Thava Indian Restaurant has officially opened a new branch at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, expanding its footprint in Gauteng’s competitive hospitality sector. The Kerala-inspired restaurant, founded by Mathew Abraham, now operates inside one of the province’s busiest entertainment destinations in Ekurhuleni. The opening gives East Rand residents and visitors access to traditional South Indian cuisine within the Emperors Palace complex.
The new branch is located in Jet Park, near the D’Oreale Grande Hotel passage, and operates daily from 12 pm to 10 pm.
The expansion strengthens Gauteng’s growing Indian dining landscape while positioning Thava within a high-traffic tourism and leisure hub.
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Thava Indian Restaurant Expands to Emperors Palace
Thava first launched in Norwood, Johannesburg, where it built a steady customer base drawn to its home-style Indian cooking and informal atmosphere. A second location later opened in Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
The Emperor’s Palace branch marks its latest growth milestone.
According to founder Mathew Abraham, the brand was inspired by his upbringing in Kerala, a southern Indian state known for coconut-based curries, layered spices, and slow-cooked stews.
Abraham has stated that family recipes continue to influence the menu, with dishes shaped by traditional cooking methods.
What Makes Thava’s Kerala Cuisine Different?
While Indian restaurants are ordinary in Gauteng, Kerala cuisine represents a specific regional style within Indian cooking.
Key characteristics include:
- Coconut milk and coconut oil as primary ingredients
- Fragrant spice blends
- Slow-simmered curries
- Seafood influences
- Balanced heat rather than extreme spiciness
Thava positions itself as offering traditional, home-style Indian dishes rather than modern reinterpretations.
The restaurant’s Indian tapas concept also distinguishes it from many competitors. Smaller tasting portions allow diners to sample multiple dishes in one sitting, encouraging shared dining.
Menu Highlights at Thava Emperor’s Palace
The new Kempton Park branch retains the core menu available at its other locations.
Signature offerings include:
- Butter chicken and masala-based curries
- Slow-cooked lamb and chicken stews
- Tandoori grilled meats
- Vegetarian options rooted in South Indian tradition
- Indian sweets for dessert
- Speciality coffees
The décor features rich red walls and Indian artefacts, reflecting the restaurant’s cultural heritage while aligning with the entertainment complex setting.
Why Emperors Palace Is a Strategic Location
Emperors Palace in Kempton Park is one of Gauteng’s major entertainment and hospitality destinations, attracting:
- Domestic tourists
- International travellers via OR Tambo International Airport
- Conference and business delegates
- Local East Rand residents
The complex houses hotels, conference facilities, casinos, and multiple restaurants.
By opening within this environment, Thava gains exposure to both leisure and business markets.
Industry observers note that restaurant brands located inside entertainment hubs benefit from built-in foot traffic and extended evening dining hours.
Gauteng’s Growing Indian Dining Scene
Gauteng has seen steady growth in Indian and regional Indian restaurants over the past decade, particularly in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
However, Kerala-specific cuisine remains less widely represented compared to North Indian-style restaurants.
The Emperor’s Palace opening, therefore, expands regional variety within Gauteng’s Indian restaurant market.
For residents in Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas such as Boksburg, Benoni, and Kempton Park, the location reduces the need to travel to northern Johannesburg for similar cuisine.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The opening of Thava at Emperors Palace adds another dining option to the East Rand hospitality market.
For Gauteng residents, particularly those in Ekurhuleni:
- It increases access to Kerala-style South Indian cuisine.
- It expands dining diversity within Emperors Palace.
- It contributes to employment within the hospitality sector.
Although staffing figures were not disclosed, new restaurant openings typically generate positions across kitchen, service, and management roles.
As Gauteng continues positioning itself as a tourism and events hub, restaurant expansions inside major entertainment complexes reflect ongoing sector activity.
Location and Operating Hours
Thava Indian Restaurant
Emperors Palace
Jet Park, Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni
Near the D’Oreale Grande Hotel passage
Operating Hours:
Open daily from 12 pm to 10 pm
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily within the complex.
FAQ’s
Where is Thava Indian Restaurant located in Gauteng?
Thava’s newest branch is located inside Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni. The brand also operates in Norwood, Johannesburg.
What type of food does Thava serve?
Thava specialises in Kerala-inspired Indian cuisine, including curries, tandoori dishes, masalas, stews, vegetarian options, and Indian tapas-style sharing plates.
What are the opening hours?
The Emperor’s Palace branch operates daily from 12 pm to 10 pm.
Is this Thava’s first restaurant in Gauteng?
No. The brand first opened in Norwood, Johannesburg. The Emperor’s Palace location is its latest Gauteng expansion.
What Happens Next
The Emperor’s Palace opening represents Thava’s continued expansion in South Africa’s hospitality market. As customer traffic builds within the complex, the restaurant’s performance will depend on sustained patronage from both residents and visitors.
No additional Gauteng expansion announcements have been made at this stage.
For now, Thava’s presence at Emperors Palace adds regional Indian cuisine to one of Gauteng’s busiest leisure destinations, strengthening the province’s diverse dining landscape.
