Winter Dining at The Willaston Bar: A First Taste of The Silo Hotel’s New Thali Menu

The Silo Hotel’s Willaston Bar has long been a favourite for its dramatic double-volume ceilings, statement chandeliers, and those iconic, pillowed glass windows that frame Cape Town’s harbour and city skyline. Even after sunset, the view remains spectacular, a glittering backdrop that feels both intimate and grand.

For the launch of their new winter thali menu, we settled into a plush, curved booth and took in the warm lighting and art-filled walls. The team’s attentive service made the experience feel effortless. When I mentioned I wasn’t drinking, the bar staff happily offered non-alcoholic alternatives to some of their signature cocktails, a thoughtful touch that didn’t go unnoticed.

A thali is a traditional Indian dining style in which a variety of small dishes are served together on a single platter, creating a complete and flavour-balanced meal. At The Willaston Bar, this takes the form of four small plates for R350, encouraging diners to mix, match, and share. We chose a selection of tapas-style dishes, including the buttermilk chicken pakoras and prawn croquettes, before sharing the lamb shank, a generous and hearty main. By the time dessert menus arrived, we were comfortably full, but I couldn’t resist the baked yoghurt, a creamy, subtly sweet finale.

The dishes are layered and comforting, borrowing from Cape Malay influences while weaving in elements of Northern Indian curries and Southeast Asian style.

The Willaston Bar’s thali menu is available from 15h00 daily and is open to both hotel guests and the public. It’s a sophisticated take on a classic dining style, more of an interpretation than a lesson in authenticity, but one that suits the space perfectly. Whether you’re chasing the golden light of late afternoon or soaking in the city’s night skyline, this is a stylish way to warm up this winter.

Booking: Reserve your table via Dineplan.