It is never easy recommending a restaurant to friends or family – it comes with a huge responsibility, especially if reviewing food is what you do for a living. Lucky for us we live in a city where food is celebrated and is always the topic of discussion.
So when anyone asks me for a recommendation, Harbour House rolls off my tongue effortlessly. Every visit has been exceptional and consistency is everything in the restaurant business. Harbour House is a time-tested brand, they have been serving excellence for 24 years. The V&A location is particularly special because of its ideal location between the mountain and the sea. The atmosphere is always electrifying with the buzz around the waterfront, and it lends to your experience at the eatery.
Our table is situated on the water’s edge, where you can spend hours watching the boats snake in and out of the harbour – people watching at it’s finest. There’s also the glitter and ripple of the water as you sip on your wine and take in the outdoors again.
They specialise in seafood so don’t think twice about what you want to order. Expect a seafood indulgence of the highest order. Starters include freshly shucked oysters – and plump, juicy prawns soaked in a spicy Mozambique sauce. A slice of ciabatta will help you sop up the dreamy, flavourful sauce. Make sure you get every last drop or you’ll regret it later.
Take a breather before the main course, you want to pace yourself so you can joyfully indulge in every scintillating bite. Their cocktail range will satisfy even toughest booze critic, and their wine selection is meticulously curated to pair with each delicious meal you order. Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions, the waiters understand the drinks selection as well as they understand the food.
Currently, Harbour House has a special on their seafood platter for two, and it is priced at R695. It includes portions of all their seafood options, mussels, scallops, prawns, langoustines, crayfish, calamari, line fish and snoek, as well as two sides of your choice.
It fed two adults and two hungry children, and there was still a little to take home in a doggy bag. The crayfish was sweet and prepared perfectly so as to not overcook the delicate meat. The calamari was succulent and juicy, as were the prawns and langoustines. The two sides go a long way, and there were only happy smiles at the table once we had feasted on a little of everything. It is a great option for a lunch date out or a friends get-together – it is the best choice to get a little of everything to sample.
For mains, I would also highly recommend the seafood pasta, which is cream-based and scrumptious. The prawns in Mozambique sauce is also a great option for lunch, not just a starter. Everything on the menu is a delight – the sushi is prepared skilfully and offers the freshest ingredients.
For dessert I opted for the cheesecake with English toffee ice cream. It was rich and decadent, and rounded off the entire meal brilliantly.
There are different sections of the restaurant and all the views are exceptional. There is an upstairs area, seating on the water’s edge. If the weather is not great you can enjoy the seating inside, and still look out onto the harbour. There is live entertainment on the weekend to extend the dining experience into a more complete day out.
Customer satisfaction is important, so your every need is pandered to and with views to match the food and service, what more could you possibly need out of a dinner for two, or four, or ten? The answer is nothing, and that is why it comes highly recommended, they tick all the boxes, time and time again. But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself.
Contact: 021 418 4744 / 021 418 4748
Address: Quay Four, Ground Floor, V&A Waterfront
Website: Harbour House V&A Waterfront