The new fast-food outlet at 4 Belvedere Street launched on Thursday, 8 October 2026, occupying a premises that has stood vacant for several years.
Hungry Lion has officially opened its doors at 4 Belvedere Street in Somerset West, taking over a prominent corner site that has stood empty for several years. The fast-food outlet, which launched on Thursday, 8 October 2026, occupies the former premises of La Grotto Sports Bar and Club.
Located at the intersection of Belvedere Street and Ridgill Lane, the new restaurant sits directly opposite the Somerset Square parking lot. The building has been vacant since La Grotto shut down during Covid, making this a significant revitalisation for a block that had fallen into disuse.
A new look for Belvedere Street
When I stopped by the site, the restaurant was fully operational and ready for the day’s business. Staff were busy cleaning the outside seating area, which is enclosed by a perimeter fence and features the brand’s signature red umbrellas and seating. The building itself has been completely overhauled with modern charcoal cladding and large red and yellow Hungry Lion signage.
The site is strategically positioned just behind the Main Road shopping strip. Ridgill Lane, which runs along the side of the restaurant, serves as the delivery access for Renegade Fashion Outlet (RFO) located at 107 Main Road. While the corner has traditionally been quieter than the primary thoroughfare, the visibility from Somerset Square is expected to drive foot traffic.
Expanding the local footprint
The opening marks continued aggressive expansion for the fried chicken chain within the Helderberg region. Notably, there is already an existing Hungry Lion branch in Vineyard Mall, which is located a mere 500 metres away from this new Belvedere Street site.
Beyond the Somerset West central business district, the brand maintains a strong presence at Somerset Mall and at Broadway Square in Strand. The decision to open such a large format store so close to an existing outlet suggests a high demand for the brand in the local area.
Revitalising a vacant corner
For residents and nearby business owners, the occupation of 4 Belvedere Street ends a long period of vacancy. The former sports bar and club was a well known local fixture before its closure during the pandemic. The transition from a late-night venue to a quick-service restaurant changes the dynamic of the immediate street corner.
The change is particularly welcome given that La Grotto also featured slot gaming, which often brought a seedy element to the block. In its place, the area now has a family-friendly, customer-facing setup with clear windows instead of blacked-out glass. The addition of free in-store WiFi and a dedicated outdoor dining section aims to draw in the local workforce and shoppers using the adjacent parking facilities.
As the area continues to see new developments, the filling of such a long-standing vacant space with a transparent, foot-traffic dependent business is a practical step forward for the Somerset West CBD.
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