V and A Waterfront Restaurants

Cape Town Fish Market is a bustling, vibrant restaurant offering great dishes, fresh seafood, and delectable Teppanyaki and Sushi. Aside from traditional seafood, meat and poultry dishes prepared from the freshest ingredients, the restaurant also offers great seafood platters that enhance the ‘social and sharing’ atmosphere. Pick out your sashimi, California rolls, fashion sandwiches and other treats from the conveyer-belt, a trademark of the franchise, or watch the skilled chef prepare Teppanyaki dishes with nothing but a knife, a fork and two metal spatulas. The restaurant is fully licensed and wine lovers can select from a wide range of South African wines. Cape Town Fish Market is a family restaurant and the atmosphere and menu cater for children. Fresh crayfish, prawns, oysters, mussels and fish are specially prepared for customers to take home and try their hand at their favourite recipes with the best ingredients. Clean lines, delicious flavours, chic surroundings and affordable prices all contribute to make Cape Town Fish Market a great choice for young and old.

This quaint little takeaway outlet is situated in the Craft Market and Wellness Centre of the renowned V & A Waterfront. Enjoy generous portions of old classics like Spaghetti Bolognese and Pasta Arabiata in the cheerful, family friendly surroundings while mouth-watering thick-crusted pizzas with a variety of toppings serve as food for the soul. Add various pies, salads and soups and you’ve got something for everyone. Not only does this place serve food that reminds of a real Italian mama’s kitchen, but it impresses with affordability, quantity and quality. Casa Pizza and Pasta serves light meals for breakfast and lunch and is well worth a try.

Situated near the Food Court in the V & A Waterfront, Dodge City Diner is one of four stores in Cape Town, and is the flagship. This 1950s American style diner is great fun for all the family. The retro decor reminds diners of days gone; with pop art on the walls and black and white checkered floors, ‘50s bubble gum pop blaring out of the juke box a visit to Dodge City Diner is a like a trip back in time. An old fashioned burger bar, Dodge Diner only uses the best quality ingredients for all the items on the menu. All the burgers are homemade patties made from100% lean AAA grade beef and are flame grilled for that delicious barbeque flavour. There are healthier options on the menu too including salads and delicious grilled chicken sandwiches. A trip to a diner would not be complete without ordering one of the old fashioned homemade milkshakes, made with extra creamy ice cream. Dodge City Diner also has a mouth watering selection of Gelato, an ideal way to cool off on a hot summer’s day! A perfect place to take the family for a treat, Dodge City Diner is fun, fast and great value for money.

Ferrymans Tavern, in Cape Town, was the first establishment to open in the V & A Waterfront in 1989. It is a traditional, old fashioned pub with a generous wooden bar counter, brick paved floors, Oregon pine beams and a huge fire place, which during the winter is the perfect place to enjoy a one of the local beers or a great glass of wine. The wonderful homely atmosphere is further enhanced by the old photos, prints and drinking memorabilia that scatters the walls. With a wide range of local and international beers, as well as Ferrymans Ale, which is made exclusively for the Tavern, it is a great watering hole for locals and foreigners alike. There is a great pub menu for the downstairs Tavern with favourites like fish and chips, chicken pie and curry and rice, and daily specials that feature traditional South African fare and seafood. In the Upstairs restaurants patrons can feast on the weekday buffet for lunch, as well as an a la carte menu with wine pairing for both lunch and dinner. There is an outside beer garden for those wonderful hot sunny Cape Town days where patrons can sit back and take in the fabulous views while sipping on an ice cold beer. With play area for the kids Ferrymans Tavern is an ideal place for the whole family.

Located in one of the best spots in the V & A Waterfront, this great seafood restaurant boasts panoramic views and a front row seat on the Victoria Basin. Most of the dishes are quite simple but do not lack in quality. Having plain old fish and chips becomes a treat and large portions at very reasonable prices make this restaurant a winner. Fish gets delivered daily ensuring the freshest produce on your plate - the hallmark of any good seafood restaurant. Fisherman's Choice is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Experience the most amazing sunsets and the infectious sound of the water and the gulls while enjoying your favourite seafood.

The Greek Fisherman is in the heart of Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront. Diners are treated to traditional Greek and Mediterranean food and hospitality. Encouraged to sit back and relax while taking in the out-of-this-world view of Table Mountain and the bustle of the working harbour, patrons are treated to great friendly service and delicious food. Best known for its traditional Greek and Mediterranean menu, the restaurant as added a modern twist to some dishes. With a selection wonderful homemade breads, fresh out of the oven, and over twenty five meze and tapas starters to choose from, including Souvlaki (meat skewers served with tzatziki), Spanokopita (spinach and feta parcels) and Atherina (white bait), diners can feast and soak up the lively atmosphere. The main courses are predominantly fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as the highest quality meats, all cooked to perfection over and open charcoal fire for an authentic taste sensation. The wine list has something for everyone, with With the motto “Food is family, family is life, life is everything” a meal at the Greek Fisherman is a treat to share with the whole family, and one that won’t be forgotten.

Melissa’s The Food Store in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront is owned by Mark and Melissa van Hoogstraten. They have taken their love of food and fine things and translated into Cape Town’s best known deli. Visitors can feast on range of deliciously prepared meals, snacks and tasty treats. The Melissa’s range is made up homemade delectables prepared with the best ingredients and lots of love. All the food is freshly prepared with the intention that good food should be made using only the best ingredients. The ethos at Melissa’s is great food made with highest quality ingredients: the value of quality food produced in a traditional, old-fashioned way using locally sourced, seasonal, all natural local ingredients. Melissa’s at the Waterfront serves breakfast, lunch and light suppers, as well as a buffet from which patrons can choose a range of freshly made quiches, pies and assorted salads. Breakfast delights include fresh baked croissants with homemade jams and preserves, eggs Benedict and a traditional English breakfast, as well as healthier options including homemade muesli, yoghurt and fresh seasonal fruit. For lunch or dinner, diners can feast on deliciously prepared fresh sandwiches, homemade chicken and leak pie, sweet potato wedges with garlic aioli, Asian seared beef carpaccio and a range of yummy home cooked pastas and fresh salads.

Experience a refreshing, bustling atmosphere at Ocean Basket, one of South Africa's leading seafood establishments. Enjoy simple and hearty fish and chips, line fish or tender, melt-in-your-mouth calamari. Groups can try out one of the many delicious platters and combos - perfect for sharing and socializing. Sushi, maki and a variety of fashion sandwiches are also on offer and begs to be washed down with a great bottle of wine. The restaurant is child friendly and creative, healthy seafood dishes for the little ones will ensure a great experience for everyone 'on board'. The restaurant is open from 12h00 until 22h00 daily during the week and until 23h00 on weekends. Ocean Basket promises good vibes, fresh produce and cuisine and value for money all-round.

The Paulaner Brauhuas is in the Clock Tower Precinct of Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront. With a beer garden overlooking the working harbour, visitors can enjoy the range of beers that are brewed on site, while sampling typical Bavarian food and watching the seal as they gambol around the busy harbour traffic. Patrons of the Pualaner Brauhaus are treated to a traditional Bavarian experience, from the food and beer to the atmosphere and general cheer. Diners are served by waitresses in traditional dress, and male waiters are kitted out in lederhosen. The atmosphere is relaxed and visitors are encouraged to get into the spirit of things, whether chilling in the beer garden or in the main restaurant among the glistening copper brewing pipes. Brewed on site, all the beers and lagers served at the Brauhaus stick to German guidelines. There is a choice of lager, Paulaner Weissbeer and a variety of special beer brewed sporadically. The Brauhaus produces 4500 litres of beer a week, and is the only brewery in the world to store and cool beer below sea level. All the meals are prepared using traditional Bavarian recipes, and only authentic ingredients are used. Specialities include eisbein and roast pork with crackling, as well as a variety of sausage and sauerkraut. For a festive fun time the Paulaner Brauhaus is the place to gather!

One of the most famous restaurants in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront is Quay Four. Patrons can choose between the tavern downstairs which serves good pub grub and seafood, or Upstairs @ Quay Four, which offers diners a more sophisticated eating experience, overlooking the bustling harbour. With live music every night, Quay Four’s Tavern downstairs hums with activity all year round. The water laps the edge of the restaurant, and diners are usually treated to a show from the harbour’s resident seals while they enjoy a cold beer, thirst quenching cocktail and feast on a delicious meal. There is selection of light meals, salads and traditional pub grub – one of the most popular dishes is the traditional fish and chips. There is also a huge variety of fresh seafood, including oysters, mussels, prawn, crayfish and fresh line fish, as well as a selection of seafood platters. For the more carnivorous diners, there is a delicious range of fine cuts of meat from the grill. Upstairs the focus is on fine dining. Diners can feast on a choice of lobster, fine seafood. All meals are complimented by an outstanding wine list, as well as superior service. Quay Four prides itself with its reputation for good, fresh food and friendly service, and time and time again it delivers.

Cape Town’s Two Ocean’s Aquarium in the V & A Waterfront is home to the Shoreline Cafe. The self-service deli style cafe is the perfect place for parents and kids. With the only play centre in the Waterfront, parents can bring the kids, have a meal and catch their breath after a tiring trip round the V & A. The food is good simple fare, and the atmosphere is relaxed and very child orientated. The decor is contemporary, and the restaurant has a beachy ambience, which complements the menu perfectly: wholesome, healthy and full of family favourites. Items include delicious eggs and bacon for breakfast, and a range of fresh sandwiches, quiches and mouth watering pastas for lunch, as well as well established favourites such as burger, fish and chips and juicy steaks. With amazing views of the Table Mountain and the yacht marina, it’s a great place for mums and dads to bring the kids. Very affordable and fun, the Shoreline Cafe is a favourite for parents.

Tasca de Belem is one of Cape Town’s finest Tapas restaurants. Located in the V & A Waterfront, the restaurant offers diners exquisite views of Table Mountain and Signal Hill, as well as the busy harbour. There is a truly Mediterranean feel about the restaurant, not only because of its Turkish influenced Portuguese menu, but the atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming and vibrant. Belem is the historical part of Lisbon, where centuries ago explorers set out to conquer the unknown worlds the lay beyond Europe. One of the first journeys made from here was to Turkey, so it is quite fitting that this restaurant should be a marriage between to the two cuisines. Tasca, meaning tavern, offers diners fabulous meze and tapas dishes that are the perfect fusion of these two historical cultures. The dishes on the menu represent the best of both Turkish and Portuguese cuisine with traditional favourites such as Trinchado and Espatada, as well as Shish Kebab and Ali Nazik, Tasca de Belem is a cross cultural cuisine experience for all food lovers.

The Docks Restaurant is in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront is next to the Nelson Mandela Gateway, home of the Robben Island ferry. Popular with passersby and locals, the area in front of The Docks is the playground for the local seal population. Known as the seal pen, The Docks is on the same site as the old Bertie’s Landing. Its extensive menu, relaxed atmosphere and fabulous location right on the water’s edge, in front of the Clock Tower, make The Docks a popular place to sit back and relax, and take in the fabulous views of Cape Town, Table Mountain and the harbour. The Docks serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, light meals and cocktails. The wine list is extensive and features some of the best South African wines. The menu has something for everyone, from burgers to seafood, grills to pasta, as well as salads and traditional South African fare. The dinner menu also features specialities such as ostrich, game and lobster. Relaxed and family orientated, with fabulous views The Docks Restaurant offers patrons a varied menu that caters for all tastes and good friendly service. Patrons are often treated to shows from the local buskers on the dockside next to the restaurant, with acts including gumboot dancers, a marimba band, mimes and signers.

Situated in the V & A Waterfront, looking out across Cape Town’s harbour, Wang Thai offers the best in Royal Thai cuisine in an exquisite setting. With Table Mountain as a backdrop, patrons can indulge in an authentic Thai dining experience while watching the resident Cape fur seal colony at play. Diners are treated to delicious, authentic dishes from across Thailand, freshly prepared using only the highest quality ingredients. Each meal is prepared under the watchful eye of the Thai trained master chef using traditional regional recipes. Diners can delight on favourites such as spicy Tom Yum soup or traditional Thai curries. For the more adventurous there is Ped Pi-Roed – Angry Duck – served with crispy seasonal vegetables. For an African twist on a Thai meal Wang Thai has created an ostrich curry served with fresh bamboo shoots. There is a variety of seafood available, as well as an extensive sushi menu. The decor is elegant, and features traditional Thai pieces, and this coupled with the delicately balanced flavours of the food and the wonderful views of Cape Town give diners a truly Thai experience.

Willoughby & Co, in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront, is best known for its deliciously prepared fresh seafood and sushi. Named Best Seafood Restaurant for 2007/8 by the V & A Waterfront Restaurant Guide, Willoughby & Co offers diners sublime food, great service and an outstanding wine list. Using only the finest ingredient and freshest seafood Willoughby & Co is committed to providing its clientele with a menu that reflects modern food trends that are innovative, delicious and for the most part unique to the restaurant. Whether it is sushi, mussels, freshly shucked oysters, fresh line fish or carnivorous dishes from the menu, diners are guaranteed to be dazzled by the outstanding quality of food that is produced by Willoughby’s. There is a full Japanese kitchen where signature dishes such as Rainbow Reloaded and Soft Shell Crab in Ponzu Sauce are prepared under the watchful eye of Asian Chef Sam. The renovations in 2008 gave an entirely new dimension to the restaurant, creating more seats inside. Diners can sit at the sushi bar and watch as their meal is prepared, alternatively there is a seated area in the mall where diners can feast on a variety of fresh seafood, sushi, oysters and a selection of other dishes. Famous for quality, freshness and consistency, Willoughby’s is great value for money.