SeaBreeze Fish & Shell: A Seafood Bistro on Bree Street

The vivid aqua-blue heritage building and wide pavement terrace of SeaBreeze Fish & Shell key into the buzzing energy at the top of Bree Street, celebrating the freshest of the local catch with a menu guided by sustainability and seasonality. Opened back in 2017 by Scottish restaurateurs and wine merchants, Alex and Ruth Grahame, the relaxed and quintessentially Cape Town bistro vibe is a world away from their restaurant roots in Aberdeen, but it shares the same focus on just-off-the-boat seafood, paired with a perfect vintage and a warm welcome.

A fresh ocean breeze

Stepping inside there’s a relaxed but elegant feel, the original beams and tall sash windows framing contemporary decor that evokes beach days and the colours of the ocean. Stroll through to the SugarBird Wine Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, perch at the curvy oyster bar for a few freshly shucked oysters with a glass of bubbly, or settle straight in at your table and see what the boats have brought in.

The menu changes according to what has been landed that day (they only serve fresh fish from South African shores and it has to be on the SASSI-approved list). If you’re not in the mood for oysters, start with a few small plates: you’ll discover distinctly Cape Town flavours in the pickled fish samosas, Saldanha Bay mussels with Cape Malay sauce, and tuna tartare which comes with paaper (crunchy chips made from leftover samoosa pastry). And there are seafood classics with a twist, such as fish soup, tempura king prawns and fish tacos.

A classic hake and chips with crispy batter, hand-cut chips and tangy tartare sauce; a Cape Malay seafood curry laced with warming Bo Kaap spices; and a Caesar salad with a seared tuna steak are always on the menu. Then the daily menu changes according to the catch of the day: a game fish will be served in a Mediterranean niçoise style; a white fish with butternut and miso puree and truffled mushrooms. Or share a whole roast fish infused with Asian aromatics.

A bubbly wine bar

The SugarBird Wine Bar puts the spotlight on bubbly. A Coravin system is the ace up their sleeve, allowing you to choose between a selection of 20 cap classiques by the flute, besides the 40 by the bottle (the ideal pairing for the Saldanha Bay and Knysna oyster happy hours). They also have put together an extensive local wine list and signature cocktails, all of which can be enjoyed in the main restaurant too.

A breath of fresh sea air on Bree Street.

Good to know There’s a private dining room seating up to 12 people.
Opening times Wednesday – Monday, 12pm – 8.45pm (last orders)
Contact 074 793 9349, hello@seabreezecapetown.co.za
Where to find it 213 Bree Street, Cape Town
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