Cosy Corner

Nestled in the heart of a modest suburb along a tranquil stretch of Ottery Road, Cosy Corner stands as a testament to culinary resilience and tradition. Owned by Tasneem Hartley and her husband Yousri, this eatery harbors a rich history, tracing its origins back to 1973 when it was first opened by Tasneem’s parents, Ismail and Zuleiga Hartley. Remarkably, for 41 years, Cosy Corner has maintained its presence on the very same corner, welcoming patrons until the wee hours of 2am daily.

The notion that Cape Town’s dining establishments face an uphill battle for survival is a common refrain. Yet, Cosy Corner, amidst its unassuming neighborhood dotted with small houses, challenges this perspective, proving that exceptional food is the cornerstone of enduring success.

The establishment is renowned for its selection of samoosas, each a masterful display of Cape Town-style subtle spicing. Among these, the chicken-filled variant is a revelation, striking a delicate balance between mildness suitable for a child’s palate and the complex flavors reminiscent of a lamb curry.

Cosy Corner’s curry offerings, including the butter chicken and a Durban-style chicken fillet curry, deviate from expectations of richness and heavy spicing. Instead, Zuleiga’s creations are marked by perfectly tender meat and potatoes, embodying the essence of home-cooked fare.

The eatery’s acclaim, however, is most strongly tied to its gatsbies – a culinary icon of Cape Town. Comparable to Durban’s bunnychow, a gatsby is a generous filling of meat, chips, salad, and sauces encased in a long bread roll. Among its signature gatsbies are the full tandoori chicken gatsby, the masala steak gatsby, and the calamari gatsby, each a flagship offering that draws both locals and visitors.

Particularly noteworthy is the fried masala rump steak gatsby, a source of pride for Tasneem who boasts,

“I am the only person in the Western Cape who uses A-Grade rump steak… We developed the basting sauce for the steak with both a food technologist and a food stylist.”

This dedication to quality has not gone unnoticed, with Cosy Corner’s gatsbies receiving accolades from listeners of KFM radio and viewers of the Expresso morning TV show, solidifying their status as the best in Cape Town. Tasneem confidently asserts,

“I am the most expensive but I sell the most.”

It’s essential to note that Cosy Corner upholds a strictly halaal protocol, prohibiting alcohol on its premises but offering take-away services.

In the bustling landscape of Cape Town’s culinary scene, Cosy Corner emerges not just as a restaurant, but as a cherished community landmark, embodying the essence of family, tradition, and unparalleled culinary craftsmanship.

Cosy Corner Wynberg