Hey Lykkers, Camps Bay is a suburb that eats well. You have the Atlantic right there, the Twelve Apostles behind you, and a waterfront packed with everything from barefoot seafood spots to a dining room that just took the country's top prize.
The trick is matching the place to your mood. Here are five restaurants worth knowing about.
<h3>The Codfather Seafood & Sushi</h3>
This place has been a Camps Bay institution since 1998, and it works differently from most restaurants. There's no printed menu.
You walk up to the counter, look at the day's catch, choose your fish, and they cook it to order. It's a bit chaotic but fun, and the staff are good at guiding you through it. The sushi is a solid bonus, and the seafood is consistently fresh. It sits slightly off the main waterfront, which makes it feel a little more tucked away. Expect to spend roughly US$45–55 per person depending on what you pick, which is pricey for South Africa but worth it for the quality.
<h3>Harbour House Camps Bay</h3>
If you want polished seafood with a view, Harbour House opened on the promenade recently and has quickly become a favourite. The room has soft whites and sea blues, with big windows facing the beach. The menu focuses on locally sourced fish, with dishes like miso seabass on coconut risotto, seafood risotto with spiced prawns, and calamari done two ways. Reviews are generally positive about the food and the view, though some diners have felt the tables were a bit tight and the pricing high for what you get. Mains typically land in the US$20–40 range.
Harbour House Camps Bay
<h3>Salsify at the Roundhouse</h3>
This is the splurge, and it comes with serious credentials. Salsify was named South Africa's best restaurant at the 2025 Eat Out Awards, earning a rare three-star rating. It sits in a historic building above the beachfront, with ocean views, and the cooking is modern South African driven by local and foraged produce. The Chef's menu is roughly US$105 per person before drinks, which is a once-in-a-trip kind of meal. Book well ahead, especially for weekends.
<h3>Paranga</h3>
Paranga opened in 2002 and essentially defined the Camps Bay beachfront dining vibe. It sits right on the promenade with uninterrupted ocean views, and the menu covers sushi, fresh seafood, and grilled dishes. It's the kind of place where lunch drifts into sunset drinks. Reviews over the years have been mixed on service and consistency, but the location is hard to beat. Expect to pay for the setting, with mains and sushi landing in the US$25–50 range.
<h3>Zenzero</h3>
For something built around fire, Zenzero is the spot. The kitchen is centred on two open wood-fired ovens, and almost everything has been near the flames: coal-roasted seafood, wood-fired vegetables, and wood-fired pizza. It's family-friendly, ocean-facing, and has one of the most coveted terraces on the waterfront. Prices are mid-range for Camps Bay, with pizzas and grilled dishes in the US$15–30 range.
<h3>Getting there and where to stay</h3>
Camps Bay is about 15 minutes by car from central Cape Town. A rideshare costs roughly US$8–12, and a rental car starts at about US$30 per day. There is no train to Camps Bay. Guesthouses and boutique hotels along the beachfront start at around US$120–180 per night, while hostels in central Cape Town cost about US$25–40 per night.
<h3>Final Thoughts</h3>
Camps Bay rewards readers who mix the casual and the special. The Codfather and Harbour House give you the seafood. Salsify is the once-in-a-trip splurge with the award to back it up. Paranga and Zenzero keep things beachfront and relaxed. Book ahead for Salsify and the waterfront spots at sunset, and remember that parking along Victoria Road can be tricky. Eat well, then walk it off on the sand.
