Kloof Street, But Make It Sultry

What better way to conclude 2025 than at a proper cocktail and music bar. Batanga is a new addition to Kloof Street yet it already feels established. It’s stylish without being intimidating, and certainly not a trend chaser. Honestly, I feel like it’s in a league of its own. As I walked in, I immediately felt hotter than I did outside, and I am not talking about the temperature. The space is sleek, dark, and self assured. I swear it was trying to seduce me.

Two Personalities, One Playground

There are two seating areas, each with a personality of its own.

The Courtyard: Effortless, Airy, and Social

The courtyard style space is open air yet still cocooned, making it perfectly suited for a day to night transition. It’s ideal for earlier evenings or longer catch ups.

The Lounge: Low Lighting, High Energy

Then there’s the lounge and bar area, my personal favourite. There is plush, intimate seating that is also super comfortable (bonus!). This space is perfect for people watching and late night conversations where secrets naturally surface. Batanga knows it’s attractive, and soon, I discovered that it has the personality to match. And of course, nothing says “main character” without a banging playlist. 

Once we’d settled in and familiarized ourselves with the menu, we were greeted by our waitress. She was friendly, relaxed, and genuinely warm. It’s always so refreshing to feel like you're seen and not rushed in a nightlife setting. Being calm and collected during such a busy, chaotic time of day is an underrated skill. While waiting for our orders, we found ourselves bobbing our heads and tapping our feet to the music. Another highlight was the volume, set perfectly to add to the mood rather than stealing it.

“As I walked in, I immediately felt hotter than I did outside, and I am not talking about the temperature.”

Let’s Talk Cocktails

(Because That’s Why We’re Here)

Cucumber & Elderflower South Side: Fresh, Floral, Dangerous

Our first round of drinks arrived and I knew I made the right decision. The cucumber and elderflower south side looked clean and quietly pretty. This minimal, elegant, no nonsense cocktail was crisp, light, and instantly refreshing. It was smooth, balanced, and dangerously drinkable. There was even a moment I forgot it was an alcoholic beverage. It went down a lot quicker than expected. So yes, dangerous, but in the best way. Overall, a very good first impression. 

Small Plates That Know Exactly What They’re Doing

Either my first few sips went straight to my head or the restaurant operates like an orchestra because I swear our food landed just as the beat dropped. That might forever be a mystery, but what was very apparent was that these plates looked absolutely delicious.

Prego Chicken Skewer with Cream Cheese (Main Character Energy)

In true conductor fashion, I reached for my baton, aka prego chicken skewer, and dragged it through the cream cheese it was resting on. The chicken was well spiced, but not spicy. It was flavour forward, juicy, and well seasoned. The contrast of the cool, tangy sauce was exactly what the skewers needed. I definitely double dipped (no regrets). This dish is best described as easy to eat, hard to stop.

Mushroom Faux Gras: Vegan, But Make It Decadent

The second dish was proof that vegan doesn’t mean boring, not even a little. The mushroom faux gras was plated in a way that makes you curious. Served in a build your own bite situation, my favourite. I crafted the perfect bite with a little bit of everything, well, a lot a bit of everything stacked on top of the perfectly toasted sourdough, and went to town. Mmm… that hit the spot. The parfait was deeply umami and rich without being heavy. It was silky smooth, almost mousse-like. The bread was golden and crisp, giving a lovely crunchy texture and the pickled mushrooms added little pops of acidity keeping things interesting. This was fun to eat, I loved having to think about every bite.

Round Two: Let's Go!

The Morning Smash Moment

With the music humming, lights dimming, and stomachs lined, we were ready to get back into sync with the atmosphere around us. So, of course, that called for another round of beautifully curated cocktails. I chose the Morning Smash which actually fit the room perfectly. The soft amber liquid caught the table lamp glow almost too perfectly.

I thoroughly enjoyed the drink, more than I thought I would. I can never really decide if I like marmalade or not, but in this case, it added depth and just the right amount of bitterness that kept pulling me back. This cocktail was softly citrusy, subtly sweet, and lightly bitter. No harsh edges anywhere. Well behaved, but still fun.

Steak, Chimichurri & Thin Chips

(No Notes)

Do you know what’s even better than being white girl wasted? Being white girl wasted with a spread of food in front of you. In true half afrikaans but never learned the language because my dad left when I was born, I started with the steak. It was seared properly, not aggressively - like how I just seared my dad, lol! Tender in that “don’t talk while chewing” way. Just as I thought life couldn’t get much better, I dunked it in the glistening chimichurri. Stunning. Super garlicky and fresh. The herbs tasted freshly cut, not dragged from the back of the fridge. Then there were the thin chips that were perfectly seasoned and acted as little sponges, soaking up all the meat’s juices. This was comfort without sloppiness. 

Broccolini, Because Balance Is Cute

Don’t worry, I got some veggies in, maybe not the five a day but we can’t all be superhuman. For our final dish, we ordered the broccolini which looked styled rather than airbrushed, intentional, not overworked. It was the shade of green that actually looked alive. The veg had that perfect snap before snap moment, while the labneh beneath was doing what labneh does best, cooling, cushioning, and smoothing. This came in handy with calming the spiciness from the chilli crunch. Overall, this plate felt balanced without feeling calculated, and scooping became part of the fun.

Last But Certainly Not Least



The Fault Line: Coconut, Vanilla & Drama

Finally, it was time for our last cocktail of the evening, which I must say, acted as the perfect liquid dessert rather than just another round. The fault line had full on vacation energy without being cliche. It had soft tropical notes, fruity without the sugar rush, and then just the right amount of citrus keeping everything upright. The star of the show has to be the coconut and vanilla foam. It was silky, sweet, and utterly decadent. I could have eaten that out of a tub, if that was possible. This cocktail was balanced enough to order again, and indulgent enough not to. 

So… Is Batanga Worth the Hype?



All in all, Batanga delivered on every front. The food was thoughtful and satisfying, the cocktails were genuinely enjoyable, and the music added to the experience rather than competing with it. The atmosphere felt relaxed, but considered, making it easy to stay longer than expected (which I did). I’d definitely go again without hesitation. 

Thank you Batanga, Till next time!