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Cape Town institution Panama Jacks asked to leave the port

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017 by Nikita Buxton

Known for its seafood and charming fisherman’s setting, Panama Jacks at Table Bay Harbour in Cape Town has been told to leave the port after nearly 28 years of business.

The restaurant, which is considered by some locals and tourists as one of the Mother City’s best-kept secrets, has been operating from the same harbour location on the foreshore since 1989.

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Manager Liat Pittaway explained to Eat Out that the port authorities, who have been unavailable to comment, have been in discussions with the Panama Jacks team with the complaint that the restaurant business is not a port-related activity, despite its history in the location.

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Liat went on to issue a passionate plea to the authorities not to boot the establishment from its home. “The unusual harbour location is one of the reasons we are always so busy, and I can’t understand why the port can’t have a mixed area for both port activities as well as well as businesses such as ours, especially considering the amount of business we do,” she said.

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While it’s not 100% set in stone that Panama Jacks will be leaving the area, the owners are investigating other locations as they don’t want to lose their loyal following or close up shop for good. “Relocating will be a huge cost to us, and to replicate our quirkiness in another area will be incredibly hard to do. We really don’t want to move,” says Liat.

Stay tuned to Eat Out for further developments.

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7 Comments

  • Hilary
    February 23, 2017

    Why is Shimmy’s allowed to trade in the port and not Panama Jacks ?

    Reply
    1. Glenn
      April 23, 2018

      Shimmys is not in the higher security area of the port and you don’t need to pass through the security check points to get there as was the case at the old PJ. (not that they were very effective)
      The new premises is at the Cruise Terminal operated by the V&A near the Silo District and falls just outside the security area although there is a single guard on the date (behind the Police Station). Lots of free parking available.

  • FELIKS
    March 6, 2017

    Yes why Shimmy can stay ,Panama Jacks really very nice food ,will be very bad thev same what happened with paulliner at the water front

    Reply
  • Hans
    March 31, 2017

    We – a German group – had a wonderful dinner. We hope for a good future for PJ.

    Reply
  • Local
    October 21, 2017

    Panama Jacks adds MASSIVE value to the Port and Cape Town.
    Where does the port business person take his people now ?
    Where does the youth earn tips for studies now ?
    Where does the local feel at home now ?
    Where does the visitor feel special now ?
    ect etc ect ect etc ect ect etc ect ect etc ect.
    In an indirect way Panama Jacks is the Port of Cape Town. Someone with some brains should sort this out. Truly a great loss here.
    Golden Goose Vibe. Someone with a pen has got some mothering short falls. The swan has lost his song and we are now left with sentiment and faded memory. If a business model like Panama Jacks is not able to thrive, South Africa is in big trouble.
    Kind Regards
    Unlearned de-dignified and the unconsidered

    Reply
    1. Local
      October 21, 2017

      GREED

  • Glenn
    April 23, 2018

    The reason is because of international security requirements that have been getting stricter and stricted since 9/11. Unfortunately Panama Jacks falls within the security area of the port whereas Shimmys doesnt.
    The good news is that they have relocated to the cruise terminal at the other end of Duncan Dock. The terminal is run by the V&A and is accessible to the man in the street although it is a bit difficult to find if you dont know your way around.
    I had a fantastic dinner there on Saturday and although the new premises is decidedly more “up market” than the old, they have in my opinion managed to retain a lot of the atmosphere of the old place.
    Nice views from the restaurant and terrace.
    Lots of secure free parking available (one of the problems the old place had).

    Reply

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