For Mathew Abraham, founder of Thava, the journey was never simply about launching a brand or adding another address to a growing portfolio of five restaurants. It was about recreating a feeling. A memory rooted thousands of kilometres away in Kerala, the lush southern Indian state known as God’s Own Country.
In Kerala, food is not hurried. It is layered, generous and communal. Tables stretch long. Aromas drift from spice-laden kitchens. Conversations unfold between bites. It is a place where cultures and faiths intersect — and where that diversity is tasted in every dish.
“Kerala is a meeting place of cultures and faiths, and you can taste that diversity in the food,” says Abraham. “My love for cooking comes from my mother, whose recipes still guide our menu today. Many of our dishes were shaped through long calls back to India, making sure every flavour stays true to where it comes from.”
An Engineer’s Leap of Faith
An engineer by trade, Abraham recognised something missing after settling in South Africa. Indian cuisine was readily available, but the deeply soulful, home-style flavours of Kerala were not. The layered curries. The slow-simmered stews. The recipes shaped by memory rather than modern reinvention.
He did not want to create a fine-dining experiment. He wanted to build something honest — unpretentious, welcoming and rooted in tradition.
That idea became Thava.
The first restaurant opened in Norwood, Johannesburg, quickly building a loyal following. Guests returned not only for the bold flavours crafted by Indian-born chefs, but for something less tangible — the atmosphere. It felt personal. It felt lived-in. It felt like visiting someone’s home.
As word spread and tables filled, a second restaurant opened in Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, embraced by both holidaymakers and locals seeking comforting flavours and generous hospitality.
Now, the story continues at Emperors Palace.
A New Chapter, The Same Heart
Set within one of Gauteng’s most vibrant entertainment destinations, Thava’s newest location introduces its signature warmth to a broader audience while remaining firmly anchored in its roots.
The menu celebrates the breadth of Indian cuisine — fragrant curries, slow-cooked stews, bold tandoori dishes and richly layered masalas — all prepared with fresh ingredients and carefully balanced spices.
A defining feature is Thava’s distinctive Indian tapas concept. Designed for sharing and exploration, it invites diners to sample multiple flavours in tasting portions, turning each meal into a communal experience rather than a solitary plate.
Traditional Indian sweets and speciality coffees round off the offering, ensuring that every visit feels both generous and memorable.
Inside, artefacts adorn rich red walls, creating a setting that is more expansive than its predecessors. Yet the heart remains unchanged. Every detail — from menu to mood — reflects Abraham’s original vision: food that feels personal, spaces that feel inviting and moments that linger long after the final bite.
Heritage Served with Heart
For Abraham, the opening at Emperors Palace is not expansion for its own sake. It is an opportunity — to share heritage more widely, to honour where the journey began and to continue evolving without losing authenticity.
At its core, Thava is a reminder that the most memorable meals are rarely the most complicated. They are the ones filled with warmth, generosity and belonging.
With its newest home inside Emperors Palace in Jet Park, Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni — close to the D’Oreale Grande Hotel passage — Thava invites diners into a story that began in Kerala but feels immediately familiar.
A story told through spices. Through shared plates. Through food made with heart.
Location & Details
Thava Indian Restaurant
Inside Emperors Palace, Jet Park, Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni
(Close to the D’Oreale Grande Hotel passage)
Open daily: 12pm – 10:00pm
Get Social:
Facebook: @ThavaEmperors
Instagram: @thava_indianrestaurant
TikTok: @thavaindianrestaurant
For more information, visit the Thava website.
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