A restaurant in the heart of the City Centre has received some major love from chef Jamie Oliver after the culinary superstar enjoyed a meal there recently.

Belly of the Beast, a 30-seater restaurant offering only a tasting menu for lunch and dinner, posted on Instagram this week that Jamie had visited them, and he was glowing in his review!

The Instagram entry read:

“Growing up, we loved watching Jamie Oliver racing around town on his red scooter, cooking for his friends and making food feel fun and approachable.

He made such a big impact on how we saw cooking back then. So it was very cool, and a bit surreal, to have him eating at Belly of the Beast today.

A true gentleman and an all-round lekker guy. Thanks for joining us, for the kind words, and for sharing your passion, we’re all big fans!”

Chef Jamie responded in the best possible way:

“Wonderful meal and team thank you so much”

With a monthly set menu, Belly of the Beast, located on the bustling Harrington Street, invites guests on a seasonal journey through South African flavours, often pushing culinary boundaries in creative ways.

Sustainability is at the heart of their ethos – from eschewing imported fish to using locally produced parmesan – and their wine list proudly showcases local labels.

According to their website, dining is a shared, communal experience: all guests are seated at the same time, allowing the chefs to give their full attention to each course, one plate at a time. It’s a bit like theatre – and once the curtain rises, the show goes on.

The 30 seats create a very personal dining experience, allowing the chefs to interact directly with the diners.