Mozambik coming to the Woodlands Sept 10

Update: We preview Mozambik and sample their South African cuisine.

Change is the only constant in the restaurant business, and iconic Houston restaurant Peli Peli will be shuttering their two remaining locations for good on September 5. In its place will rise Mozambik, the South African restaurant with strong Portuguese influences. The Woodlands location of Mozambik will open September 10, with the Galleria location to follow after the space is refreshed to reflect the Cape Dutch architecture that is the brand’s style in the states.

From its launch as a single store in Ballito, Kwa-Zulu Natal circa 15 years ago, Mozambik has seen rapid growth over the past half-decade, now totaling 24 stores in South Africa. The menu caters for all tastes but inspired by the Afro-Porto fusion of Mozambique. The Woodlands store will be its first in North America.

Chef Ryan Stewart, director of operations and corporate chef at Peli Peli, will stay on as CEO of Mozambik.

“We want to thank all of the guests who have supported Peli Peli through the years,” Stewart said in a statement. “We know there’s an appetite for great South African food in Houston, and we are very excited for the opportunity to bring Mozambik to the US.”

Houstonians who love Chef Ryan’s South African cuisine at Peli Peli need not worry.

“We’re starting off with the menu you already know.” explains the Chef. “We will be adding as we go and refresh the menu every six months. We are in the process of testing [an intriguing new dish] hoping that will be a big hit.”

Chef Ryan reports that the team in South Africa are very excited about moving into the Houston market.

Mozambik started out as a solo venture by Luis Ferreira in 2005, 14 months later Brett Michielin joined Luis on his journey. Together they forged on until, 2008 when Ryan Stewart came on board. Together Michielin and Stewart set out with their dream of building family restaurants where they can share their passion for food and cooking with their customers; where anyone can experience Mozambique right on their doorstep, without needing to fly there.

Now that experience is coming to Houston. We can’t wait to see what Chef Ryan and his team are bringing to America.