Plenty of Delicious Fish in the Sea

Food is one of the great loves of my life. Aside from brussels sprouts, there is very little that I would leave uneaten on my plate. I do also have a serious passion for seafood. Sitting by the sea with a vibrant seafood platter, a glass of chilled white wine, and my favourite people is my idea of a perfect day. In honour of summer and my delighted love for fruits de la mer, I have compiled my pick of the best places to get your ocean fix. From the glistening shores of the Cape to the warm waters of Durban, we’ve got them all… BAIA, Cape Town

Anyone who has spent any time at all at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town knows the name Baia. Boasting panoramic views of the waterfront area and seafood fresh from the waves, Baia has a menu that will make even the most seasoned traveller salivate with anticipation. Their menu offers every seafood lover a taste of perfection, and features tempura prawns and lobster for starters, Mozambican prawn curry and rockfish for mains and, quite honestly, the

most delicious chocolate pudding I have ever tasted.

For more information, please visit www.baiarestaurant.co.za. Harbour House, Cape Town

Sitting pretty on the rocks in the quaint town of Kalk Bay, just outside of Cape Town, Harbour House has arguably one of the best locations in the Mother City. Enjoy a plate (or five) of SA’S freshest seafood – caught at the harbour less than a kilometre away – as the waves crash dramatically into the floor-to-ceiling windows. The perfect place for date night, Harbour House has an extensive wine list and seafood so fresh you can practically hear it singing under the sea. Enjoy delicious oysters with all the trimmings, delectable linefish, and prawnsa-plenty, while you stare out at the ocean wilderness. Ah, perfection. Harbour House also has a branch at the V&A Waterfront.

For more information, please visit www.harbourhouse.co.za. The Oyster Box, Durban

Having cemented itself as an icon of hospitality excellence, The Oyster Box in

Umhlanga really does have it all. Not only is it one of the most stunning places to spend your time, the menu features only the best, sourced from the warm ocean on their doorstep. Whether you opt to dine at The Grill Room, The Chef’s Table, The Ocean Terrace, or The Palm Court, rest assured that the seafood on your plate will be as fresh as an ocean breeze – and tasty to boot. The sensational view and extensive local wine list complete the experience, making it nothing short of delicious.

For more information, please visit www.oysterboxhotel.com. The Fat Fish, Plettenberg Bay

Seaside dining gets more chilled at The Fat Fish. In the sunny town of Plettenberg Bay, The Fat Fish attracts tourists and locals alike to come together and enjoy the spoils of the deep blue sea. Tuck into a delectable tapas platter before you dive into the good stuff – seafood platters, y’all. I could happily take down the Fat Fish seafood platter for two, which consists of eight grilled prawns, Chinese five spice fried calamari, grilled linefish with smoked chilli butter,

and mussels simmered in a Burmese curry sauce, All of which is served with basmati rice, garlic butter, and Harrisa paste. Mouth already watering…

For more information, please visit www.thefatfish.co.za. Cargo Hold, Durban

Eating seafood at an aquarium might be a slightly strange concept, but Cargo Hold is always packed, so it’s clear that they’re serving up some seriously yummy fare. The phantom ship-themed restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors, with a menu that offers everyone a taste sensation. Jump in with both feet and enjoy the Admiral’s Platter, which is made up of crayfish, prawns, mussels, calamari, linefish, and langoustines, and is the perfect platter to share with a loved one

(preferably one that doesn’t like seafood so you can eat it all and still claim it was shared). If that sounds a little too much for you (can there ever really be ‘too much’ seafood?), try an Aphrodite Platter, or perhaps even the Zeus Platter. Everything on the menu is expertly paired with a glass of wine, so take the recommendation, enjoy the pairing, and relax in the best phantom ship-themed aquarium restaurant in SA.

For more information, please visit www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/cargo-hold. Willoughby & Co, Cape Town

Any restaurant that hands out wine in the waiting queue is already in my top five restaurants ever, but in the case of Willoughby & Co, the food speaks for itself. While sushi is not technically what I mean when I say ‘seafood’, their use of high-quality fish in every dish needs a special mention. Personally, I always opt for the Deluxe Platter, which features line fish, calamari tubes, calamari tentacles, and six mussels, because I love the simple approach to the cuisine that they serve. Willoughby & Co allow the flavour of their high-quality seafood to speak for itself, and it is an absolute delight to be able to tuck into a new dish from their menu every time you visit. Also, take my advice and try the Oysters New Orleans. Utterly delicious.

For more information, please visit www.willoughbyandco.co.za. Azure, Cape Town

Located at The Twelve Apostles Hotel, Azure has some of the best views in the country. The Twelve Apostles Hotel stands alone at the foot of the Twelve Apostles mountains, and Azure is the jewel in the crown. Sitting on the terrace as the sun goes down is one of the great pleasures that Cape Town can offer, along with a delicious plate of fresh and vibrant seafood. The grilled seafood platter is an obvious choice – crayfish, prawns, langoustines, fish of the day, grilled baby calamari tubes, muscles, basmati rice, salad, and sauces. Executive Chef Christo Pretorius is passionate about great ingredients and you can taste it in his food.

For more information, please visit www.12apostleshotel.com.

Fresh seafood is one of the great delights of living by the coast, and South Africa boasts some seriously sensational restaurants that are all committed to introducing you to the very best produce available.