.

The sole was quite overcooked, a rather small portion and quite dry. Lucky the Tandoori chicken was very good and the serving was quite large There was enough food to share with the person who ordered the fish.

The duck, when ordered was advertised as medium rare, but arrived super well done. When I mentioned this to our waitress, she immediately took it back to the kitchen. A new duck plate was brought shortly after. Unfortunately, the chef must have hurried so much to fix my plate, as we had previously already waited for 1h15 for our meal, that my duck arrived completely rare...raw... The waitress upon her suggestion took my plate back. By this time the rest of the table had nearly cleared their plates and I did not want to make them wait any longer. I thus decided not to order it again.

The manager came to ask if we wanted something else from the main menu. He could have something made up for me quickly. (Unfortunately, the last quick fix ended up being a raw duck on my plate...)

Another manager took our dessert order. A panna cotta and a malva pudding.

By this time I was not hungry anymore and had a cappuccino instead.

As only 2 desserts were ordered for 4 guests, the lady manager must have arranged for a crème brulee to be brought... as an apology. What a petty than non at the table enjoy eggcream desserts... we ate the blueberries that decorated the plate and left the better half of the dessert behind.

Verdict: Beautiful location Lovely setting Amazing menu Kind staff Lovely presentation of all the plates. Food, not what we expected Our visit at the restaurant for a simple Sunday meal, we arrived at 13h10 and left at 15h55. We feel it was long and could not enjoy the rest of the day as we spent so much time... waiting...

As we mentioned numerous times to all the different waiters, at least 4, that we had been waiting for long, I would have thought the managers would have offered more than a simple dessert, that was not really appreciated, as amends... but no...

Should we have mentioned it again at our departure... maybe, but one can only mention things so many times...

Thank you for the experience, but we...

Zinzi Restaurant – Where Your Taste Buds Go on Safari and Never Return the Same

From the moment we arrived at Zinzi, we knew we were in for something special. We were warmly welcomed by the dynamic duo: Siya, the waiter with a PhD in the menu (seriously, the man knows every flavor note like he wrote the cookbook), and Gina, the GM with charm, grace, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve just been adopted by the restaurant family.

Let’s talk menu – a gloriously crafted adventure, seemingly inspired by a culinary world tour with unlimited frequent flyer miles. Think "Michelin star meets global street food with an elegant passport."

We ambitiously started with FIVE small plates (yes, we’re those people) – because restraint is for amateurs:

Duck Bitterballen – crispy, golden orbs of ducky perfection.

Tempura Prawns – so light and airy they almost floated off the plate.

Duck Dumpling – like a hug from a dumpling. Ducking delicious.

Honeybaked Camembert – the kind of dish that could start diplomatic negotiations.

Calamari – tender, perfectly seasoned, and not rubbery (bless the chef!).

At this point, we were already stuffed like Christmas turkeys, but did we stop? Of course not. We forged on like brave, greedy pioneers.

For mains:

Lamb Shank – fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth magic.

Pork Belly – crispy crackling meets juicy belly in a love story I wish I could relive.

By dessert, I was genuinely considering rolling myself out, but I settled for a Dom Pedro (because liquid dessert doesn’t count, right?). My wife, ever the braveheart, ordered the white chocolate dessert with a liquid Turkish delight center. She took one bite and whispered, “It’s melting in my mouth...” I had to stop her from licking the plate.

The portions? Generous. The flavors? Show-stopping. The presentation? Instagram called, it wants exclusive rights.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better... the décor. Zinzi doesn’t just serve food – it teleports you. Lush, exotic, romantic – like being whisked away to a hidden gem somewhere far-flung and fabulous, without ever leaving the country.

Zinzi, you’ve ruined us for other restaurants. You've reset our expectations and revived our faith in dining out. Our bellies were bursting, but our souls were full.

If you’re not at Zinzi right now, what are you even doing...

This unique place combines exquisite cuisine, a beautiful atmosphere, and stunning views of the well-maintained garden with a pond and koi fish.

🍴 Here you can indulge in a variety of European and African dishes. Zinzi's menu changes with the seasons to ensure guests can enjoy fresh and high-quality ingredients.

✨ The restaurant's decor blends natural elements like wood and stone with exquisite ethnic details and soft lighting, creating an elegant and romantic ambiance. African music fills the air, adding authenticity and complementing your culinary journey.

🍽 Don't miss the opportunity to try the chicken livers in mild peri-peri sauce with crunchy ciabatta croutons or the battered prawns served with ponzu sauce, chili, mango, and coconut. The main courses, such as oxtail with pearl barley and crispy onions or vegetarian curry with pumpkin and sweet potato, will delight you with their unique flavors.

🙌 The Zinzi staff is well-trained and attentive, always ready to offer menu recommendations and ensure your comfortable dining experience. You'll be surrounded by care and attention, barely noticing as the waitstaff discreetly refills your wine glasses.

💬 Zinzi Restaurant boasts a high rating among guests who appreciate not only the superb cuisine but also the excellent service. In Garden Route, there are very few places with such beautiful interiors and impeccable service, making Zinzi undoubtedly worth a visit when you're...