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The coast is calling you to the best restaurants in Kalk Bay!
Roughly 30 minutes from the Mother City sits a quaint harbour town Forbes once named as the ‘World’s Coolest Neighbourhood.’ The smell of salt in the air, the bohemian lifestyle, the ever-busy fishing docks, and the bordering mountain outlines give merit to that claim.
Then there’s the food scene. Along old-world establishments and the coast are restaurants dishing out the day’s freshest catch and flavours imported from far-off kitchens and continents.
Reading about it won’t do. That’s why we’ve thrown together this guide, built on one too many Kalk Bay foodie escapes.
Live Bait
From livebaitza
Address: Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 4133
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 10 pm
When we landed on the ‘good food, better view’ theme for this list, Live Bait was one of the first names that popped up. Encircled by mountains and gazing toward False Bay, the beachy resto is a sight for sore eyes.
It’s also a feast for seafood enthusiasts looking for upscale calamari. There’s a Mediterranean zing to the paprika-sprinkled and deep-fried squid they serve, the sharpness toned by sweet Bella Rosa tomatoes and lemon juice.
A more flavourful pick would be the seafood pasta, which features calamari too, alongside fresh linefish, mussels, and prawns atop soft linguine. The entire number is coated in a buttery-garlicky sauce, then finished with nutty parmesan.
| Tip: Grab special offers by dining on a major holiday. |
Beira Mar
Address: 151 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 3142
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 9 pm
Many claim the low-key Beira Mar is Kalk Bay’s ‘Best and Most Authentic Portuguese Restaurant.’ Well, the same family has been running it for 40 years, so that’s not a mad statement.
And their espetada is a smoky knockout. We gave it a try last month, and those steak cubes were packed with umami and garlicky notes, with a buttery chargrilled exterior that sealed the deal.
If it’s your first time, don’t skip the peri-peri chicken (the staff will say the same). You can have it Portuguese-style (red-hot and tangy) or more herby and fresh, with the meat’s natural flavours as the highlight.
| Tip: BYO drink. There’s no corkage fee. |
Cape to Cuba
From capetocubarestaurant
Address: 165 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 1566
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11 am to 11 pm
- Fri to Sun – 11 am to 12 pm
Although far from a dancer, I can’t stop doing the salsa at Cape to Cuba. This Havana-meets-South-Africa joint has that infectious energy.
Its eclectic approach is even more evident in the menu. They have a massive selection of traditional nachos dipped in cheese, saffron-infused paella loaded with the day’s catch, and Cuban pulled pork sandwiches featuring citrusy mojo pork.
A swig from their mojitos and margaritas completes that, and personally, I respect the old ways and go with a classic mojito. Theirs is a Bacardi-laced and minty bev that’s best necked as the train passes by.
| Tip: It gets windy here (even in summer). If that’s a buzzkill, dress up for the weather. |
Lekker Kalk Bay
From lekkerkalkbay
Address: 106 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 207 0073
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 6:30 am to 6 pm
- Fri to Sat – 6:30 am to 9 pm
- Sun – 7 am to 6 pm
I always feel the town’s spirit in Lekker Kalk Bay. Despite its bustling presence, the slow-moving coastal life never leaves this neighbourhood cafe, especially if you beach- and people-watch by the massive windows.
Two dishes specifically come to mind when this place is brought up: eggs benny and bobotie. Both are done traditionally; the former is an ensemble of poached eggs, bacon, and English muffins, while the latter puts spiced minced beef and yellow rice on one plate.
Lekker’s vegan burger is also well-received. The cool part? You get to shape the overall profile by picking from set toppings, headlined by the ‘hummus set’ and the ‘kimchi set.’
| Tip: Always check first if there are available promos. |
Chardonnay Deli
From chardonnay_deli
Address: 20 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 300 6011
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 6 pm
In the resto game, rustic haunts with A-tier pours and bites rarely flop. Chardonnay Deli is no exception. It’s nearly always packed, mainly with cyclists catching their breath over a flat white or latte.
Breakfast is when folks really queue up, not that it’s shocking. The early hours here come with healthy smoothie bowls, smashed avos (including a vegan take), and a whole stack of super juices, coffee, milkshakes, and teas.
Naturally, their Chardonnay is a no-brainer…I mean, it’s in the name. M.A.N. is a fine choice if you want something buttery with a citrusy aftertaste, while Rickety Bridge is meant for those who adore tropical-leaning, spiced vino.
| Tip: Pack water shoes. The nearby tidal pools are worth exploring. |
Ohana Beach Café
From ohana.kalkbay
Address: 23 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 4761
Operating Hours: Daily – 7:30 am to 3 pm
What’s your definition of kicking back? Ours is snacking on pastries at the vegan/dog-friendly Ohana Beach Café while watching Kalk Bay’s waves crash.
In terms of grub, we’re mostly here for the warm-from-the-oven scones or the beloved Ohana bun, which is flavoured by a butterscotch sauce. Coffee often plays the closer to the said indulgences, but cold-pressed juices aren’t a bad idea either.
There’s also the ‘Harvest Table Menu’ rotation, which features only in-season ingredients. Last July, slow-braised oxtail and smoked salmon stood out.
| Tip: Weekdays are calmer here. |
Satori
From satorikalkbay
Address: 78 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 1123
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 9:30 pm
Satori might be Kalk Bay’s poster child for a trattoria done right. Both its Italian-leaning menu and candlelit interior make this neighbourhood haunt feel homey.
The crackling pork belly, slow-cooked until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, best embodies that. Unsurprisingly, the pastas follow suit, with the cream-based salmon and slow-braised oxtail in a ragu sauce as the patron’s pick.
| Tip: Visit on the month’s first Thursday to enjoy discounts and special deals. |
Lucky Fish & Chips Kalk Bay
From luckyfishandchips
Address: 157 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 7162
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 8 pm
Every plate served at Lucky Fish & Chips was hauled in just hours before it’s on your plate.
Menu-wise, snoek and hake form the backbone of their lineup. Hake is my personal pick since I love delicately sweet fish, but I don’t mind getting snoek, especially when I crave something ‘punchy’ and oily.
Another can’t-miss offering is Gatsby, a South African sandwich that’s either filled with calamari or hake. Most match it with Lucky’s Greek salads and chips.
| Tip: Schedule your visit during sunset. The golden hour here is divine, especially if you sit near or by the window. |
Sirocco Café
From sirocco__cafe
Address: 75 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 054 6349
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Sirocco Café understands that when you have views like Kalk Bay, you eat outside. Shade isn’t an issue, as you’ll be delighting in sushi or fish and chips beneath the fronds of a palm tree.
The taverna’s pizza selection is the cherry on top, with the hand-stretched bases fermented for a long 72-hour period. You call the shot on the toppings, so be creative and make one with kalamata olives, Napoli sauce, blue cheese, red onions—the rest is up to you.
| Tip: Live DJ music is played on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays |
Olympia Café
From olympia_cafe
Address: 134 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 6396
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 9 pm
“Old but gold” sums up Olympia Café. When you’ve been baking and cooking since 1919, that’s totally earned.
As for the food, it’s a fresh selection daily, though you can pretty much expect locally caught fish and mussels to always be on their blackboard. Lemon tarts and pecan pie also pop up now and then…just don’t dawdle; they don’t last long.
Their cups are worth noting as well, given that they’re brewed by the acclaimed Truth Coffee Roasters, born in the globe’s oldest coffee capital. The best pair? Olympia’s iconic ciabatta.
| Tip: Wait times are long during peak hours (between 9 am and 3 pm). Avoid that period if you don’t have the patience. |
Salt
From saltkalkbay
Address: 136 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 3992
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 6 am to 10:30 pm
- Thu to Sun – 6 am to 11 pm
Most simply categorise Salt as ‘that Kalk Bay joint for small plates.’ Fair enough, but we’d also peg it as a sleek European-style bistro for lovey-dovey nights and post-work breathers.
Better yet, they whip a mean yellowtail ceviche. We had it twice already, and on both occasions, the daily-caught seafood was rife with bright citrus and mellow chilli.
Hot on its wheels is the butternut ravioli, often rolled out in autumn. This bestseller is on the velvety and earthy side, with hints of burnt sage rounding it out.
| Tip: Coffee is cheaper between 6 am and 9 am. |
Bootlegger Kalk Bay
From bootleggercoffeecompany
Address: The Majestic, 125 Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 1670
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 7 am to 5 pm
Mornings (and afternoons) simply hit differently when you spend them at Bootlegger. Food here is straightforward, and you won’t pay R40-plus for a small cup of bloody good joe.
Best of all, the all-day menu is stacked with filling meals, such as eggs benny, croissants, smashed avo, chickpea falafel balls, and shakshuka toast, all priced competitively. Halal and vegan versions can be requested.
You can even fully DIY your spread, like what most of my teammates do. Care for some omelettes alongside a sourdough loaf with grated mozzarella and tomato chilli jam?
| Tip: Get the app or shop online to score deals, such as getting one free product every 10th buy. |
Harbour House
From harbourhouseza
Address: Harbour, Main Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 788 4133
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 10 pm
The good things in life cost a bit, and Harbour House? Worth every cent. Ocean-fresh seafood, premier False Bay vistas, and Hottentots Mountain Range outlooks come with a price, you know.
Our crew specifically goes for their ‘mix-and-match’ setup here; we pick a linefish, then decide on how we want it cooked. For instance, the flaky kinglip and buttery yellowtail can either be imbued with a bold laksa base or a smooth, herb-forward risotto sauce.
If you have no clue what pairs, go for the ‘Chef’s Pairing’ option. That’s how you can savour their signature dish: a miso-glazed and ginger-spiked seabass that’s eventually bathed in coconut risotto.
| Tip: This is a known whale-watching spot. A July to December visit increases your chance of seeing them! |
