Business

Inside the ultra-luxury petrol station in one of South Africa’s richest neighbourhoods

Bianke Neethling • 13 July 2026

Relish Delux is a 24-hour forecourt restaurant located at the Astron Energy petrol station in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Open 24/7, Relish serves anything from freshly baked croissants to wood-fired pizzas, Wagyu burgers, and premium toasties.

Relish is one of several ultra-luxury forecourt locations that have been popping up around South Africa, a concept pioneered by The Pantry by Marble.

Trade Intelligence previously explained that fuel volumes have steadily declined in South Africa over the past few years, yet retail sales at forecourts have grown strongly.

This has seen retailers across the country aiming to grow their share of this market, as forecourts increasingly become the next battleground for customers’ attention.

South Africans may be familiar with seeing a Pick n Pay Express at BP service stations, a Woolworths Foodstop at Engen garages, or an OK Express at TotalEnergies.

However, over the past few years, there has also been a rise in independent retailers taking the forecourt market by storm with ultra-luxury offerings.

The Pantry opened its first location in Rosebank in 2022 and has since grown to three permanent locations and a highly successful hospitality company.

Both Relish and The Pantry were born out of a desire to redefine “convenience food” offerings at forecourts, putting a twist on an industry that has boomed in South Africa over the past few years.

Relish was started by executive chef Muhammad “Mo” Patel, who spent seven years working under some of South Africa’s most prominent chefs before launching his own venture.

Unlike The Pantry, Patel wanted his forecourt to offer a high-quality, halal convenience dining space, as he felt there was a huge gap in this market.

Thus, Relish was born, located at the Astron Energy fuel stop on Jan Smuts Avenue in Rosebank. The location is open 24/7, merging high-end hospitality with the ultimate convenience location.

Relish Delux

Relish officially opened its doors to the public in April 2025, positioning itself as an independent, high-end oasis in one of South Africa’s richest suburbs.

While located at a petrol station, Relish was intentionally designed to feel like an upscale urban cafe. It is decorated with marble, copper accents, glass walls, and warm, earthy tones.

Blurring the lines between a takeout and sit-down restaurant, Relish is a double-storey forecourt with a bustling downstairs floor and a mezzanine seating area overlooking the forecourt traffic.

Relish can accommodate 100 seated guests, and offers a wide array of freshly made and convenience food and beverage options.

On the culinary side, Relish boasts a live wood-fired pizza oven and a hot food kitchen that prepares dishes such as a Wagyu Cheese Burger, a Sirloin Prego, a Tandoor Chicken Wrap, and Fish & Chips.

Every dish on Relish’s menu was designed, tasted, and perfected by Patel, who is heavily involved in the business’s day-to-day operations. Every dish is also fully halal.

“As a chef, there’s no greater reward than watching people connect through the space and the food,” Patel shared on social media.

“I’ve spent months curating this menu, from the first spark of an idea to the final, perfected recipe.”

“I wanted to create something that wasn’t just food – it’s a moment. A dish that makes you smile, makes you pause, and makes you want to come back for more.”

Convenience-wise, Relish offers all of the forecourt options South Africans may expect, including cleaning supplies, pantry staples, fresh fruit, meat, cheese, frozen meals, and fresh flowers.

Relish also offers many niche, imported products, such as Buldak noodles and Sour Patch Kids candy.

“One of the best parts of cooking here at Relish and being part of the whole development of the food is the human interaction and the customer feedback we get on a day-to-day basis,” Patel said.

“Food is such a nurturing aspect of life, and that’s how we designed the menu, that’s how we designed the space, and that’s what we want people to enjoy when they walk into the store.”

Daily Investor recently visited Relish to see what was on offer. The photos below were taken during that visit.