The Lookout Hout Bay

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About

The Lookout Hout Bay arguably boasts one of the best views in the Western Cape. Situated on the water’s edge in the Hout Bay Harbour, the restaurant boasts breath taking mountain and ocean views. The restaurant is home to the finest oysters in Cape Town, carefully sourced, the oysters are freshly shucked to order, and are on promotion at R12.00 each, all day, every day. Enjoy sensational sundowners and cocktails whilst listening to local, live music on selected nights.

CUISINES

Bar, Seafood, Sushi, Grill

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.0

914 reviews

Excellent

297

Very good

367

Average

135

Poor

62

Terrible

53

jeannine20657

Pershore362 contributions

Sunday at the Lookout is great!

Feb 2020 • friends

Sunday at the Lookout is great for the vibe! With live music playing, fabulous food and friendly locals this was THE place to be in Hout Bay. The menu covers all tastes, but sitting right on the harbour we had to eat fish! Local fisherman, Steve of Cape Town Fishing Charters, told us that the tuna was not “biting” so we ordered the Hake and the Kingklip. The food was simple but delicious, service was prompt and very friendly. The locals danced to the music and everyone was smiling! All this at a very affordable £55 for 4 meals with wine and beer!

Written 15 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.

TouristGuide

3022 contributions

Lovely venue, accommodating management, excellent service

Nov 2021 • none

Our Wine Appreciation Group had a most enjoyable experience at Lookout. The Management was most accommodating and offered us a two course meal at a very reasonable price. The food and service were excellent, the ambience and view outstanding and, during these Covid hard times, would like to compliment the team for a superlative effort. We were seated on the upper deck with excellent ventilation and there were no complaints afterwards - a rarity these days. Thank you everyone at Lookout.

Written 22 November 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.

D&R Travels

Belfast83 contributions

Hooked !!!!

Feb 2020 • couples

We searched Hout Bay restaurants before we went on our holiday to SA Try and sit out on the deck, the sun was shining and the atmosphere was enjoyable. The staff were knowledgeable and honest about portion sizes so we didn’t over order ,a quality which was appreciated. The food (platter for 1) fed both of us and we are still talking about how good it was... Only minor issue, the front of house was poor as our names were taken and people with no bookings were being shown to their tables before us by other staff as we sat at the bar. Loved this place...we will definitely be back. Seals on the dock are a bonus

Written 21 March 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.

Michelle B

Kingswood18 contributions

Not good

Jan 2020 • friends

We went to this restaurant last night on one of their music night. We were greeted by a very friendly lovely lady, who seated us even though we had no booking. We ordered a seafood platter to share, with savoury rice. When the platter arrived, the prawns were Luke warm and dry, very overcooked. The catch of the day was also bone dry and was hard to swallow. We sent it back with a promise of another better one to come shortly. Needless to say, the second one was worse than the first. To be fair the manager didn’t charge us for the platter as we hadn’t even eaten very much of it, hardly touched. The service was friendly enough, but what we didn’t appreciate was the two rubbish bins at the bar in full view of the restaurant. Have never seen bins in direct view inside a restaurant before. Very offputting. The nicest part of this restaurant is the view. They have a lot of hard work ahead of themselves if they wish to carry on as a restaurant. Otherwise just run it as a pub, I’m sure that would be better for them all round as competition in Hout Bay is extremely strong.

Written 18 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.

Roamingcaterpillar

Cape Town23 contributions

The Best Value Fresh Oysters Ever

Nov 2020 • none

The Lookout has reopened this week in Hout Bay Harbour. They have an “Oyster Special... R12 each !” We ordered have a dozen. They were medium in size ,tasty & very fresh. Our waitress Nicola was fantastic. She even organized us some squid as a pre tasting. Deciding on the pan fried Patagonian squid & the Gambas Pil Pil prawns we enjoyed the most delicious lunch. The views over the Harbour towards Chapman’s Peak Drive are excellent too. Big thank you also to Berkeley who was serving behind the bar.

Written 20 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.

Tarina

3 contributions

The place to meet

Dec 2022 • family

Good good food, some items are pricy but if you take time to study the menu you could still have a pretty dam decent meal and drinks. I highly recommend the Chipotle Chicken Livers. And if you really want to to get good service with your meal request Jade as your waiter, fast, friendly, efficient and attentive we enjoyed his humor and wit.

Written 10 December 2022

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.

Flyer1960

Bristol162 contributions

We have eaten here numerous

Feb 2020 • friends

We have eaten here numerous times over the years and it is OK. CT has many seriously good eateries but really the Lookout isn’t really positioning itself as a fine dining restaurant. Service has always been OK to good, location is wonderful and the food is usually great for what it is. So why the 3*? Whilst waiting for friends to join us my wife noticed 6 rats on the rocks below the deck (not great) but hardly the restaurants jurisdiction! That however changed when one emerged on the deck - not good. Unfortunately the waiters appeared oblivious, almost as though it were the norm. I appreciate pest control by the sea is challenging but it does need addressing.

Written 17 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.

John W

Worcester53 contributions

Touristy but good.

Jan 2020 • none

We arrive don the tour bus and went straight in to lunch just after 12.00midday. We had a table on the terrace overlooking the beach - do get one of those if you can the view over the bay is an added bonus. The food is good - fish is the speciality and we topped it up with a couple of light beers each. We went, having been before many years ago, for the experience as much as the food and we will remember it now we re back in a cold, English winter with pleasure and warmth.

Written 31 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.

Jack H

Mirfield400 contributions

The Lookout has made a great comeback.

Feb 2020 • none

4 years ago it was impossible to enjoy a meal here because of the smell from the nearby fish processing plant. This has now been closed down, I suspect much to the relief of most of the inhabitants of Hout Bay so we went back to the Lookout for lunch. We shared oysters, hake and chips and carafes of rosê. It was all first class with pleasnt efficient service. What a joy to find an old favourite back on form.

Written 1 March 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.

stayer16

88 contributions

Lovely view, good service, nice vibe

Feb 2024 • friends

Service was very good and they were busy. Lovely setting and view. We enjoyed it there. Prawns were good but pricey as there are other restaurants very close by who offer great prawn dishes for less. Burgers were fantastic. Cheese cake was very nice but literally the smallest piece I've ever been served. Atmosphere is lively. We will go again. The ice cream is also very good.

Written 11 February 2024

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.

Eveready930

Cape Town219 contributions

Lovely seas side setting.

Feb 2020 • friends

Set amongst the yatch’s in a little marina alongside a pretty bay with majestic mountains and all the hustle and bustle of a touristic harbor. It lends itself to lazy afternoons of oysters and white wine. Sea food is fresh and scrumptious.

Written 11 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.

Gerard B

Newbridge929 contributions

Enjoyable experience.

Mar 2024 • family

Family of 3 adults & 2 children drove out here for lunch. The drive out from Cape Town is in itself stunning. We were met, greeted & sat by the waterfront by very courteous staff. We opted for a shared platter of sushi, 3 hake meals for the adults & Jake fingers for the Children. We also had a plate of fried calamari. Two opted for the deep fried hake while one went for the grilled option. All the food was presented perfectly. I had the deep fried hake and it tasted delicious, while my Daughter, who had the grilled version, remarked just how tasty it was. We all sampled a portion & can only vouch for Her verdict. For drinks we had 2 soft drinks 2 draught beers & 1 litre of bottled water. We were served by Lucia who couldn’t do enough for us. Overall the bill came to R1236.00, which for 3 adults & 2 children was lost reasonable. Also, try getting a window seat as the sea lions swimming for entertainment. I’m visiting my Family here & already hope I’ll be brought back here.

Written 22 March 2024

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.

VonVintlo

Johannesburg199 contributions

Lovely venue, friendly staff

Dec 2022 • none

The venue has a lovely setting overlooking the harbour. Staff were very friendly and efficient. The food was good, but not exceptional. A little pricey, especially the fish. Oysters were very cheap. Burgers looked great, but we did not order them. Pizzas had very little topping, especially given the price.

Written 29 December 2022

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.

chiqpc

Potchefstroom37 contributions

Wow, what a find!

Feb 2023 • solo

Wow, what a find! I never knew this was such a nice place. Buzzing on a Sunday, good vibe, good food. Mike the manager is an excellent host! And oysters at R12 ea… say not more! I don’t know how long they have been here, but I have always been sidetracked by the expensive tourist oriented seafood places in the area. So glad I found the Lookout. Will be back.

Written 5 February 2023

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.

Pominfrance

72 contributions

Super friendly restaurant!

Jan 2024 • couples

Extremely friendly staff got this meal off to a great start. The lady who greeted was very friendly and welcoming. Fortunately, this continued throughout the evening as all the staff were a credit to the restaurant, especially our waitress "Asazi", who was very cheerful and had a laugh with us, despite her having some "difficult" customers on the table next to us. The location is superb, situated overlooking Hout Bay, with Chapmans Peak visible across the bay. The food was delicious, a wonderful selection of fresh seafood (although some meat options were also available). Prices were reasonable and the quality of food was excellent.

Written 28 January 2024

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.

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