In a few short years, Moyo has developed into a franchise, with a branch in Stellenbosch, and two more in Jo’burg. It’s generally considered the best African restaurant in the country, even if the location — in Eurocentric Melrose Arch — feels decidedly un-African. Frequented by locals and tourists alike, this is a great place to people-watch — even if you don’t eat here, come for the mango daiquiris and lounge around in the bar or on the alfresco couches, warmed by wood-burning braziers and blankets in winter. From the waitstaff’s bright cerise-pink headdresses to the huge Bushman paintings on the adobelike walls, this is African pastiche with a tongue-in-cheek twist.
Popular dishes include fragrant North African stews, slow cooked with ginger, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and saffron, and served with couscous; the South African venison bobotie (a mild, sweetish curry); and the grilled ostrich, prepared with aromatic Ethiopian spices. If you’d prefer something light, the ostrich burger, served on sweet-potato-and-pumpkin bread, is a good option. More than a restaurant, Moyo’s is an experience, particularly at night, when music, dance, and other entertainments are on the menu.