Naan Sense: A Revolutionary Fine Dining Experience Comes to Joburg

Prepare for a transformation of Johannesburg’s culinary scene with the launch of Naan Sense, an extraordinary multi-sensory dining concept debuting at Shepstone Gardens.

For one night only, on Saturday, 16 August 2025, this event promises more than just a meal—it’s a theatrical, edible orchestra that reimagines Durban Indian cuisine through molecular gastronomy and captivating storytelling.

A Love Letter to Durban Indian Heritage

Founded by Ivana Pillay, Naan Sense is a tribute to her Durban Indian heritage, seamlessly blending nostalgia with avant-garde culinary techniques.

‘Durban Indian cuisine is synonymous with nostalgia for me, rooted in my family’s origins. My fascination with molecular gastronomy inspired me to create a multi-sensory edible orchestra that goes beyond the plate.’

~ Ivana Pillay, Founder of Naan Sense

An Edible Orchestra in Seven Acts

Naan Sense offers a seven-course secret menu unveiled at the table, with two immersive options: The Jungle Garden (vegetarian) and The Beach Front (seafood), both celebrating Durban’s coastal heritage.

The menu, which is Halal-friendly (though not certified), features unique Durban ingredients like betel leaf and holy basil (Tulsi), reimagined with showmanship.

Each course is introduced to The Table by The Gastronomist and paired with a live qawwali orchestra. To heighten the senses, one course is even experienced blindfolded and in pure silence.

The Theatrical Dining Performance

Led by some of Johannesburg’s top executive chefs, the culinary team crafts a surreal dining performance that unfolds over three hours.

This main event, called The Table, is a sensory journey that fuses fine dining with fantasy. For an even deeper experience, guests can add the Silk Hour, a two-hour surreal prelude that takes place before the main dinner service.

Held at the iconic Shepstone Gardens, this one-night-only event promises an unforgettable experience. Seats are limited and bookings are filling up fast.

Event Details

• Event: Naan Sense
• Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025 (One Night Only)
• Venue: Shepstone Gardens, 12 Hope Road, Mountain View, Johannesburg
• Dress Code: Vogue India
• Experiences & Sittings:
  • The Table (Main Dinner): A 3-hour, 7-course performance.
    • Cost: R2,750 (without pairing) | R3,100 (with artisanal beverage pairing).
    • Sittings: 12h00, 16h00, and 20h00.
  • The Silk Hour (Prelude Add-On): A 2-hour surreal prelude.
    • Cost: R2,000 (only available with a booking for The Table).
    • Sittings: 10h00, 14h00, and 18h00.
• Booking:
  • Website: Visit www.naansensesa.co.za
  • WhatsApp: 065 671 7036
• Socials: Follow @naansense_sa on Instagram for a glimpse into this edible masterpiece.