When we walked through the doors of the Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant in the Bo-Kaap we inhaled deeply and smiled contentedly. It was raining outside and the smell of curry was both warming and comforting. We were shown to our table by the window with a view, whilst a small child with large round chocolate eyes peeked out from behind the kitchen door, watching our every move. Tea was served in a delightful gold-rimmed teapot with matching cups and saucers and we took some time to stare out the window at would-be an incredible view of Table Mountain on a sunny day. Then there was a loud bang, the table and teacups shook and we were rudely jolted out of our daydreams. It was midday and the Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant is, seemingly, very aptly named!
Over a hundred years old and orginally a base for officers in the military, the Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant has been the family’s home (and then a restaurant) for 67 years. Entire generations have been raised here, with all the children taught to cook from a young age. So not surprisingly, recipes have been handed down from grandmother to mother to granddaughter, with some of the recipes from almost 300 years ago, when the Malays arrived in South Africa.
Today, the restaurant is run by three generations of women – Fouzia Taylor (who oversees the running of the restaurant), Qanita Taylor-Jardien (Fouzia’s daughter, who oversees the kitchen and cooks the meals) and Mariam Misbach (Fouzia’s mother, who is responsible for many of the recipes and keeping her great grand-daughters out of mischief!) It is a true family affair with all members of the family living on the property. Small children are likely to stand by your chair and peer at you from under thick dark eyelashes (only to be whisked away by Mariam if they start to misbehave). The walls and tablecloths are as bright as the cheerful houses of the Bo-Kaap and there’s a comfy leopard print couch adorned with sequened cushions near the entrance. Rather than coming to a restaurant for a meal, it felt like we had joined a big family for lunch on a rainy day.
Whilst we sipped our tea we nibbled on samoosas and dhaltjies. The samoosas were crispy and light (how do they always get that right?) and we loved the dhaltjies made using pea flour, spinach and spices. Three-year old Amaarah was determined to help us eat them and who should know better about what’s tasty than a great grand-daughter who has probably been around the kitchen since she was born!
Next up was a chicken curry and a traditional Malay bredie which were served with rice and roti’s. Both were delicious and the warm Malay curry flavours were perfect for the cold rainy day. In fact I enjoyed the bredie so much I took the left-over sauce home to add to one of my own stews!
The menu is small, but authentic and it comes as no surprise that the Minister of Finance often comes here to enjoy a meal. You certainly get your money’s worth and having a meal prepared by three generations of women using recipes handed down from 300 years ago is indeed priceless.
After lunch the skies cleared for a few moments allowing us to enjoy the view over the city, mountain, waterfront and harbour. We took a walk with Fouzia to the Noon Gun and listened to her enchanting stories of a childhood spent playing in the area, clambering through fences and running with torches in the dungeons. It was the perfect way to end a few hours spent with our new-found family.
Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant opening times
Monday – Saturday: 10h00-22h00
What you can expect to pay
Starters and soups from R25, curries from R70 and desserts from R10.
A selection of what’s on the menu at Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant
Samoosa, dhaltjie and papadum plate R25
Traditional Malay cake tray (koesiesters, dhaltjies and samoosas) R30
Butternut soup R25
Dhal curry R70
Malay bredie R95
Chicken curry R95
Masala fish R95
Mutton breyani R105
Bobotie R105
Milktart R25
Koesiester R10
Faluda R25
Beverages at Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant
This is a Halaal restaurant so no alcohol is served and you may not bring your own. I can recommend the Faluda (a rose-flavoured milkshake-like drink ). Otherwise you will find a selection of hot and cold drinks as well as a traditional cardamom tea.
Need to know
Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant is at the top of a fairly steep hill. As it had recently rained, our car was not too keen on going up there so we had to walk. We appreciated the views on the way down!
Contact Noon Gun Tea Room and Restaurant
Tel 021-424-0529, email [email protected].
