A Dream Fourteen Years
in the Making
Three women.
One family.
A vision that took root in Waterkloof and
grew into something truly special.
From a Teen's Dream
to a Real Kitchen
Emma knew from the age of fourteen that she wanted to run her own restaurant. That clarity never wavered.
She trained at the prestigious Prue Leith Chefs Academy and went on to work at some of South Africa's most respected establishments.
When COVID reshaped the hospitality landscape, she pivoted; launching a catering company that kept her craft alive and her standards exacting. When the opportunity to acquire Alice in Waterkloof arose, it wasn't just a business decision.
It was the answer to a question she'd been carrying for two decades.
She bought it without hesitation.
And she couldn't be happier.
"She couldn't be happier — and you can taste it in every dish."
Emma
Chef
Emma's dream was the restaurant. Her training was world-class. Her care is in every plate. When she's in the kitchen, you know it — not because she announces it, but because the food speaks.
Monique
The Heart of Operations
Call her a Mama Bear and she'll take it as a compliment. No task is too big or too small. Monique is the reason everything runs smoothly — and the reason every guest feels genuinely welcomed the moment they arrive.
Marisa
Guest Relations & Business
Marisa is the lady behind the books - which means she keeps everything honest and everything flowing. She loves chatting with clients and brings an enthusiasm to Alice that you simply can't manufacture.
Mumzi
Head Waitress & Barista
Mumzi has been the heartbeat of Alice for 12 years, and the smile that greets you at the door is never put on — it's simply who she is. Order her famous coffee. It comes with the best smile in Waterkloof.
Kim
Front of House
Kim is always moving and always smiling — and the two things are clearly connected. You can see she loves what she does, and that energy is contagious.
Ru
Front of House
Ru is the quieter one of the group — but don't mistake quiet for slow. Your order will be ready before you've finished the thought. She looks out for everyone around her, guests included.
Sarah
Head Chef
Sarah has been running the Alice kitchen for 12 years and holds the unofficial title of Quiche Queen — a reputation so well-earned she could make them with her eyes closed. And they'd still be perfect.
Chipo
Kitchen
Chipo is the queen of flatbread and cool under pressure. She has been part of the Alice family for 6 years, and her work is the kind of thing guests ask about by name.
Bea
Baker
Silent but extraordinary. Bea started as a sculler and worked her way up to the role she was born for: baker. Five years in, her work is the sweet note that ends every meal.
Nothing at Alice comes from a bag, a box, or yesterday. Every dish is made from quality ingredients, prepared to order, by a team that considers shortcuts a betrayal of the guest.
The right music, the right light, the right crockery, the right temperature on the coffee. These things matter. We notice them so you can simply enjoy them.
We are a family business and this is our home. When you sit at Alice, you are not a transaction. You are a guest — and we treat the distinction with the seriousness it deserves.
We chose 50 seats for a reason. It is exactly the number that allows us to look after every single person who walks through our door without compromising on anything.
Pretoria Born and Bred
Our family has lived in Waterkloof our whole lives.
This neighbourhood is not just where Alice operates
it's where we grew up, where we belong,
and where we wanted to build something lasting.
Alice sits inside Garden Bleu nursery on Milner Street.
It's a setting that somehow manages to feel like the middle of nowhere while being a few minutes from everything.
Come and see what we mean.
A secret garden restaurant
in the heart of Waterkloof.
Hours
Mon-Fri: 08h00-16h00
Sat: 08h00-14h00
Closed: Sundays
Holidays: 08h00-14h00