Les Amis Opens On Bree Street

Cape Town’s dynamic Bree Street dining precinct has welcomed a sophisticated new culinary arrival. Restaurateur Matt Manning has officially opened the doors to Les Amis, a contemporary bistro-style destination where acclaimed head chef Aaron Subroyal unites classical French technique with nostalgic South African culinary references through an approachable, sharing-led menu.

Opening on Thursday, 5 November 2026, at 103 Bree Street, the launch signals an evolutionary transition for the historic city address. The venue formerly housed Manning’s flagship bistro, Grub & Vine, which anchored the space for eight years. With Les Amis, Manning steps back from active kitchen operations, positioning Subroyal with full creative autonomy to sculpt the restaurant’s culinary identity from scratch.

“Les Amis is an exciting new chapter, and one I’m incredibly proud to be embarking on with Aaron. He’s an exceptionally talented chef, and I wanted to give him the opportunity to build something that truly reflects his own influences and ambitions.” — Matt Manning, Restaurateur

Global credentials, localized heritage: The story of Aaron Subroyal

Born and raised in Durban, Subroyal grew up immersed in professional kitchens within a family of chefs before formally refining his technical foundations at the renowned 1000 Hills Chef School in KwaZulu-Natal.

His international and domestic culinary pedigree spans some of the world’s most exacting kitchens:

• The Test Kitchen (Cape Town): Honing modernist tasting concepts under award-winning standards.
• Michael Mina (San Francisco): Mastering Michelin-calibre American and French fine dining execution.
• The Atlantic Hotel (Jersey): Working with classical European techniques and hyper-seasonal Channel Island coastal fare.
• London dining institutions: Absorbing multi-cultural bistro trends across the UK capital.

At Les Amis, Subroyal fuses that rigorous French culinary discipline with the warm, vibrant flavours of his South African heritage. His philosophy emphasizes pristine ingredient sourcing, restraint on the plate, and rich, meticulously reduced pan sauces.

A standout showpiece on the opening menu is his contemporary reimagining of Pap en Vleis: tender springbok loin paired with a seasoned venison meatball, velvety Parmesan-infused pap, an intense tomato emulsion, and a sautéed kale and charred sweetcorn succotash. The creation transforms a beloved South African staple into an elegant, refined plate.

Social dining, curated cellars, and the 103 Bree Street precinct

True to its French moniker meaning “The Friends”, Les Amis rejects stiff fine-dining conventions in favor of relaxed, convivial hospitality.

The dining framework caters to multiple occasions:

• Sharing-Plate Exploration: Guests can order small, modular sharing plates paired with post-work drinks at the counter or enjoy long-table banquets with friends.
• The Chef’s Choice: An immersive five-course tasting menu curated daily by Subroyal for diners seeking a cohesive journey through the kitchen’s signature creations.
• Terroir-Driven Wine Pairing: A cellar list curated to spotlight artisanal South African independent winemakers alongside top-tier French and European appellations.

The romantic, atmospheric interior balances soft lighting and rich textures to cultivate an intimate setting. To enhance the hospitality hub at 103 Bree Street, dishes from the Les Amis kitchen will cross over into Manning’s adjoining sister spaces—Culture Wine Bar and The Blue Room jazz lounge—while select flagship plates will remain strictly exclusive to the main dining room.