Casual and laidback, 34 Degrees South has latitude.Knysna's bustling food emporium claims that it's "not exactly a restaurant, not exactly a bar, definitely not a deli... well, not exactly a deli... it’s an eating place, a drinking place and definitely a meeting place". Well, it's a good place to be if you enjoy fresh seafood and fancy a bit of shopping.
34 South is also "a gift shop, a clothing emporium, a food store, a fish monger and a bakery, too. And the finest wine shop this side of the grape curtain!"
Start with a platter of freshly shucked wild coastal oysters still tasting of salt and sea. Tuck into calamari (tubes, heads and steaks) and mussels (in and out the shell) done in many ways - in vinaigrette, masala, with peri-peri or with wine and garlic. The herring comes six ways, the fish pates four and the mezze too many ways to mention.
Traditional Greek, Spanish and Portuguese themes run through an eclectic menu that highlights Mediterranean flavours - with chicken, ostrich and vegetarian options for diners averse to seafood.
With tastebuds still tingling from oysters and bubbly, the mains are sure to tantalise.
Signature dishes tempt with fresh linefish brought in through the Knysna heads, east-coast sole, linefish espetada, Portuguese sardines, jambalaya and seafood paella.
Spoilt for choice, we took the indecisive way out and opted for a seafood platter - a combo of butterflied prawns fried on the flat-top with olive oil and lemon butter, calamari, mussels in the shell, crayfish and linefish. A succulent feast of the fruits of the sea came grilled to perfection with a firm, fleshy texture. The affordable wine list is well chosen, showcasing a range of top-notch Cap Classique, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to enhance the rich fishy flavours.