Fast facts

Restaurant Name: The Restaurant at The Plettenberg

Address: 40 Church Street, Plettenberg Bay

Contact Number: 044 533 2030

Average price of a main course: R200

Opening times: Breakfast: Monday to Sunday 7am to 10.30am; Afternoon Tea Menu: Monday to Sunday 11am to 5pm; Lunch and Dinner: Monday to Sunday 12noon to 10pm

Parking: Secure parking on the hotel premises

Food type: Seafood

Best for… Seafood with family and friends in an intimate setting.

Food

The menu is mostly inspired by the rich marine life found in the bay, with signature dishes like hand-caught hake and a fisherman’s seafood platter. The crispy calamari starter (that you’ll wish also comes as a main) combines the flavours of the ocean with fresh citrusy yuzu pearls, a subtle bite of red onion and the sweetness of grilled corn.

Ingredients are seasonal and locally sourced. From the Land portion of the menu, the Karoo springbok loin and aged beef fillet come highly recommended. The fragrant mussel pot has a creamy coconut milk sauce with zesty lemongrass and white wine that perfectly balances the richness of the coconut. The fine presentation of the dishes doesn’t come at the expense of portion sizes. The mussels are plenty and in a good amount of sauce.

The sesame-crusted Norwegian salmon is served with a zesty orange and grapefruit rocket salad and tasty black garlic risotto.

 

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Drinks

The wine list has a good selection, but perhaps not as extensive as one might expect from the setting and overall experience. The sommelier makes insightful recommendations for pairings from the wine list, like following the citrusy Oak Valley chardonnay with a Mr P Iona that closely resembles those flavours instead of jumping to a full-bodied red. There’s a gin trolley near the front of the restaurant that could make for an appetising sundowner before dinner.

Service

The staff are very attentive and never far away, regularly refilling your water or wine glass. The sommelier is passionate, friendly and knowledgeable – asking questions about your preferences and what you plan to eat before making suggestions. It’s a lovely interaction.

 

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Ambience

Set in the 5-star The Plettenberg hotel, you’re greeted by a hostess at the front door. You can choose to have a welcome drink or apéritif in the library lounge next to a roaring fireplace (in winter) or at The Sandbar. The restaurant overlooks Formosa Bay, which creates the perfect setting for a memorable seaside dining experience. The tables are set with candles and white linen. The atmosphere is fine dining, and so is the presentation of the food, but it’s warm and inviting, easing you into a lovely experience.

 

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Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.