6 coastal towns in SA that serve the freshest fish you’ll ever eat

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When it comes to seafood, South Africa doesn’t mess around. With over 2 500 kilometres of coastline touching both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the country is a haven for fish lovers.

But skip the flashy tourist traps; if you want real, straight-off-the-boat freshness, head to the small coastal towns where fishing isn’t a hobby, it’s a way of life.

Here are six that serve up some of the best fish you’ll ever taste…

1. Arniston, Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa

A stretch of beach in Arniston. Image: canva

Quiet, windswept, and a little out of the way, Arniston is the kind of coastal town where you go to unplug and eat like royalty. Local fishermen, many from the Kassiesbaai community, still follow age-old methods. Expect line-caught fish, abalone (perlemoen), and lobster cooked in family-run kitchens. Don’t miss a meal at Willeen’s, where fish is grilled fresh and served with local flair, right near the beach.

2. Paternoster, West Coast, Western Cape

This sleepy, whitewashed village is a seafood legend. Fishermen launch their boats right from the beach, and what they haul in shows up on your plate by lunch. Think crayfish, snoek, and mussels grilled over open coals or baked into traditional West Coast potjies. Head to Voorstrandt, a bright red tin shack on the beach, for a meal with ocean views and zero pretence.

3. Kalk Bay, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape, South Africa

Old-school charm meets world-class seafood here. The coastal town of Kalk Bay is still a working fishing harbour, so it’s normal to watch fishermen cleaning their catch while you sip a glass of wine across the road. Fresh yellowtail, hake, and calamari are staples here. Try Kalky’s, the iconic no-frills fish-and-chips spot right on the dock, or Harbour House for a more upscale take without losing touch with the source.

4. Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

Hout Bay might be just 20 minutes from central Cape Town, but it feels like its own seaside town. Boats come in daily with kingklip, kabeljou, and tuna, which you can buy straight off the dock or enjoy prepared at the Bay Harbour Market, where locals and visitors alike gather for craft food and ocean-fresh dishes.

5. Port St. Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape

coastal towns south africa — Port St. Johns, Wild Coast. Image: canva

Raw, wild, and untamed, Port St. Johns is where the land meets the sea dramatically. It’s not fancy, and that’s the whole point. The seafood here is real, grilled fish fillets seasoned with nothing more than salt, lemon, and smoke. Try local shacks or family-run guesthouses that serve the catch of the day alongside pap or chakalaka.

6. Struisbaai, Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa

Just down the coast from Cape Agulhas, Struisbaai is known for having one of the longest beaches in the Southern Hemisphere, and some of the freshest seafood around! The harbour is buzzing with fishermen bringing in yellowtail, red roman, and cob. At Pelican’s Harbour Café, you can eat grilled fish feet from where it was caught, watching stingrays glide in the shallows.