Places to get your fish and chips fix in Cape Town

Updated Friday, 26 May 2017

Whilst my British friends continue to tell me how good fish and chips really are the UK, I persuade them to taste ours in Cape Town first. We have some really great spots where you can enjoy a seaside view and fresh fish and hot chips at cheap prices. Here’s a few of my favourites …

Lucky Star, Kalk Bay

This has slowly become a favourite of mine largely due to its position just below Harbour House and at the entrance of Polana in Kalk Bay Harbour. You can grab your fish and chips to go and sit along the harbour walls watching people fish over the edge and seals climb up the stairs for their fish offerings. For a really affordable price you can get a one parcel with a few pieces of fish and really crispy chips which is enough to share between two. They also have a semi-spicy chilli tomato sauce which pairs oh so well with hot chips.

Find them at Kalk Bay Harbour, or phone + 27 (0)21 788-4133

Photograph: Lucky Fish in Kalk Bay

Kalkies, Kalk Bay

Kalkies is somewhat of an institution in Cape Town and has been around for many years. If you’re going on the weekend, know that you’ll encounter many crowds all queuing for their renowned fresh fish, crayfish, prawns and chips. Order inside, but be sure to grab a table beforehand. And enjoy the sunshine on a warm Cape Town afternoon as children play on the jetty and fishermen sell their just-caught fish in the harbour.

Find them at Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay, Cape Town.

Fish on the Rocks, Hout Bay

You’ll find this spot right beside the new, trendy Hout Bay harbour market. When the sun is shining, this place really is a winner. All the tables are outdoors and in summer it can be quite hot if your seat doesn’t fall beneath one of the umbrellas. You can grab your seafood of choice and enjoy it on the rocks just beside the restaurant. You’ll have the best view looking out at yachts, sea kayakers and seagulls out on the water.

Find them at 1 Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 790-0001

Kalky's Fish and Chips

Snoekies, Hout Bay

This is the fish and chips spot of my childhood. I recall many a Sunday afternoon drive out to Hout Bay with my family and gran in tow and enjoying salty, battered hake and snoek with hot chips. Snoekies is another oldie and goodie and can be found in many locations, but the Hout Bay is the original and such a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the harbour.

Find them at Quay 4, Hout Bay Harbour, Harbour Road, Hout Bay. Telephone: +27 (0)21 790-6677

Salty Sea Dog, Simonstown

Simonstown is a seaside town that has grown very close to my heart over the years. The vintage stores, pretty décor shops and of course Salty Sea Dog in the harbour. We always order our fish and chips and take it down to the wooden benches along the jetty. Here people leave for boat cruises, wooden dingies are moored on the glistening water and the yachts park at the yacht club.

Find them at 2 Wharf Street, Simonstown. Telephone: +27 (0)21 786-1918

Photograph: Kalkys Fish and Chips in Kalk Bay

Plumstead Fisheries

If you don’t have time for a drive all the way out to the seaside and need fish and chips fast in the Southern Suburbs, this is the place. This would be a weekly meal for my family and me. People would queue here after work and watch as their fish gets fried quickly and the chips done. They can be a tad on the oily side, but taste delicious.