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Hours
Sun
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Mon
12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Tue
12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Wed
12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Thu
12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Fri
12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Sat
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
$10.00 – $25.00
CUISINES
Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
meals, features
Details
About
Mariner's Wharf is the first harbourfront emporium in Africa and consists of the upstairs 360 seater Wharfside Grill restaurant, the downstairs fast- food Seafood Bistro, nautical gift shops, Bakery and Fishmarket.
PRICE RANGE
$10.00 – $25.00
CUISINES
Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront
Contribute
4.0
1,747 reviews
Excellent
703
Very good
656
Average
211
Poor
102
Terrible
75
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Bellanic Concepts
Lagos32 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
I always say friendliness and service are key. I have to say the warmth that greeted us from the front door got us excited about what to expect.
Our waiter - Herman was very professional and courteous. He made our experience very memorable. His culinary advice was apt.
Andrew - the Restaurant Supervisor. Was also on hand to share the history of the restaurant. Thank you for sharing.
Our party of 3 ordered the Fisherman's basket for 2 and also the lobster trip tails with a side of steamed veggies served on a bed of rice. The food was absolutely delicious, and fresh.
Kudos to the entire team.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harald S
13 contributions
Feb 2024 • solo
Every time I return to Mariner's Wharf, I am repeatedly served world class cuisine, in an understated, relaxed seafront environment. My recent visit was no exception. Fresh & healthy Greek salad starter, followed by an incredible Prawn Linguine. My usual accompaniment, a lightly sweet Rosé. Not forgetting the excellent Espresso before my inevitable departure . . .
Written March 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigFamily78
Saint-Remy-les-Chevreuse538 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
We had dinner one evening during our visit to Cape Town. The place is on Hout Bay beach, parking in front, the interior is all wood, gives the impression of being on an old boat. The servers are smiling, charming and attentive to the customer upon arrival. The dishes we ate were delicious: fresh produce, well cooked and very tasty! I recommend the dish of prawns and squid in a very spicy creamy sauce with rice: it was divine and even too filling, I couldn't finish.
Thank you for the welcoming.

Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Excursion55999561880
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • family
We had a terrible experience. The waiter was not knowledgeable about the menu. We got the incorrect food. The food was old. We were lied to and charged extra for changes to the dish we were assured were not going to be charged for. The dish had to go back to the kitchen twice before it was corrected. I don't recommend this place to the local people of Cape Town and they are seriously overpriced for the poor quality of food and service you get.
Written January 9, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathan C
Valletta19 contributions
Nov 2023 • solo
I was so excited to visit this restaurant, after reading all the good comments about it and I must say that my experience was a good one. My reason for this review and also 1 star is concerning being ripped off as a tourist. I am not the one to complain or even write a bad review but this needs to be done as I do not want others tourists to be ripped off the same way I was as Cape Town on a whole was a beautiful country and this was the only restaurant that tried to rob me. I had been ordering food and eating out for 2 weeks so I got used to the prices by then. I ordered a platter for one and the waiter asked me if I wanted to add lobster which I replied yes. He mentioned a price to me at the time of ordering but I must be honest and say that I didn’t even take notice of what he said , I just said yes please go ahead. I had two Heinekens and a bottle of water and the food was good I must say. After paying I visited some friends and showed them where I had been for the day , these friends being South African, asked me how much I paid for it and I showed them the bill to which they where very shocked! I paid 1750 Rand for all I mentioned , at that moment I thought maybe it was a mistake and reached out to the restaurant via facebook , they replied immediately but kept insisting that they will call me which till today I have not received a call. I’m not after my money back , I was actually happy they give the extra amount they charged me to charity however I would like this review to reach out to all the tourists not to be robbed like I was , they basically charged me 1000 Rand just for extra half lobster which in South Africa is a lot of money. Please be careful from this restaurant, check your bill properly. My friends went the next weekend and got chargers 500 Rand extra for the lobster.
Written December 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun Bloch
Thanks for your feedback Nathan,
We stand by our extensive response on Facebook messenger on the day of your complaint.
Having reviewed your bill and information you supplied - we investigated any possible irregularities with your claim to overcharging.
You were charged the correct amount and the portion is not half a lobster it is actually a full portion.
We are very well priced, when comparing the same dish with other restaurants that serve same. You are more than welcome to do a comparative analysis on pricing, should you so wish.
Our communication on the day was extensive and we truly had hoped that we had been able to give you sufficient feedback for you to see that you were not robbed at all.
We truly pride ourselves on quality and service delivery and value feedback from all, it truly saddens us that you have walked away with this negative impression.
Written January 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EVEDX
Saint-Leu-la-Foret10 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
We came in 2023 and everything was perfect, confident we returned on November 6, 2024 a year later. What a disappointment! Mussels seemed to come out of a cooking water and had no flavor, the sauce was very fatty. The sole fillet, very small (80gr at best). We were looking for him on the plate. Tasty and well cooked, but accompanied by a tiny portion of tasteless rice.
Very slow service.
A mussel, two soles, a bottle of water and two espressos for 880 Rands (49€). Far too expensive compared to market, location, and quality.
I don't recommend it anymore.
Automatically translated
Written November 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dk
Frankfurt4 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
Looked, as so often, as a ood place to have seafood, as the location, right on the bay, was promissing. Reception and service (thank you Mathew) very friendly. Asked specifically at the reception whether they had lobster, although it was not the seasonfor lobster. "Yes, we have lobster, but frozen". Ordered oysters, 10 prawns with rice, the now "fresh" lobster, with chips, wine. LOBSTER would be 600gr and 4 times the price of the 3 "Lobster" tails "because of the head and claws". What arrived were chips drenched in butter, 2 baby CRAYFISH, size in total smaller than the prawns, but no lobster. Confronted with this, service claimed " we call them lobster", even though real lobster are depicted on their toilet doors.
I wonder whether I can call a burger for a prime rib steak back home.
Avoid.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun B
Thanks for this feedback. I have checked the quality personally after your feedback and all seems to be up to our usual high standards. It is a pity you didn't contact our manager on site as they would have replaced your order and ensured you left completely satisfied. Please contact him next time you come as he would love to get direct feedback and look after you as one of our loyal customers.
Written November 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alan Barr
67 contributions
Jul 2022 • family
Fantastic family restaurant that provides great seating options with excellent views. The service was friendly, efficient and provided great space between courses.
The variety of seafood were all excellent but the stand out dish was the seared tuna! Absolutely brilliant.
Other dishes which I would recommend are:
- Sole
- line fish (specifically the kabeljou)
- simply calamari
Portions were generous and good value for money for the quality of food served.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun B
Thank you so glad you had a Wonderful time wit us. Hope to see you soon.
Written November 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DG
Oxfordshire19 contributions
Dec 2024 • family
The food was great. I can honestly say that the enormous box of calamari was the best that I have tasted in an incredibly long time. The rest of the food was yummy too.
You need to be aware that at peak times the queue is horrendous. The kitchen just can’t cope And whilst the food was incredible, queueing for over an hour and trying to keep 2 young children entertained was a little irksome. Just be prepared I’m sure you can work it all out somehow…..
Written December 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew_Durban460
Durban783 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
My wife and I braved the busy tables and long queues for about 45 min to get our two beers, fish, and chips. It was well worth the wait. We were going to try one of the smaller fish vendors down the road, but one of the local friendly store keepers advised us that Mariners Wharf is best and worth the wait. We loved it (liked we have about 10 times in years gone by). A buzzing atmosphere with seals and interesting things to see.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun B
Thank you Andrew glad it was worth the wait !!
Written December 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Magdalena r
2 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
We have ordered aysters and a seefood platter. Except oysters, the rest was bad quality product, dried, buttered and oiled. We ordered a lobster... What a big mistake. Size like a prawn, no more than 300gr, price 700rands, so 40euros, which doesn't appear on the menu.
We asked for the boss, he didn't appear. We discussed this issue with the waiter and the manager (nice people). But the owner didn't come. On the way out we met him. He says to us that it is the same good quality, nobody complains and we have all eaten.
Obviously there is nothing else to say. The owner is right. The client, who has paid 1.636rands, is wrong. And we have checked that there are more bad reviews about this fast food tourist bar.
Just don't go or ask for fish and chips. That is the real quality for this place.
Para los españoles : es una porquería que no se atreverían a cobrarla a semejante precio en ningún cutre bar. Ni los mejillones ni los calamares se libran. Ya no es una cuestión de receta, es que el producto es muy malo.
Written December 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thepeckster
Cape Town Central156 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
We all had the fish and chips. One kids portion, two adults. The fish was perfectly cooked. The chips were hot, tasty and not greasy. The staff was friendly.
However...
Every table around us was given bread and butter on arrival. We didn't notice until after the food had been served that we were not. I had a total of 12 chips on my plate. Portion size was very small. My son's kids fish and chips had easily double the amount of chips as the adult portion.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun B
Hi thepeclster so sorry that the waiter did not bring you bread and butter on arrival. We are having an exceptionally busy season and be sure that he/she did not do it on purpose. Next time please bring this to one of our Floor Managers attention . Thank you for visiting Mariner's Wharf.
Written January 2, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Extraordinary585327
Nuthall6 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
1st time visit.. we were looking for some quality seafood in Hout Bay.
What we got was average at best, Fish and Chips were nothing to shout about, but we ate it to be polite.however, the mussels were horrible, why would you drown fresh seafood(mussels) in melted cheese. It left an oil slick at the bottom of our plate.. sorry chef, back to the drawing board on that one.
You guys have a quality location but please don’t cover fresh seafood in cheesy,garlic sauce.ITS WRONG
Written January 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun Bloch
It is unfortunate and I am sorry you feel that way. The fish is fresh from our Fishmarket on-site and the chips are blanched on the premises (absent of preservatives or MSG) with the oil changed regularly (unlike most other establishments). Mussels are done in a creamy garlic butter volute sauce which is one of our most popular dishes. On the other seafood dishes you can have the garlic or lemon butter sauce on the side as an option which it would appear that you did not unfortunately exercise. The chef will not be changing the recipe of the sauces as that is our secret trademark for which we are famous. Next time feel free to order without the sauce otherwise we do an excellent A-grade steak.
Written February 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nadia Abrahams
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • none
What a waste of our money, a total ripoff for substandard seafood! We were a party of 11, and after our RED bus trip, we decided to have a good lunch and opted for Mariner's Wharf. I'm born and bred in Cape Town, and this was m first visit to this restaurant, /this meal was supposed to be a real treat, as we cannot usually afford these prices. Boy oh boy, it was the WORST seafood ever. My son, and his brother in law treated their families, and the grandparents were invited with. So this R3400 bill is still not sitting well with me, as the crayfish were frozen, the tails hardly yielded a tablespoon of meat, it was dry, burnt, really really awefull..the calamari was fried in dirty oil and tasted horrible, the salad was a joke with a bowl of lettuce, a tomato and a lot of red onion... greek salad? .. No feta, no dressing.. SAD SAD chips.. One thing WAS delicious, the line fish was fresh and beautifully done. Is this the quality we as Capetonians have to be satisfied with? Is this the norm, such a HUGE bill for ....., if only I stood my ground and disregarded the paying men's "shrugging of their shoulders and the ag it's ok man, we just won't come here again" attitudes when we wanted to send the food back.
Written December 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun B
Rapsodinblue , many thanks for the review. We apologize for your bad experience. be sure that we change our oil on an regular basis. Crayfish is expensive and our chefs are known for their great technique so if they had not perform due to heavy workload, I will sure let them know. . You not having FETA in a Greek salad is definitely not our standards. I'm glad they could deliver on fresh line fish .
Written January 3, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Abundantli365
Waltham Forest12 contributions
Dec 2022 • family
Went there three days ago and where do I start, the best thing of the meal was the bread before you order the food. The platter was pricey but all the food was swimming in butter and cheese so much so we could not taste the food. Actually the worst meal I’ve had in South Africa for decades! Not worth the money, terrible food. We had excellent service with Ricardo and the restaurant is kept clean. Bathrooms are tired and the seafood?! I will literally never eat there again as long as I live. Such a shame as it was our honeymoon meal which I now regret.
Written December 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun B
Abundantil did you mention this to one of the Mangers on duty?
Written December 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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