Ganesh

What a beautiful dining experience! Ganesh is a special place - the interiors are so well curated, with artwork all over the walls, plants, bunting, and knick knacks everywhere. The staff members are kind, well-informed, and friendly, truly top tier service. And the food! Gosh, we were blown away. Coming on a Sunday means a slightly reduced menu, but food that packs a flavour punch. We had the corn fritters and potato samoosas. The fritters were served with a ginger chili lime relish that I wanted to take home with me. We couldn’t get enough. Drinks wise, I had a virgin mule which was refreshing and mega tasty. Can’t wait to come back to try more of the menu out.

GANESH -Observatory Many friends have been raving about this quaint little hole-in-the-wall and for good reason. Reminds you of the old 'CRANKS' that used to be next to Rosebank mall in JHB back in the day, with all their quirky decor and fun plates and eclectic mix of design elements. Many people return frequently and also a few of the top chefs love this little spot. Some interesting dishes and whilst predominantly 'Thai Inspired' there were some great variances to dishes and little things that reel you in. Some simple dishes that just are really packed full of flavour and whallop the senses. One or two slightly over -salty dishes on the night, but basically loved them all so didn't really bother me much. Some nice cocktails, varied wine and beer options as well as non -alcoholic drinks etc. Just a great vibe all round and pretty reasonable and great for sharing. Waitress was great and will be back soon!

Had the most magical experience at Ganesh - everything was perfect from the service, to the food and the overall vibe. Plus they have the best slushi margaritas with a twist! We ordered the pork skewers (DIVINE), chilli basil short rib (also amazing) and a fresh Thai inspired salad that paired perfectly. Thank you Ganesh - it was such a treat and special dining experience.

I really wanted to enjoy this restaurant, but unfortunately our experience was disappointing on several levels. Firstly, the decor felt culturally insensitive. As an Asian diner, I found the use of items like a laundry basket as a lampshade quite offensive—it seemed to reduce aspects of our culture to stereotypes or novelty, implying a sense of being “backward.” The mix of cultural elements was also confusing: Tibetan decorations, Chinese calendars, and Chinese writing on plates at a restaurant claiming to serve Thai cuisine. Asia is a diverse continent, and it’s important to honour each culture specifically and respectfully—especially in a themed setting. The service also left a lot to be desired. We were told the kitchen was fast, but our food took over 30 minutes to arrive. On two separate occasions, our waiter physically blocked or bumped into my boyfriend without acknowledging it or apologising. We were also sat at a shared table, and multiple servers confused our orders with those of other guests seated beside us. One of my drinks was completely forgotten, and another server tried to recommend a drink I had already ordered—just described differently. I ordered a spiced apple whiskey slushy but wasn’t offered a straw. And the “Thai iced tea” tasted nothing like what I’ve had in Thailand—it more closely resembled a drink I’ve only seen in parts of China. To top it off, we noticed someone smoking weed inside or just behind the kitchen area. The smell became so overwhelming that we had to leave early—it made us feel physically nauseous. Other than that, they don’t have a sculler so our waitress had to wash dishes and couldn’t attend to her tables Finally, when the bill came, it was tossed onto our table abruptly, as if we had done something wrong or owed them a favour. It felt rude and unprofessional—especially after the rest of the experience. After this, the server took their time completely with the payment and left us waiting for over 10 minutes. I hope the team takes this feedback seriously. There is potential here, but it requires more cultural mindfulness, improved service, and respect for the guests dining there.

The food was amazing. The service was great. The drinks are also really good 10 out of 10 experience. Everything tasted good. The dessert was also really yummy.

We really enjoyed the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at the Cafe. Our waiter was very nice and funny and gave us good advice. The restaurant was packed on a Tuesday evening so we expected great food. Nevertheless when we ordered Sai Ua Luk Chin (Egg Fried Rice with Beef) and Khao Soi (Soup with Egg Noodles and Chicken Leg), we were surprised that the food arrived after 2-3 minutes which shows it can’t have been prepared freshly. The egg fried rice had the egg separate to the rice and the beef didn’t really taste like beef. It could have been anything. The noodle soup had an interesting broth but it didn’t really seem authentically Asian. The chicken leg was not really tasting like it fits with the rest of the meal and there were dried egg noodles on top of it, which tasted a bit out of place. The fresh herbs and coriander lifted up the soup so that was nice. Nevertheless all in all the food didn’t live up to the expectations. It seemed like it lacked authenticity.

I saw some mixed reviews, but this place definitely delivered. I don't think the complaints are valid. Yeah the decor is quirky, but it's Obs, I really don't think it's any jab at Thai people. The service was fantastic, our waiter had definitely had a long day, but he worked super hard and did it all with a smile. The food was excellent. Was so good I forgot to take pics. Prawn fried rice? Amazing! Super affordable too.

Love it! Second visit and just as good as the first if not better. Corn fritters and the greens are simple yet divine. We tried the pumpkin panang curry, which was a special, and it was absolutely fantastic. Hopefully it makes it's way onto the menu permanently. You have to book but it's totally worth it!