With so many beautiful beaches, it’s little surprise that Cape Town is stuffed to the gills with amazing seafood options, all fresh and ready for summer feasting. We’ve rounded up the best of the best so you know where to get your catch this season.

This selection comprises all the Cape Town restaurants under the seafood category that made the cut for the 2018 Eat Out 500, the list of best restaurants in the country as rated and reviewed by our panel of critics for the 2018 edition of Eat Out magazine (on sale now). But we know the city is crammed with loads more tiny gems and trusty corner spots. Please tell us about your favourites in the comments at the end!

Baia Seafood Restaurant (V&A Waterfront)

Book a window seat at this perennial favourite at the V&A Waterfront. You’ll get to enjoy a fantastic view while you sip on a vino from their impressive wine list. Go for starters like chicken livers in a spicy lemon and garlic dressing, and the venison carpaccio with a tart caper and citrus vinaigrette. Mains are great as well – try the excellent rump Bordelaise with bone marrow.

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Café Orca (Melkbosstrand)

You’re unlikely to regret the drive out to this Melkbosstrand mainstay. Start with local mussels served in a creamy garlic and white wine sauce and move on to Moroccan linefish with a creamy harissa sauce. You also can’t go wrong with the fisherman’s platter.

Catch 22 Beachside Grill (Table View)

This spot leaves you spoilt for choices and is inclusive of vegetarians. The menu extensively covers sushi, shellfish, seafood curry and meats. Must-try dishes include the prawns starter, served in a garlic cream sauce with bread for dunking, and the Hawaiian chocolate mudslide.

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Harbour House (Kalk Bay)

Renowned for its picturesque location and dining rooms on the edge of the rocks, Harbour House impresses with lavish seafood. Share a platter with calamari, mussels, prawns, crayfish and linefish. Or opt for their well-executed sushi. You could also take advantage of their specials board, listing the catch of the day and sometimes old classics like avo ritz and sole Florentine.

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Hokey Poké (City Bowl)

Trendy Hawaiian bowl food is what you’ll find at this popular inner-city spot. Freshness is the name of the game and the rules are flexible, letting you choose between six house dishes or build your own. Drinks include kombucha and craft sodas.

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Harbour House (V&A Waterfront)

A new small plates concept has been introduced at this branch of Harbour House. Think game fish crudo, crispy prawns and white fish goujons. Have sushi with friends upstairs or share a lavish seafood platter with a glass of local wine.

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Kyoto Garden Sushi Japanese Restaurant (Tamboerskloof)

This Japanese oasis lets seafood shine brightly, with minimalist flavours and perfect techniques in both raw and cooked dishes. The ceviche, sushi and tempura are must-tries, as are their sake cocktails.

Live Bait (Muizenberg)

Lunching at Live Bait is like enjoying a meal inside a seashell. Enjoy mouthfuls of fresh seafood as waves crash metres away. Mains to try include grilled calamari with olive oil, aioli, chilli salsa verde and chips, and charred sardines right off the coals. Finish with a trio of sorbets served on pineapple carpaccio.

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Pesce Azzurro (Woodstock)

You could go for the meaty options here, like sirloin or lamb. They even do a fantastic gnocchi di ricotta. But eschew those and dive into the ocean. The spaghetti scoglio is a house favourite: a mound of al dente spaghetti topped with a maritime mélange of calamari, mussels, clams and prawns in a slightly spicy tomato sauce. Go hungry.

Seabreeze Fish & Shell (City Bowl)

This trendy spot’s menu kicks off with a choice of oysters from three different venues: Knysna, Saldanha and Luderitz. Move on to tapas dishes like wild langoustines with avo purée and a garlicky chilli mayo. Don’t leave without trying the classic hake and chips.

The langoustines with garlicky aioli, and a side of chips for good measure. Photo by Nikita Buxton.

Willoughby & Co (V&A Waterfront)

You probably already know about this classic spot because of its fantastic sushi. Opt for more the next time you go, like the tom yum soup, the Boston clam chowder or the tuna kebabs that come hot off the coals. Make a stop in the deli afterwards so you leave with your hands and stomach full.

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This selection comprises all the Cape Town restaurants under the seafood category that made the cut for the 2018 Eat Out 500, the list of best restaurants in the country as rated and reviewed by our panel of critics for the 2018 edition of Eat Out magazine (on sale now). But we know the city is crammed with loads more tiny gems and trusty corner spots. Please tell us about your favourites in the comments below.