MADAME ZINGARA

Originally founded in 2001 by Richard Griffin, Madame Zingara was a capricious 80-seater restaurant nestled in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre. It was well known for its outlandish glitter-dusted service and Richard’s whimsical culinary creations.

Disaster struck in 2006 and the restaurant was burnt to the ground, Unable to rebuild what was lost, the Zingara family fought back and so the Theatre of Dreams was born – an enthralling travelling dinner cirque extravaganza housed in one of the last remaining antique mirror tents in the world. Enjoying full houses in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, Madame Zingara transformed the concept of dining out in South Africa, earning many accolades and awards along the way.

Being a Cape Town based company, it seemed only right to put down roots and the Zingara Group has lovingly restored and resurrected landmark city restaurants. The Sidewalk Café, Café Mozart, Café Paradiso and The Bombay Bicycle Club which are now all proudly part of the Zingara family.

Madame Zingara’s stay in Durban comes to an end on August 13, a date which also marks the last performance of the Love Magic Tour before Victoria, the magnificent Spiegel Tent, moves to Cape Town with a brand new show celebrating 10 years of Madame Zingara’s success.

“South Africa has over the past 18 months fallen in love with the Madame’s Love Magic Tour,” says Madame Zingara’s managing director Richard Griffin, “but the time has come to start a new chapter. It’s fitting that we close the Love Magic chapter in Durban. The city has been so welcoming to the entire Madame Zingara family and we’re truly grateful for all the love and support we’ve received here.

“We are celebrating the Madame’s 10th anniversary this year,” he continues, “so when Victoria moves to her home base in Cape Town in late August, we will be putting together a new show filled with nostalgia and warm memories, that epitomises the magic Madame Zingara has brought to so many lives over the years.”

Madame Zingara is operating from the car park at Suncoast Casino.