Grilled pineapple from Moyo at Spier.

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Johannesburg, South Africa:

At nights it's pure magic; enlivened with lights strung in tree houses and extraordinary wrought-iron lanterns. I can't tell you much about what it looks like during the day, but it has been described as a rapture.

South Africa's Moyo at Spier is an outdoor dining experience that captures the essence of African culture in an impressive village setting. It combines a fusion of modern sophisticated décor with distinctly unique-flavoured dishes creating an awe-inspiring culinary affair.

Forty-five minutes from the centre of the historically rich Cape Town, Moyo delivers a blend of Balinese décor, Moroccan grandeur and a great sense of the mind's eye.

There are over 60 different dishes to feast on, but the food isn't even the most important element of this world-class location; the atmosphere and distinct difference are what make it extremely special with visitors and locals.

In fact, South Africans will tell you that the Moyo outdoor experience can't be found anywhere else is the country and its sister properties in Joburg (Johannesburg) don't come close.

Setting

Secluded gazebos with comfortable couches, intimate Bedouin tents play host to lovers, while the tree houses are clad with beautiful hand-crafted copper water features. This area also has the capacity to accommodate 95 persons.

Overall, this extensive buffet restaurant can accommodate some 2,000 people at special functions, but most days they serve an average of 700.

Moyo's idea is to offer a feast for the senses, not just the appetite, and just being there is an experience to be relished. To complement this unforgettable experience, the music of the Motherland resonates throughout, face painters decorate guests' faces with traditional white dots, and servers assist you in washing your hands with rosewater, should you decide to use your fingers instead of a knife and fork.

Each table is loaded with an array of breads - fried Tunisian flat bread with coriander seeds, Egyptian rose petal Sermit bread with Sesame seeds, coconut and onion bread and sweet potato pumpkin bread with sunflower seeds, all combined with Chickpea Dip, Harissa (a chilli, garlic and olive oil mixture), Dukkah (a salt and spice combination) and olive oil.

Difficult not to be weighed down by the variety of foods on display, it is important to select your meal carefully, in order to not to overeat.

However, the must-haves include the seared calamari, with molasses, toasted peanuts and chilli, spicy black mussels and a scrumptious kingklip (a line fish).

Chocolate and banana wraps from Moyo at Spier, Cape Town, South Africa.

Milk tarts served at Moyo at Spier, Cape Town. - Photos by Janet Silvera

The most popular African dessert, the Koeksister, made of dough and sugar syrup.