Pretoria has a new hotspot, and it’s anything but ordinary.
Step inside Amazon at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and you’ll quickly realise this isn’t just another restaurant. It’s the kind of place where brunch turns into cocktails, lunch stretches into sunset, and dinner becomes a night out.
From the moment you arrive, the experience begins. A striking herringbone floor crafted from Verde and white marble leads you into a lush, botanical-inspired space where towering greenery, glowing onyx bars and warm timber details create the feeling of an urban rainforest, without ever feeling over the top.
Created by the Monseca Hospitality Group, the team behind some of Gauteng’s most popular dining destinations, Amazon is their boldest venture yet. Seating around 400 guests, it’s been designed as an all-day social destination where every visit feels a little different.
Whether you’re meeting friends for a leisurely brunch, celebrating a birthday over cocktails, planning a bridal shower, enjoying date night or simply looking for somewhere with great food and even better atmosphere, Amazon fits the occasion.
Long brunches start here
Weekend brunch is already shaping up to be one of Amazon’s biggest draws.
Expect live music, flowing bubbles and generous plates made for sharing. The standout Amazon Breakfast Board arrives piled high with crispy bacon, chipolata sausages, grilled halloumi, smashed avocado, homemade baked beans and eggs cooked exactly how you like them.
If you’re after something lighter, there are smoked salmon toasts, breakfast burritos and tropical house-made granola, while warm Brazilian pão de queijo – deliciously chewy cheese rolls baked fresh every day – arrive at every table from lunchtime onwards.
It’s the sort of brunch that encourages you to linger just a little longer.
South America meets Japan
While the interiors may steal your attention first, the food quickly becomes the main event.
Drawing inspiration from Brazil and South America, with subtle Japanese influences woven throughout the menu, every dish feels familiar enough to be comforting, yet exciting enough to keep you coming back.
Chef Siya Mlaba leads the kitchen, bringing 15 years of international experience across London, New York and Mexico to the menu. His approach is rooted in precision and curiosity, shaping a menu that feels both globally informed and distinctly Amazon.
Start with crispy chilli-lime squid, flame-grilled lamb riblets or roasted bone marrow before diving into beautifully fresh ceviche, vibrant sushi and signature wagyu nigiri finished tableside.
Seafood lovers are spoiled with grilled queen prawns and delicate sea bass, while meat lovers should head straight for the hardwood-fired picanha, served with burnt sage butter and smoked salt. Premium steaks, smoky peri-peri chicken and flavour-packed sides round out a menu that’s generous without being overwhelming.
Then there’s dessert.
Warm churros with dulce de leche, grilled pineapple drizzled in rum caramel and a rich Brazilian pavê provide the perfect sweet ending.
Sip Into Something Tropical
Amazon’s cocktail menu is every bit as playful as the setting.
With names like Toucan, Iguana, Forest Town and Tropic Thunder, the drinks feature house-made syrups, tropical fruit, fresh herbs and just enough flair to make them as photogenic as they are delicious.
Whether you’re settling in for sunset drinks on the cabana deck or moving inside as the evening picks up, there’s a natural energy that keeps the space buzzing from morning until late.
Designed by award-winning interior designer Wesley Bremer of Soda Custom, Amazon feels luxurious without trying too hard.
Rich woods, brass finishes, glowing onyx bars and lush living greenery create an atmosphere that’s sophisticated yet welcoming. Large butterfly artworks nod to the group’s Greenhouse roots, while intimate corners, cosy booths and a beautifully appointed private dining room make the restaurant feel surprisingly personal despite its impressive size.
Outside, the cabana deck overlooking the fountains is already becoming one of Pretoria’s most sought-after spots for lazy afternoons and sunset cocktails, while a VIP lounge, Tribe, is set to open later this year.
Go for brunch, stay for cocktails. Meet for lunch and find yourself ordering dinner. It’s lively without being chaotic, stylish without feeling pretentious, and packed with enough atmosphere to make almost any occasion feel like a celebration.
Pretoria has been waiting for a venue like this, and judging by the crowds already filling its tables, Amazon has arrived at exactly the right moment.
Amazon Menlyn is located at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and is open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am until 2am. Bookings are recommended, although walk-ins are welcome.