After four-years in operation, the ‘Taste Restaurant’ in Eros has officially closed its doors on the 1st of January this year. For the past four years, the restaurant has been known for its curated dining experience and culinary innovation in Namibia.

Founded in 2021 and led by self-taught chef and culinary innovator Nicla Dos Santos, Taste Eros distinguished itself through intimate, curated dining experiences and an experimental approach to fine dining. 

Dos Santos’ journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic with Café Nikolas, a food delivery concept that laid the foundation for what would later become Taste. 

The project soon grew beyond deliveries, expanding into exclusive pop-up events and immersive dining experiences before taking permanent form in Eros. As co-owner and executive chef, Dos Santos played a central role in shaping the restaurant’s identity and philosophy.

Strong public support fuelled the growth of the brand, leading to further expansion under the Taste Hospitality Group banner. This included the opening of a second outlet at Hosea Kutako International Airport, as well as the launch of CHOW NOW by Taste in 2024 at the Nedbank head office in Freedom Plaza. 

A subsequent expansion followed at the FNB Parkside head office, reinforcing the group’s footprint in Namibia’s food and hospitality sector.

Explaining the decision to close the Eros restaurant, Dos Santos said the move aligns with the group’s long-term vision. “Staying true to who we are means daring to change. Our business was always about being open to change and evolving with the times,” he said.

“Change isn’t us leaving our roots; change is us keeping them alive,” he noted. 

Although the 2025 summer season marked the final chapter for Taste Eros in its current form, Dos Santos emphasised that the brand itself is far from finished.

As the new year begins, the group’s focus will shift towards creativity and innovation, guided by the founding principle that every meal is an experience. While Taste Eros has closed its doors, Dos Santos and his team are already preparing the next phase of the brand’s journey. -newsroom@nepc.com.na