1,266 reviews
#3 of 22 Restaurants in PaternosterRR - RRR, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options+27 22 752 2242+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:00
Mon
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:00
Thu
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:00
Fri
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:00
Sat
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:00
Ratings and reviews
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
features
Details
About
Our listed hours are seating times. We are open for you to enjoy local beers, West Coast & Swartland wines and cocktails all day. You can sit at the beach and watch the tide come in or go out. We bring you a unique dining experience. Explore the Paternoster beach and nestled among the rocks, you will find a simple, white-washed fisherman's cottage. This 100+ year old building, known as 'GAAITJIE' has a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. This unique atmosphere of tradition and comfort has inspired an eclectic menu featuring local produce, fused with contemporary and Asian influences. Our food is unpretentious and made with love, using sustainable fresh and local produce, as far as possible. Our unique location promises spectacular views to compliment a memorable dining experience.
CUISINES
Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront, Beach, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
1,266 reviews
Excellent
765
Very good
321
Average
113
Poor
40
Terrible
27
KajD
Kenridge28 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
On our recent weekend away in Paternoster, our guesthouse host booked dinner for us on the Saturday night at Gaaitjie. We had never been so the location was already a lovely surprise - kind of over the waves with a stunning view of the setting sun on the skyline. But one doesn’t dine on views alone 😊. The food, omw the food. Fresh delicate original flavours, food cooked to perfection, presentation gorgeous. I almost have to insist that you start with the Calamari and then feast on the Monk Fish ... that Monk was my religious calling. My husband had some serious food envy even though his Seared Tuna was also delicious. The Monk Fish is hearty and beyond flavoursome. I literally cannot rave about it enough. Do take the time to drive up to Paternoster and try out the spoilt-for-choice selection of restaurants, and PLEASE do eat the Monk Fish at Gaaitjie.
Written 8 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sussex1987
Cape Town Central8 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Gaaitjie is one of the best seafood restaurants in Paternoster. It is also one of the best seafood spots in South Africa.
I could wax lyrical about sipping something cold and crisp whilst watching the sun setting over the smooth sweep of the bay, or mention the ridiculously tasty food, cooked to perfection by those whose relationship to the seafood they serve could be described as bordering on “familial” . I could also detail salient aspects of the incredibly friendly service that particularly appeal, or impart tales of the cosy, friendly atmosphere that cheers the heart and warms the soul blah blah blah.
But I don’t want to overdo it as I would still like to be able to get a table when we next come through Paternoster.
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DonatellaP
Langebaan27 contributions
Dec 2020 • family
Set right on the waters edge this gem of a restaurant 'Gaaitjie' did not disappoint. Their calamari melts like butter in your mouth and we fully understood why their Hake and Potato wedges are such a popular dish as it too is light and buttery, just awesome! We languished happily for lunch and were treated by the perfect venue in which to enjoy the sea, seals and seagulls. A highly recommended restaurant especially if you want to spoil someone with the best local cuisine.
Written 10 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lida N
Port Alfred3 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
Unfortunately this was not the meal or the experience we hoped for and had to book for very long in advance to get a space in December.
The waiters are not trained properly, especially when it comes to giving customers information about menu items. The food is average. The view is stunning though.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monique E
Kloof2 contributions
Apr 2021 • friends
Let me start by pointing out that Gaaitjies website is misleading. Chef Jaco Kruger has apparently not been in the country for 2yrs. As someone who ‘travels to eat’ his credentials make a dining experience at Gaaitjie very appealing. This is a simple restaurant with simple food. There were 3 of us who went for lunch, 2 ordered West Coast mussels, in a beer broth, lemongrass, lime, coconut milk, fresh coriander and chilli. These was not a hint of the Asian flavours one would expect from these ingredients, the broth tasted instead of seawater. The bun that was served with the mussels was really delicious. I had the Courgette and corn fritters which consisted of basil mayo, pickled courgette ribbons, charred corn and roasted baby tomatoes. The flavours were mostly of heavily charred corn and egg. It was at this stage that questioned who is the chef was and I was told that there are number of chefs and that chef Jaco had moved to Ireland. For mains, the two orders of oysters were nothing special. I had the mushroom linguine which was extremely rich and had an overbearing truffle oil taste and smell. I didn’t eat it. We had the Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc, which is a really nice wine and is on the menu in many restaurants in and around Cape Town. I would recommend going to Gaaitjie for drinks.
Written 19 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GaaitjieRestaurant
Thank you for taking your time to write your review.
I am sorry you didn't enjoy the food.
Although Chef Jaco has moved to Ireland only 9 months ago, not 2 years ago, we haven't had time to update our website, sorry that you felt mislead by that. Since this is a family business Jaco's dishes is still on the menu.
If you have any concern about who is cooking in the kitchen you should know that these "cooks" have their fair share in experience of cooking many different dishes.
We will definitely give attention to balancing the dishes you did not find to be on par as cooked by a "professional" chef.
Kind regards.
Written 28 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GHOwner143
South Africa93 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We booked for seven of us. After reading the reviews we were looking forward to it. We were outside on the stoop, it was cold very cold, but we were provided with blankets after asking. Made it much better to enjoy.
My food was great, I ordered the sirloin my friends had Angel fish unfortunately it had no taste what so ever. So a little disappointed. Chicken was also a let down, and one of the dishes didn’t come through. We were told chicken will take too long so don’t order that and the tuna was the quickest thing to order. So we ordered a main of the tuna. It came out as a starter! No apologies from anyone.
In fact after eating we left, thanked a lady there who we thought was the owner and she just turned around! Sad actually!
Don’t think we would go back.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juju
20 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
The Pizza’s have way to much cheese and garlic on them. You loose the flavour of the other toppings and the pizza is extremely oily . The service is average and the waitresses are mere order takers, as you have to ask for everything, the drinks took forever and we couldn’t find the waitress when we wanted to pay.
Written 14 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdrienneLubbe
Johannesburg75 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I was expecting the usual hake and chips or fried calamari, but what a surprise! This restaurant turned out to be fine dining. The plates were beautifully presented, tasty and portions not too small. I had the calamari starter which was delicious and my husband the fish cakes which had a beautiful thin crust, also delicious. We also had a quinoa salad which I would recommend as a starter. Overall a great experience.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole C
Durban44 contributions
Dec 2020 • family
Gaatjie belies that maxim about great views meaning bad food- this simple restaurant with a lovely view of Paternoster beach served us the most fabulous food. The hake and roasties fresh and well prepared, a double portion of the mussel starter with beer, coconut and coriander broth amazing ( my broth at first was over seasoned, but replaced and rectified with no quibbles) and the quality of broth, bread and butter meant that I almost licked the bowl. My daughter asked for a double of the calamari starter with chips, and we rather fussy calamari experts agreed it was the best we had ever tasted, anywhere in the world! Selection of desserts was good, but we could only fit in a shared baked cheesecake ( cheesecake is another of our food obsessions) - also excellent. Service was friendly and really swift, the place is relaxed and comfortable. We will be back.
Written 18 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey S
Daresbury53 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Stunning location. We booked from the U.K. by email and were really pleased with the level of communication. We felt welcome.
The menu is small but the food was well executed -delicious calamari and steak. The mussels were so tender and cooked to perfection.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane v
Johannesburg14 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Great location - we had seats on the balcony with sea view . We ordered black
mussels and calamari . Mussels were fresh however broth was very salty. Fried calamari with unnecessary tomato as garnish was placed on the plate . Calamari was lightly fried however it was cold when it got to our table . For the main , we ordered hake and potato wedges to share. Meal included 2 pieces of fish, 5 wedges and Greek salad . Fish batter was thick which I stripped away and found the fresh fish under neath it. Overall experience was a 3/5 which means it does not warrant a repeat visit.
Written 1 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NicoGouws1
Langebaan60 contributions
Mar 2021 • family
Where else to have a scrumptious meal in Paternoster than Gaaitjie. We love it because the setting is fantastic right on the waters edge, the food always delivers and is very reasonably priced. The wine menu is also well priced showing some of the best locally sourced wines of South-Africa. Heads-up, you should book well in advance as this restaurant is very popular!
Written 15 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary
St. Helena Bay26 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
We had dinner at Gaaitjie. The menu is concise, with very interesting dishes, including less conventional ingredient combinations that were well thought out and very good to eat. The dishes were well prepared and the service prompt and courteous, complementing Paternoster's unique setting and vibe.
Written 3 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juliechristy36
South Africa25 contributions
Apr 2021 • couples
Our food was delicious however the hake and wedges were very average for the class of the restaurant. The hake did not match our other food in quality and value for money like the rest of the menu.
The seared tuna and calamari starter was out the top draw.
Written 3 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerard N
Saint Julian's1494 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
A wonderful restaurant on the shoreline of Paternoster Bay. Great food. Acceptable pricing. Seafood bias which one would expect. We enjoyed a super dinner and really appreciated the attentive, excellent service and delicious cuisine. Recommended.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Showing results 1-15 of 1,096
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing