Marco’s father was a chef and so Marco started experiencing with mielies, chicken, maize etc. he went to school in Soweto and then went to a Hotel school.

Has worked in a Chinese Restaurant in Johannesburg and has also made his name in a number of then upmarket restaurants e.g. the Carlton Hotel, The Three Ships, the Prima Donna & Caesar’s Place.

Marco, chef and owner of Marco’s African Place is the first black restaurateur.

In the old apartheid days the only eatery Marco was “supposed” to aspire to owning was a shebeen in Soweto and not a restaurant.

In 1989 he owned his first restaurant when he opened up in sea point with a partner.

After four years the man who had cooked chicken surprise for his family struck out on his own at Marco’s Place in Kloof Street Cape Town.

So what does he like most to cook? The difficult things like duck. He likes to take on dishes he knows are difficult for other chefs.

Marco feels there is universality about food. Whether he is cooking traditional samp and tripe of Mediterranean food, he finds similarities in the way different cultures do things.

Marco’s African Place is a 280 seater Restaurant and bar in the Bo kaap area of cape Town. Since opening it has proved to be a popular venue for both local and international patrons, whose patronage follows the exquisite African Cuisine and African Music,

The restaurant provides a beautiful musical and food experience of its kind as a sit down restaurant & bar.

Everything in the restaurant is hand picked by Marco & his wife. He finds pots, seated giraffe, beads, and statue of old Boer soldier, colourful African cloths. The exotic yellow old chairs in the bar are custom made from knysna. The style is decidedly African and definitely sophisticated.
Marco’s ability to cook any cuisine is reflected in his menu. He can turn out traditional African dishes, hearty pastas and delicate Chinese sauces and succulent duck. His Greek style lamb, tripe, crocodile & ostrich are a legend to his patrons.
All major tourst groups, parliamentarians, business people & local people currently support the restaurant.
For an African experience at the centre of Cape Town join Marco and his team and they will make you visit or stay in Cape Town worth your while. www.marcosafricanplace.co.za