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Your search for the best fish and chips in Cape Town ends here
If you’re like me and believe that the perfect fish and chips can make any day better, Cape Town has some real gems waiting for you.
This city is home to spots where you can enjoy fish that’s fresh, batter that’s delightfully crispy, and chips that practically beg for a splash of vinegar. And yes, eating it all with a sea view is a bonus!
I’ve scoured the city for the most delicious, satisfying fish and chips, and now I’m sharing the top spots that never disappoint!
Fish Hoek Fisheries
Media from nurdencross
Address: 43 Main Rd, Fish Hoek
Phone: +27 21 782 2314
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 7 AM to 8 PM
Fish Hoek Fisheries is my go-to spot when I’m craving a classic fish and chips fix. The place is always bustling, and the long queue just adds to the charm.
I love how the hake comes wrapped in newsprint. It feels nostalgic and adds a bit of tradition to the meal. I also enjoy their Portuguese fish cakes because of their nice spiced flavour, which is a fun twist on the usual fish and chips.
| Pro Tips: After grabbing your order, take it to the nearby beach for a relaxed seaside meal. |
Fish on the Rocks
Media from yk.onfilm
Website: https://fishontherocks.com/
Address: 1 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay
Phone: +27 21 790 0001
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 8 AM to 7:30 PM
Fish on the Rocks is a favourite of mine for its fresh seafood. The location right by the ocean ensures the fish is always fresh.
I usually stick with the hake, but if I see yellowtail or snoek on the menu, I go for that. I enjoy grabbing a takeaway and eating it at one of the picnic benches with a view of the sea.
| Pro Tips: Head over to the nearby Bay Harbour Market. It’s a lively spot with over 100 stalls offering local crafts, food, and live music, making it a great way to spend the rest of your day in Hout Bay. |
Fisherman’s Choice
Media from fishermans_choice
Website: https://www.fishermanschoice.co.za/
Address: Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Phone: +27 21 419 5865
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 9 AM to 9 PM
Fisherman’s Choice offers a straightforward take on fish and chips, ideal for a quick, satisfying meal. As part of a small local chain, it’s known for its consistently good quality and reasonable prices.
I really like the fresh hake they use, which comes in a crisp batter that brings out its mild sweetness. The thick-cut chips are nicely seasoned and have a good crunch, making it a good choice for a quick and tasty meal.
| Pro Tips: After enjoying your meal, consider a visit to The Cape Wheel at the V&A Waterfront. It provides impressive views of Table Mountain and Signal Hill, and you can easily buy a ticket on the day of your visit. |
Kalky’s
Media from kalkys_restaurant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kalkys.seafood/
Address: Kalk Bay Harbour
Phone: +27 21 788 1726
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 10 AM to 7 PM
Kalky’s has been serving up fresh seafood since 1996 and remains a popular spot for a satisfying meal. The relaxed atmosphere and consistent quality make it a favourite among locals and visitors.
I especially enjoy their calamari, which is tender with a nice, light crunch. The grilled crayfish has a subtle smoky sweetness, and the hake is wonderfully flaky and pairs perfectly with their crispy chips.
| Pro Tips: While you’re in the area, take a leisurely stroll along Kalk Bay Harbour to enjoy the scenic views and watch the Cape fur seals play in the water. |
Lucky Fish & Chips Muizenberg
Media from luckyfishandchips
Website: https://www.luckyfishandchips.co.za/
Address: 80 Beach Rd, Muizenberg
Phone: +27 21 788 9597
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 11 AM to 7 PM
Lucky Fish & Chips is a great place to stop by after a surf at Muizenberg Beach. The restaurant is known for its bright and breezy atmosphere, making it a comfortable stop for beachgoers.
I really enjoy their classic fish and chips, which have a crisp, golden coating and tender fish inside. The calamari and prawns are always a hit too, with a nice crunch on the outside and juicy, fresh bites on the inside.
| Pro Tips: Head to the nearby beach huts for a photo session. They’re perfect for capturing vibrant, Instagram-worthy shots and offer shelter from the summer wind, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed and memorable outing. |
Lusitania Fisheries
Media from lusitaniafisheries
Address: 49a. Waterkant Street
Phone: +27 87 351 8383
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday – 8:30 AM to 6 PM
If you’re wandering around the city centre and craving fish and chips, Lusitania Fisheries is a solid choice. It’s a favourite among local office workers, and during lunchtime, you might see a queue outside.
I’ve been there, and while the service is straightforward and the shop isn’t fancy, it has a nice, old-school feel. If you’re visiting in winter, I recommend adding a side of fried snoek roe, as it’s only available during this season.
| Pro Tips: Arrive before 12:30 PM to beat the lunch rush and enjoy a quicker service. Alternatively, consider calling ahead to place your order and avoid the queue entirely. |
Ooskus Fisheries
Media from davidnathanlacey
Website: https://www.ooskus.co.za/
Address: 4 Watt St, Gordon’s Bay
Phone: +27 21 856 1625
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 10 AM to 8 PM
Gordon’s Bay is a spot I’ve visited often, especially for Ooskus Fisheries, a local favourite just off the road to Betty’s Bay. This small seafood shop has a cosy vibe, and I’ve enjoyed their calamari, prawns, and fish and chips more than once.
Lunchtimes and weekends are usually packed, with queues spilling out the door, but in my experience, the wait is always worth it for their fresh seafood.
| Pro Tips: Take advantage of their weekly specials, especially the Monday deal with two fish or calamari burgers for only R75. On Thursdays, grab a family platter with a 15% discount. |
Palace Fisheries
Media from hanfredrauch
Address: 533 Albert Rd, Salt River
Phone: +27 62 526 2421
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Palace Fisheries, established in 1955, serves up huge portions of hake and chips, which are definitely the top choice for many. It’s a hidden gem at the less attractive end of Albert Road.
What makes Palace Fisheries stand out is that it’s the only chip shop in Cape Town that uses wood fire to heat the oil. I’ve heard from regulars that this unique method gives the food a distinct taste, and I could certainly taste the difference myself.
| Pro Tips: Come on Mondays for their buy 1, get 1 free burger special. You can mix and match between beef and chicken to double up on the flavours. |
Revelas Fisheries
Media from ross_von_ruben
Website: https://www.revelasfisheries.co.za/
Address: 205 Long Street
Phone: +27 21 423 3522
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9 AM to 6 PM
- Friday – 9 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday – 9:30 AM to 8 PM
Revelas Fisheries is a no-frills spot where the focus is on serving simple, well-prepared hake and snoek. The menu lets you choose how you’d like your fish cooked and served, whether grilled, fried, or with a side of chips.
When I tried their grilled hake, it had a lightly charred exterior with a subtle smokiness, while the flesh inside was moist and flaky. The chips were seasoned with a hint of paprika, adding a touch of spice that complemented the fish without overwhelming it.
| Pro Tips: Save money by ordering the daily combo specials. Get hake or snoek, calamari, and chips for just R100, instead of ordering items separately. |
Riva Fish Restaurant
Media from rivacapetown
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivacapetown/
Address: 24/4 Napier St, De Waterkant
Phone: +27 21 418 0657
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 6 PM to 10:30 PM
For a different take on fish and chips, Riva Fish Restaurant is an interesting option. The Italian twist they put on local ingredients makes each dish special.
When I go there, I usually order the seared tuna or line-fish carpaccio when they’re in season. For a more classic option, the deep-fried hake with a crispy polenta crumb and vegetable fries is a solid choice.
| Pro Tips: Don’t hesitate to ask for their fresh chilli sauce if you like a bit of heat; they’re very accommodating, and it pairs well with their seafood dishes. |
Salty Sea Dog
Media from johnnyh2o
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltyseadogofficial/
Address: 2 Wharf St, Simon’s Town
Phone: +27 21 786 1918
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 11 AM to 8:45 PM
If you’re feeling hungry while driving to the Cape Peninsula, I suggest a stop at Salty Sea Dog for some classic fish and chips. From my experience, though you can order to go, the small number of tables with a view of the harbour makes it worth staying in.
Besides their great fish and chips, they offer calamari, fish cakes, fish burgers, and various platters. They also serve smoorsnoek, a traditional Cape Malay dish that’s worth trying.
| Pro Tips: For a fun detour, Boulders Beach is just a 5-minute drive from Salty Sea Dog. You can spend the day watching African penguins or take a dip in the warm, sheltered waters. |
SeaBreeze Fish & Shell
Media from seabreezefishandshell
Website: https://seabreezecapetown.co.za/
Address: 213 Bree Street
Phone: +27 74 793 9349
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 12 PM to 9 PM
For a more refined dining experience, SeaBreeze Fish & Shell is a great choice. Located in a charming historic building above the city, this intimate restaurant serves an impressive seafood menu.
Their line-caught hake with hand-cut chips stands out for its crisp batter and tender, flaky fish. Other dishes worth trying include the seared tuna burger with crispy onions, and the hake ceviche with cream cheese and squid ink mayo.
| Pro Tips: Take advantage of the ‘Oyster Happy Hour’ from 5 PM to 6 PM daily, where you can enjoy oysters for just 10 bucks each. |
Snoekies
Media from leanda15
Website: https://www.snoekies.co.za/wp-2017/
Address: 106 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay Harbour
Phone: +27 21 790 6677
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 10 AM to 6 PM
When I think of family-friendly fish ‘n chips, Snoekies is the first place that comes to mind. It started in 1951 in Hout Bay Harbour and now has several branches across the city.
I really enjoy their seafood platter with my family. The hake fillets are tender and the crumbed prawns are crispy, making a great combination with the chips and rice.
| Pro Tips: Don’t forget to bring your little ones here. The playground is a big hit with kids, and there are even people around to keep an eye on the little ones while you eat. |
Tobago’s Restaurant
Media from foodblogct
Address: 100 Beach Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Waterfront
Phone: +27 21 441 3414
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 6:30 AM to 1 AM
I’ve had the chance to visit Tobago’s Restaurant in Cape Town, and their seafood is definitely worth trying.
When I ordered their fish and chips, the fillets of hake or kingklip were coated in a light batter and fried to a nice crisp. The chips were thick-cut with a good balance of crunch and soft potato inside.
| Pro Tips: Reserve a table on the terrace at Tobago’s to enjoy your meal with stunning ocean views. The space is comfortable and perfect for a relaxed dining experience. |
