Terrarium Honoured with Dual Awards at the 2026 JHP Gourmet Guide™
Posted on: 31 October 2025 Written by: Newmark Hotels & Reserves
Terrarium Restaurant has been recognised among South Africa’s top culinary destinations at the 2026 JHP Gourmet Guide™ Awards less than a year after opening its doors, earning both a coveted One Plate for excellent cuisine and the WWF-SASSI Green Philosophy Award for responsible, sustainable practice.
Winning a Plate is a remarkable achievement, particularly for a restaurant in its first year. Now in its tenth year, the JHP Gourmet Guide™, spearheaded by food writer and industry leader Jenny Handley, has become South Africa’s definitive fine-dining benchmark — a guide renowned for its integrity, credibility, and alignment with global standards. Restaurants are rated through meticulous, anonymous assessments across food, beverage, service, setting, and the intangibles that create a truly memorable dining experience. The accolade recognises Terrarium’s distinctive culinary identity, creative integrity, and commitment to excellence from the outset.
“To be awarded a Plate in our first year is incredibly humbling,” says Head Chef Anlou Erasmus, who leads the kitchen alongside Chef Patron Chris Erasmus. “It reaffirms our belief that sustainability and creativity can truly coexist at the highest level. To see the ethos we live and work by acknowledged on a national stage means the world to our team.”
In partnership with WWF-SASSI, the Gourmet Guide also honours restaurants demonstrating outstanding dedication to sustainability through the Green Philosophy Plates. This year, Terrarium was named the Restaurant Category Winner for its exceptional efforts in ethical sourcing, traceability, waste reduction, and a kitchen philosophy rooted in regeneration.
“For us, sustainability begins with our greatest asset — our people. It’s about how we employ our staff, where they come from, and the institutions we support. The same goes for our suppliers, because without them, none of what we do would be possible. We take pride in supporting the smaller guys; family-owned businesses,” says Chris Erasmus. “By focusing on these two key things first, the golden thread comes together and allows us to tell the Terrarium story in its truest form.”
Opened on 1 November 2024 within Newmark Hotels & Reserves’ Queen Victoria Hotel — located in the quiet, historic Portswood Ridge precinct of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront — Terrarium’s intimate 30-seater dining room and 12-seater Victoria Room offer a refined yet grounded space for contemporary fine dining. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Terrarium was conceptualised as a self-sustaining culinary ecosystem that blurs the lines between nature, craft, and cuisine — expressed through its two tasting menus, Fauna and Flora, and a creative à la carte selection inspired by South African nostalgia and heritage flavours. Each dish celebrates seasonality and connection — from oyster and bone marrow to tomato tartare with whey vinaigrette and fire-roasted venison served alongside foraged greens.
Complementing the cuisine, Newmark Group Sommelier Marlvin Gwese curates a wine list that recently earned Silver for Best International Newcomer Wine List 2025 from Star Wine List, the only South African establishment to achieve the accolade. The list mirrors Terrarium’s ethos, championing small, sustainably minded winemakers and natural producers.
“This dual recognition — for both culinary excellence and sustainable stewardship — is a big moment for Terrarium,” says Neil Markovitz, CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves. “Chris and Anlou have created something exceptional: a restaurant that leads with heart, creativity, and integrity.”
As Terrarium approaches its first anniversary, this recognition stands as both a milestone and a promise — proof that mindful, responsible dining has a powerful place at the forefront of South Africa’s culinary evolution.
To make a reservation at Terrarium, book via Dineplan, call +27 21 427 5940 or email terrarium@queenvictoriahotel.co.za.
