If you are looking for an amazing seafood experience, go to this restaurant. It is casual, everyone is friendly, fish is ALYWAS fresh with several different catches of the day and this place is famous for its super tender calamaris. It's casual dining with stunning views in Hout Bay, right on the foot of Chapman's Peak. Great menu and great wine list, friendly and knowledgeable staff.

One of my favourite restaurants in Cape Town is the Chapman’Peak hotel. I’ve been going there for decades. The views are stunning from the deck but its those calamari rings in the pan that keep me going back year in and year out. They truly were in my opinion the best calamari in Cape Town. Unfortunately I had to use the past test as it is no longer what it once was. Not remotely.

My sister is here on holiday from Australia and we were planning were to go pn some of our outings. One of the definite “to do’s” on the list was Chapmans Peak Hotel. Having made our plans a few days later she let me know that some of her friends in Cape Town had warned her against going and said that the food is not as good as it used to be and that it was tastless and greasy. I said that was nonsense as I had been there in the last year and the food then was as good as ot used to be.

So having reassured her off we went this weekend. I duly ordered the calamari and prawn combo as did she. My wife ordered the full portion of calamari.

It was unfortunately probably had one of my worst dishes of calamari I have ever had the misfortune of eating. The rings were large, tasteless and rubbery. And greasy. Not those smaller rings that once almost seemed to melt in your mouth.

The prawns were THE very worst prawns I have ever had. They were all totally overcooked and stuck fast to their shells. When I tried pulling the meat from its shell the meat broke apart. I should not have even made the effort as the meat was tasteless and dried out. Almost inedible.

Besides its reputation, at the price I had expected more in more ways than one. For R275 the combo comprises of 6 smallish prawns and not a large amount of calamari. That’s is a tad on the steep side. I probably wouldn’t be mentioning the price or even writing a restaurant review- which is also a first for me) if the food was great ( or even just good) but this just too terrible. As for the side of chips I was given about 7 chips in this very small tin cup. They shouldn’t have bothered with that small a portion but the chips were at least better than the rest of the meal.

As it turned out the relatively small combo portions was not a problem as I simply has no desire to finish that meal. I generally finish my meals at a restaurant and have never not previously finished my meal at Chapman’s Peak Hotel. My sister nor my wife finished their meals either for the very same reasons. I had to apologize to my sister for bringing her there and for telling her to ignore her friends’ warnings to stay away.

After I paid, I let the waiter politely know how surprised and disappointed I was with the calamari and the prawns. He didn’t express any surprise and immediately replied that it was due to a new supplier. I got the idea I was not nearly the first person to complain to him about the food.

So unfortunately thats the last time I will go to Chapman’s Peak Hotel for a meal, which is rather sad as it was an institution where I have previously had such good times and the best calamari. But thats no more.

We popped in for some seafood while doing the Chapmans Peak Drive.
Extensive food and wine list - we had fish of the day (kingclip) and jumbo butterflied prawns. Food was delicious and perfect for what we wanted - a relatively quick, relaxed meal.

The staff,,quality and food is excellent. Special thanks to the Manager John,waiter,Thembalani for their friendliness and hospitality.
I would also like to commend the staff during our morning breakfasts. Nothing is too much trouble.
Whilst an old setting the food freshness, listening to hosts needs is what makes this place a want to visit again.
Keep up the superb service

It is always a pleasure to enjoy a meal on the terrae of this landmark hotel. Fresh seafood always simply prepared full taste and freshness... one cannot go wrong with the fresh fish or calamari, and many enjoy the Portuguese chicken too.