Hey my fellow South African youth, gather around, and let me share a special experience that, I’ll be honest, is quite a splurge for most of us. But trust me, it’s still a story worth hearing. 

So I was incredibly lucky to get a taste of FYN – one of the top restuarants in Mzansi and even ranked 37th in the world in 2022. It’s the kind of place you’d see on fancy TV shows, and yeah, it’s expensive – no sugarcoating that! 

My boyfriend saved up for ages just to have this one-time expreince. We knew it would be a rare treat, and we wanted to make it memorable. And oh boy, it was! 

As we walked in, the staff treated us like royalty, offering to take our jackets and making us feel welcome. It’s that kind of place, you know? The one where you feel extra special right from the start!   We went for the Full experience menu, and it was a 9-course meal – something I’ve never experienced before. Now, I won’t lie, the portions were small, but it added up and by the end of the night I was completely satisfied.

What amazed me was the variety of cutlery they brought out for each course. It was like a whole new world of dining for me! And the food? Oh my goodness! We tried all sorts of unique dishes, from different types of fish to a milk bun with mushroom and custard sauce. It was un like anything I’ve ever tasted. 

But here’s the thing, this was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing for us. We knew that going in. The price was a stretch and my boyfriend had saved for months for this. I want to be real with you, my friends, not everyone can afford this, and that’s okay. 

I don’t want anyone to feel left out or discouraged. There are so many other ways to enjoy food and amazing experiences without breaking the bank. Let’s embrace our local food joints, explore street food and cherish family recipes. Food is about sharing moments after all. So, while FYN was an unfortgettable experience, let’s remember there’s beauty in simplicty too. Our South African culture has a rich tapestry of flavours and traditions waiting for us to discover. 

Maybe one day things will change and more opportunities like this will open up for more of us to experience and explore places like FYN. Keep exploring and savouring life’s moments – whether it’s a simple boerewors roll from the aunty on the corner, a Kota sold at the taxi rank, the Spur outing to celebrate payday or a dining experience like FYN. Cheers to good food, great company and the shared experience of being young in Mzansi. 

***

Tell us: What is one culinary experience that you would like to experience one day?

Read more here about another restaurant experience.