Plettenberg Bay, in Garden Route South Africa, is not only famous for being the seaside, adventure-filled oasis that it is, but visitors will be pleased to know there is a wealth of fine dining available too. Check out the fine dining delights when in Plettenberg Bay, and allow your taste senses to be tantalized. Here’s a list of our top 9 best places to eat while in Plettenberg Bay.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Fancy a spot of lunch in a treetop canopy?
Take in all of Plettenberg Bay’s natural surrounds, and do so in style, whilst sitting amongst the branches of a treetop lodge. Enjoy a bite to eat by stopping by Zinzi at Tsala Treetop Lodge, and you won’t be disappointed in any way. This unique Plettenberg Bay local speciality restaurant makes every point of delivering up tasty morsels of great culinary prowess; all while tucked away in a wonderfully lush forest setting.
From the interior design to the exterior landscaping, Zinzi Restaurant is a cut above the rest, and a visual piece of art too. Making use of the local artists, as well as showcasing various striking pieces from Zanzibar, Ethiopia, Morocco and Turkey - the decor is a perfect blend of tribal traditionalism and western contemporary living.
In terms of the menu itself, patrons can expect to enjoy a tantalizing combination of African, Asian and European culinary palettes. Expect a burst of flavor, color and scrumptiously textured morsels of tasty delights, as Zinzi’s chefs pride themselves on bringing the freshest of ingredients to your plate - creating an artistic masterpiece of your meal.
Zinzi at Tsala Treetop Lodge
Address: Hunter’s Estate, N2, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
Website: Zinzi at Tsala Treetop Lodge
2. Reel in and enjoy a hearty seafood meal
Seafood is always a popular choice at Offthehook - do you have a favourite?
Posted by off the hook on Thursday, 19 January 2017
Stop by Plettenberg Bay’s popular seafood restaurant, Off the Hook, for a substantial meal that is bound to make your heart-a-flutter. Off the Hook, though, is not your typical seafood restaurant, so don’t expect a dark and dingy environment with this one; here you’ll find vistas that take the breath away. Picture yourself seated on the large wooden deck, when the days are sunny and bright, or tucked away in the elegantly appointed nautically-themed interior of Off the Hook, and watch as the hours slip past the bay.
For all those that have children to think about, Off the Hook has you covered, as this seafood restaurant caters for all manner of occasions and group sizes, young and old, big and small. Enjoy your al fresco dining while watching your children play. This all makes for a great lunch break away, but perhaps the most appealing thing about this restaurant with a view, is the reasonably priced menu on offer. Also, at Off the Hook, you will find only the freshest of ingredients, sourced from locally produced suppliers.
Off the Hook
Address: Shop 8, Beacon Island Centre, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, 6600, Western Cape, South Africa
Website: Off the Hook
3. Find your fun at The Fat Fish
Barefooted and sandy? Donning your latest loafers? No matter your style or preference, at The Fat Fish, all are welcome and invited to spend some time wining and dining at its best. Perfectly positioned on Central beach in Plettenberg Bay, The Fat Fish is the place to be for a lively atmosphere, that is made all the more enticing by the world-class meals provided by its resident chef: Kirsty Sinclair. The views that surround this up-beat restaurant are splendid, boasting vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Piesang Valley River and the Tsitsikamma Mountains.
While Kirsty and her team make good on providing the finest of foods made from the freshest of ingredients, the rest of The Fat Fish team hold up their end of the bargain by creating a fun-filled atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their dining experience to the max. Whether you’re out for a good meal, a fine selection of locally produced wines to sip on, or a lively spat of live music to tap your feet to - The Fat Fish is sure to give you a wonderful time, again and again.
The Fat Fish
Address: Hopwood Street, Milkwood Centre, Central Beach, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
Facebook: The Fat Fish
4. Start your day The Lookout Deck way
At The Lookout Deck, breakfasts are their signature and the most popular meal of the day - so get in on the tasty goodness and start your day relishing in the great eating experience that The Lookout Deck has for you. Having opened its doors in 1993, The Lookout has become a well sought-after restaurant for locals and visitors alike. Here you can be sure to find yourself tucked away between The Lookout Reserve and The Lookout Rocks, which gives beautifully immaculate vistas of the Keurbooms Lagoon and Lookout Beach.
Make your way down to the beach and The Lookout Deck, to take part in their tasty, diverse menu which proudly boasts a wide selection of culinary dishes on offer. Although there is hoopla given about The Lookout Deck’s breakfasts, they are just as well-known for their exemplary lunches and stellar suppers. So it only stands to reason that no matter the time of day, or year for that matter - The Lookout Deck is your best bet when wanting a great meal, great atmosphere, friendly service and exquisite surrounds.
The Lookout Deck
Address: Lookout Beach, Hill Street, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
Website: The Lookout Deck
5. Get a taste of the French cuisine at the bakehouse: Le Fournil de Plett
Looking for a scrumptious experience? Walk on over to Le Fournil de Plett, perfectly translated meaning: ‘the Bakehouse’, the place where locals in Plett tend to go, when on the prowl for some Bistro fare. Not only is Le Fournil a great ambient little joint, but for a diverse menu, from breakfast to lunch - you’ll find a cuisine with a hint of French flavor throughout.
Don’t be surprised when you see the range and diversity of the menu. Let’s take breakfast for example, you’ll find anything from french-style croissants to American-style pancakes, and of course sandwiches to cater for every variant of combination. What Le Fournil is well known in Plettenberg for, is its speciality: the freshly baked organic stone-round artisan bread. When you stop by, don’t forget to ask your waiter for a taste.
Le Fournil is great when in the mood for a delectable meal, tucked amongst a thriving community of trees, which envelope a courtyard area, making for a welcome shady-retreat for summer-time revelers. Alternatively, should you be finding yourself in Plettenberg Bay during the colder, wintery months, Le Fournil is just as inviting - simply grab yourself a sofa or a comfy corner and enjoy the tasty treats this ‘bakehouse’ has on offer.
Le Fournil de Plett Bistro
Address: Lookout Centre, The Courtyard, Main Street, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Facebook: Le Fournil de Plett
6. Dining in style, the Plettenberg Bay way
Step out for a day of luxury in the sun, and spoil yourself to a few hours of fine wining and dining, and if you’re going to do it the right way - you’ll be doing it The Plettenberg Bay Restaurant way. Situated at The Plettenberg Hotel, this particular restaurant is synonymous with class, elegance and delightfully scrumptious dining is pretty much guaranteed.
Taking leave from the award-winning Chef of The Plettenberg Restaurant, only the freshest of locally produced ingredients are used, creating a feast of flavor for every patron, be it from the breakfast menu, the lunch menu, or the dinner menu - each dish is served to perfection. Seafood at The Plettenberg Bay Restaurant is indeed a must try, your palette will be met with an infusion of sophistication, only topped by the unparalleled views of the Formosa Bay surrounds. Idyllic, to say the least.
The Plettenberg Bay Restaurant
Address: Look-out Rocks, 40 Church Street, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Facebook: The Plettenberg Bay Restaurant
7. Have yourself a namaste day
From this tuesday on we will be open @ 11h00 till 20h00 from Tuesday till Sunday. Perfect for an early dinner and juicy...
Posted by Namasté Lifestyle Café on Sunday, 15 January 2017
Our next top pick is a niche restaurant all on its own. Voted as one of the top ten vegetarian spots in and around Plettenberg Bay, by the heyvegetarian.co.za society, with a high rating of 8.4 - Namaste Lifestyle Cafe is a definite must try for anyone in Plettenberg Bay. Their menu consists of vegan meals, made to order - with only the freshest of ingredients made use of. All items on the menu are diary-free and meat-free, which makes for a great way to take part of the whole foods, plant-based diet movement that is taking off these days.
Overlooking the vast vistas of the ocean and sandy beaches, there’s no doubt you’ll quickly find your zen when you get off the beaten track and check out Namaste Lifestyle Cafe.
Namaste Lifestyle Cafe
Address: 188 Beacon Isle Drive, 6600 Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Facebook: Namaste Lifestyle Cafe
8. Monkey about and try the Blue Monkey Cafe
Blue Monkey Café at Monkeyland, The Crags. Open Monday to Sunday 9am -5pm
Posted by May Donegan on Thursday, 18 July 2013
They say that at The Blue Monkey Cafe, you’ll get the ‘freshest food in the forest’; one thing is sure - this restaurant find is situated in the heart of Monkeyland, a first in terms of a free-standing sanctuary for multi-primates. At The Blue Monkey Cafe, you’ll find your favorites, some specialities - and a boat-load of lasting memories to boot.
Monkeyland, being located in The Crags, in Plettenberg Bay, is in and of itself a nature reserve and conservation site - which means not only will you be getting the best in terms of finger-licking-good food, but you’ll also be able to explore The Crags and Monkeyland to your heart’s content.
The Blue Monkey Cafe in Monkeyland
Address: The Crags, N2, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, Garden Route, South Africa
Website: The Blue Monkey Cafe
9. It doesn't get any grander than this
Our final pick, but definitely not the least, is The Grand Cafe and Rooms. This grand display of unique style, quiet sophistication and a distinct signature of opulence, lends a stay at The Grand a tick that will want to be marked on that to-do-list, for sure. With a select choice of only 7 rooms, at The Grand, you will want to make sure you have booked in advance if staying a night or two is what you’ve got planned. In the event you are just looking for some fine dining with a touch of modern-chic - well, then be sure to reserve yourself a table at the popular restaurant - the grandest of them all.
As described as a motto of sorts, The Grand has this to say about itself: “Where grand-chic meets retro-romance, fit for the worldly traveller and diner”. So, there you have it; feel right at home at The Grand Africa Cafe and Rooms, and know that you’ve explored Plettenberg Bay, the royally-grand way.
The Grand
Address: 27 Main Road, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Website: The Grand
Plettenberg Bay awaits
All the sights and sensations mentioned above are just tidbits of what is actually in store for all visitors to Plettenberg Bay in Western Cape, South Africa. Apart from having a whale of time (and when the season is right, between May and November annually, being able to actually watch real life whales having a good ol’ time), Plett is great to unwind, catch a story from a local or two, and eat great delectables while you’re at it.
Go on, hit the road, and set the wheels in motion to reach Plettenberg Bay along the way.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
