As chefs around the world revisit the ancient techniques of curing, fermenting and even baking with salt, one Joburg restaurant is leading the charge locally. Opening this week at 10 2nd Avenue Boutique Hotel (a Dream Hotels & Resorts offering), Salt Road reintroduces itself to Johannesburg’s food lovers with a refined culinary approach rooted in the ancient, yet increasingly relevant, art of cooking with salt.
Led by celebrated chefs and restaurateurs and consultant Craig Cormack and Beau Du Toit, the restaurant draws on over 40 years of culinary expertise and nearly two decades of deep research into global history and techniques of salt-based cooking, from old-world preservation to contemporary finesse. Cormack’s private collection of over 180 salts, sourced from regions as diverse as Peru and Denmark, forms the backbone of a menu designed not around fleeting trends, but technique.
The restaurants facelift complements the broader upgrades recently introduced at 10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate under the new management of Dreams Hotels and Resorts. The modern contemporary furnishings, offers a sophisticated atmosphere that feels worlds away from its urban surroundings and transport you to an authentic winelands experience in the heart of Johannesburg where diners can expect dishes that highlight fermentation, pickling and salt in all its transformative forms.
Conveniently located in the heart of Houghton, the hotel caters to solo travellers, couples, and families, making it an ideal destination for both business and leisure. With spacious suites, premium facilities, and versatile conferencing facilities, the property is perfectly suited for everything from private dinners and milestone celebrations to high-level meetings and corporate events.
Salt Road’s atmosphere complements its culinary intent of elegance in intimate surroundings designed for slow, sensory dining. A curated whiskey and wine lounge also offers curated pairing experiences that highlight how salt can enhance and elevate tasting profiles.
Menus are seasonal and designed to reduce waste, with composting as standard practice and many herbs grown on site. “Quality isn’t negotiable,” adds Cormack. “It starts with the produce, but it ends with how we treat people, our team, our suppliers, and our guests.”
Salt Road officially opened on Saturday, 26 July, with an immersive opening night experience that begins with bubbles at sunset as well as a sound and salt tasting and ends in a candlelit food and wine journey through the new menu. Tastemakers such as Tshepi Vundla and Renate Stuurman were in attendance.
Located just minutes from Johannesburg’s business hubs, Salt Road Houghton is well positioned for both weekday diners and destination seekers. The tranquil garden setting, along with seasonal pop-ups and exclusive chef’s table events in the works, position the restaurant as a new culinary landmark in Houghton.
Bookings are now open. For those seeking more than a night out and craving an experience that’s deeply rooted in classic culinary style with just the right balance of modern eclecticism, Salt Road Houghton offers a dining journey that begins with salt and ends in an unforgettable experience.
