Fish on the Rocks…No Literally: Fish on the Rocks

We visited the beloved Fish on The Rocks located in Cape Town, a favourite among both locals and international tourists. Keep reading for our full resturant review.

Editors note: “In this issue, we take you on a culinary journey to one of Cape Town's most beloved fish spots, Fish on the Rocks. Known for its fresh seafood and breathtaking ocean views, this iconic restaurant has become a staple for locals and tourists alike. Our review dives deep into its flavourful dishes, atmosphere, and what makes it a must-visit on your next trip to the Mother City. “

Likes	Dislikes
Efficient customer service and friendly staff.	Additional cost for paper plates and cups.
Delicious food, prepared with fresh and well-prepared ingredients.	Food must be consumed there and then; it does not travel well, and becomes soggy when stored and kept.
Outside seating is clean, and kept consistently neat and tidy for customers.	Indoor shop is not up to date, and some of the kitchen can be seen from there.
View is spectacular, and makes for an incredible eating experience.	Only one side of the seating area can enjoy the view whilst eating, so if busy, a view and table is not guaranteed.

Having recently moved to Cape Town, I made it my mission, and inevitably my entire personality, to find the best spot for fish and chips on the Atlantic Seaboard. I tried many places, and sadly, came up very disappointed.

Continually. I took a break during the winter months, and from the onset of spring, decided it was time to resume. Nothing hits better than hot and crispy fish and chips on a crisp day, with the sun shining and a somewhat warm breeze flowing. I’ll be lucky if I even get a breeze, considering its Cape Town!

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I recently decided to try out a new spot recommended by a colleague, who I quote said, ‘it is not what’s on the outside, but the inside’ that counts. No true words were ever spoken, nor did it apply as pertinently when I pulled up to Fish on the Rocks this Saturday for lunch. I showed up empty bellied, optimistic, and full of high expectations, and I must say, my expectations were exceeded.

My Go-To Order: Hake and Chips

Upon arrival, I was met with the scent of a fresh sea breeze, combined with the almost sweet tang of brown vinegar. I knew I was in for a treat as I walked towards the shop. Not necessarily classified as a restaurant, since there is no wait service, nor taking down of orders. Instead, I walked inside, and placed an order for a hake and chips with calamari–fried. At a whopping R180, I was expecting nothing short of greatness. Whilst a sum is exchanged for cups and paper plates, cutlery, napkins, chilli sauce, ketchup, salt and vinegar are complimentary.

I felt transported back to McDonald’s as I decanted ketchup into a small tub, and grabbed my cutlery, ready to indulge. The seating area is located outside, and this is what the hype is all accounted for. Covered, due to the crisp spring weather and winds that are persistent, benches are provided for patrons to sit and enjoy their meals. The view is breathtaking, and transforms this experience one thousand-fold.

As per its namesake, Fish on the Rocks is located just beyond the rocks. A sea spray splashes against the rocks of Hout Bay, making for a scenic and tranquil environment and eating experience. The food was absolutely outstanding. Aside from a small skeletal obstruction, the fish was fresh, locally sourced, and fried to perfection. Crispy, golden, flaky, and melt in the mouth. The calamari came with tartare sauce; a perfect complement to the fluffy on the inside, and crispy on the outside fries. An absolute 5/5 in both taste and quality.

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It is clear that the fries are hand-cut, and the portions are extremely generous. I was barely able to finish my portion for one, so it was an absolute bargain, and quality for money!

My go-to combination is brown vinegar on the fish, and salt and vinegar on the chips– a match made in heaven. The food, the view and the price make for a bargain and an unforgettable experience! Other items that are available on the menu include prawns, tossed in masala sauce, snoek, and yellowtail if you’d like to explore beyond hake.

The prawns do, however come with shells, so that was a bit of an unpleasant and time-consuming experience. If fish is not your absolute favourite, then these are definitely worth the try! Fish on the Rocks is also Halal, making their catering and menu specific to differing dietary requirements and preferences.

The staff were extremely friendly, and happy to serve. Although there are no wait staff, everyone was accommodating and ensured the patrons were comfortable and satisfied. The wait time is dependent on the day. I went on a Saturday, making it moderately, to fully busy. The food took approximately 15 minutes to arrive, and it was well worth the wait!

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Getting There: Located in Hout Bay

Located in Hout Bay, it took me approximately thirty minutes to arrive, from the City of Cape Town. I took the scenic route which passes through Groot Constantia, offering rocky terrains on one end, and lush forest with winding roads on the other. Very much worth the drive, and the distance! Parking was abundant, with helpful and trusted parking attendants on watch.

Security is not an issue, but it is always recommended to stay vigilant, cautious of one’s surroundings, and especially, aware of one’s personal belongings. The outside seating area was clean, and pleasant enough to enjoy the meal. The interior of the store was sanitary; however, additional upkeep and renovations are recommended, especially if they are marketing themselves as Cape Town’s number one fish and chips spot. As a potential tourist attraction, there are specific boxes that crucially need to be ticked. Nevertheless, it is not appearances that characterise your experience, especially for this context. It became a detail I quickly overlooked in favour of the delicious meal.

Is it Really Worth the Hype?

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The spot is rated 4.3 on Google, with some testimonies to their craft hereby outlined, ‘A true fish and chips experience - a must if you're in Hout Bay’, ‘Beautiful view and not far from the Mariners Wharf, a lovely 10-15 minute walk away. Food was good, so was the service’.

Fish on the Rocks was a substantial and phenomenal experience that well and truly exceeded my expectations. Would I visit again? Absolutely! And this time, I will bring all of my friends and family as well! If you are living in Cape Town, have recently moved there, or are visiting on holiday, then this spot is worth the try, and so worth all of my hype.