The 25 Best Seafood Restaurants in Cape Town

Seafood is Nature’s ultimate fast food, and a nautical gateway to finger-licking summer deliciousness. Whether you’re after spur-of-the-moment fish and chips on the wharf, sensitively seared scallops at a stylish innercity eatery, or mussels marinière overlooking the marina, these Cape Town restaurants are your key to the ultimate Poseidon Adventure.

Find seafood restaurants in your area

City Centre
V&A Waterfront
Camps Bay
Kalk Bay + Muizenberg
Hout Bay
Blouberg + Melkbos
Pinelands

Have you been to a tasty seafood spot you think we should know about? If so, we’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.

Seafood restaurants in the City

1. Kyoto Garden

Claire Gunn

From USA-born Scott Wood comes this serene and sophisticated Japanese dining experience, where classic sushi favourites are plentiful, but the option to try some of the menu’s exotic seafood offerings is hard to resist. We’re talking salmon and king crab from Alaska, lobster from Maine, sea urchin from France and deep-sea scallops from Japan, to name a few, all of which receive the respect they deserve from the zealous team of chefs.
Or sink your hooks into one of the three different types of oysters served each evening, as you take in the serene, Zen-inspired surrounds. It’s slightly pricier than many, but worth every single cent.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 5.30pm – 11pm
Contact 021 422 2001
Where to find it 11 Lower Kloof Nek Road, Gardens, Cape Town

2. SeaBreeze Fish & Shell

Claire Gunn

Scottish owners Alex and Ruth Grahame left the icy climes of Aberdeen, Scotland, where they owned a seafood restaurant, and moved to (mostly) sunny Cape Town to open SeaBreeze – a festive eatery on buzzy Bree that specialises in fresh and exciting versions of traditional fish. Think hake ceviche with cream cheese and squid ink mayo; and a fresh line-caught tuna burger with crispy onions, for example… Jack Sparrow wannabes should head to the rum bar at the back of the shop for a wide variety of grog.
Good to know The restaurant recently introduced Sunday brunch (11am – 2pm).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 9pm
Contact 074 79 39 349
Where to find it 213 Bree Street, Cape Town

3. Riva Italian Fish Restaurant

If you love your seafood packed with authentic flavours, and served by warm, passionate hosts, then you must try Riva, the (relatively) new kid on the De Waterkant block. Opened in July 2018 by Italian chefs and friends, Nico Rovarini and Federico Rocca, it’s a popular haunt in the buzzy neighbourhood, and a welcome addition for seafood lovers.
The small menu changes weekly, but if it’s available, you must try the Italian-style fish and chips (deep-fried hake coated in crispy polenta crumbs, served with utterly moreish shoestring vegetable fries and tartar sauce). Oh, and the red roman carpaccio for starters – a delicious, lemony serving of cured fish served with fresh peach, wild berries and radishes.
Good to know Most Saturdays, from 6pm, there’s some kind of special on offer (we love the six-oyster platter for R100) – and there’s a musician in the house.
BYOB The restaurant is still unlicensed, so feel free to take your own tipples.
Opening times Thursday – Friday, 12pm to 2pm
Monday – Saturday, 6pm – 10:30pm
Contact 078 443 4164, 021 418 0657, 078 611 1895, rivacapetown@gmail.com
Where to find it 24/4 Napier Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town

4. Miller’s Thumb

TripAdvisor

This converted home on bustling Kloof Nek corner is an institution among local seafood lovers. Brightly painted orange and green walls – inside and out – imbue it with a sense of casual festivity. You’ll do well to order a smack-of-the-sea piece of grilled fish, or try a Cajun-, Moroccan-, Malay- or Creole-flavoured dish.
Opening times Tuesday – Friday, 12.30pm – 2pm
Monday – Saturday, 6.30pm – 10pm
Contact 021 424 3838
Where to find it 10B Kloof Nek Road, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town

5. Ocean Jewels

As a child, Julie Carter would watch her father return home from a day of fishing with bounty that he’d transform into tasty family meals. This instilled a deep love of the sea within her, and inspired her to open her own seafood restaurant and deli at The Woodstock Exchange.
Visitors can expect scrumptious seafood dishes, such as tuna, yellowtail, calamari and angelfish, served with a choice of two sides); fish cakes; seafood burgers and wraps, and more – all ridiculously fresh and sustainably caught.
Good to know Visit Julie’s store at The Old Biscuit Mill Neighbourgoods Market on Saturdays.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm (deli)
Please note Lunch is served from 11am – 3pm
Contact 083 582 0829, orders@oceanjewels.co.za
Where to find it The Woodstock Exchange, 66 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
The Old Biscuit Mill, Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town

Seafood restaurants at the V&A Waterfront

1. Den Anker

Touted as “the most frequented Belgian restaurant at the Waterfront”, Den Anker could, in fact, be the most frequented restaurant at the Waterfront – which would not surprise us, given its consistently excellent food, professional service, upscale atmosphere, and the views. This 24-year-old stalwart is perched on the quayside, where seagulls swoop, seals bask in the sun, and passing yachts and rowing boats enhance the nautical vibe.
On the menu, you’ll find classics such as moules marinières (served with a side of moreish shoestring fries and mayo), and an exciting range of Belgian beers imported from small breweries in this Benelux country.
Opening times Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm
Contact 021 419 0249, denanker@mweb.co.za
Where to find it Pierhead, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Book Through DinePlan

2. Baia Seafood Restaurant

Located at the V&A Waterfront, this upmarket eatery is known for its quality fish and seafood dishes that include everything from fresh oysters, linefish sashimi, oven-baked linefish, Portuguese-inspired prawns and langoustines, and Norwegian salmon. The cataplana – a Portuguese-style casserole of prawns, mussels, calamari and various linefish – is divine. Make sure you book in advance to get a seat on the terrace with a magnificent ocean view.
Opening times Monday – Thursday, 6pm – 9.30pm
Friday – Sunday, 12pm – 3.30pm; 6pm – 9.30pm
Contact 021 421 0935, baiarestaurant@wol.co.za
Where to find it Shop 6262, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

3. Willoughby & Co

On The Waterfront

Even though it is located in a shopping mall, Willoughby & Co’s tables are still among the most sought after in the city. Serving a combination of Japanese-inspired dishes, seafood pastas and platters, and good ol’ fish and chips, this Waterfront restaurant continues to grow in popularity thanks to its consistently excellent (and fresh) seafood – not to mention sushi that has diners queueing round the block!
Good to know The deli section stocks a wonderful range of Japanese ingredients, such as nori, ginger, wasabi, Japanese mayo, hoisin sauce, and more. Ask George to help you select some fish or seafood from the always-busy fish counter to take home with you.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10.30pm
Contact 021 418 6116
Where to find it Shop 6132, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

4. FireFish

“Fresh from the ocean and hot off the grill” is the order of the day (and night) at this upmarket harbourside eatery at the V&A Waterfront. The dishes, all conceived by Kove’s head chef Amber Deetlefs, are fresh and bursting with distinct and exciting flavours.
As the name implies, the main event is charcoal-grilled fish, with an array of smack-of-the-sea cuts on display at The Ice Bar at the entrance. But there’s more than enough variety on the extensive menu for vegetarians, carnivores, sushi lovers, and even those with bite-sized appetites, who can order off the Asian-inspired Small Plates menu.
Either way, this is one for the (seafood) books!
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10:30pm
Contact 021 286 4933, info@firefishrestaurant.co.za
Where to find it Shop 154 Victoria Wharf, Breakwater Boulevard, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

5. Nobu

If you’re looking for a Rolls-Royce seafood experience, you simply must try Nobu at One&Only Cape Town. Everything from the sleek, double-volume interiors and swanky backlit bar to the highly skilled chefs and efficient and friendly staff is top-drawer. Gastronomically speaking, the food is a sensory extravaganza of new and familiar flavour bursts and textures that will leave you satisfied but craving more!
Expect beautifully presented food that will send your tastebuds to Osaka and back. It’s the perfect destination for any occasion.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 6.30pm – 11pm
Contact 021 431 5888, nobu.reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com
Where to find it One&Only Resort, Dock Road, V & A Waterfront, Green Point, Cape Town

Seafood restaurants in Camps Bay

1. Azure Restaurant

Where in the world can you enjoy an alfresco meal, with the majestic Twelve Apostles as a backdrop, picture-perfect Lion’s Head in the distance, with the sparkling Atlantic Ocean below? There’s only one place on the planet, actually – Azure Restaurant at the Twelve Apostles Hotel!
Chef Christo Pretorius has devised four tasting menus – his own, Taste of the Sea, Taste of the Earth, and a Vegan Tasting Menu. Or you can order from the varied à la carte menu, which features flashbacks to popular old-school dishes (such as Bea Tollman’s rice pudding with a twist), as well as modern items (baby calamari risotto topped with crispy fried tentacles on a bed of spiced butternut purée, with pickled sultanas, Parmesan crumbs and a dashi-and-roast-calamari broth. Delicious!
Good to know This five-star boutique hotel recently added a world-class Sushi Bar to its impressive list of offerings!
Opening times Breakfast: 7am – 10.30am
Lunch: 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Dinner: 6pm – 10pm
Contact 021 437 9029, azure@12apostles.co.za
Where to find it Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town

2. Bilboa

For delectable seafood, uninterrupted ocean views, and friendly service, Bilboa in Camps Bay is worth a whirl. The menu features a variety of seafood dishes – from prawns and langoustines to salmon, oysters, crispy prawns and baby squid – as well as steak, lamb and chicken. Whether you take it easy on the outdoor deck, overlooking the coveted Camps Bay strip, under the striped umbrellas, or enjoy a more formal dining experience inside, this Kove Collection favourite is a popular choice.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10.30pm
Contact 021 286 5155, reservations@bilboa.co.za
Where to find it Shop 120, First Floor, The Promenade, Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town

3. Paranga

With its prime location on the sunny Camps Bay strip, this cool sea-facing Mediterranean eatery serves an assortment of seafood dishes in an upmarket modern setting. The menu, prepared by a team of seasoned chefs, includes a sea of sushi options, oysters, tuna tartare, baby squid, shellfish platters and fresh daily catches, as well as a selection of meat dishes and delectable desserts. Cool beats, a muted modern interior and friendly staff all enhance the experience.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 11am – 10.30pm
Contact 021 438 0404, info@paranga.co.za
Where to find it Shop 1, The Promenade, Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town

Seafood restaurants in Kalk Bay + Muizenberg

1. Harbour House Kalk Bay

Collaborative Design

Enjoy a glass of wine – and a superb Mediterranean-style meal – as the waves crash against the giant glass windows of this shore-hugging favourite that towers above the bustling fishing pier. Boasting spectacular 360-degree views of the mountain, sea and distinct Hangklip mountain on the horizon, Harbour House Kalk Bay serves a delicious selection of seafood dishes – including bounteous platters, pastas, calamari, fish soup, ceviche, sushi, mussels, and more – making it the perfect spot for any occasion.
Good to know If you’re in the city, be sure to visit their second branch at the V&A Waterfront. The view is (almost) as good, and the food is just as tasty.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 11pm
Contact 021 788 4136, kalkbay@harbourhouse.co.za
Book through DinePlan
Where to find it Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

2. Osetra

Theo

From restaurateur Oscar Kotze (previous owner of Beluga and Sevruga), this brand-new sushi spot on the Kalk Bay strip is a welcome addition to the deep south. And, like Oscar’s previous dominions, Osetra is also named for a variety of caviar – the most prized and expensive in the world, apparently.
The guy who made half-price sushi a thing in Cape Town, Oscar continues to give specials-seekers what they came for by offering discounted sushi from 11pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and all day on Sunday! Which makes ordering the utterly delicious Angry Prawn Rolls an open-and-shut case.
When we visited in October 2018, the walls of the 220-seater restaurant had yet to be papered, and the shelves of the deli section were not completely stocked, but the kitchen was firing on all cylinders. Oscar fed us a selection of signature rolls, which were utterly delicious, while our three-year-old son devoured his classic fish and chips.
Don’t leave without stocking up on all your Asian pantry staples (nori, Japanese mayo, ginger, and so on) and a fabulous selection of wine (at good prices) from the deli section.
Good to know Osetra is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and drinks daily. Over 250 excellent wines are available by the glass!
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 11pm
Saturday & Sunday, 7am – 11pm
Contact 021 788 3240 , dine@osetra.co.za
Where to find it 112 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

3. Kalky’s

Culinary Backstreets

Edwin and Liz Rosslind’s large cabin-like restaurant on the quay offers the best fish and chips on this coastline. Daughter Allison and manager George now run this famed Kalk Bay institution, where business is brisk – especially on weekends when crowds queue for just-caught fish. The most popular dishes are battered hake and chips and snoek and chips, but the calamari, kingklip, yellowtail and prawns are also delicious. A waitress shouts out your number when your order is ready and you tuck in at one of the plastic-covered tables – it’s casual value-for-money for the whole family.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 8pm
Contact 021 788 1726, kalkys@mweb.co.za
Where to find it Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Seafood restaurants in Hout Bay

1. Chapman’s Peak Hotel Restaurant

Restaurants

Famous for its delicious fried calamari drizzled with garlic and lemon butter, this iconic hotel’s restaurant is a favourite among locals and visitors. Aside from the famous calamari, there are loads of other fish and seafood dishes to choose from. It is perfect for a family day out, with seating outside on the terrace, or in the cosy interior. After your meal, take a stroll along the beach, and watch the surfers, kiters and z=sea creatures at play.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 9.30pm
Sunday, 12pm – 9pm
Contact 021 790 1036, reservations@chapmanspeakhotel.co.za
Where to find it Chapmans Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town

2. Fish on The Rocks

Trek Earth

This order-and-eat fish restaurant on the harbour’s edge of has become somewhat of a Hout Bay landmark for its unpretentious, tasty, get-your-hands-involved food. With over 30 years in the making, its still has queues of hungry visitors lining up to get a bite. Reminiscent of a traditional fish shop, it offers diners hake, snoek, calamari, linefish and prawns – all served with chips – in newspaper to go. Or, if you’d prefer to eat “in”, soak up the scene on the lively stoep, lined with umbrellas and wooden benches. Just mind the seagulls – they’re fans of the food, too!
Good to know Once you’re done with your lunch or dinner, have a browse through the Bay Harbour Market, a stone’s throw away.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 8.15pm
Contact 021 790 0001, 021 790 1153, info@fishontherocks.com
Where to find it Far End Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town

Seafood restaurants in Blouberg + Melkbos

1. Café Orca

Alicia Taylor

This beachfront eatery in Melkbosstrand, with some of the best views in the city, prides itself on serving local and sustainably procured seafood. The patio is a popular seating option among diners, but when the weather isn’t cooperating, the cosy beach-cottage interior offers comfort. The menu is varied, with something for everyone. Some of our favourites include the creamy garlic, white wine and parsley mussels; baked mussels topped with blue cheese and bacon; spicy shrimps (de-shelled prawns, Cajun butter and Asian noodles); and the kingklip Alaska topped with creamy garlic and smoked-salmon sauce.
Please note They take bookings for dinner, but they don’t take bookings for lunch, so arrive early if you want to sit outside.
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 9pm
Sunday, 11am – 3pm
Contact 021 553 4120, cafeorca@mweb.co.za
Where to find it 88 Beach Road, Melkbosstrand

2. On The Rocks

This shore-hugging eatery is somewhat of a Blouberg landmark, having upheld its stellar reputation (for scenic views and delicious food by the sea) for over 56 years. The extensive menu includes starters of oysters, mussels, fish cakes, salt-and-pepper squid, and West Coast seafood soup, with mains of Cape Malay seafood curry, poached or grilled linefish, seafood paella, and seared salmon, among many other offerings.
Diners visiting in winter can sit next to the indoor fireplace, while summer calls for a seat on the outdoor terrace, savouring your food while basking in the refreshing sea breeze and breathtaking views of Table Bay and Table Mountain beyond.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 10pm
Contact 021 554 1988, ontherocks@seascapecollection.co.za
Where to find it 45 Stadler Road, Bloubergstrand, Cape Town

3. Die Damhuis

The restaurant opened its doors in 2009, but the home of this popular establishment has been around for much longer, and has since been declared a national monument. Rich in heritage and history, the landmark also offers a noteworthy dining experience. The diverse menu, created by executive chef Stefan Meintjes, features a range of delectable freshly shucked Saldanha oysters, mussels, chowder, fish, calamari, seafood platters, and much more.
Diners can choose to enjoy their meal in the laidback, beach house-style Fisherman’s Tent; the cosy, romantic Voorhuijs; the sun-soaked Outside Terrace, or the kid-friendly Beach Area where the little ones can run free. And, if you’re just in the mood for a drink, enjoy a beer or glass of wine in the pub-inspired Stampkroeg.
Opening times Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 9:30pm
Contact 021 553 0093, info@diedamhuis.co.za
Book through DinePlan
Where to find it 32 Beach Road, Melkbosstrand, Western Cape

Seafood restaurants in Pinelands

1. Saltwater Grill

The Squashed Tomato

Perhaps the last place you’d expect to find a good-quality seafood restaurant is at the edge of a shopping centre in Pinelands, but Saltwater Grill defies all the usual odds. Owner Dylan Paioni’s hands-on approach, coupled with his hard-working staff’s dedication, is what has cemented Saltwater Grill’s appeal. The extensive seafood range – everything from seared sesame-seed-crusted yellowfin tuna, peri-peri kingklip, prawns tempura, salt-and-pepper calamari, grilled hake, smoked salmon, and even a signature Spanish seafood stew – ensures all possible ocean favourites are covered, and there are salads and pastas, and decadent desserts to top it all off.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 11am – 10pm
Contact 081 558 6450, Swgrillsa@gmail.com
Where to find it Shop G39, Howard Centre, Pinelands, Cape Town

Hook, Line, Sinker

The following restaurants aren’t seafood restaurants per se, but they each serve one or two knockout dishes that are simply too good to miss.

1. Salsify in Camps Bay for exquisitely prepared and plated octopus, oyster and sea herb minestrone. The Abalobi-sourced linefish for mains is also superb. Oh, and the seaside setting and ultra-stylish decor is stellar.
2. Olympia Café in Kalk Bay for more-ish mussels.
3. The Mussel Monger at the Mojo Market in Sea Point for fresh (and highly sought-after) international-grade Saldanha bay oysters and mussels.
4. The Greek Fisherman at the V&A Waterfront for a wide variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
5. Bertha’s in Simon’s Town for the shore-hugging seaside views.
6. The Codfather Seafood and Sushi in Camps Bay for a choose-your-own seafood experience off a selection of sky-high platters.
7. Brass Bell for the wave-side location, festive atmosphere, and the memories…
8. NV 80 for the best peri-peri prawns this side of Beira
9. Two Oceans at Cape Point for, well, location, location, location!
10. Outspan in Kalk Bay for tasty family-style seafood dishes by the sea
11. Leeto in Paternoster for refined, contemporary West Coast cuisine in beautiful surrounds.
12. Wolfgat in Paternoster for imaginative, locally sourced seafood creations and a truly unique dining experience
13. Strandloper (in Langebaan) for the vibe…

Researched by Kent Cloete, Nikki Benatar, Michelle de Bruin, Jackie Lange and Liza West

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