Most of Strand's restaurants are strung along Beach Road, facing the sea. That makes it easy to swim in the afternoon, walk the promenade and sit down to dinner as the sun drops over False Bay. These are the places we recommend to guests, all within about a 15-minute walk of Green Gables or a short drive.
Restaurants come and go, and hours change with the seasons, so check before you go and book a window table for sunset on summer weekends.
On Beach Road
De Brasserie, at 160 Beach Road on the promenade, is a Belgian-inspired bistro and one of the busiest restaurants in town, with the sea across the road.
Kapstadt Brauhaus, at 99 Beach Road, is a German-style beer hall, and a good choice for groups.
Sol's On The Beach serves fresh seafood and selected meats, with a surf-and-turf menu and sea views.
The Cove Restaurant & Beach Bar, also on Beach Road, is a relaxed spot for a drink and something to eat after the beach.
Ocean Basket at 17 Beach Road is the reliable choice for seafood and sushi, especially with children.
Restaurants in Strand with a view
Almost everywhere on Beach Road has some sort of sea view, but the best seats are upstairs or on a front terrace. Ask for a table facing the water when you book. In summer the sun sets late, around 20:00, so a 19:00 booking gives you the whole show.
For a view from higher up, drive 20 minutes to Idiom on the slopes of the Helderberg, where the whole basin and False Bay are laid out below the terrace.
Worth the drive: Gordon's Bay
Ten minutes along the coast, the Thirsty Oyster Tavern at Gordon's Bay's old harbour is a long-standing favourite for seafood and a beer by the water. Café Zest is a family-run Mediterranean grill on the beachfront. The Grille Shack, at the start of Clarence Drive, is a 1950s-diner-style spot that suits families.
Wine estate lunches
For a long lunch, the Helderberg wine estates are 15 to 20 minutes away. Vergelegen, Lourensford and Idiom all have restaurants, and Geuwels at Vergenoegd Löw times lunch with its daily duck parade. Each has its own guide on this site.
Tips
Book ahead for Friday and Saturday nights from December to February, and for Sunday lunch all year round.
If you're walking back to Green Gables after dark, stick to Beach Road and the main streets, or take a short e-hailing ride.
