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Isabella's Restaurant
Review
About
A proud family owned and run restaurant, that loves to share our passion for hospitality with our guests. Enjoy your time with us in a casual, Weskus-inspired dining in a open, effortlessly styled, harbour enviroment. Our passion is cooking great & delicious food. Our cooks are locally empowered women, trained regularly by professional chefs. We offer a large variety, oceanfront dining experience. We cater for our "little guests" by offering them their own interactive menu as well as a fun outdoor play area. Good wines, modern cocktails & fresh ingredients, combined with our friendly Weskus-hospitality & beautiful seafront views, offer an enjoyable, relaxing, linger-longer atmosphere.
Features
CUISINES
Seafood
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Dog Friendly
Family style
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Non-smoking restaurants
Parking Available
Playgrounds
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Visa
Waterfront
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available, Street Parking
Is this restaurant on the water, or waterfront?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 - 21:00
Monday
8:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
8:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
8:00 - 21:00
Thursday
8:00 - 21:00
Friday
8:00 - 21:00
Saturday
8:00 - 21:00
Contribute
3.9
456 reviews
Excellent
166
Good
171
Average
70
Poor
20
Terrible
30
Gary B
96 contributions
Aug 2022 • friends
A unusual stop to Lamberts Bay on our Namakwaland Tour, resulted in a lunch appointment at Isabellas. The view, the offering, the staff and the hosts were all amazing and did not disappoint. Fresh fish, great chips and a lovely chocolate cake were on the menu. Thumbs up to the leadership team who’ve issued back packs to their entire team, so Isabella’s is advertised as the team walk home between shifts. Also, top notch seeing the different shifts working at the restaurant and keeping as many local inhabitants employed as possible.
Written 30 August 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.
Susanne412
Sandton1770 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
The restaurant staff was very good and efficient.
The portions for the main course were huge, the starter looked small and I must say I had better Mussels already.
The salad which came with the main course were so well presented we just loved the idea seeing a lettuce act as a salad bowl.
But in Winter please close the windows earlier.
Written 30 August 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.
Al D
Somerset West147 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
This was the alternative as the Lamberts Bay Hotel restaurant was not open for lunch or dinner. Our first meal was a "take away" from this restaurant which was pretty good.
The restaurant service was good and the staff friendly. Their meals are mainly sea food, quite good, but like so many restaurants they tend to over cook prawns. Their fish dishes were generally good, but not outstanding.
Wine list was adequate with some very good dry white wines.
Written 23 September 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.
AMEL B
Casablanca12 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
The food was delicious,fresh seafood and prawns and the wine tasting goood.
The dessert proposed by Nika was very very delicious .
The service was excellent, everyone is attentive .
We had a great experience and I recommend to eat at Isabella’s restaurant.
Thank you Nika and all the team for the wonderful experience.
Nika is the best 😊😊😊
Written 28 September 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.
Rob G
Bellville1291 contributions
Mar 2023 • none
From stepping inside to leaving we had a great time and great food. The staff were attentive and friendly. All the dishes that came past looked amazing. The seafood platter for one can be recommended for a good variety. Well prepared and tasted great. The prawns were not overcooked as per a previous review.
Written 2 March 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.
Alastair Johnstone
Robertson8 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
This is the second time we have visited this restaurant - the first time was in 2021.
We made this second visit based on the great experience we had there the first time, and were pleasantly surprised to find that it is still as good as before.
We are line fish lovers, and look only for restaurants that serve fish. Isabella’s serves a variety of popular dishes to cover all tastes, but has a good seafood menu with our favorite - Kabiljou - on offer, and this is not an easy fish to find on a menu these days. Served with chips or a salad, it pairs well with a cold bottle of Graça wine.
My wife tried the specialty of the day - Cape Bream - which she enjoyed, but it is a fight to eat this un-filleted fish, which ends up cold before you can finish it.
If ever we return to Lamberts Bay, Isabella’s restaurant will be our choice again, as the other restaurants do not appeal to us at all.
Written 19 August 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.
MaraS
Wellington72 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
After a disastrous lunch in Dwarskersbos the previous day, we decided to drive up to Lamberts Bay for lunch. The town was dreary on a Tuesday. As a last resort we decided to try Isabellas. The restaurant staff welcomed us and seated is in the new section, gone were the tatty nets and plastic flowers from before. A stunning octopus mural set the tone with splatterlings of fresh flowers (very tough to come by in this neck of the woods)
We both ordered Hake and Calamari, not really looking forward to the meal; but we came to eat…
Huge was our surprise when the plates arrived! Nicely presented huge portions of FRESH hake and buttery soft calamari. I could not finish mine, but it was SUPERB. Both the Hake and the calamari was perfectly prepared and an absolute treat. Highly recommended. We will drive up all the way from Wellington for this.
Thank you Tonde, for unobtrusive, yet friendly and attentive service!
Well done. Hubby says he would happily award you a Michelin!
Written 21 January 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.
D Rautenbach
Johannesburg9 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
I was in Lamberts bay for a week in September 2021 and visited Isabella's regularly and ate a different meal every time, the food was great as well as the service. Their Calamari dish was fantastic. overall the place has fantastic food, service and views.
Written 7 October 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.
MyGeld
South Africa363 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
On our recent visit during the busy flower season this was our go-to restaurant of choice twice during our 2-day visit! The sea-food platter to share is generous, every bit of seafood was both fresh and freshly prepared. Service was excellent, friendly and quick. The restaurant has a 'request for service' system whereby you flag the "service please" option and we found staff in the area immediately responded. A walk along the promenade at the restaurant allows for many a 'kodak moment' of the colourful harbour boats and a visit to the Bird Island Reserve at the end. Sea gulls provide the background music and the beautiful harbour view completed a great experience.
Written 5 September 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.
Dude
Velddrif79 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
1sr time visit to Isabella, and it lived up 100% to it’s reputation - which was expected to be great.
We ordered a sushi platter as a starter - and it was one of the best prepared I have ever had.
The lamb curry was tasty and hot, just as told. The butter chicken chow was really special.
And lastly the service was excellent, and always with a smile, even when just passing by.
A very special place made unique by the 10,000’s of birds doing low level fly passes.
We’ll be back!
Written 26 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.
SouthAfricaAbroad
Cape Town105 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
During a recent road trip we spent one night in Lambert's Bay and were advised by our Guesthouse accommodation to dine at Isabella's....
Mussels in creamy garlic sauce, Queen prawns, Calamari.....jusr what we were hoping for to complete a stay along the West Coast.
The drinks and meals were well served, well prepared and well presented. Service was quick and adequate on a very busy night.Well done to all.
Great value for money. We will return.
Written 28 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.
CarelKriek
Stellenbosch10 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
Very friendly welcomed at the door. Great venue and warm atmosphere. The service was excellent, quick, friendly and the food scrumptious!
Ample parking place and the view over the harbour pleasant.
The menu selection fits the seafood orientated restaurant.
Will surely visit again and highly recommend this restaurant!
Written 22 July 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.
Abby Pets
8 contributions
Feb 2023 • business
Some food was not good standard. Lacking in flavour. Service - Manager didn't acknowledge us once, not good. The waitress gave undecided attention as far as possible and attended to our needs. However when issues arrose with the food the manager sent a message to the table and didn't come to speak to the table. He did however speak to all other tables present with other patrons, only wonder if it was because of their ethnicity. Nonetheless because of this I will not return and raged this visit a 2 1/2 the food could have been better. Catch of the day was however excellent.
Written 21 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.
916mariusj
Cape Town3 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
Very disappointing seafood platters with friends for lunch. Food shocking. Management attitude poor and uncaring. Did nothing to address our disappointment dispite the menu stating to "bring it to management attention if unhappy". Will rather go to other restaurants before going there again.
Written 7 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.
Elzette99
Good day Marius. Thank you for giving us feedback on your experience here at Isabellas. After I came to your table, you informed me that you had to wait for your cutlery after receiving your food (just over 3 minutes - I agree, you should not have waited for it and I really felt so bad, I followed up with that immediately), the sauces you ordered after you received your food, and we do make that from scratch, but even that did not take 5min to get to your table.
After going to your table a second time, your one guest informed me that she did not enjoy her meal, comparing it to the lady sitting opposite her (one ordered deep fried and one grilled, it really is 2 different plates of food) I asked what I can do to fix it for her, she had finished more than half of it and I was willing to even change her dish. She said I can give everything on the house, which you all laughed at. At that point I have already removed some items off your bill
I followed up with everything that happened at your table, even after you left, so I do feel that it is rather unfair that you deem my attitude uncaring, since your expectations where that all items be removed from your bill.
Again, I am sorry that you did not enjoy your experience here with us, since that is what we strive for.
Written 4 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mike V
6 contributions
Dec 2020 • family
We arrived at the port just after lunch. The restraunt was busy and we fortunate to get a seating as they normally require a booking due to large crowds.
The food and drinks were provided in good time and were of good quality.
Overall it was a good enjoyable lunch service in the port with a good view and lovely staff.
Written 27 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.
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