A Meeting of Icons: The Pot Luck Club Pops Up at The Waldorf Hilton, London

A Meeting of Icons

This summer, The Waldorf Hilton, London is opening its doors to one of Cape Town’s most influential restaurants. From 13 August, The Pot Luck Club, long hailed as the “coolest place to eat in Cape Town”, will take over the hotel’s flagship dining room, Homage, for a three-month London residency.

A meeting of two icons: The Pot Luck Club, famed for its fearless flavour and inventive small plates, and The Waldorf, a landmark London hotel steeped in Edwardian grandeur. Built in 1908 by William Waldorf Astor, it was one of the first to offer not just rooms, but a full social experience, from afternoon teas to elegant dinners. More than a century on, it remains at the centre of London’s cultural life. This residency brings that original vision full circle: a dynamic dining experience in a grand setting.

The Chef Behind the Magic

The Pot Luck Club is the brainchild of British-born chef Luke Dale Roberts, one of the most celebrated names in South African cuisine. Perched at the top of Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill, the restaurant draws nightly crowds for its eclectic, flavour-led menu and skyline views. Luke Dale Roberts and his Cape Town operations team will personally oversee the London launch, with Sous Chef Rachel Maroun staying on to lead the team during the residency.

“We’ve talked about bringing The Pot Luck Club to London for years, and it was always the city that made sense,” says Luke Dale Roberts. “As a Brit, there’s something meaningful about returning in this way, partnering with one of London’s landmark hotels and sharing what we’ve built in Cape Town with a new audience. We’ve been fortunate to grow an international following at home, and this feels like the natural next step.”

A Globally Inspired Menu

The menu is built around globally inspired small plates: smoked beef fillet with truffle café au lait sauce; springbok tataki with mandarin gastrique; and Cape Malay-spiced vegetarian dishes, all underpinned by a celebration of British produce and seasonal ingredients.

Bold Cocktails at The Wild Monkey

The cocktail programme is just as bold, developed in collaboration with The Waldorf’s bar team and led by Head Bartender Abby Long as the residency gets underway. Served in The Wild Monkey bar, the drinks list features house-infused cordials, seasonal ingredients and flavours that echo the energy of the kitchen. For the first time, a dedicated bar snacks menu will also be introduced, curated by Luke Dale Roberts to complement the cocktails. The bar will run Monday to Wednesday from 4pm until late, and Thursday to Sunday from 12pm until late.

Reimagined Service and Setting

It’s not just the menu making the move. Service and setting have been carefully reworked too. The tone will echo the Cape Town original: relaxed but sharp, with a focus on precision. The dining room, meanwhile, will be reimagined to reflect The Pot Luck Club’s edge within The Waldorf’s unmistakable character.

“I’m thrilled to announce the exciting collaboration between The Pot Luck Club and The Waldorf, coming 13th August for 3 months” says Guy Hilton, Area General Manager. “This partnership is a perfect match — bringing together one of London’s landmark hotels and one of South Africa’s most celebrated restaurants. We eagerly look forward to welcoming Luke and his talented team to join forces with our Food & Drink heroes, as we present an innovative menu that promises to delight our guests.”

What to Expect

Dinner will be served daily from 5 pm, with the final sitting at 10 pm. Alongside the à la carte menu, guests can choose a time-friendly Lite prix fixe or settle in for the full Loaded tasting menu. Whether stopping in before a show or staying for the evening, this is one residency not to miss.