By Gugulethu Tshabalala
On Wednesday, 18 February, I went to the launch of Thava at Emperors Palace… and I’m not over it. You know when you go somewhere and it’s not just about what you ate, but how it made you feel? That was this.
From the moment I walked in, it didn’t feel like a formal launch. It felt warm. The red walls, the soft lighting, the little details in the décor, it all felt lived-in. Almost nostalgic. Like those long family lunches where food keeps coming and nobody is watching the clock.
The heart of the restaurant comes from Kerala in South India, a place known for big flavour, coconut, spice and proper communal dining. And honestly, you can feel that influence. It doesn’t feel watered down or commercial. It feels rooted.
Now let’s talk about the food, because wow. They served four starters and eight mains before we even got to dessert. Nobody warned us. We should have fasted for three days.
Out of the starters, two really stayed with me. The Palak Chaat. Crispy fried spinach layered with yoghurt and chutneys. It was crunchy, tangy, slightly sweet and so fresh. It woke up my palate immediately.
Then the Chicken 65. Crispy, spicy, with a little sweetness that balances everything out. The outside had that addictive crunch, and inside it was still juicy. It’s the kind of dish you say you’ll just taste… and then suddenly you’ve had five pieces.
But my favourite of the night?
The Butter Chicken.Creamy, rich, comforting but not heavy. The sauce was smooth and beautifully balanced, and the chicken was tender and full of flavour. It is the kind of dish that makes the table go quiet for a few minutes because everyone is fully focused on their plate. I am still craving it.
And just when I thought I could not eat another bite, dessert arrived.The Thava Fried Ice Cream. Warm and crispy on the outside, cold and creamy inside. The contrast is unforgettable. I am genuinely still thinking about it.
Now, if you are planning to go, here is what you should budget realistically.
Thava sits in that quality, sit-down dining bracket. Starters are generally around R100 to R150. Mains like the Butter Chicken fall between roughly R180 and R260 depending on what you order. Desserts sit around R80 to R120
If you are doing it properly, meaning a starter to share, a main each and dessert, you should comfortably budget around R400 to R600 per person. Add drinks or wine and you are looking higher. It is not fast food pricing, and it is not meant to be. The portions are generous and the flavours are layered.
What I loved most though was the energy. It felt joyful and generous. Even inside the grandeur of Emperors Palace, the restaurant itself feels grounded and welcoming. It feels like somewhere you return to, not just somewhere you try once.
So go hungry. Take friends. Share properly. And please, do not skip the butter chicken or the fried ice cream.
Inside Emperors Palace, Jet Park, Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni Closer to the D’Oreale Grande Hotel passage
Open daily 12:00pm to 10:00pm
