.png)
Globally Inspired, Elegantly Crafted
The Marula Tree is a charming, small family-run restaurant founded by Head Chef Debbie Thorpe and her husband, Sam. Guided by Debbie’s passion for culinary excellence and over 20 years of expertise, The Marula Tree offers an elegant fine dining experience within an intimate and welcoming setting.
Our menus shift with the seasons, meaning no two visits are ever quite the same. To accompany your meal, we offer a carefully curated wine list and a vibrant collection of cocktails — designed to complement, contrast, and elevate the food. The restaurant’s ever-changing menu reflects a commitment to sustainability, as it is inspired by the availability of fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. This ensures that every visit offers something new and exciting for diners to savour.
About Us
Our Offerings
At The Marula Tree, we offer a range of services to cater to your dining needs. From intimate dinners to special events, our team is dedicated to providing an exceptional experience. With a focus on quality and creativity, we aim to exceed your expectations.​​​​​​
Host Your Event
​
​​The Marula Tree serves as the perfect venue for special occasions, customers can book the entire restaurant for larger parties and celebrations. For these events, bespoke menus are crafted to suit each client’s unique preferences, delivering a truly personalised dining experience.
Five Course Taster Menu
Experience our signature tasting menus, curated by chef Debbie and her team to showcase the best of Debbies South African heritage cuisine with a modern British flair.
Cooking Classes
Join us for immersive cooking experiences, where you can master techniques, discover bold flavour combinations, and bring a taste of The Marula Tree home with you.
Why The Marula Tree
The Marula tree, native to the Miombo woodlands of Africa, is renowned for its vibrant yellow fruit that ripens and falls to the ground around March. The fruit, with its sweet and tangy flavour, ferments naturally under the African sun, releasing an intoxicating allure. In this unique phenomenon, a variety of animals gather together to feast on the fermented fruit. Normally predator and prey, these animals, as seen in the footage, abandon their natural roles and stumble about drunkenly in a rare moment of unity and uninhibited joy. This spectacle of unlikely togetherness and celebration inspired the naming of The Marula Tree restaurant.
​
At The Marula Tree, customers can experience the Marula fruit’s unique essence with Amarula Cream, a deliciously smooth, alcoholic drink made from the Marula fruit. This signature flavour also features in one of Chef Debbie’s renowned desserts: Amarula Crème Brûlée, a decadent treat that captures the spirit of the tree that brings the wild together.