TANG Sandton Unveiled: A Refined Renaissance of Asian Luxury in Johannesburg

All images: Courtesy of TANG

Here’s the thing about restaurants that last; they’re never just about food. They’re about atmosphere, about memory, about how a room makes you feel long after the plates have been cleared. And with its official reopening, TANG Sandton makes that point beautifully clear.

Five years after first opening its doors in 2021, TANG Sandton has reintroduced itself to the city with a considered, design-led transformation that feels less like a renovation and more like a recalibration. The relaunch, unveiled at an intimate gathering of Johannesburg’s tastemakers, marks a new chapter for a space that has already become part of Sandton’s social fabric.

For founder and CEO Nicky van der Walt, the refresh was never about surface-level change, TANG, he insists, is not defined by finishes or fittings, but by the people who animate it. “TANG isn’t bricks and mortar or fixtures and fittings. It’s about the human condition and the staff investment, the lives we touch and the change we bring about, and the difference we make in other people’s lives. Whether it’s a sculler who worked his way up, a waiter that could finally provide for his family, the engagements celebrated and the core family memories we created. This re-opening is not merely an aesthetic evolution; it is a renewal of the human spirit that animates the space, the conversations exchanged, the moments curated, and the memories forged within its walls."

That philosophy now unfolds within interiors that feel both heightened and grounded. The redesigned space leans confidently into modern Asian luxury. A dramatic onyx-lit bar anchors the room, casting a warm, amber glow across bespoke booth seating designed for lingering conversations. While custom-imported lanterns subtly reference the mood of the brand’s Dubai counterpart. Underfoot and underlight, black marble threaded with fine white veining sets a dramatic yet controlled tone—polished, immersive, and quietly opulent.

Since its 2021 debut, the TANG name has expanded beyond Johannesburg, with destinations in Cape Town and Dubai under the umbrella of TANG Hospitality. Along the way, the brand has accumulated serious international recognition. In 2025, TANG Waterfront was named Global Restaurant of the Year and Best Waterside Restaurant at the Reve Luxury Awards, while at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards in Singapore, TANG Sandton earned Best Asian Cuisine in Africa. The group has also secured a place among the Top 100 Restaurants in the World at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards for three consecutive years.

In the kitchen, Group Executive Chef Vixa Kalenga continues to shape the brand’s culinary identity. His contemporary interpretation of Japanese and Cantonese cuisine balances precision with restraint, a philosophy that mirrors the new interiors. His accolades, including Best Head Chef at the Reve Luxury Awards and One Knife status at The Best Chef Awards 2025, underscore the consistency behind the spectacle.

Reflecting on the wave of international recognition and the reopening of TANG Sandton, Nicky van der Walt describes the moment as both affirming and deeply personal. “Winning these prestigious awards is a true celebration of everything we stand for: excellence, innovation, and the unwavering passion behind the TANG experience. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our vision recognised on a global scale and to witness the pride it brings to our team." The unveiling of the reimagined Sandton space, he adds, is an invitation for guests to rediscover TANG at a higher frequency.

Yet the true architecture of TANG extends beyond stone and lighting. Under the wider vision of TANG Hospitality, the brand continues to place people at the centre of the experience, from the team who shape each service to the guests who mark their milestones within its walls.

What unfolds within those walls is fine dining but it’s also something more layered. A cultural crossroads. A place where conversations stretch, milestones are toasted and celebrarated.