Cape Town has welcomed two new restaurant brands, Dhaba and Gimba, both of which will be available on the Uber Eats app and which will operate as “dark” or “virtual” kitchens. This means that customers in Cape Town will have even more to choose from when considering their as food delivery options.
Originating in Johannesburg, where they have been well supported, these brands have brought their diverse flavours inspired by the Bo-Kaap community and African heritage to Cape Town.
Operating from the same kitchen, Dhaba and Gimba aim to deliver the warmth of home-cooked meals to their customers.
Dark kitchens, or virtual kitchens, have emerged as an innovative business model in the food industry, offering a unique solution to the challenges of traditional restaurant operations. These kitchens operate without a physical dining space, focusing solely on food delivery. This significantly reduces overhead costs associated with front-of-house operations such as dining room space, decor, and waitstaff. The streamlined operation processes lead to quicker preparation times and the ability to focus on quality control, making them a viable and effective model in the fast-paced, convenience-driven food market.
The rise of dark kitchens has been further propelled by changes in consumer behaviour, especially the increasing demand for food delivery services. This model’s efficacy is evident in its flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses to adapt quickly to changing market trends and consumer preferences.
Additionally, by leveraging data analytics from delivery platforms, dark kitchens can optimise their menus and operations to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.
This data-driven approach helps in tailoring offerings to meet local tastes and preferences, further enhancing the appeal and efficacy of dark kitchens in meeting the evolving demands of the food delivery market.
The Dhaba and Gimba options are based at the Hyatt Regency in Cape Town, allowing for wide delivery reach. Customers can enjoy these meals from various locations, enhancing the convenience of ordering through Uber Eats.
Hamza Farooqui, CEO of the Millat Group which spearheads Dhaba and Gimba, says: “We’re thrilled to extend the flavours of Dhaba and Gimba to Cape Town and enables us to offer South Africans a taste of home, using existing resources to deliver a unique local culinary experience.”
Dhaba draws inspiration from South Asia’s traditional roadside eateries, offering a menu that blends classic street food with modern Asian fusion. Its dishes, including kebab sandwiches, butter chicken burgers, and masala loaded fries, reflect a creative interpretation tailored for contemporary tastes.
Gimba, on the other hand, celebrates African cuisine with its menu featuring traditional dishes such as pap and nyama, magwinya (vetkoek), chicken and le dombolo (dumplings), and kotas, delivering an authentic eKasi dining experience.
Both brands are Halaal certified.
The collaboration with Uber Eats and plans for expansion indicate a commitment to innovating and growing the local food scene in Cape Town.
Mxolisi Bhebhe, Territory Lead at Uber Eats, supports this vision, stating, “Uber Eats is proud to collaborate with the Millat Group and Hyatt Hotels to broaden the range of local cuisine available through this dark kitchen model. With the Millat Group, we look forward to the exciting introduction of new food options to consumers in Cape Town, offering new culinary adventures with each order.”
As Dhaba and Gimba make their mark in Cape Town, they invite residents to explore their menus and enjoy the flavours of home through the convenience of delivery.
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