Hooked on Africa Fresh Fish Market sells the day's catch and fried fish straight off Hout Bay harbour, on the working side of Cape Town's fishing fleet.
Editorially verified September 26, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: Hout Bay's own restaurants buy their fish here before it reaches any menu, and the wharf side counter still sells the same catch to anyone willing to queue with the trade.
Tip: Ask which fish came in that morning before choosing, the counter fillets to order and the selection changes with the boats.
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Address: Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town 7806
Dias Tavern has served Portuguese trinchado, prego steaks on hot skillets and grilled chicken on Caledon Street in Cape Town's District Six since 1988.
Why locals goIt has cooked Portuguese food on Caledon Street in District Six since 1988, often with live music, on a stretch most City Bowl visitors walk straight past.
TipBook ahead for a weekend table, order the rump trinchado in its homemade sauce, and note it is closed on Sundays.
Kalky's is a cash only fish counter on the Kalk Bay harbour wall near Cape Town, where the snoek comes straight off the boats tied up outside.
Why locals goVisitors driving the coast road pass Kalk Bay's fishing harbour by, and the self-service queue at this cabin fills with locals, especially at weekends.
TipCarry small notes since the till only takes cash, and eat standing at the harbour wall rather than hunting for a table.
Golden Dish is a halal takeaway counter in Gatesville, Athlone, founded in 1969 and back since July 2024 after a fire, famous for Cape Town's big gatsby.
Why locals goFounded in 1969 opposite Athlone Stadium and now in the Gatesville shopping centre, it is the gatsby stop Cape Flats families swear by, while day trippers rarely cross the M5.
TipOrder the large gatsby to share between two; it trades until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights and closes on Sundays.
Wembley Roadhouse is a halal drive-in on Belgravia Road in Athlone, Cape Town, grown from a family store opened in 1931 into steak rolls and thick milkshakes.
Why locals goFamilies from across the Cape Flats treat this Belgravia Road drive-in as their Friday night kitchen, while it barely registers on any visitor itinerary for Cape Town.
TipSit in the garden rather than the drive-in bay, and order a falooda milkshake alongside the steak roll to cut the richness.
Teez @ 115 grills meat you choose yourself at its own butchery counter on NY115 in Gugulethu, on the Cape Flats side of metropolitan Cape Town.
Why locals goThe site that made Gugulethu famous under its old name still runs the same butchery-then-braai system, yet almost no visitor itinerary lists NY115 by its street number.
TipBuy your own meat at the butchery counter first, then hand the tray to the braai team rather than waiting for table service.
Eziko Restaurant serves cooked-to-order township meals in Langa while training unemployed local residents for hospitality careers around Cape Town.
Why locals goThe dining room trains unemployed Langa residents for hospitality jobs, and every plate is cooked to order rather than kept warm for a passing crowd.
TipCall ahead before visiting, since every plate here is cooked fresh for your group instead of held warming under a lamp.
