A chilly Thursday evening settles over Rosebank as we dive into the buzz of Keyes Art Night – the monthly art takeover where galleries in the Trumpet building stay open late. We wander between art spaces, exploring the works on show amidst a growing crowd of Joburg creatives, until hunger tugs us downstairs. There, Kanpai and The Prawnery lure us in with warm lights and tempting aromas. A perfect place to pause and refuel before the night carries us away again.
Kanpai, which means "cheers" in Japanese, is the kind of spot where great nights out begin. This refined seafood and Asian tapas bar, which opened in November 2023, features a serene, ocean-inspired design anchored by a central bar that invites you to linger. Just a few steps away – literally across the passage – is its sibling, The Prawnery. Offering a cosy, firelit ambience, it's the natural next stop for hearty mains and something sweet after. First opened in Illovo in 2020, The Prawnery found a new, livelier home at Keyes Art Mile in late 2023, taking over the space previously occupied by Sotto Sopra. Together, these venues are a perfect tag team – two moods, one memorable evening.
Cocktails and Japanese-inspired small plates at Kanpai
Inspired by the four elements – earth, water, fire, and wind – Kanpai feels like a gentle nod to nature in all its glory. Earthy tones and flowing water features soothe your senses. Decor-wise, it's all about polished wood and keeping things simple and serene. The design is understated, yet elegant – heroing the experience. That said, the bustle of crowds pulling in for after-work drinks adds a different kind of energy.
Once we were comfortably seated, our waiter recommended starters and a cocktail before heading over to The Prawnery for mains (and more cocktails). We shared a small plate of Vietnamese stuffed chicken wings, deboned and stuffed with chicken and prawn meat in a zesty XO sauce (made of roughly chopped, dried seafood), alongside the crispy calamari served with a sweet wasabi mayo. Both were excellent choices, and went exceedingly well with the Thai green curry cocktail, our new favourite – a slightly spicy but moreish drink of chilli-infused vodka, coconut essence, and a hint of litchi.
Kanpai’s menu is a bold mix of Japanese-inspired flavours and global twists. Expect fresh oysters, standout sushi like the XO futomaki, and small plates including Bang Bang Cauliflower and grilled octopus with gochujang. Mains cover everything from seafood to poultry, red meat and vegetarian dishes, with favourites like Korean smoked short rib, teriyaki lamb chops, and the Wagyu sandwich. Desserts are playful and indulgent – think matcha tiramisu and mochi brownies with vanilla ice cream and wasabi nuts. Drinks are just as considered, with a sharp wine list, bubbly celebratory options, inventive cocktails (try the spicy margarita or Frost Paloma), and saké to round it all out.
The Prawnery: Open-fire cooking and bold flavours
Ready for the next stop in our culinary adventure, our surrounds became a lot quieter as we made our way from buzzing Kanpai to The Prawnery, and we understood why this is the preferred spot for mains.
Gentle trickles of water, walls of greenery, and touches of fire weave through the space, with warm wooden finishes and earthy tones adding to its understated elegance. We love the private dining room for intimate events and celebrations.
At The Prawnery, open-fire cooking takes centre stage: the best design touch has to be the fire feature behind the teppanyaki grills. And the hibachi grills don't just add flair, they give the food that irresistible smoky, charcoal depth that makes everything taste better. Crackling flames and sizzling sounds all around lift the mood, making it feel both cosy and exciting.
You'd think prawns would have been top of mind, but we veered off script with a 250g beef fillet served with confit carrots, pommes potatoes, creamy mash and jus, and a buttery line fish with stir-fried rice noodles. Both were excellent – the line fish was perfectly cooked with no surprise bones (tricky to get right), and the fillet is a definite repeat order.
To drink, the guava ocha – a bright mix of vodka, rooibos-infused Martini Bianco, guava-orange syrup, lime, grapefruit, and bitters – was a hit. For something with a seasonal kick, we tried the spicy winter treat with vodka, elderflower, vanilla, lime, honey, and red chilli. But next time, we're circling back for the Thai Green Curry cocktail – still top of our list.
While we didn't get around to sampling The Prawnery's namesake this time around, we'll certainly be back to do just that. The restaurant's largest offering is the prawns: from the ever-popular classic Mozambican prawns to bolder options like chilli, coconut, and lemongrass prawns, there's something to satisfy every crustacean craving. Each dish comes with a choice of chips, egg-fried rice, or wok-tossed vegetables. Beyond this, the menu also dives into sushi, oysters, pasta, and whole line fish, while also catering to land lovers with indulgent Wagyu and Tomahawk steaks. Sweet treats are similar to those of Kanpai, with the addition of malva pudding served with peach compote and custard.
When it comes to drinks, they don’t hold back – nine full pages, to be exact. Whether you're after a smooth espresso, rich hot chocolate, or celebrating with champagne, cava, or prosecco, there’s a drink for every mood. Wine lovers will appreciate the range of reds, whites, rosés, and blends, while cocktail fans get zingy sours, spicy margaritas, and fruity frozen delights. There’s also a solid line-up of beers, ciders, gins, vodkas, rums, whiskeys, and tequilas to keep the good times flowing.
What makes this a winning duo
We caught up with Kanpai’s PR and partnerships manager, Siya Sangweni, who shared some insight into the concept’s origins. "We wanted to bring a distinct Asian-fusion offering to the Johannesburg scene, and to the Keyes Art Mile community," he explains. "The Prawnery laid the foundation for the brand, and Kanpai followed as a playful counterpart to broaden the audience and culinary palette. Starting at Kanpai and then moving to The Prawnery allows guests to begin in a relaxed, social space and transition into a dynamic feast – it’s a seamless culinary narrative."
Though run by the same team, each restaurant offers a clearly defined experience. A shared focus on top-tier seafood, creative drinks, and refined hospitality ensures quality across the board. You could enjoy them in any order, but to get the full story, we suggest following our lead: start light and lively at Kanpai, then settle in for the main event at The Prawnery.
In review
KANPAIFood: 10/10
No complaints about what we were served. Super satisfying and a great start to the evening.
Drinks: 10/10
The Thai Green Curry cocktail was so good that we've improvised and made our own at home.
Ambience: 8/10
Great energy all around, a great place to visit if you want to socialise over small plates and drinks. Staff are friendly.
THE PRAWNERY
Food: 10/10
Some of the best seafood and steak we've had in Joburg.
Drinks: 8/10
The guava ocha was a great balance of fruity and alcoholic flavours, and the drinks menu is extensive.
Ambience: 10/10
Relaxing, with the elegance of fine dining but none of the pretence.
Plan your visit
Kanpai and The Prawnery are located at 21 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank, on the ground floor of the Trumpet building at Keyes Art Mile. Both restaurants are open Mon – Sat from 12:00 – 00:00 and Sun from 12:00 – 21:00. Booking can be made via Dineplan for Kanpai here and for The Prawnery here.
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