6 South African coastal towns where you can taste the freshest fish ever

South Africa takes its seafood seriously. Stretching over 2,500 kilometres along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the coastline offers a paradise for fish lovers.

Forget the flashy tourist spots, if you’re after true boat-to-plate freshness, make your way to the small coastal towns where fishing is a daily livelihood, not just a pastime.

Here are six towns that dish up some of the freshest, most flavourful fish you’ll ever eat.

1. Arniston, Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa

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. Fishermen from the Kassiesbaai community continue to use traditional techniques passed down through generations. They catch fish by line and harvest abalone (perlemoen) and lobster, which families prepare in their own kitchens. At Willeen’s, right by the beach, they grill the catch of the day and serve it with authentic local flair—a meal not to be missed.

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

Kalk Bay blends timeless charm with top-tier seafood. This coastal town remains a working fishing harbour, so it’s common to see fishermen cleaning their fresh catch while you enjoy a glass of wine nearby. Yellowtail, hake, and calamari are local favourites. Grab a casual bite at the legendary Kalky’s on the dock, or opt for a refined experience at Harbour House—both serve fresh fare straight from the sea.

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

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

Located just south of Cape Agulhas, Struisbaai boasts one of the longest beaches in the Southern Hemisphere and serves up some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. The harbour stays busy with fishermen hauling in yellowtail, red roman, and cob. At Pelican’s Harbour Café, you can enjoy grilled fish just steps from where it was caught, all while watching stingrays glide through the nearby shallows.