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It’s a feast for the senses at the best restaurants in Hermanus!
Say Hermanus, and everyone’s first thought would probably be ‘that sleepy Western Cape place where whales love to flex.’ As a hardcore foodie, however, I’m 100% inclined to say (or shout) ‘Please, let’s not sleep on the town’s resto scene!’
You see, the local eateries there whip up eclectic plates, such as daily-caught oysters, tapas for wine tastings, and South African chef-d’oeuvres with global twists.
Well, you have to taste (and see) it to believe it. Good thing our guide below will help you do exactly that.
Bientang’s Cave Restaurant & Wine Bar
From bientangscave
Address: In a cave below Marine Drive 100 m from Old Harbour
Contact Details: +27 28 312 3454
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11 am to 4 pm
- Fri – 11 am to 8 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 8 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 4 pm
A seafood joint set in a century-old cavern with rocky terraces for whale-watching sounds made up…until you discover Bientang’s Cave.
The food isn’t an afterthought either, especially their fan-favourite seafood plate. Getting sweet prawns and creamy West Coast oysters in one platter will always be a W.
Personally, I prefer their battered hake, which highlights the fish’s mild but incredibly meaty character. My poison of choice for that is typically a red or white, though you can’t go wrong with beer, cocktails, or a de-alcoholised vino.
| Tip: Beyond serving food, they also provide tours. Check them out for the full Hermanus experience. |
Burgundy Restaurant
From burgundyrestaurant
Address: 7 Harbour Rd
Contact Details: +27 28 312 2800
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 9 pm
I don’t call it a complete Hermanus trip until I have brunch at Burgundy, a quaint restaurant overlooking the town’s old harbour.
Most times, I get their Eggs Benedict. The bits I want are there, like runny eggs and buttery hollandaise, with some welcome additions, such as creamy chicken livers and tangy ciabatta instead of a muffin.
Their blueberry detox smoothie washes it down. If you’re there to indulge, however, a milkshake partnered with a carrot cake slice is a far superior choice.
| Tip: Visit between July and November for a chance to see whales while eating. |
Ficks
From ficksrestaurant
Address: 8 Marine Dr, Westcliff
Contact Details: +27 28 312 4082
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 9 pm
Northern Spanish flavours and gorgeous ocean scenery are two things you’ll take in at Ficks.
Food-wise, pinchos (tapa-style dishes) are their signature plates. That means in one sitting, you can down fiery lamb meatballs, calamari in smoky romesco sauce, and dulce de leche.
Reds and whites chase those bold flavours well. Best part is, you’ll clean them up on wooden terraces, all gazing out over Ficks Pool and the sea.
| Tip: Guests can splash around, so bring your swimming kit. |
Die Plaaskombuis
From dieplaaskombuis
Address: Farm No 10, VREDE
Contact Details: +27 28 312 1857
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 5 pm
Cradled by mountains, Die Plaaskombuis’ camera-ready setting and timeless South African food made me a lifetime fan.
Seriously, their Cape bobotie is worth writing about, thanks to its playful and robust character. A bite brings in savoury, spicy, aromatic, and even zingy nuances, balanced by yellow rice.
They do bunny chows impeccably, too, mainly the milder lamb curry. I love how it breaks up easily and unpacks spice-heavy meatiness with each morsel.
| Tip: Consider throwing your kid’s birthday party here. They manage everything. |
De Vette Mossel Hermanus
Address: Prawn Flats, on, R43, Voëlklip
Contact Details: +27 64 552 6627
Operating Hours: Sun – 11:30 am to 4 pm
De Vette Mossel’s seafood buffet, prepared open-fire style, had me stacking plates high while enjoying Klein River Lagoon outlooks.
The menu rarely shifts, so chances are, you’ll be digging into steamed mussels, succulent prawn tails, and heavily buttered calamari, as I did.
Surprisingly, it’s their potbrood you’ll have to line up for. Baked to fresh perfection and flirting with both sugar and salt, it’s arguably this joint’s most famous offering, even with potjie and lobsters on the menu.
| Tip: They can host weddings. That’s good news given the seaside location. |
Fusion Hermanus
Address: 5 Village Square, Marine Dr
Contact Details: +27 28 312 4277
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9:30 am to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 9 pm
True to its name, Fusion follows the adage ‘variety is the spice of life.’ Cuisine here fuses different techniques and flavours, served alfresco-style in Walker Bay.
Their sea-inspired menu is what keeps the place running, though. The platter for two is a particular hit, loved for its piles of fresh catches, like creamy mussels and zesty fish.
Cattle and chicken-based grub are on the menu as well, ideally enjoyed with their craft brews and cocktails.
| Tip: Mid-week days tend to have lighter crowds. |
Fishermans Cottage
From fishermanscottagerestaurant
Address: 3A Harbour Rd
Contact Details: +27 28 312 3642
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
The 1800s-built Fishermans Cottage is old-world in looks and time-bending when it comes to food. I say that because their menu dances between traditional and modern.
For instance, their lobster rolls borrow nuances from Eastern seasoning. The seafood curry is another primo example, combining local fish, mussels, and squid with a velvety base.
| Tip: You have to directly ring them up for same-day reservations. |
The Rock Restaurant
From therock.hermanus
Address: New Harbour
Contact Details: +27 28 312 2920
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 9 pm
Grabbing a feed at The Rock between June and November will likely net you whale sightings, courtesy of its clifftop location and wall-to-wall windows.
On the food front, grilled seafood and sushi are on the plate, though the menu changes seasonally. Still, there are noteworthy staples, like the sweet kingklip infused with robust Cajun spices, made for sipping with local wine.
| Tip: Check the weather for the best harbour views. |
Lemonicious
From lemonicioushermanus
Address: 26/27, Village Square Market Square Street &, Marine Dr
Contact Details: +27 82 334 4034
Operating Hours: Daily -11 am to 10 pm
Lemonicious is why I think of citrusy nosh weekly. Nearly every choice or section of the cafe is lemon-infused, including the yellow-toned interior, where you can scope out the ocean.
My go-to is grilled fish tacos. The fish itself has a smoky profile, enhanced by a tangy layer of preserved lemon aioli, resulting in a lively, clean, and hearty snack.
If it’s a morning trip, I stick to pancakes with the same tart notes, just with a touch of locally sourced honey. It’s a coffee-friendly choice, but I prefer downing it with freshly-squeezed lemon juice. Shocker.
| Tip: Be early to grab a table by the window, aka the restaurant’s best spot for sightseeing. |
The Cuckoo Tree
Address: Rothnick Croft Building, 155 High St
Contact Details: +27 28 312 3430
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 8:30 am to 4 pm
- Wed to Thu – 8:30 am to 4 pm, 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sat – 8:30 am to 3 pm
The Cuckoo Tree’s cottage aesthetics, leafy gardens, and mellow atmosphere have been drawing customers for years, chiefly those running from Hermanus’ bustle.
In terms of bites, sweet temptations are their best-sellers. Just ask regulars about the haunt’s cloud-like lemon meringue pie and caramelised scones; they’d probably yap for minutes.
| Tip: Don’t forget to call. Bookings are a must. |
Bosman Hermanus
From bosmanhermanus
Address: De Bos Farm, Karwyderskraal Road
Contact Details: +27 76 300 0819
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 3 pm
While not a restaurant per se, Bosman Hermanus deserves a shout. Sipping top-shelf vino with tapas, all while taking in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, gets them that privilege.
Now, what you sip is your call, but skipping their Chenin Blanc range isn’t the best idea. This gingery and pear-flavoured wine is one of (if not) the winery’s finest creations—plus it goes well with their smoky chorizo or vegetarian mezze platters.
| Tip: Join their wine club for perks like free delivery and access to limited releases. |
Char’d Hermanus
From chardhermanus
Address: Hermanus Waterfront, Market Square St
Contact Details: +27 28 312 1986
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Sun – 11:30 am to 9 pm
Char’d Hermanus is the type of steakhouse you’ll kick yourself for skipping. For one, it might be the town’s only steampunk eatery.
But, of course, it’s their full-bodied and innovative cuts you should be pumped for. I’m talking about dry-aged steaks, a way more tender and nuttier alternative to traditional ones.
However, if fresh, light, and flexible beef is what your palate leans towards, set your eyes on their wet-aged steaks, cured for at least 40 days.
| Tip: Wednesday evenings often have lower prices on dishes meant for sharing. |
Mogg’s Cookhouse
From dom_rocher
Address: Nuwe-Pos Farm, 28 Nuwe-Pos Farm Rd, Hemel-En-Aarde Valley
Contact Details: +27 76 314 0671
Operating Hours: Wed to Sun – 12 pm to 2:30 pm
Mogg’s Cookhouse cooked its way up to fame by bringing together country and Mediterranean flavours, right in the lap of Hemel-En-Aarde Valley’s peaks and plains.
A recurring hit from their seasonal menu is the pork belly. I gave it a shot once, and the oriental-style sauce elevated the crisp, smoked cut, lending it savoury-sweet undertones, rounded out by an apple walnut salad.
| Tip: Take your pups for a bite. They’re pet-friendly. |
Lizette’s Kitchen Bar & Restaurant
From lizettes.hermanus
Address: 20 on 8th Street
Contact Details: +27 69 519 8031
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 10 pm
Lizette’s Kitchen rolls out banquet feasts in a turn-of-the-century property that enjoys golden hour and mountain views. What’s not to adore?
Their artisan flatbread and fish and chips get brought up a lot, if we’re talking faves. It’s followed by their Asian plates, namely bun cha, a Northern Vietnamese grilled pork dish enhanced by fish sauce and herbs.
| Tip: Visit on a Sunday if brunch buffet is your jam. |
La Pentola
From lapentolahermanus
Address: 87 Marine Dr
Contact Details: +27 28 313 1685
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 10 pm
I’ll never grow tired of La Pentola’s Walker Bay panoramas and fusion cuisine. Most patrons mouth the same line, some even saying it since the joint opened in 1995.
You’ll catch our drift once you’ve had their house speciality—pan-fried Hermanus abalone. The dish reeled me in with its masterful layering of silky abalone, sweet-savoury teriyaki, and punchy aromatics, finished with a decadent lemon butter sauce.
| Tip: There’s parking available, so you can drive. |
