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.

Conceived July 1982, Bella Venecia seduced the palate with their famous handcrafted pizzas, created and inspired from their diverse stay in Italy. With their warm, homely atmosphere and mismatched décor, Bella Venecia boasts the best wood-fired pizzas in the whole of Helderbey. The dough freshly made every morning, the toppings layered and spread generously. Alongside pizzas, the menu boasts various pasta dishes with emphasis on good food and a relaxing attitude that spills over onto the ambience inviting patrons to sit back, relax and enjoy the vibe.

“Cosa Nostra, Coa Modo” – “Our thing, our way” defines what Capone’s Pizza do. Authentic, original, thin-based pizzas, crispy and delightful combined with fresh ingredients and flavours. Delight the palate with a crispy Johnny Fox pizza dressed with butternut feta and red onion or a Kid Twist topped with chorizo, peppadews, avocado, chilli and garlic. Kick start the palate with fiery Al’s Arrabiatta drenched in marinara sauce pan-fried with anchovy, olives, chilli and garlic with Penne Rigata. At Capone’s Pizza patrons can enjoy fresh pizza, pasta, burgers, deserts and sauces made on the premises with delicious side grills and salads.

Recently restored to its former glory, The Casa Labia is not only a Venetian inspired national monument, but also the location of the Casa Labia Café, a new addition to the False Bay coastline. Located on the Main Road, teetering on the St. James and Muizenberg border, views from the Casa Labia extend over moody blue waters from the dappled sunlight of a beautiful courtyard. Inspiration for the café menu is drawn from the Labia family’s Italian heritage and their passion for South Africa. Italian classics are made unique to the environment by using local ingredients with emphasis placed on sourcing fresh food for the daily menu, which changes according to the seasons.

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.

Experience Italian hospitality at Fabio’s. Located in the heart of Hermanus, with St Peter’s church as part of the picturesque backdrop and the sea at its doorstep, this genuine Italian eatery is popular venue for locals and visitors alike. The ocean view from the Peroni deck on the sidewalk allows diners to people - watch in true European style, creating a relaxed and trendy mood. The menu offers a selection of pizzas, pastas, meat dishes and fish, all prepared in the Italian vernacular. Guests would do well to keep an eye on the specials blackboard for the chef’s latest experimental dishes (that often land up on the menu as a permanent fixture). Signature dishes include the Seafood Lasagne and the Parma Rock Pizza (Parma ham and Rocket) that is served on a thin crispy base. For dessert the Tiramisu is a decadent indulgence. The wine list comprises a host of local offerings from the Overberg region as well as some Italian wines to round off the dining experience. The restaurant also has a deli which sells a range of imported pastas, coffee, filled pastas and olive oils for those who want to take a taste of Italy home with them.

Paradsio restaurant, located in Walker Bay, offers visitors Italian at the sea-side. The authentic feel and welcoming atmosphere ensures that Paradiso is frequented by Hermanus locals and holidaymakers alike. The restaurant is housed in an old fisherman’s cottage. The sandstone walls and original wooden floors gives the eatery a very individualistic character. The open plan kitchen is another unique feature to Paradiso and allows guests to witness the bustle of the kitchen. The menu is mostly Italian but with some South African influence and does well catering for all tastes. Pizzas are thin based and made in wood burning ovens. Over and above the traditional toppings look forward to exciting combinations like Chicken, Dijon crème fraiche and avocado and Double Smoked Ham with dried Fig and mint. There are also pastas and salads to choose from as well as some seafood like the Trio of Prawn Platter. The wine list has a local selection but there are specialty Italian wines for those who want to go all out Italian. Take advantage of the outdoor seating on those warm summer evenings.

Noted as the oldest operating restaurant in Hermanus (since 1985), Rossi’s presents honest, unpretentious food in the form of pizzas, pastas and steaks in one of the town’s original fisherman’s cottages. Rossi’s is a vibrant family friendly restaurant. Guests will enjoy watching the open plan kitchen and the hive of activity that goes on there when seated indoors. The décor is simple and welcoming. One can also elect to sit outside and take in the view of the stunning Overberg mountain on warmer days for more al fresco style dining. Expect good value for money and menu options for kids. There is a selection of pizzas and pastas on offer. The house speciality is the ‘Rossi Pizza’ while the wood oven baked Line Fish is a must for fish lovers. The restaurant is fully licensed and has a small selection of locally produced wines which are most affordable. Rossi’s meals are also available as takeaways.

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!