Best Restaurants with Sea View in Hermanus
One of the questions we get asked most often by our guests is surprisingly simple:
"Where should we go for dinner in Hermanus?"
It is a difficult question because Hermanus has so many wonderful places to eat. But if you're looking for restaurants that combine excellent food with unforgettable ocean views, there are a handful that we find ourselves recommending again and again.
One of the things we love most about living near Hermanus is that every restaurant feels a little different. Some sit dramatically on the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, where you might spot a Southern Right Whale between courses during whale season. Others are relaxed beachside cafés where lunch stretches effortlessly into the afternoon.
The beauty of the Whale Coast is that dining here is never just about the food. It is about slowing down, enjoying the scenery and becoming part of the landscape for a little while.
If you're staying at MBIZI Lagoon House, Hermanus is only around twenty minutes away. That makes it wonderfully easy to enjoy a leisurely lunch, a romantic sunset dinner or simply a glass of local wine overlooking the ocean before returning to the peace and quiet of the Bot River Lagoon.
If you're looking for even more local recommendations during your stay, don't miss our Our Picks page, where we share many of our favourite places around Hermanus and the Whale Coast.
Our Favourite Sea View Restaurants
Bientang's Cave
If we had to recommend just one restaurant that truly captures the spirit of Hermanus, this would probably be it.
Built directly into the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, Bientang's Cave offers one of the most spectacular dining locations anywhere on the South African coast. During whale season, it is not unusual to see Southern Right Whales while enjoying lunch only a few metres above the ocean.
The menu focuses on fresh seafood, grilled fish and South African favourites, but the real highlight is undoubtedly the setting. We particularly enjoy coming here for a relaxed lunch, when the light over Walker Bay is at its most beautiful.
Perfect for: Whale watching, seafood lovers and first-time visitors to Hermanus.
Ficks Pool Restaurant
For sunset drinks, there is hardly a more iconic spot in Hermanus.
Perched above the ocean beside the historic tidal pool, Ficks combines breathtaking coastal scenery with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It is less about formal dining and more about sharing tapas, enjoying cocktails and watching the waves roll in as the sun slowly disappears over Walker Bay.
Arrive a little before sunset to secure one of the best tables and simply enjoy the view.
Perfect for: Cocktails, tapas and unforgettable sunsets.
Harbour Rock
Located in Hermanus New Harbour, Harbour Rock has long been one of the area's best-known seafood restaurants.
Large windows overlook the harbour and the bay beyond, creating a relaxed atmosphere that feels slightly more local than some of the restaurants closer to the Cliff Path. Seafood is naturally the star of the menu, but sushi lovers will also find plenty to enjoy.
If you're visiting during whale season, keep an eye on the bay while you eat—you may be rewarded with an unexpected sighting.
Perfect for: Fresh seafood, sushi and harbour views.
Pear Tree Bistro
If you're looking for modern cuisine in a relaxed setting, Pear Tree Bistro is one of our favourite recommendations.
Located right on the Cliff Path, it combines creative dishes with beautiful views across Walker Bay. The menu changes regularly, the atmosphere is friendly rather than formal, and it's one of those places where lunch easily turns into a long afternoon.
We particularly like Pear Tree because it feels contemporary without losing the relaxed character that makes Hermanus so enjoyable.
Perfect for: Modern cuisine, relaxed lunches and couples.
Burgundy Restaurant
Burgundy has become something of a Hermanus institution, and it's easy to understand why.
Overlooking Walker Bay and just steps from the famous Cliff Path, it's one of our favourite places for breakfast, coffee or a leisurely lunch. The menu offers something for everyone, making it an excellent choice for families and groups with different tastes.
If you're planning to explore the Cliff Path afterwards, Burgundy makes the perfect starting point.
Perfect for: Breakfast, coffee, families and casual lunches.
Dutchies
If your perfect day includes the beach, Dutchies should definitely be on your list.
Situated close to Grotto Beach, this relaxed beachfront restaurant has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. Shoes become optional, lunches become longer than expected and nobody seems to be in a hurry.
Fresh seafood, pizzas, burgers and cold drinks make it especially popular with families after a morning on the beach.
Perfect for: Beach days, families and relaxed seaside lunches.
Which restaurant suits your day?
One of the nicest things about Hermanus is that there isn't just one perfect restaurant—there's a perfect restaurant for the kind of day you're having.
If you're hoping to combine lunch with whale watching, Bientang's Cave is difficult to beat.
For sunset drinks overlooking the ocean, Ficks Pool Restaurant remains one of the most memorable spots on the Whale Coast.
If you're planning a relaxed breakfast before exploring Hermanus, Burgundy is always a safe choice, while Pear Tree Bistro offers one of our favourite lunch experiences in town.
And if your day revolves around Grotto Beach or Voëlklip, Dutchies is exactly the kind of place where you'll happily stay longer than planned.
Our Local Tip
One of our favourite Whale Coast days looks something like this:
Start your morning with coffee overlooking the Bot River Lagoon.
Spend a few peaceful hours exploring Fisherhaven, perhaps spotting the famous wild horses before driving to Hermanus.
Enjoy lunch overlooking Walker Bay, take a stroll along the Cliff Path and enjoy some of the world's best land-based whale watching, and finish the afternoon with a scenic drive through the Hemel-en-Aarde wine region.
It perfectly captures what makes this part of South Africa so special—the freedom to experience lagoons, mountains, vineyards and the ocean, all in a single day.
Stay close to it all
One of the advantages of staying at MBIZI Lagoon House is that you don't have to choose between nature and great restaurants.
You're only around twenty minutes from Hermanus, yet you return each evening to the peace of the Bot River Lagoon, surrounded by birds, wild horses and unforgettable sunsets.
Looking for even more local inspiration?
Take a look at our Our Picks, where we share our favourite beaches, cafés, wineries, viewpoints and hidden gems across the Whale Coast.
Ready to experience the Whale Coast?
Book directly with MBIZI Lagoon House to enjoy:
✓ Best available rate on our website*
✓ Complimentary bottle of premium South African wine
✓ Welcome basket with coffee, tea and essentials
✓ Early check-in from 1 pm
✓ Late check-out until 12 pm
✓ Complimentary use of our kayaks & SUP
✓ Personal recommendations before and during your stay
