SOUTH AFRICA – South African Boutique café group Tashas has announced plans to significantly expand its operations by opening new locations in South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom.
Tashas was founded by Natasha Sideris and her brother Savva in 2005, and has since expanded to 24 locations in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
Under its umbrella it houses five distinct restaurant concepts – tashas, Flamingo Room by tashas, Avli by tashas, Le Parc by tashas and Galaxy Bar.
The group was acquired by Famous Brands in 2008, but bought back its shares in 2019 as the holding company sought to narrow its focus in specific portfolios.
“Since buying back the group from Famous Brands in 2019, we have been moving forward both locally, and on the international hospitality scene.
“We have now reached the point where we are able to make significant strides in our expansion plans,” said Sideris.
Over the next 6 to 12 months, the Sideris Group will open a further six locations and add new concepts to its portfolio.
The openings include expansion of tashas to Lynnwood Bridge in Pretoria later this year. The next stop of the brand will be in London where the team is close to finalizing details on its first location after which the intention will be to roll out more.
The restaurant chain owner is also seeking to introduce Flamingo Room in Saudi Arabia in Q4 2022 and Abu Dhabi at the beginning of 2023.
Flamingo Room by tashas first opened its doors in 2017 in Dubai. “Flamingo Room is the ultimate expression of my South African roots and the epitome of old school dining with a contemporary twist.
“After its major success in Dubai, we think it is time to expand and widen our horizons across the region and hopefully globally,” says Natasha.
Still in UAE, Tashas seeks to introduce a new concept dubbed, Bungalo34 in Q4 2023 located at the Pearl Jumeirah in Dubai.
Open from breakfast through to dinner, the menu will feature fresh fish, delicious pastas and beautiful salads.
Le Parc, a one-of-a-kind food and retail emporium, will open its second location in the UAE after opening first outlet in Johannesburg in 2021.
Nala is another brainchild of Natasha’s set to open in Al Serkal in Dubai in early 2023, offering freshly prepared meals using natural ingredients that are sustainably sourced and feature unique, unexpected flavours and dishes inspired by African and Middle Eastern cultures.
“Key to our expansion has been ensuring that the heart and soul of our birthplace and foundation – South Africa – is taken to the world,” explains Natasha.
Each of the Group’s concepts have already received high international praise and recognition.
Avli by tashas has recently been featured in the inaugural Michelin Guide for the UAE and Galaxy Bar, one of Dubai’s most sought-after late-night lounge experiences, was named one of the top 50 bars in the world by World’s 50 Best. It is also the world’s first signature Metaxa cocktail bar.
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