The Restaurant @ Root44 — Restaurant in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

Definitely the most humiliating experience. We made a reservation and was treated as if we didn’t. White families who clearly mentioned they did not have a reservation was accommodated before us. We were seated at a table too small to accommodate 4 people. When we asked for a bigger table we were told there are not any other tables even though there was plenty around us. Another white family had the same request and was accommodated immediately. We brought it under the attention of our waitress who saw this. Her response was, “I’m also upset and don’t understand the situation at hand.” She went to go find out more information on the situation and came back saying this was a family that moved from the other side of the restaurant. Three other white families were given tables around us. Their request was to have bigger tables or different tables and the waiters ran to accommodate them. Even the ones who just came later then us was accommodated. Our waitress kept seeing this and just apologised for the discrimination but didn’t do anything to accommodate us because she couldn’t! It was my parents anniversary we really wanted to make it special hence, why we stayed as long as we did under the strenuous circumstances but the experience was so bad I can’t imagine going back to a place of this calibre. We waited an hour and 30 minutes for our food while everyone around us who came after us was already served. Some who came after us even left before we got our food. Our waitress came to apologise saying the chef is under an immense amount of pressure. When we wanted to leave because the service really got to us our food was brought to us one of our orders was incorrect so we had to wait even longer. This is definitely not the kind of place that I can recommend to a person of colour. Their service towards people of colour...

We came in at about 11:40. No one greeted us. Stood infront of the reception desk no one paid any attention to us. Looked around for assistance and no one even looked up. One side of the restaurant still had people and the other side were busy being set up. Few waiters started gathering at the front of the steps did not pay any attention to us. A few staff members were walking up and down past us. I stopped one girl and asked if we can sit anywhere. She asked where we wanted to sit and took us out to the balcony seating. One tall gentleman busy setting up the table greeted us as we walked past. Thats where the friendly atmosphere ended.

Our waiter who was a trainee then told us that they were busy prepping for lunch and the one side was having breakfast but their breakfast ended 11:30 so we sat down for lunch.

I understand that you are changing from breakfast service to lunch service but we are still paying customers that needs to be treated in a friendly and respectful manner. But the service and atmosphere we received was the worst. Me and my wife just celebrated out 10th wedding anniversary and we ate out every day and this experience ruined a very special occassion. Definitely not wasting my money here again.

The service was bad the atmosohere sucked and the food was mediocre at best. My sons cheesegriller looked like it was left overs that were forgotten in the...

Strawberry Daiquiri Cocktail My first time having this. These are dangerously good. You'll end up drinking way more than expect because they are so sweet. Ask for the virgin if you want to enjoy the fine dining while keeping your inhibitions. 😅

Vanilla Milkshake 🍨 Not the best in the world, but still good nonetheless. I would still order it.

Kleftikon🍖 This is way heavier and fuller than you expect. Especially if you had the milkshake, strawberry daiquiri and two glasses of wine before it. My big bowl was full of food. And very well presented. It was so much better than I expected. 🥹🤩 The lamb meat pulled apart so well with a touch of a fork and it tasted like your gran made this from the night before. The vegetables were fresh and crispy. 🤌🏾 Absolutely amazing.

Strawberry cheesecake 🍰 So so so amazing. The cheesecake itself had immense character and was so well balanced with the ice cream. You couldn't have one without the other. They just made sense. Great stuff.

All in all it's a great atmosphere and the service is impeccable. The art gallery made this place so lived in and the aesthetic makes Stellenbosch look so cosy and inviting (especially since it was raining in the day I was there).

I didn't expect it to be so different from the Old Root 44, but I'm surprisingly okay with the changes. I can't wait to come back and bring some friends so I can explore more...