The Rendezvous Brunch Affair at Park Hyatt Johannesburg is less about excess and more about intention, with each dish thoughtfully composed, beautifully presented and rooted in South African storytelling. Served in both family-style and small plate option, introduced personally by the chefs, the experience feels intimate, unhurried, and quietly indulgent.
The experience begins the moment you arrive at the recently opened Park Hyatt Johannesburg. I was warmly greeted and seamlessly welcomed, as an usher opened my car door and offered me complimentary valet service. At the entrance, a few steps away, a hostess provides a gracious reception and escorts me to their reserved seating in a stunning open-air patio, thoughtfully designed to set the tone for an exceptional visit.
I kicked things off with a refreshing Honey Lime and Saffron tea while waiting for my perpetually late bestie to make her grand entrance. Once she arrived, our wonderfully enthusiastic server insisted (very seriously) that we try everything on the menu. Cue giggles… followed by commitment. We promptly ordered six starters to share, purely in the name of research (and excellent taste), giving us a chance to sample a delicious cross-section of the offerings.
We kicked off the celebration with the Mzansi Shakshuka – a local spin on the ever-popular breakfast classic—alongside the always-reliable smashed avo. If these opening dishes were any indication of what was to follow, we were already completely sold. This set the tone for the brunch: indulgent, yet thoughtfully restrained.
Next up was the Mussel Laksa, Beef Short Rub, Smoked Kudu Carpaccio and the Smoked Snoek Pate. The short ribs are a clear highlight of my whole entire week – slow-cooked until meltingly tender, rich and deeply flavoured with a slash of butternut and onion, delivering pure comfort with a polished edge. But then the lighter dishes shone almost as brightly as my fav. The carpaccio was delicately sliced and perfectly balanced, allowing the quality of the meat to speak for itself paired with the rocket garlic chips and beetroot chutney. Flawless. The mussel laksa adds depth and warmth to the experience, with fragrant coconut broth, tomato atchar and the tender mussels that feel comforting yet refined – everything ideal for a slow Sunday afternoon.
The seafood continued to impress with the smoked snoek pâté, silky and gently smoky, offering a nostalgic local flavour presented in a beautifully contemporary way. Accompanied with picked curry onions and a healthy guilt free sized vetkoek.
To finish on a sweet note, we dove headfirst into the Stroopwafel, gloriously drenched in caramel and pistachio, and a tiramisu that had no business being that damn good. Fast-forward a week, and I’m still daydreaming about a rematch with these two winners.
And for girlies who quit alcohol in 2025, the curated selection of teas was very welcomed. Each thoughtfully chosen option to enhance rather than overpower the food. It’s a subtle but meaningful touch that reinforces the brunch’s calm, considered rhythm. The non-alcoholic options from the Mindful Mixology range, to die for. We tried a few of them in our 4 hour long dining extravaganza.
The only real disappointment? Our bellies tapped out before we did. We’ll absolutely be back, on a mission for the swordfish, the southern fried wings, and without question the lamb bunny chow.
What truly sets the Rendezvous Brunch apart is the storytelling. The entire experience – almost theatrical element that draws you deeper in. Combined with live background music and Park Hyatt’s understated luxury, it’s a brunch that feels curated, calm, and deeply considered. This is Sunday dining reimagined: refined, relaxed, and rich with local flavour—an experience best savoured slowly, one course at a time.
Priced at R1,595 per person, the Rendezvous Brunch Affair at Room 32 delivers indulgence in its purest form. For an additional R595, guests can enjoy unlimited soft drinks, elevating the experience even further. With the kitchen serving from 12 to 4 pm, the entire menu is yours to explore at leisure. It’s the kind of brunch you plan for, save up for, and savour – because this is a splurge that truly pays off.
A Sunday afternoon well spent.
