Shisanyama Sunday: A South African Take on the Sunday Roast in London Bridge
Quick Summary: Shisanyama Sunday launches at Vivat Bacchus London Bridge on 4 October 2026. It is a fire-led South African sharing feast inspired by the Sunday roast, rather than a traditional British roast. Expect fire-grilled meats, breads from the fire, braai sides and malva pudding, served from 12pm to 6pm. £48 per person and £28 for children under 12.
Fire-grilled bone-in beef cooking over open flames for Shisanyama Sunday at Vivat Bacchus London Bridge.
The Sunday roast is one of Britain's great rituals. From Sunday 4 October 2026, Vivat Bacchus London Bridge is taking that Sunday occasion in a distinctly South African direction with Shisanyama Sunday, the UK's first shisanyama concept. Rather than recreating a traditional British roast, it is a communal fire feast of grilled meats, breads from the fire, braai sides and a proper pudding to finish.
Since 2003, Vivat Bacchus has brought South African food, wine and hospitality to London. Shisanyama Sunday takes that spirit and brings it to one of Britain's most sociable meals of the week.
What Is Shisanyama?
From Johannesburg Townships to London Bridge
What Does Shisanyama Mean?
Shisanyama, pronounced shi-sha-NYA-ma, is isiZulu for "burn the meat".
The tradition has its roots in the townships of Johannesburg in the 1980s and 90s, where butchers began lighting fires outside their shops at weekends and grilling meat over the coals. What began around the butcher's fire grew into one of South Africa's most-loved social traditions: a communal gathering built around fire, food and company.
How Shisanyama Reimagines the British Sunday Roast
Shisanyama Sunday is not intended to be a traditional British Sunday roast. Instead, it takes the occasion of a long Sunday lunch and expresses it through the South African braai: family and friends around the table, food at the centre and plenty of time to enjoy it.
Vivat Bacchus owner James Dawson, a South African native, describes the idea as taking the occasion of the Sunday roast and filling it with fire: "Same spirit, different soul."
Executive Chef Dane Barnard approached the menu in the same spirit, building it the way a braai is naturally built: good food cooked properly over fire and placed in the middle of the table to share.
So rather than the familiar traditional roast format, expect platters of fire-grilled meats, South African breads and braai-inspired sides brought to the table for everyone to share.
Shisanyama Sunday at Vivat Bacchus London Bridge
Every Sunday, Shisanyama Sunday follows one set sharing menu with no à la carte. Three courses are designed to be enjoyed around the table together.
The Menu: Three Courses Built for Sharing
Breads from the Fire
The meal begins with two South African favourites:
Roosterkoek, served with smoked labneh, biltong-spiced pickled onion and herb oil, plus whipped biltong butter
Vetkoek, filled with spicy curried mince
The Main Event
Three fire-grilled meats arrive at the table together:
Monkey gland glazed boneless short rib
Lamb ribs with apricot chutney and spiced mint sauce
Shisanyama spiced chicken leg with chakalaka yoghurt
Alongside them come:
Braai broodjie braai pie
Beetroot and rocket salad
Braaied heritage carrots
Confit crispy baby potatoes
Chef Dane highlights the braai broodjie pie as a good example of the thinking behind the menu: taking the instinct of a South African braai and bringing it naturally to the Sunday table.
Finish with Malva Pudding
To finish, there is malva pudding, a sticky apricot sponge served with warm vanilla custard poured tableside.
Good to Know Before You Book
Where: Vivat Bacchus London Bridge, 4 Hays Lane, London, SE1 2HB
When: Every Sunday from 4 October 2026
Serving times: 12pm to 6pm
Last reservation: 4pm
Price: £48 per person
Children under 12: £28, with half portions of every course and a full malva pudding
Group size: Minimum of two guests per booking
Dietary note: As a fire-led, meat-centred concept, Shisanyama Sunday does not currently offer a vegetarian main course
How to book: Book your Shisanyama Sunday table online and select Sunday on the reservation widget
A Different Kind of Sunday Roast in London Bridge
If you are looking for a traditional Sunday roast in London Bridge, Shisanyama Sunday is deliberately different. It takes the occasion of a long Sunday lunch and brings it to life through South African fire, sharing dishes and braai culture.
People Also Ask
Where can I get a Sunday roast in London Bridge?
Vivat Bacchus London Bridge serves Shisanyama Sunday every Sunday from 4 October 2026. It is not a traditional British Sunday roast, but a South African fire-led sharing feast inspired by the Sunday occasion, served from 12pm to 6pm, with the last reservation at 4pm.
What is shisanyama?
Shisanyama is isiZulu for "burn the meat". The tradition has its roots in Johannesburg's townships in the 1980s and 90s, where butchers grilled meat over coals outside their shops at weekends. It developed into a much-loved communal tradition centred around fire, food and company.
How much does Shisanyama Sunday cost?
The set menu costs £48 per person. Children under 12 can enjoy a £28 menu, with half portions of every course and a full malva pudding.
Is there a vegetarian option at Shisanyama Sunday?
Shisanyama Sunday is a fire-led, meat-centred concept and does not currently offer a vegetarian main course.
Where is Shisanyama Sunday served?
Shisanyama Sunday launches at Vivat Bacchus London Bridge, 4 Hays Lane, London, SE1 2HB.
What is included in the Shisanyama Sunday menu?
The set menu includes roosterkoek and vetkoek to start, followed by three fire-grilled meats with South African-inspired sides. Malva pudding with warm vanilla custard is served for dessert.
Do I need to book Shisanyama Sunday?
Bookings are for a minimum of two guests. Book your table online via SevenRooms and select Sunday on the reservation widget. The last reservation is at 4pm.
