Whale Coast Restaurants

Perched along the beachfront, Bella Luna makes the ideal spot for lazy breakfasts, lingering lunches and romantic dinners soothed by roaring ocean and starlit African sky. The mouthwatering menu caters for all palates, from hearty breakfasts to delicious pizzas and tantalizing dinner menu. Sundowners can be enjoyed alongside colourful cocktails watching the trailing sun set over the ocean or a bottle of wine on the terrace.

One of the most exciting and unusual restaurant in the world, Bientang’s Cave is a more than just a dining experience.Located in one of the most stunning Marine Reserves on the coast of the Western Cape and a mere 10 metres from the water’s edge, this unique restaurant is in a prime spot for watching whales play in the ocean as you dine on the finest seafood.Between May and December every year, Southern Right whales visit the shores of the Western Cape and Bientang’s Cave is perfectly placed to be able to see these magnificent creatures as you sit on the deck and sample from the fantastic menu and the extensive, award-winning wine list.

Satisfy your need for food and shopping in one fowl swoop when visiting The Bluebird Garage and Food Market. The vibrant setting housed in side a character-converted warehouse is a heartwarming neighbourhood hangout. Browse the aisles of vintage clothing, antiques and local crafts before feasting on freshly made delights and sinfully delicious baked goods. Open from 10am to 10pm on Fridays, The Bluebird Garage and Food Market is a must see venue in the heart of Muizenberg.

Experience Pacific - Rim Cuisine at it's best. Our Australian chef Sean Kiely brings together the fusion of international cuisine using fresh local produce. From humble beginnings, and after a period of being one of Simon's Town's best kept secrets, Boulders Beach Restaurant has grown to be recognised as one of the top restaurants in the area. Our menu features Pacific Rim Cuisine, by Australian Head Chef Sean Kiely, which he studied during his extensive travels through Asia and across the globe. Complementing the menu are various specials that change on a daily basis, an extensive wine selection chosen by a sophisticated palate and an earthly comfort that won't be ingored.

Burgundy restaurant embraces the best local produce that the fisherman’s village of Hermanus has to offer. Patrons can expect the freshest daily catch dished up and served in style at this charming eatery. The restaurant is housed in the oldest building in Hermanus and is ideally situated on the sea front with the harbour close by. Patrons can really just sit back and soak up the sites and sounds of the village while taking a meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Burgundy is focused on presenting the freshest catch of the day. Expect cuisine that is rich in texture, colour and flavour. Other menu items include meat dishes as well as lighter options such as cakes served with aromatic coffee. The freshly baked bread will be hard to resist, no matter the time of day. The restaurant also has a wine list that reflects the wines of the Overberg region. Wine lovers will not be disappointed with choice for the perfect accompaniment with a main meal. Don’t miss out on the incidental whale watching that the restaurant’s view offers.

The Café at Hubbard’s Cupboard finds itself in a pretty little nursery in the sea-side town of Hermanus. The café offers its guests a tranquil setting for recharging one’s batteries with a light meal after a bout of sight seeing or shopping. The restaurant is sunny and has a lovely look out onto the nursery. It is a cosy spot for a small celebration like a baby shower or kitchen tea. The menu offers all the coffee shop favourites ranging from health breakfasts, light meals like quiche and other tea time treats like muffins, scones and cakes. The restaurant also sells homemade preserves, biscotti or shortbread. Other items for sale include pastries and olives.

With a loyal following paying homage to the talents and fare of Cape Pescado, locals gather here paying testament to the great food and superb atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the live music on selected nights. Knowledgeable staff on hand guide diners through the menu to ensure the perfect selection is made with choices ranging from Peri-Peri Chicken Liver pan-fried in a Peri Peri salsa with savoury rice for starters followed by delicious Pescado Prawns pan-fried in Lemon butter and a temptingly bold desert of Chocolate Mousse decadence served with Ice Cream or Cream. This brilliantly social venue makes every diner feel truly welcome. Cafe Pescado is an excellent spot for tasty seafood and a great atmosphere.

Coffee on the Rocks perches on the edge of the ocean overlooking Walker Bay, home to the visiting Southern Right Whales from July until December. Open for teas and lunch, this vibrant restaurant produces delicious meals and decadent cakes. Service is friendly and efficient, the food is excellent and the view of the whales is the best for miles around. Open for breakfast, lunch & tea 10:00 - 17:00 Wednesday to Sunday (booking on Sat & Sun is advisable).

With a laid-back atmosphere, this institution has become famous with locals and tourists. From fishermen to bikers and families, Dixies Restaurant and Pub serves delicious food upon endless lapping ocean views. A flavourful and unpretentious setting that exudes a jovial atmosphere, Dixies Restaurant and Pub provides the perfect place to linger the day away while enjoying breakfast, lunch and dinners.

Found down a side street of Muizenberg, facing the sea, the Empire Cafe takes its name from an historical site in Muizenberg. Beloved by locals due to its down-to-earth atmosphere and reliably good food, the Empire Cafe delivers unfussy gourmet lunches and hearty breakfasts accompanied by great coffee. Breakfast options range from pastries to hearty English and lunch starts with simple options like burgers and chips to more sophisticated choices like lamb rump steak with spinach.

The coffee is imported from Italy or prepared by fully trained barrista’s while the extensive menu promises many choices. From the famous petite breakfast to the traditional South African lunch time meals such as chicken and mushroom pie, lamb curry and bobotie. The lunch offering vary from substantial to light meals such as toasted sandwiches, filled croissants and bagels to delicious wraps. Pop into espresso with family for friends for a sumptuous treat and aromatic cup of coffee.

Be mesmerised by the stunning view and do a spot of whale-watching while having a bite to eat the Europa in Hermanus. This sea side eatery is a day restaurant with a Mediterranean feel. Menu items range from light meals and tea time treats to great seafood. The restaurant is lively and friendly and boasts a view of the harbour. With seats on the veranda, guests can really just sit back and soak up the hive of activity of the passers by and the working harbour itself. Europa offers an extensive seafood menu with a variety of seafood platters and a famous Crayfish special. Meat lovers are also suitably catered for with meat dishes. There are also vegetarian meals available. The wine list is select, but caters for all tastes as a compliment to its food. Europa serves up tasty, honest food throughout the day.

This well located restaurant set on beautiful sea and mountain views boasts large floor to ceiling glass doors swung wide open to enjoy refreshing flow and views onto the expansive terrace. Distinctly Continental, Galleons Restaurant pampers the palate with scrumptious breakfast buffets and extensive menu and wine list available. Enjoy tantalising grilled T-bone steak served with pan fried vegetables or potato wedges or succulent grilled barbecue chicken breast served with hot vegetables of the day. The wrap around terrace entices long lazy days sampling the menu with scenic views of bobbing boats moored directly below soothe and relax the mind. With the added comfort of umbrellas and heaters, patrons can enjoy alfresco dining all year round.

Embracing elegant, classic ambience with unsurpassed views, Harbour Lights serves the finest selection of seafood and grills alongside warm hospitality and superb food. Enjoy a relaxing lunch gazing out the harbour of False Bay or a romantic dinner lit by the reflecting moon. Tantalise the palate delectable starter of Avocado Ritz served with a twist, a crabstick salad topped with the usual avocado and shrimp in Marie-rose sauce. Mains pamper the palate with mouth-watering Kingklip Cecilia, layers of kingklip fillet with brinjals and baby marrow, with figs, dates, olives, tomatoes and spring onion, white wine on a bed of mash potato cordoned by lemon butter. Harbour Lights will infuse the taste buds creating a memorable dining experience. Favoured by locals and visitors alike this eatery lives up to its status of a landmark restaurant.

Situated opposite the popular Melkbaai Beach, Kaapzicht Restaurant weaves soft ambient music with panoramic views for a new verse old dining experience infused with a timeless ambience. Relax on comfortable leather sofas or enjoy dining on crisp white linen tables savouring fresh grilled line fish, tender calamari and crispy schnitzels with a variety of mouth-watering pancakes and delectable waffles on offer to compliment the meal. Kaapzicht Restaurant enjoys a warm and relaxed atmosphere perfect for lulling the day away exploring heavenly food and idyllic coastal surroundings.

Kitch Kombuis in Muizenberg Village is owned by local personality, passionate restauranteur and people person, Derek Harrison. Everything that Derek ploughs his efforts into seems to be infused with his personal brand of magic, from the deliciously different smoothie selection, through to the furniture he’s chosen to decorate his new restaurant with. Not only is Kitch Kombuis a coffee shop with a difference, everything inside is for sale, not excluding the very table you’re seated at. Taking its inspiration from European coffee stations, the coffee shop is located adjacent to the Muizenberg train station. With a counter full of healthy baked treats and delicious sarmies, Kitch Kombuis is designed as a meeting place, greeting place and ‘grab a bite before leaving on the train’ place. Great emphasis is placed on serving excellent coffee and providing light snacks, baked and made by members of the Muizenberg community. Young bakers and pastry chefs deliver fresh snacks daily, while Derek and his assistant whip up excellent coffee and more-ish smoothies. Enjoy a freshly baked selection of croissants, veg pies, quiches, wraps, gourmet sarmies and sweet pastries from breakfast through to lunch.

A reminder of Muizenberg's glamourous history, Knead brings an air of sophistication to the popular beachfront surf spot. Modern yet classical interiors and crystal chandeliers provide a glamorous setting for breakfast and lunch, with long windows providing endless views of the beach. Knead have created a stylish menu to match the atmosphere, consisting of designer breakfasts such as French toast with berries and cream, through to breakfasts pizzas. Coffees are always good and their white hot chocolate is a must on colder days. Pastries and artisanal breads feature strongly on their breakfast and lunch menu, along with favourites such as gourmet burgers and delectable pizzas.

Situated in the heart of Muizenberg in an old Jewish Hotel, this family run restaurant offers high standards of cuisine and excellence. The varied menu serves delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Enjoy a hearty famous breakfast burger or lunch, which caters for large appetites serving super-large burgers, served with garnish and chips, burgers are flame grilled to perfection. For fulfilling suppers, try Kosie's grilled chicken breast with a selection of mouth-watering vegetables followed by the temptress of deserts, caramel and banana pancakes topped with ice cream. With a cosmopolitan ambience heightened by interesting decorative features, Kosie’s Place makes for a well-served, remarkable setting serving unbeatable prices and mouth-watering dishes.

Madre's Kitchen and Country Grocer is set on a farm just outside Stanford village. Surrounded by vineyards and overlooking the dam, it's a great spot to linger with friends and loved ones. The menu is inspirational country cooking, with fresh breakfast and lunch options. Madre also produces a delicious range of wheat-free cakes. Children are well catered for and can burn off excess energy on the jungle gym and trampoline.

Mariana's delightful award winning 'Best Country Restaurant' has homely tables set on the patio overlooking her herb and vegetable garden and the awesome mountainous backdrop. Enjoy the view while savouring Mariana's mouthwatering dishes. Mariana contributes a monthly column to the Woolworths TASTE magazine, and produces delicious home preserves for the deli. Bookings are essential 028 341 0272 Open Fri, Sat & Sun 9am - 4pm Licensed Take lots of cash so that you can stock up - there are no credit card facilities.

Organic Alive delivers a come-as-your-are ambience greeted by friendly staff and eat as much as you like buffets. With delectable organic creations on display such as organic coconut curry and wild rice or organic salads, chutneys, nuts and variety of home-baked breads, this little piece of wholesome heaven serves simple foods designed to heal. The venue is simple and does not boast much in terms of scenery, but the impressive buffet for R40 is enough to entice the palate into staying while exploring the garnished market filled with organic delights.

Salt of the Earth is a farmstall-type restaurant situated close to Camp Hill, in the Hemel en Aarde district. Customers can sit inside of restaurant or on the patio; a blanket is offered if the weather is too cold. Every last Sunday of the month they offer live music called Music of Yesterday. The restaurant is ideal for kids where they can run around in the veld and still be safe. Enjoy the lovely farm-style breakfast that is a quite substantial meal, light meals or tea and cake. Choose from the daily specials and freshly prepared dishes.

This lively little restaurant boasts a “If you don’t eat with us, we’ll both starve” slogan that invites humour into this relaxed atmosphere. Located within the scenic poster town of Simon’s Town, Salty Sea Dog Restaurant offers simple food heightened by nautical artefacts and exposed wooden beams for a rustic dining experience. Dine alfresco or enjoy the sheltered warmth of indoor dining in the comfort of whitewashed walls and rustic thatched roofs exploring the succulent tastes of fresh seafood grilled to perfection or fried in a crisp light batter dressed in zesty basting sauce. From fresh fish to salads and light-hearted servings of chicken nuggets and hot dogs for children, Salty Sea Dog offers a relaxing and refreshing approach to traditional fish and chips by the harbour.

Savannah Café is the ideal spot for a light meal or business lunch. Located centrally in the coastal town of Hermanus, this eatery is a popular restaurant for those who require loads town atmosphere and good simple food. The café offers a variety of delicious breakfasts and lunch options as well as a range of freshly baked cakes and deli items. Savannah has become a popular spot for local businessmen to meet since it offers a very social and trendy atmosphere and delivers friendly service along with its tasty food.

Situated in Aberdeen Street just behind the main road in Hermanus The Barefoot Cook offers seasonally inspired dishes complimented with fresh home grown herbs and beautiful garnishes that you can actually eat. The warm wooden interior, with roaring fireplaces for those chilly days and evenings, lends a cosy atmosphere to this venue. The owner combines years of cooking experience from Europe and the Caribbean to bring you mouth watering meals that really are worth raving about. Her team have been with her since inception and every guest feels welcome enough to poke their head into the kitchen to see what is on the go. Nini, Tabisa and Bongiwe work wonders within the small space of the kitchen to ensure everything runs smoothly while Rita, your hostess, will make sure you’re looked after completely. The wine list is not large but comes personally recommended by Mariclaire and with each meal you are sure to have a wine that compliments your food. Outside in the courtyard, a small fountain burbles away while Wild Jasmine fragrances the air and Petunias dazzle in their colours. This quaint cottage is also home to an eclectic bookshop.

Uninterrupted views and passion for coffee make this spot the place to be. The relaxed atmosphere and idyllic location remains popular with locals who soak up the surrounds and drink coffee, and WiFi. The blackboard menus boast a variety of dishes ranging from breakfast through to lunch, and daily specials. Try the Mexican Omelet or the Breakfast Panini Sandwich for a kick-start to the day or a Traditional Breakfast available in small and large portions. Light lunches can be enjoyed and include wraps with hearty fillings such as Thai Chicken, Moroccan Lamb and Mexican Vegetables. Daily specials such as Greek Salads or Fresh Fish, Bobotie and Fillet Medallions are available. If something a little lighter suits your fancy then try freshly baked breads or goods baked daily.

The Deli is a trendy Italian Bistro located in the popular holiday town of Hermanus. Open for breakfast and lunch, patrons enjoy light meals throughout the day. Breakfast options range from home made muesli (for the health conscious) while those that lean towards a more continental style morning meal will simply love the freshly baked croissants and brewed coffee. Delicacies like cured meats and delectable cheeses round off the European deli style breakfasts. Daily specials and lighter meals for lunch are displayed on the blackboard. Expect to be tempted by the Three Cheese Souffle and Parma Platter served with figs as well as a fantastic selection of cheeses. And then, for those who simply desire dessert as a matter of course, there’s the freshly baked cakes…and Gelato of course!

This light airy space is the perfect space for a little daytime indulgence, where light meals and aromatic coffees are the order of the day. Order from the menu or enjoy something different from the daily specials, or indulge in an all day breakfast. Relax in quiet ambiance at The Loft restaurant in Fish Hoek.

With comfortable couches, delightful colours and rustic frames in various shapes and sizes, The Meeting Place furnishes elegant touches and shabby chic décor immersed in a bustling atmosphere. Dining by night reveals an ambience of its own, whether on the balcony or indoors, the flickering candle light illuminated by fairy lights and the moon reflecting upon the bay makes for an enchanting evening out. The eye pleasing décor and ambience will hug you in warmth and cool you during the summer for a fresh and inviting experience. Splendid views of False Bay coastline and harbour entices while the music spills a seducing touch over starters of West Coast mussels marinated with tomato and chilli vinaigrette, and asparagus with parmesan butter. Main courses bursting off the menu boast fresh Line fish caught at Kalk Bay harbour served on crushed potato, bella rosa and olives with beurre blanc or slow roast duck on fresh fruit with an apricot and ginger sauce. Enjoy the finest breakfasts served until 12pm throughout the week, with delicious choices ranging from Eggs Florentine, croissants, and breakfast pizza served on puff pastry with pancetta, mushrooms, poached eggs & hollandaise. The Meeting Place is your place to relax and enjoy the intoxicating cuisine while browsing the trinkets, mirrors and décor for sale alongside the lingering aroma of freshly baked bread.

The Milkwood Restaurant is idyllically set in a nature conservation area in Onrus near the coastal town of Hermanus. Here guests can savour the seafood of the area, which is the restaurant’s specialty, as well as delicious venison dishes. The nature reserve setting provides guests with the opportunity to observe the wild life in action, as well as the luxury of a fabulous ocean view. The wooden deck for outdoor dining is perched on the river bank, which makes for a great summer evening spot. In the evenings the restaurant is transformed into a romantic location with candle light and the sound of the ocean nearby. The restaurant is open throughout the day serving meals as early as breakfast. Day time treats like cake and coffee are also on offer. The restaurant’s specialty is its seafood. Popular choices are the Line Fish, Seafood Platter and Calamari. The main courses are rounded off well with sweets like Crème Brule and imported coffee and a choice of superb specialty liqueur coffees. The restaurant gets its name from the stunning Milkwood trees that surround it.

Enjoy the warm hospitality of an owner managed fully licensed restaurant, and unique homely tea garden patio with a collection of price tagged antiques and collectables scattered about. Our traditional South African dishes as well as fresh line fish and ocean platters are enjoyed in the beautiful garden with seating under two old fig trees. Country home baked cheese cake with sticky figs, lemon meringue, scones with homemade jam, carrot cake muffins, or our death by chocolate are all to die for. A la Carte evening dining in homely Victorian decor. Karoo lamb chops, Springbok steaks, Game pie, matured fillets are a few of our dishes served on antique platters with old silver cutlery. Walls are papered in original 1916 newsprint with log fire lit on chilly winter evenings. Prepare to be surprised.

A unique spot with gorgeous views over False Bay, the Tibetan Teahouse is a tranquil place to enjoy cuisine inspired by the beautiful country. Set alongside a gallery and a shop selling collectables, jewellery and artwork from Tibet, this vegan and vegetarian restaurant is a deliciously healthy option for a meal. Organic coffees and herbal teas provide the accompaniment. A truly tranquil place, the Tibetan Teahouse is a superb place to really escape the rat race and refresh the spirit.