Snoekies is a seafood restaurant in Hout Bay, Cape Town.
Editorially verified September 26, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: It sits at the far end of Harbour Road, past the point on the Hout Bay waterfront where most visitors turn back, on the spot where its founder parked a converted bus in 1951.
Tip: Head upstairs if you have children: the Hout Bay branch has a big indoor play area with a jungle gym and sandpit beside the dining room.
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Address: 26 Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town 7806
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.
Why locals goHout 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.
TipAsk which fish came in that morning before choosing, the counter fillets to order and the selection changes with the boats.
Bo-Kaap Kombuis serves home-style Cape Malay bobotie and denningvleis from a house on August Street in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, with a Table Mountain view.
Why locals goIt operates out of an ordinary house on August Street rather than a Bo-Kaap storefront, so the Table Mountain view from the dining room stays a surprise until you sit down.
TipAsk for a window table before you sit; the view over the City Bowl is why regulars book ahead for weekend dinners.
Plumstead Fisheries fries fish and chips on Main Road in Plumstead, a southern suburb of Cape Town well away from the coastal harbour counters.
Why locals goSouthern suburbs regulars queue here straight after work instead of driving to the coast, since the fryer turns out the same fish and chips without the trip to Kalk Bay.
TipAsk what came in fresh that morning before ordering, since the counter also sells whole fish to take home and cook.
Baps Shayona cooks pure vegetarian Indian meals in a back room behind its Rylands grocery counter, in a Cape Town suburb most visitors skip.
Why locals goThe shopfront looks like a spice and toothpaste grocer from the street, and only the small back room with a few tables gives away that it also cooks a full vegetarian Indian menu.
TipOrder from the hot counter rather than the printed menu, the fresh curries and sweets change with what was cooked that morning.
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.
Why locals goHout 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.
TipAsk which fish came in that morning before choosing, the counter fillets to order and the selection changes with the boats.
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.
