Pretoria’s dining scene has welcomed an ambitious new addition with the opening of Amazon, a Latin-inspired restaurant and lifestyle destination at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre.
Developed by Monseca Hospitality Group, Amazon is far more than a restaurant. Designed as an immersive all-day experience, the venue combines exceptional food, handcrafted cocktails, sophisticated interiors and vibrant entertainment into one destination that evolves naturally from brunch through to late-night celebrations.
Founded by Ben Stanger and Luke Dakers, together with Heinz Rynners from the team behind Greenhouse Sandton and Pretoria-born co-owner Estiaan Joubert, the venue accommodates approximately 400 guests, making it the group’s largest and most ambitious hospitality project to date.
An unforgettable first impression
From the moment guests arrive, Amazon delivers an experience carefully crafted around atmosphere and detail.
The reception area welcomes visitors with an intricate herringbone floor made from water-cut verde and white marble beneath a striking botanical ceiling installation. Every tile has been individually crafted and hand-laid, creating an immediate sense of luxury and immersion.
That attention to detail continues throughout the venue.
Award-winning designer Wesley Bremer of Soda Custom, working closely with Heinz Rynners throughout the creative process, has created interiors featuring solid wood, brass, glowing onyx bars and verde marble that subtly reference the Amazon rainforest without becoming theatrical.
A living green wall behind the main bar actively oxygenates the space, while oversized butterfly artwork, inspired by Greenhouse, anchors the main dining area. Guests looking for a more intimate setting can reserve the beautifully appointed private dining room for up to 12 people.
“Our job was to keep the Greenhouse DNA and evolve it,” says Bremer. “These finishes bring richness to the space while maintaining a timeless elegance.”
A destination that changes throughout the day
Amazon has been designed to suit every occasion.
Morning begins with leisurely brunches and mimosas on the cabana deck overlooking the fountain. Afternoons transition into shared lunches accompanied by live music, while evenings introduce glowing cocktail bars, premium dining and an energetic social atmosphere.
According to co-owner Estiaan Joubert, the concept fills a gap Pretoria has long been missing.
“There’s nothing in Pretoria that meets in the middle,” he explains.
“A place with real energy where you could bring your mother for Mother’s Day brunch, host a birthday lunch, celebrate a bachelorette with the girls over cocktails, and come back the same night for dinner and a party. That’s Amazon.”
Weekends have already established themselves around relaxed brunch gatherings, bridal celebrations, birthdays, baby showers and long Sunday lunches that effortlessly extend into dinner.
A menu inspired by Latin America with Japanese influence
While Amazon delivers an unforgettable atmosphere, its culinary offering remains at the heart of the experience.
Chef Siya Mlaba, whose 15-year culinary career includes experience in London, New York and Mexico, has created a menu that blends Brazilian and South American flavours with subtle Japanese influences.
“We’ve paid close attention,” says Mlaba.
“Every dish is a taste of somewhere, made completely our own.”
Brunch offerings include the generous Amazon Breakfast Board, complete with crispy bacon, chipolata sausage, grilled halloumi, smashed avocado, homemade baked beans and eggs cooked to order.
Guests can also choose from Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, Breakfast Burritos, Smoked Salmon Toast and house-made tropical granola.
Freshly baked Brazilian pão de queijo—warm cheese rolls—are served to every table from lunch onwards.
Bold flavours throughout the menu
The lunch and dinner menu continues the restaurant’s adventurous culinary journey.
Starters include crispy chilli lime squid with avocado salsa and charred corn, roasted bone marrow with grilled bread, tamarind turmeric-glazed panko prawns, flame-finished lamb riblets and charred corn ribs with whipped peri-peri butter.
The raw bar showcases dishes such as sea bass ceviche cured in citrus leche de tigre and Tuna Laqueado with passion fruit, pineapple salsa and sesame.
Japanese-inspired sushi selections include salmon and tuna rainbow rolls, crispy rice deluxe, and luxurious wagyu tableside flambé nigiri topped with oscietra caviar and truffle mayonnaise.
For mains, diners can enjoy hardwood-fired picanha with burnt sage butter and smoked salt, smoky peri-peri chicken, grilled queen prawns, flame-grilled sea bass, premium steaks and a selection of carefully prepared accompaniments including creamy mash, coconut rice and crispy baby potatoes.
Dessert continues the South American influence with warm churros served alongside dulce de leche and dark chocolate sauce, grilled pineapple with rum caramel and a traditional Brazilian pavê layered with espresso-soaked biscuits and dulce de leche cream.
Cocktails inspired by the Amazon
The drinks menu has been crafted to complement the dining experience.
Signature cocktails such as Toucan, Iguana, Forrest Town and Tropic Thunder feature bespoke syrups created exclusively for Amazon, including flavours like green melon and spicy jalapeño.
Head of Operations Daniel Rismani says the goal was always to create cocktails that are as enjoyable to drink as they are visually striking.
The venue’s wine programme, curated by General Manager and WSET Level 3-certified sommelier Lawrence Mukosi, has also been designed to pair seamlessly with both daytime dining and evening celebrations.
Entertainment meets hospitality
Beyond the restaurant itself, Amazon has been designed as an evolving lifestyle destination.
The outdoor cabana deck has already become a favourite gathering place for live music, relaxed afternoons and social occasions, while each section of the venue offers its own distinct atmosphere.
A dedicated VIP lounge known as Tribe is currently under development and will further expand Amazon’s entertainment offering.
According to Ben Stanger, the project represents the group’s most challenging undertaking to date—but also its most rewarding.
From early previews through to opening day, he says the overwhelmingly positive response from guests confirmed that Amazon delivers exactly what Pretoria has been waiting for.
A new chapter for Pretoria dining
Amazon represents another significant milestone for Monseca Hospitality Group, whose growing portfolio includes The Greenhouse Restaurant x The Shortmarket Club, Ocaso, Monseca’s Mexican, the design-led Corona flagship in Rosebank, and now its newest destination in Pretoria.
Blending world-class design, bold flavours, premium hospitality and an atmosphere that transforms from sunrise to late-night celebrations, Amazon is setting a new benchmark for destination dining in the capital.
Bookings are recommended, although walk-ins are welcome.
Amazon Menlyn is located at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Pretoria, and is open Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 to 23:00, and Friday to Saturday from 10:00 until 02:00.
