A refreshed interior, reimagined kitchen flow, and cutting-edge sensory enhancements mark a bold new chapter for the Cape Town fine dining institution.
As FYN approaches its seventh anniversary this November, Chef Peter Tempelhoff and his team have marked the milestone with a full-scale renovation, ushering in a refined new chapter for the award-winning restaurant that has redefined the standard of South African fine dining.
“In restaurants, there’s an unspoken rule about the seven-year cycle,” says Tempelhoff. “Spaces start to show their age, no matter how timeless the design. At FYN, we’ve had guests dine with us over 60 times. We wanted to give them something new – something worthy of that loyalty. It’s time for something different.”
The renovation, led by critically acclaimed interior architect Tristan du Plessis, includes an entirely new interior layout, a reconfigured kitchen flow, new furniture, textural elements, and an immersive sensory layer that subtly evolves with the guest’s dining journey.
“The refurbishment was conceived as a subtle evolution rather than a renovation, focused on enhancing the guest experience without changing the essence of the space. Our aim was to preserve the original identity of the restaurant while refining certain elements to reflect its growth into a restaurant of substantial stature. As FYN has matured, we have set out to elevate the quality of our detailing to match its standing,” explains du Plessis.
At the heart of the renovation lies a reconfigured kitchen and service pass, designed for both functionality and flow. While FYN’s iconic blurring of lines between kitchen and guest experience remains, the new layout has been designed to streamline operations and further enhance service.
Guests now step into FYN through a striking new arrival hall – designed by Guideline’s Christoff Karl – where black panelling, textured with a Japanese etching technique, is inlaid with antique dappled brass. A ribbon of soft LED light runs along the panels, casting a warm golden glow that draws you forward, heightening the anticipation as you enter the dining room. It’s a warmth and intimacy that extends throughout the redesigned space.
Inside, FYN’s signature ceiling feature remains intact, while dark wooden flooring and a new colour palette – deep olive, rich chestnut and brass – adorn the room. From the opulent leather of the new chairs and the finishes of the tables to the golden glow of the brass-coated pendant lights that hang between the iconic installation, every aspect has been thoughtfully and meticulously considered.
As with the entrance, Karl and Guideline were at the helm of designing new chairs and tables specifically for the restaurant. The tables feature a timber frame with an antique brass inlay – further tying in with the new design details present throughout the restaurant. The chair is an evolution of the original FYN chair, with this version created to be softer, even more comfortable, and somewhat grander than its predecessor.
The design features a sleek dark timber frame, tempered by softened, curved angles, and a backrest of vertical rods, paired with opulent leather cushioning. These cushions are attached to the chair with a delicate leather strap and finished with a brushed brass fastening bearing the FYN logo – at every point, there’s a detail to be discovered.
For example, high above the dining room, a single oversized blue LEGO block perches discreetly on the ceiling – a fixture on an I-beam turned pop art, if you will. It is a playful wink from Tempelhoff to those who look up, and a reminder to him and the team of the creativity and many different pieces necessary to make a restaurant what it is. “Just like when playing with LEGO,” he laughs.
The mural that previously adorned the stairwell has been replaced with a commissioned oil work by artist Jaco van Schalkwyk, a classically trained painter who left behind a career in his family’s butchery to pursue his passion for art. His large-scale kelp forest painting reflects the Cape’s coastal beauty, tying into the focus of the seasonal menu and the restaurant’s ongoing dedication to showcasing South Africa’s ecosystems.
As has been the case since the very beginning, the menu at FYN continues to evolve alongside the refreshed space.
“We’re diving deeper into South Africa’s landscapes – from the Cape’s wild coastline to the mountainside slopes of fynbos – exploring indigenous ingredients with the precision and reverence of Japanese technique,” explains Culinary Director Ashley Moss. “As we readied ourselves to reopen, we really explored these unique biomes, and it has shaped a big part of the new menu.”
New cutlery, glassware and crockery further enhance FYN’s narrative and allow for more tableside interaction, while an expanded cocktail programme, developed by Sommelier and Service Director Jennifer Hugé, includes an “Elemental” offering, which also delves into the Cape’s natural abundance, from ocean to earth.
“There’s so much beautiful produce we have to work with, which is unique to the Cape,” says Hugé, “and there are so many exciting and interesting ways it can be used in cocktails and paired with different spirits to create a real sense of place.”
The renovation goes beyond aesthetics and includes the introduction of a subtle, integrated sensory experience. Working with renowned DJ Dino Moran and lighting designer Thom Dryer, FYN now features a subtle yet impressive audio-light experience that evolves alongside the menu’s progression, adding another dimension to the experience.
“For us, this is not a reinvention – it’s an evolution,” says Tempelhoff. “We’re honouring what FYN has become while sharpening every detail of the experience. The bones are the same, but everything else is fresher, sleeker, smarter and more alive. We’re ready for the next seven years.”
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