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 South Africa has large Greek and Portuguese communities whose love of seafood is legendary and whose restaurant menus stand testimony to this passion. If you’re in the mood for seafood, just ask your friends or hotel concierge to reserve you a table at the nearest Greek or Portuguese restaurant.
Similarly Asian restaurants (Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian) are a good source of fresh and well-prepared seafood dishes.
The people of the West Coast (north of Cape Town, heading towards the border of Namibia) are lovers of crayfish and snoek and are particularly adept at grilling seafood over open fires.
Beach restaurants like Muisbosskerm and Die Strandloper are the places to try mussel kebabs, freshly grilled line-fish and halved crayfish tails basted with butter.
Here’s a taste of seafood delicacies you can expect to find on local menus:
- Prawns: A real treat. From regular queen-size to the monster tiger-size, prawns come dressed in either a garlic or lemon butter, or all fired up in a peri-peri marinade. They are relatively affordable and should be enjoyed at least once during your visit. Most of South Africa’s prawns are sourced from Moçambique, our northern neighbour and former Portugese colony.
- Calamari: There is no shortage of this lovely delicacy on local menus, with restaurateurs having moved away from the deep-fried method of preparation to the more gourmet methods of cooking, such as sear grilling, basting and stewing (paella-type dishes). Tender and tasty and served with home-made tartare sauce (mayonnaise, chopped gherkins, onion and parsley)… in South Africa, calamari is king.
- Kingklip and Sole: South-Africans are the biggest consumers of kingklip in the world. A firm white saltwater fish that yields large flakes, it lends itself to virtually all methods of preparation and is particularly good when just grilled and brushed with a lemon-butter sauce. Sole – a flat fish, is almost equally popular, yet not as readily available as it used to be twenty years ago. A good rule of thumb is to ask the restaurateur which fish dish they would recommend, as he/she would know what arrived freshly into the kitchen on that particular day.
- Abalone and crayfish: Available mostly in up-market establishments – both abalone and crayfish remain a luxury treat. Asian restaurants often feature abalone, while five-star hotel restaurants are sure to stock crayfish for their international visitors.
- Snoek: A rich, pungent saltwater fish that favours Cape waters, this homegrown specialty is a South African institution. Often served as a paté mixed with cream and brandy, or flecked open and grilled over the coals, brushed with apricot jam and butter, snoek is delicious and satisfying. Readily available (in the Cape), it is definitely worth trying.
- Barracuda: If you’re visiting the Durban area on the South-African East Coast, then look out for barracuda on local menus. It would normally be the ‘Catch of the day’ as it is caught off deep-sea private fishing boats and then sold to restaurants on the day. It is juicy, boasts large flakes and is rated the best fresh fish to eat in the region.
- Butterfish: Rich in taste and extremely satisfying, butterfish often features on restaurant menus. It is an oily fish and therefore all the more tasty, but if you prefer your fish lean, butterfish shouldn’t be your choice.
- Fish and chips: Hake is most often used when fish and chips are advertised, and this delicious “comfort food” is inexpensive and readily available almost anywhere. Bottom line – there is seafood in this country for every pocket and taste – so, enjoy
Notable Seafood Restaurants:- 34 Degrees Southon the Knysna Waterfront (Garden Route) is a must for an enormous seafood platter and cold beer
- Vilamoura in Sandton for the best prawns in garlic this side of the Maputo border.
- For a quick dose of seafood – prawns or calamari or fish and chips – the Ocean Basket chain of restaurants are reasonably priced and the whole family is welcome.
- The Brass Bell and Blu Peter – along the Western Cape coastline are a must for those who love their seafood served up with a sea breeze.
- Harbour House in Kalk Bay Harbour is a winner – excellent value for money and great service…not to mention delicious seafood platters.
- Famous Fish Company is a Durban favourite amongst Durbanites and hungry travelers.
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