Eating your way to the heart of a destination is the best way to get to know a place. Food tourism is nothing new. From as far back as the Spice Trade, humanity has always had a taste for the exotic. Ingredients tell stories. They have a history and an origin.

A good foodie experience is memorable, and the easiest way to remember something? When it's accompanied by a compelling story.

Bistro 407 at Indaba Hotel

The Indaba Hotel has recently relaunched the Bistro 407restaurant, and it's no longer just a place to eat a meal, it's a proud showcase of our history. As one of the oldest accommodation options in Fourways, the intimate eatery is a nod to the history of the Indaba Hotel, as the property began its life located on lot 407 of the original farm, Zevenfontein. More heritage commemoration can be found in the two new signature cocktails, namely the 407 Lavender Pina Colada, best sipped on the outdoor deck below the last blossoms of the Jacaranda trees. Where the Chief's Boma has a more relaxed 'local is lekker' atmosphere (we even hosted the Ultimate Braai Master there), Bistro 407 offers a more upscale experience with offerings like Scottish Salmon, Wild mushroom & sun-dried tomato risotto and Lamb Noisette. However, it doesn't need to break the bank. We've created date night specials for locals too.

Local flavour flourishes

The Indaba Hotel was recently featured in a Tourism Update article on South African fooodie experiences. Food is at the heart of the South African tourism offering, says Barba Gaoganediwe, Gauteng Tourism Authority’s Head of Destination Promotions and Marketing. “Memories are stronger when linked to food. It delivers an intense experience that is remembered long after tourists return home.”

We have to agree! There is a return to showcasing local produce (as opposed to flaunting fancy imports), says Sharon Hunnink, Sales and Marketing Manager of Indaba Hotel. “Food offers the opportunity to not just delight the traveller but also show the diversity of South Africa and to educate tourists, she says. “There is also a focus on sustainability and awareness around wastage.”

The Chief's Boma

The Indaba Hotel aims to delight and educate. You can see this across our menu options. The Chief's Bomahas a distinctly South African offering with traditional dishes such as morogo spinach, vetkoek and beef, mopane worms and kapenta. Every dish represents the vast diversity found in our country, and it's a beautiful means for visitors to get a taste of our culture.

Our menu takes you to the Durban coast with spicy curries to the Cape with koeksisters and melktert, right north to Limpopo with Amarula crème brulée. This diversity also ensures that there's variety on offer and the international traveller is sure not to get bored. For example, The Boma also boasts a Shisa Nyama grill where our chefs prepare your preferred cut of meat, carefully selected by our on-premises butcher. It's then grilled to specification. This makes it a great combination of conventional buffet and tailor-made cooking.

The Gin Sensorium

The Indaba Hotel is continually looking at new ways to enthral our guests and has been home to the Inverroche Gin Schoolfor a year now. We continue to host collaborative specials, such as our latest Gin Tasting and Hors d'Oeuvre Pairingon the 11 December 2019. The gin school has also attracted Joburgers from our own neighbourhood, and we offer affordable foodie experiences such as the recent (and indulgent) gin and chocolate pairing for R200 per person. Other awesome collaborations include partnership pairings with KWV, the Jack Rabit Chocolate Studio and Pongracz.

Eat at the Indaba Hotel

• Tantalise your tastebuds by booking a table at Bistro 407. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 18h00 until 22h30.
• Create your very own bottle of gin to take home and learn all the fables and follies that lead to the popularity of this curious craft brew. Become a master gin distillerat the next event on 7 December 2019.
• You can also make a true event of it and spoil a loved one. Attend Gin School, follow with a Bistro 407 dinner and enjoy bed and breakfast at the Indaba Hotel.
• Join us for a Traditional Christmas Lunch Celebration at Chief's Boma on 25 December 2019.

Look out for other specials on our website here.