The Luke Dale Roberts RESTAURANT in 2026 marks a major moment in South Africa’s culinary scene.
South Africa, Cape Town, Friday 27 March 2026; Chef Luke Dale Roberts has announced that he will open a landmark new restaurant, at the renowned Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in late 2026. The project marks one of the most ambitious culinary undertakings of Roberts’ career since the debut of The Test Kitchen in 2010. He will dedicate his full creative focus to building what he believes can become one of the world’s leading destination restaurants.
The restaurant will form part of the hospitality offering at Tswalu, South Africa’s largest private wildlife reserve. It will bring Roberts’ globally influenced culinary vision to one of the most remote and spectacular dining locations in Africa.
“This is the most exciting project I’ve embarked on since the early days of The Test Kitchen,” said Roberts. “Tswalu is one of the most extraordinary places in the world. The opportunity to create a restaurant that reflects its landscape, ingredients, and sense of place is incredibly inspiring. I’m placing my full creative energy into this project. I believe we can build something truly special, a restaurant that stands proudly on the global stage.”
The Vision Behind Luke Dale Roberts RESTAURANT in 2026
Roberts will work alongside his long-time protégé, Carla Schulze, Executive Chef of SALON. Schulze will play a key role in the creative direction. She will spend one week each month at Tswalu, working with the team and developing menus with Roberts.
Dillan Kannemeyer, currently Head Chef at SALON, will lead the kitchen. He will relocate to Tswalu to take on the role of Head Chef.
Schulze trained at the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine. She later joined The Test Kitchen, where she rose through the ranks and became the Head Development Chef within the Luke Dale Roberts group. She now leads the kitchen at SALON and works closely with Roberts on menu development.
SALON has received strong recognition since opening in 2023. It won Best New Restaurant in Africa at the World Culinary Awards. It also received Best Restaurant at the 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards, three plates from the JHP Gourmet Guide Awards, and three stars at the 2026 Eat Out Restaurant Awards. Schulze was named Chef of the Year at the 2026 Luxe Restaurant Awards.
A New Direction for SALON
The opening of the new restaurant at Tswalu will bring changes to SALON. The tasting menu restaurant, located at the Old Biscuit Mill, opened in 2023.
Roberts explains that while SALON’s nine-course tasting menu has been celebrated, Cape Town has seen many similar offerings. Not all diners want that format regularly. “I believe diners will always value skillfully prepared food and thoughtful cooking. But they increasingly want the freedom to choose what they eat and how many courses they enjoy.”
Roberts reflects on the journey of SALON with pride.
“SALON has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career,” he says. “It sparked creativity and collaboration within the team. I’m proud of what we achieved and grateful for the passion and growth of everyone involved.”
SALON will close in its current form at the end of March 2026. Many team members will move to the Tswalu project.
The SALON space will remain part of the Luke Dale Roberts group. It will become a private dining and events venue for exclusive lunches, dinners, and special occasions.
A Restaurant Inspired by Place and Purpose
The Tswalu project will focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, and a strong sense of place. Roberts and his team will work with artisans and designers. They will create a dining environment that reflects the Kalahari landscape and celebrates South African creativity.
Luke Dale Roberts is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential chefs. His career spans Europe, Asia, and South Africa. He trained in Switzerland and England. He later worked in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and the Philippines. These experiences shaped his global culinary style.
After moving to Cape Town in 2006, he gained international recognition. He led La Colombe to a No.12 ranking on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2010. It was also named Best Restaurant in Africa and the Middle East.
He later launched several influential restaurants. These include The Test Kitchen (2010), The Pot Luck Club (2012), The Shortmarket Club (2016), and Salsify at the Roundhouse (2018). Today, his portfolio includes The Pot Luck Club Cape Town, The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg, SALON, and The Test Kitchen Fledgelings.
He recently expanded internationally with a pop-up of The Pot Luck Club at The Waldorf Hilton London.
Looking Ahead
For Roberts, the Tswalu project offers a unique opportunity.
“Tswalu offers an environment unlike anywhere else,” he says. “The partnership felt right from the start. The team shares our values of detail, consistency, and guest care. Sustainability is central to what Tswalu does, and that matters to us. We want to build a restaurant that respects its environment and supports its people. We are taking the time to do things properly. I truly believe we will create something special at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve.”
The Luke Dale Roberts RESTAURANT in 2026 reflects ambition, creativity, and purpose. With a strong team and a world-class location, this project will redefine destination dining in Africa and beyond.
