Fisherman's Cottage

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#10 of 106 Restaurants in HermanusSeafood, Vegetarian friendly, RR - RRR

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Fisherman's Cottage

Review

At a glance

Open until 9:00 PM

See all hours

Website

+27 28 312 3642Improve this listing

About

Travellers' Choice

2024

The Fishermans Cottage is a small and intimate restaurant set in the Old Harbour Village of Hermanus. Owners Anton and Nicole and their small team, welcome their guests to experience fresh Fish and Seafood served with energy and love. A few delicious Meat and Vegetarian options are also available with a local Wine List reflecting the beautiful wines of our region. Our NEW KIDS PLAY AREA will keep your little ones busy while you sit back and relax. Open: LUNCH - Wednesday to Saturday (12h00 to 15h00) DINNER - Monday to Saturday (17h00 to 21h00)

Features

CUISINES

Seafood

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Dog Friendly

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Live Music

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Playgrounds

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

Corner of Main and Harbour Road, Hermanus Fisherman's Village, Overstrand 7200 South Africa

Parking Available

Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?

Yes

Unsure

Save this restaurant

Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 9:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

Monday

17:00 - 21:00

Tuesday

17:00 - 21:00

Wednesday

12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00

Thursday

12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00

Friday

12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00

Saturday

12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00

Contribute

Write a review

Upload a photo

Ask a question

4.4

1,458 reviews

Excellent

890

Good

387

Average

114

Poor

Terrible

These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?

This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and noninfringement.

Yes

Waltraud et Jean-Luc

Andernos-les-Bains21 contributions

Fisherman’s cottage is a gem.

Feb 2025 • couples

Fisherman’s Cottage in Hermanus is a true culinary jewel that deserves all the praise! Nestled in a charming historic building, this restaurant is an ode to maritime gastronomy, sublimating seafood with rare authenticity and exceptional craftsmanship. From the entrance, the warm and intimate atmosphere transports you to another time, where every detail – from stone walls to wooden beams – evokes the soul of the fishermen of yesteryear. But it is in the kitchen that the magic really works. Seafood is impeccable freshness, enhanced by simple but refined recipes, highlighting the pure flavors of the ingredients. The grilled calamari, melting at will, and the catch of the day, always cooked to perfection, are must-haves. Not to mention the local oysters, a true marine delight that goes perfectly with a carefully selected glass of South African wine. The service reflects the place: welcoming, attentive and passionate. Each plate tells a story, each bite is an invitation to the taste journey. It’s the kind of address that leaves no one indifferent and turns a simple dinner into an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking for an authentic and friendly atmosphere, Fisherman’s Cottage is a must-see stopover in Hermanus. A pure moment of culinary happiness that makes you want to come back to it again and again!

Automatically translated

Written 1 March 2025

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.

Andrew N

Tadley1073 contributions

Relaxed

Dec 2024 • couples

Whilst we reserved a table for this restaurant we would probably have got a table if we hadn’t. That said, we were warmly welcomed and presented with a menu based around fish and seafood. The dishes were simple but well prepared and in the relaxed atmosphere really made us feel welcome in Hermanus.

Written 8 January 2025

Theresa S

4 contributions

the best food for us along the Garden Route

Aug 2024 • couples

Best fish curry I/we have ever eaten! Also the calamari were a dream - could not be prepared better. Due to the size of the portions, we didn't really want to/couldn't eat dessert anymore, but on the recommendation of the service lady we still ordered a malva pudding. Conclusion: fantastic. Both the food and the service staff were top! Also great wine recommendation. Even the cook (Anton) came out of the kitchen and made sure everything was okay. Small tip: reserve in advance - we came directly to the opening of the restaurant and were just able to secure the last place, because otherwise everything was reserved.

Automatically translated

Written 6 January 2025

Gabi Wonneberger

Germany25 contributions

Disappointing!

Jan 2024 • friends

The waiter, who was initially nice, recommended a wine that we unfortunately didn't like. We had asked him beforehand for a wine with less acidity. He poured two of us some wine to try, but after the wine had too much acidity for us, his expression changed. He charged us a whole glass for the two sips. He put the new wine, which only one of us tried, in the wine cooler and didn't pour it. The shrimp cocktail tasted like it came straight out of a glass with Thousand Island dressing, and some of the small fish were oily. The bouillabaise was good. The scampi were so dry that you could hardly get them out of their shells, the white fish was good, especially the sauce. Our friends ordered a bread basket in not so good English to soak up the sauce. When the waitress cleared away my fish, which I couldn't finish completely, he made fun of our friends by holding my plate in front of their noses and asking if they wanted the sauce too. At some point he came and asked us if we had already paid, saying that he had diabetes and that this caused him to have blackouts and memory lapses... without words.

Written 16 January 2024

Didihipp

Amersham155 contributions

Not as good as we had hoped

Feb 2024 • couples

This place was recommended to us and if I’m honest we had a very disappointing meal . It has a great position and vibe I must say although it was just a shame the meal wasn’t good . We went for the fish of the day special which was extremely poor value for money and sadly the sea bream was not properly cooked through . The open mic night singing was great untill an electric guitarist played that people on the nearby tables said they agreed they couldn’t wait till he was over. Given the age of the clientele it was most unsuitable as it really dominated & spoilt the evening .

Written 2 February 2024

Ron w

London26 contributions

Lost it !

Oct 2024 • couples

I dont know what has happened. This used to be a good reliable restaurant but tasteless so called boulabasse and greasy frozen hake is not on . When you say it’s not good no one cares. Been coming here for ages but not again . Seems to be catering for tourists who don’t come again anyway. New lunch menu is very unadventurous, saw another couple leave food , pay quickly and go .

Written 16 October 2024

Nicki G

Worthing1190 contributions

Superb seafood

Jan 2025 • friends

If you like seafood, then this is the place to visit in Hermanus. It’s home cooked, family run and tremendous.visited several times before and never been disappointed. You need to book, as gets really busy and only small. They have really fresh fish and exciting tasty dishes, service is great and good value.

Written 6 February 2025

Kristel V

Belgium1400 contributions

Picturesque old fishing cottage

Sept 2024 • couples

Fantastic service (we were “blessed” with Blessed ☺️) and fresh fish dishes that seemed to come right out of the sea in a picturesque setting. Recommended is the fish of the day, the “line fish”. Attention: no toilet because of the old condition of the building (is old fishing cottage), you have to go outside for this.

Automatically translated

Written 11 September 2024

Samuel E

3 contributions

A hidden gem of the Garden Route. GO.

Oct 2024 • couples

It may sound dramatic, but this was perhaps my favourite dinner of ALL TIME! The no-frills setting, the authentic seafood, personal service and even the friendly local heroes that populate the bar area, made this place like stepping in to an episode of Parts Unknown. Bourdain would have loved it. We both went for the seafood curry - exceptional - and were treated to the live-action scenes of head chef Anton bossing his kitchen, whilst giving us some great chat and even a tequila shot to go with it. The head waiter Cor ran the floor brilliantly too, and was on hand for everything needed; even calling us the taxi home. What appears at first sight an innocuous old cottage-turned-restaurant is actually one of the great hidden gems of the Garden Route. These kind of places are hard to find; but the formula of great food, in a great setting, run by a great team is alive and kicking in Fisherman’s Cottage. I don’t usually do reviews, but then again, I don’t usually have perhaps my favourite meals of all time. My advice: GO GO GO.

Written 2 October 2024

Claudia C.

Catania15 contributions

Amazing dinner!!!

Aug 2024 • couples

Beautiful dinner in a very nice and romantic place with really good and nice staff! We ate at this place for dinner in August and took as an appetizer some delicious bread, a kind of very thin fried focaccia. Then a plate of local fish with delicious sweet potatoes and a plate with rice, curry, fish of different types made of soup with tomato .. superb! Fresh fish and really good .. not happy I asked the girl who served us (I do not remember the name, very good and very kind) if they could bring us a plate of only fried squid .. delicious, few times I tasted squid so light and tasty despite frying! Great value for money! Congratulations

Automatically translated

Written 10 August 2024

rowtietowers

640 contributions

Great food with a buzzing atmosphere

Feb 2024 • couples

Visited here twice during our 7 night stay. A very busy restaurant with a great buzz but perhaps in danger of becoming a bit of a tourist trap if they’re not careful. Our first visit I opted for the oyster starter (minus the MCC) which to be honest was a bit disappointing as there were only 3 fairly small oysters whilst my wife went for the prawn cocktail. For mains I went for one of the line fish specials which was lovely and served on a bed of mash with vegetables whilst my wife opted for the hake and chips - both delicious. Our second visit we both went for the hake and chips which were again lovely. Great atmosphere with the only downside being the toilet which is located across a yard and is a single toilet shared between men and women.

Written 3 March 2024

Squire Barr

Broadstairs57 contributions

Sea Food Curry - You’ll not regret it!!

Feb 2024 • friends

Booked very last minute the other night, managed to have a table outside ( weather permitting) which unfortunately did change so we moved to an area undercover close by the main restaurant. They were very busy and our only grumble was the food did take a long time to be served. We had the sea food curry with a roti, crayfish, line fish of the day and prawns, all enjoyed and washed down with a Chenin Blanc or 2. Etai looked after us and is a credit to the team

Written 9 February 2024

Roger L

Cape Town Central12 contributions

Worth the price

May 2024 • couples

There are many restaurants in Hermanus that trade on the tourists and are overpriced with so so food but this place is the real deal. Had a fairly expensive seafood platter for one but everything on it was extremely well cooked…so well worth it. Service was tops and had a great cozy vibe

Written 2 May 2024

218alison

Cranleigh167 contributions

Delicious lunch, great attention to detail

Dec 2023 • couples

Went for lunch, nice place would have more atmosphere in the evening when typically full but the manager / owner made us very welcome. Had the specials and all were delicious with lots of lovely touches. Good honest food very well priced. Would def visit again

Written 1 December 2023

Fishermans Cottage

Hi Alison. Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed review. Come join us again soon. Regards Nicole

Written 3 December 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ian D

London126 contributions

Lovely Seafood

Jan 2024 • friends

4 of us had dinner here on a Saturday night. We booked the night before to make sure we had a table. Firstly, the staff were excellent, friendly, helpful and genuinely pleased to welcome us. Two of us had the seafood curry that was absolutely lovely, best curry we had had in SA. One of the party had the seafood platter for one which would have fed an army, delicious and finally we had the line fish with a salad, beautifully cooked. It is a lovely place…book now!

Written 14 January 2024