The Best Restaurants in Plettenberg Bay

It’s the holiday destination that has it all… Plettenberg Bay is brimming with golden beaches, action-packed water activities, the stunning nature of the Garden Route, a handful of boutique wine estates and, of course, a sumptuous selection of super stylish or simply laidback restaurants to fuel the next round of holiday fun.

A small town with big-city attitude, Plett flows between all out glamour and relaxed, sand-between-the-toes beach bliss, and there’s a view-drenched eatery to reflect every mood. Here’s our pick of the best.

Ice Dream Land

There’s so much to love about this little slice of Italian family-owned paradiso. A green countryside escape just outside Plett with plenty of space for kids to play, it’s renowned for its authentic Italian trattoria dishes and wood-fired pizzas (Grazia is the daughter of a Tuscan chef, and Marco makes the mozzarella himself). Marco’s superb gelato is made fresh each morning (the business started back in 2000 with a gelato truck on Plett beach, hence the name). There are also irresistible burrata antipasti, and platters of Italian charcuterie and home-produced cheeses to graze on with freshly baked bread, but if Grazia’s pasticciata (baked pasta with meatballs and lavishly rich with mozzarella) is on the daily special menu, that’s what you need to order.
Good to know Be sure to book, especially for Sunday lunches. Dogs are welcome on a leash. The playground can get muddy when it rains so bring a change of clothes for the kids.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday (open daily in high season)
Times 10am – 5pm (pizzas from 11.30pm, last orders 4pm)
Contact 082 448 5795
Where to find it A15, Airport Road, Plettenberg Bay

Ristorante Enrico

Hidden away from the Plettenberg Bay bustle at Keurboomstrand, Enrico’s is the very definition of a beach restaurant… the sands stretch away on both sides, whales and dolphins can often be seen from the terrace tables, and at low tide you can take a sunset stroll to Arch Rock. Enrico and Ornella Iacopini add a generous helping of la bella vita, serving unpretentious Italian trattoria food. They’re known for excellent seafood, in particular their Fish Enrico (a baked fish often caught by Enrico himself), the legendary Sole Andrea, linguine scoglio and octopus carpaccio. Plus some of Plett’s best thin-based pizzas. A warm and friendly family vibe and the stunning setting make it a cinch for the list.
Good to know Get the bomba for starters… a garlic pizza with a blown up difference!
There are no reservations, tables are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Opening times Tuesday – Sunday, 12pm – 9pm
Contact 044 535 9818, enricoplett@gmail.com
Where to find it 296 Main Street, Keurboomstrand, Plettenberg Bay

Emily’s Restaurant + Simon’s Bar

Set in an indigenous garden overlooking the Bitou River, with a backdrop of mountains and valleys, you’ll find Emily Moon River Lodge, a tranquil retreat dressed in a selection of rare finds that owners Mark and Christine Valentine have accumulated during their travels through Africa and beyond. Emily’s Restaurant serves home-style meals in this beautiful setting. Upstairs is Simon’s Bar, where vintage boat engines, water sport equipment and other found objects decorate the walls, and a woodfired pizza oven produces delicious pizzas. Order a cocktail or a glass of wine, and watch the sunset over the river.
Times Emily’s Restaurant: Monday – Sunday, 6pm – 9pm (booking essential)
Simon’s Bar: Tuesday – Saturday, 5pm – 9.30pm (no reservations)
Contact 044 501 2500, info@emilymoon.co.za
Where to find it Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay
Book through DinePlan

Barrington’s

Chances are if you’ve been to Plett, you’ve heard of Barrington’s. A destination in itself, this Piesang Valley favourite is home to the first craft brewery in town, as well as a wonderfully scenic organic kitchen garden, restaurant, bar, small hotel, bakery, wine shop and boutique nursery. In the restaurant, brass, leather and wood finishes create a warm and cosy ambience, or step through the stacking doors onto the wraparound terrace overlooking the garden and Barrington’s majestic coral tree. On the menu are slow-cooked gourmet burgers, tapas plates, vegetables from the garden prepared in Barrington’s custom-made smoker, and a red thai vegetable curry with coconut, dates and toasted cashews that we still dream about.
Good to know The terrace overlooking the garden is also the perfect spot for a cooked breakfast, or their freshly baked pastries and cakes.
Times Daily, 8am – 11am; 12pm – 9pm
Contact 044 050 3767, eat@barringtonsplett.co.za
Where to find it Barrington’s, Piesang Valley Road, Plettenberg Bay
Book through DinePlan

Fat Fish

A Plett favourite, the Fat Fish not surprisingly majors on seafood (WWF & SASSI approved sustainable seafood, it goes without saying). Fish and chips, calamari, chargrilled prawns, lush platters and sushi are served inside the comfortably casual restaurant or on the terrace (perfect for sultry summer Plett nights), both of which look out over the saltwater channel to Beacon Isle and the ocean. A selection of tapas dishes (and a variety of meat and vegetables dishes for the fish-averse) completes the menu.
Good to know Dogs are welcome (on a leash) at the outdoor tables.
Opening times Daily, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 044 533 4740, plett@thefatfish.co.za
Where to find it Hopwood Street, Central Beach, Plettenberg Bay

Book through DinePlan

Nguni

Hidden away in one of Plett’s oldest buildings (an original dairy dating back over a hundred years), Nguni is an oasis of cosy tranquillity and warm, hospitable service in the town centre. The excellent food is equally captivating, serving simple classics with a creative African focus. Think superb steaks, ostrich fillet, springbok, grilled prawns and a lush risotto that keeps vegetarians more than happy. There’s a blackboard menu of specials too, and an outdoor dining area for alfresco summer lunches.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 12pm – 10pm
Saturday, 6pm – 10pm
Contact 044 533 6710
Where to find it 6 Crescent Street, Plettenberg Bay
Book through DinePlan

Zinzi

A spectacular forest location overlooking lush gardens to a dam (you’ll likely see buck wandering past the deck as you sip a cocktail before your meal), Zinzi is known for its chic pan-African vibe and warm, hospitable service. On the same five-star country estate as Hunter’s Country House and Tsala Treetop Lodge, the menu takes you on a global culinary journey: small plates of Jamaican chicken, Thai green mussels and Cambodian fishcakes, and Peruvian roast chicken a highlight on the mains section (or go for the Zinzi burger with truffle Parmesan fries). Chocolate cheesecake or honey baked camembert for dessert… many tough decisions!
Good to know Booking is recommended. You can also book a Zinzi picnic in a quiet forest setting
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 3pm – 9pm
Contact 044 532 8226, zinzi@hunterhotels.com
Where to find it Hunter’s Estate, N2, Plettenberg Bay
Book through DinePlan

Newstead Lund Family Vineyards

Come for wine tasting, stay for pizzas and picnics. This family wine estate specialises in aged cap classique (multi award-winning, sulphur-free bubbles, who can resist?), but it’s also a place to linger after tasting. The woodfired pizza oven churns out deliciously crisp pizzas  and there’s an ever-changing menu of simply scrumptious tapas and platters (inspired by whatever is fresh in the garden that day), so you can sit outside on verandah or lawn in laidback country style and graze to your heart’s content.
Good to know Newstead Lund regularly features in Dineplan’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and placed #9 in 2023. Booking is essential in season, but walk-ins after 2pm are welcomed.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Contact 076 300 9740, info@newsteadwines.com
Where to find it Redford Road, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
Book through DinePlan

The Plettenberg

Perched on a rocky headland that overlooks a long stretch of unspoilt beach and fynbos-covered mountains, The Restaurant at this grand five-star escape is the place for grandstand ocean views and a liberal seasoning of luxury. Chef Kyle Macaskill and team serve sumptuous seafood dishes, such as battered hand-caught hake and Thai seafood curry, inspired by the marine surrounds of Plettenberg Bay (plus plenty of options for meat and vegetable lovers). Claim a table on the outdoor terrace for an al fresco lunch, where there’s also a relaxed café menu of salads, sandwiches, and their classic Plettenburger.
Good to know Afternoon tea is served from 11am –  5pm
Opening times 7am – 10.30am; 12pm – 10pm
Contact 044 533 2030, reception@plettenberg.co.za
Where to find it 40 Church Street, Plettenberg Bay
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1777 @ The Old Rectory

Just a short stroll from the ever-popular Hobie Beach, this boutique retreat is built around an 18th-century national monument (the oldest building in Plett, built in 1777), resulting in an appealing combination of heritage and modern style. Their elegant dining room is the place for a sophisticated dinner with friends (or go for the more informal alfresco lunches on the terrace). The bistro-style menu is inspired by the heritage of the building, drawing on Dutch, English and South African influences: ostrich fillet, kingklip, pumpkin gnocchi and a bunny chow chicken curry are some of the stars of the dinner menu, while lunchtime is a lighter affair featuring ceviche, carpaccio, a roosterkoek chicken burger, steaks and salads.
Good to know You can also book for a lavish breakfast.
Opening times Daily, 7.30am – 9pm
Contact 044 533 1201
Where to find it Corner Bull and Meeding streets, Plettenberg Bay
Book through DinePlan

Zoox

A lovely new addition to the Plett food scene, Zoox is swathed in nature on the newly established Telluric Wine Estate (the vino vision of Pierre and Cecily du Preez of Beau Constantia). Overlooking the glistening Bitou River and the magnificent Rhone Hill polo fields (it’s just before Emily Moon), Zoox Plett offers a picturesque backdrop that is altogether breathtaking. A simple menu of crisp thin-based pizzas, a wagyu burger, a salad, and a ribeye steak is all you need in these stunning surroundings.
Good to know You can also stop by for coffee and pastries from 9am.
Bookings are essential for an inside table.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 9am – 10pm (lunch from 12pm; dinner from 6pm)
Sunday, 12pm – 4pm
Contact 071 864 0002, info@telluric.co.za
Wine-tasting: 082 803 0529
Where to find it Telluric Wine Estate, Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay

Villa Villekula

An off-the-radar gem, Villa Villekula is a charming country eco-lodge at The Crags, where donkeys and chickens roam freely and eclectic vintage decor runs riot. Those in the know can also book in for a delicious dinner: upmarket boerekos (farm food) is the style, served with a whole lot of love in generous buffet format (on Friday nights it’s a 3-course plated set menu). The menu changes daily (published for the week on their Facebook page) but think along the lines of oxtail and gnocchi with roast butternut and beetroot fritters, or springbok shanks and a vegetarian bobotie. And delicious desserts such as Amarula tiramisu or spiced-chocolate bread-and-butter pudding.
Good to know Booking essential (call or WhatsApp). Bring your own alcoholic beverages.
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday 6.30pm for 7pm
Contact 082 534 0360, bookings@villavillekula.co.za
Where to find it Farm BE 18, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay

The Palms

With some of the most spectacular views in Plett (over the Keurbooms Lagoon), The Palms at Ivory Haus has become a sought-after destination for those in the know. Occupying pride of place on the main road, this brand-new family-owned boutique hotel (previously The Grand) is a feast for the senses. Delicious cocktails, flavour-popping dishes and a vibey buzz are guaranteed round the clock, whether you’re here for breakfast, lunch, tapas or dinner.
On the tapas menu, you’ll find the likes of crispy fried calamari heads with a harissa-mayo dip and nachos; for starters, there’s slow-roasted crispy pork belly; garlic prawns and chicken croquettes with spinach pesto purée. For mains, go for chimichurri fillet with roasted garlic baby potatoes; Tuscan chicken, seared salmon or the Haus burger. And leave space for dessert…
Opening times 7.30 am – 10 pm
Contact 072 927 2304, reservations@palmsplett.com
Where to find it 31 Main St, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
Book through DinePlan

Nineteen89

A bustling hub in the heart of Plett, with a commanding view down the main drag towards the ocean from its outdoor deck, Nineteen89 is popular for its flavour-packed bistro food that stretches from the Mediterranean to Mozambique in inspiration. Whether you’re after seafood (seared tuna or sole with baby squid), salad bowls, steaks and burgers, or tramezzini, prego rolls and pastas (the tuna prawn pasta and the chilli chicken pasta with pesto are real crowd-pleasers), there is a dish to suit everyone… plus cool cocktails and ice-cold Guinness on draught.
Good to know Booking is recommended.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 11am – 9pm
Contact 079 165 3576
Where to find it The Upperdeck, corner Main and Marine Drive, Plettenberg Bay

Which are your favourites? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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