Seafood boils are having a moment in Cape Town, with diners swapping cutlery for gloves and digging into generous spreads of prawns, mussels, crab and flavour-packed sauces. Add Portuguese favourites and shellfish platters to the mix, and you've got plenty of reasons to answer your next seafood craving. Here are seven spots worth checking out.
Cape Town Seafoodboil, 64 Newmarket Street, Foreshore
The Foreshore has become home to one of Cape Town's few restaurants dedicated entirely to seafood boils.
At Cape Town Seafoodboil, expect generous platters packed with prawns, mussels, crab, corn and potatoes, all coated in your choice of signature sauces.
It's designed for sharing, making it a great option for groups or date nights.
Codfather Seafood & Sushi, Camps Bay
Forget printed menus. At Codfather, the experience starts at the fresh fish counter, where you'll choose everything from king prawns and crayfish to langoustines, line fish, and calamari before it's grilled to order. It's not a seafood boil, but if you're after a generous shellfish feast to share, few places in Cape Town do it better. The restaurant has built its reputation on letting diners create their own seafood experience from the day's freshest catch.
Crabby Online Seafood Boil, Milnerton
If you'd rather enjoy a seafood boil from the comfort of home, Crabby specialises in takeaway boil boxes packed with shellfish, corn, potatoes and flavour-packed sauces. The business has built a loyal following on social media, with customers regularly praising its generous portions and bold flavours, making it an easy choice for a cosy night in.
SeaBreeze Fish & Shell, CBD
While not a traditional seafood boil restaurant, SeaBreeze is one of the CBD's standout destinations for fresh local fish, shellfish and seasonal catches. Tucked away on Bree Street, it pairs sustainably sourced produce with a relaxed bistro atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for a leisurely seafood feast.
The Mussel Monger & Oyster Bar, Sea Point
Located inside Mojo Market, The Mussel Monger & Oyster Bar serves fresh oysters, mussels and shellfish in a relaxed, vibrant setting. Its generous sharing plates and approachable prices make it a solid choice for seafood lovers looking for value.
Beira Mar Portuguese Restaurant, Kalk Bay
A Cape Town favourite for Portuguese-style seafood, Beira Mar has built a loyal following for its flame-grilled prawns, calamari, mussels and generous seafood platters. Overlooking Kalk Bay Harbour, it's the kind of place where long lunches stretch into the afternoon, with ocean views adding to the experience. If you're craving peri-peri prawns or a platter to share, this is one of the city's best-value seafood stops
Live Bait, Kalk Bay
Overlooking Kalk Bay Harbour, Live Bait is known for its fresh seafood platters, grilled prawns, mussels and line fish. With front-row views of the fishing boats coming and going, it's one of the best places to enjoy a leisurely seafood feast on the False Bay coastline.
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