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Cape Town, South Africa

Savour the sea: Cape Town’s top 5 seafood restaurants

Southern Africa • Eat & drink • Savour the sea: Cape Town’s top 5 seafood restaurants

Top 5 seafood restaurants in Cape Town

Cape Town’s seafood scene is a feast for the senses, with plenty of spots that let you savour the freshest catches straight from the ocean. These restaurants not only serve fresh and delicious seafood but also offer a beautiful setting to enjoy your meal in style. If you’re on the hunt for the best spots to indulge in fresh, flavorful seafood, we’ve got you covered. This guide highlights the must-visit seafood restaurants in the city, each offering something unique. If you’re seeking innovative seafood dishes or fresh classics, look no further than these seafood restaurants!

Harbour House Kalk Bay

If there’s one spot in Cape Town that makes you fall in love with the ocean all over again, it’s Harbour House in Kalk Bay. Situated right on the edge of the ocean, you can enjoy unbelievable views of False Bay. The interior is designed with a minimalist, coastal aesthetic – classic whitewashed walls, wooden beams and large windows that let the natural light flood in. The grilled line fish is great, served with a light lemon butter sauce that enhances the natural flavours without overpowering the fish. Another dish to try at Harbour House is the seafood platter, which is a generous mix of the freshest prawns, calamari and mussels, served with garlic butter and a side of rice or fries.

Harbour House Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay Harbour Main Rd
Kalk Bay
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Harbour House Kalk Bay

Riva

Riva is located in the trendy De Waterkant neighbourhood. The restaurant was founded by childhood friends Nicoló Rovarini and Federico Rocca, who brought their passion for Italian cuisine and seafood from the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy to Cape Town. The interior of Riva is designed to evoke the feel of a classic Italian trattoria, with nautical touches and maritime-themed decor. The menu at Riva Fish restaurant focuses on simplicity and freshness. Dishes are crafted with the freshest ingredients, sourced from local markets and fishermen. You cannot visit Riva and not try one of their seafood pasta dishes. We love the squid ink gnocchi with prawns and the bronze-drawn spaghetti with cherry tomatoes and clams is delicious.

Riva
24 Napier St
De Waterkant
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Riva

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Live Bait

Live Bait Kalk Bay is situated in a bustling fishing village, the nautical atmosphere paired with the unique views over the harbour, where you can often see fishing boats coming and going, is the perfect setting to enjoy seafood. The décor is simple and unpretentious, with wooden tables and a colour palette that mirrors the blues and whites of the sea. We highly recommend trying their mussels, they serve the mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce that goes very well with the natural flavours of the mussels. Live Bait is also very well known for their calamari, which can be ordered either grilled or fried. Locals praise Live Bait’s calamari for its tender texture and special seasoning. The focus on fresh, local seafood makes Live Bait a go-to spot!

Live Bait
Main Rd
Kalk Bay
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Live Bait

The Mussel Monger & Oyster Bar

If you are a fan of mussels and oysters, there is no better place for you than The Mussel Monger & Oyster Bar in Sea Point. The restaurant is located within The Mojo Market, which creates a lively atmosphere and buzz. Their mussels are a standout, served in a variety of delicious broths such as the classic white wine and garlic or a more adventurous curry-infused option. The oysters, sourced from the West Coast, are the other stars of the show at The Mussel Monger & Oyster Bar. They are served fresh, with traditional accompaniments like lemon and mignonette sauce, allowing the natural brininess of the oysters to shine through.

The Mussel Monger & Oyster Bar
30 Regent Rd
Sea Point
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of The Mussel Monger & Oyster Bar

Seabreeze Fish & Shell

Seabreeze Fish & Shell is located on Bree Street, one of Cape Town’s trendiest culinary streets. The restaurant showcases a sleek, modern interior with a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, it’s a popular spot for both casual lunches and formal dinners. Seabreeze Fish & Shell specialises in showcasing the best of South African seafood with a menu that changes daily depending on the catch, ask their friendly servers for the catch of the day and get ready to be treated with a fresh, innovative seafood dish. We think their fish tacos are a hit for lunch or dinner – tortillas filled with fresh line fish, tangy slaw and a punchy dressing that brings all the flavours together beautifully.