TRE Steampunk Club Restaurant and Bar

Tuck into boozy burgers, handcrafted salads and scrumptious signature dishes at this new gourmet eatery in Cape Town

Situated on the corner of Cape Town’s trendiest culinary strip, TRE (meaning ‘three’ in Italian) Steampunk Club Restaurant and Bar officially opened its doors to the public on Friday, 16 September 2016. The new gourmet eatery is owned by restaurateur Justin Whittaker (who was previously the food and beverage director at Boschendal Wine Estate) and will serve hungry Mother City folk a wide selection of house-made – everything in the TRE kitchen is made from scratch (think pestos, mayonnaise, baked goods and pastas) – goods such as fresh salads, hearty burgers and famous TRE signatures.

“It’s all about the standard [of food],” Justin elaborates speaking at the launch of his new inner city haunt. “I want to offer food that is delicious and fresh. We only use the freshest ingredients sourced from the Cape Winelands.”

The inspiration behind the new hotspot lies deep in the English ‘steampunk’ movement and literature where pioneers such as Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison come to mind. This is evident in the wall-to-floor artworks, large bar area decorated with steel cogs as well as the live jazz band and daring fire performers that graced guests with their sizzling presence at the restaurant’s grand opening.

Believing that it’s important to cater for a wide range of people who may, or may not, be following various eating plans such as (but not limited to) banting, paleo, veganism and vegetarian, TRE seeks to offer something for everyone: “I don’t want someone to walk in here and say they can’t eat at TRE because they’re on a diet,” Justin continues. “I want people to come in here and be able to eat because TRE caters for them and all their dietary requirements.”

Patrons are welcome to customise their dishes by choosing which oils – extra virgin, olive, coconut, palm, sesame, sunflower, truffle or avocado oil – to prepare their meals in as well as are encouraged to speak to their waiters about any specific dietary requirements and/or allergies they might have. What’s more, TRE does not salt its food – due to allergies and sensitivities – as well as avoids adding sugar to its dishes.

On the foodie side – think gourmet European with a modern twist – guests can look forward to a wide selection of fresh and wholesome salads (there is also the option to ‘craft your own salad’), an array of boozy burgers – think beef patties marinated with Jack Daniels and chicken fillets grilled with tequila – as well as a couple of TRE signature dishes including stuffed aubergine, lamb shank and prawn platters. Desserts (served all day and all night) include beignets, deep fried ice cream, pineapple carpaccio and Choc-Cacoa Muggin, to name but a few of the sweet and savoury options available. 

To complement the fare, TRE boasts an extensive wine, craft beer (on tap and in the bottle), cocktail and gin offering. What’s more, TRE also crafts their own gin infusions. Non-alcoholic beverages are available too.

In the near future, night owls can look forward to the restaurant and bar’s 24/6 (open 24-hours except on a Sunday) hatch titled TRE Pajamas serving wholesome takeaways. Diners looking to grab something fast and easy, but also healthy and tasty, are able to use the foodie-flap at any time of the day – except on a Sunday – for a quick on-the-go kind-of meal.

Viewing ‘steampunk’ as an age of innovation, Justin strives to use this vision of invention in his inner city restaurant and bar to create something otherworldly and legendary in the ever-growing Mother City culinary scene.

“For me it is about bringing in the community and locking in the passion for food and beverage,” he concludes. “Let’s bring hospitality to the next level.”

We Love: TRE Restaurant and Bar only uses the freshest ingredients sourced from the Cape Winelands not only to minimise its carbon footprint, but to also produce the best tasting dishes possible.

Tip: The inner city eatery caters for paleo, banting, holford, vegan and vegetarian guests as well as for any other allergies patrons might have.

NOTE: TRE provides various options (ie. which oil – olive, avocado, coconut etc. – the food will be prepared with) of how diners can have their meals prepared; feel free to speak to the eatery’s waiters with regard to any dietary requirements and preferences.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 11am till late

The Bill: Salads: R65 – R87 | Burgers: R79 – R115 | Signature Dishes: R79 – R157 | Dessert: R40 – R55 | Cocktails: R45 – R80 | Wine (bottle): R125 – R1900 | (glass): R36 – R49 | Cool Drinks: R15 – R35 | Warm Drink: R18 – R35

Images: TRE Steampunk Club Restaurant and Bar

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The Mother City is fast developing so to keep you clued up; we’ve rounded up some of the hottest latest additions to Cape Town in our New Restaurants and Hot Spots overview. Discover it.

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