Epic New Seafood Restaurant ‘SeaBreeze Fish & Shell’ Arrives on Bree Street [First Taste]

If there’s one thing I dislike about Cape Town’s Bree Street it’s that is has a tendency to be a little bit pretentious… and a lot hipster. Especially when it comes to restaurants. And let’s be honest, I surely can’t be the only person tired of paying inflated prices for over-hyped food just because “it’s on Bree Street, man”. Luckily, sanity has prevailed and a new kind of spot has opened its doors on the popular foodie drag. At fist glance, SeaBreeze Fish & Shell has got everything I love about a good restaurant – sophisticated yet uncomplicated decor, good food, and reasonable prices.

Perhaps the best thing about SeaBreeze Fish & Shell is that they’re bringing FRESH seafood to diners in the Cape Town CBD. I know that might seem obvious and you’re thinking; “duh, we live by the ocean” but sadly, despite being on the coast, a lot of restaurants (seafood restaurants included) in Cape Town serve previously frozen seafood that probably hasn’t even been sourced from Western Cape or even South African shores (I know, it’s shocking, your whole life has been a lie) but SeaBreeze has committed to celebrating the best produce sourced from local coastlines and I couldn’t be more excited.

Image by: Claire Gunn

Daily seafood deliveries ensure that what’s been landed is what’s on the menu that day and recent dishes at the eatery have included Hake ceviche with cream cheese and squid ink mayo, Silverfish with braaied corn and Salse Verde, Griddled king prawns with avo puree and chilli mayo and a Fresh line-caught tuna burger and crispy onions. Of course, there’s also the perennial classic fish ‘n chips which I was lucky enough to try. Sadly I only got to sample a bite-sized portion but based on that quick bite I will definitely be going back for more soon!

Another thing I love about SeaBreeze is that they have a fresh oyster bar. Oysters; you either love ’em or hate ’em but if you love them as much as I do then this is the spot to go for a glass of bubbly and fresh snack. I got the chance to try their fresh oyster offering at the launch last week and was super impressed. Trust me, I had enough oysters that night (I’ll admit it; I ate my weight in oysters) to confidently say that these are the freshest and tastiest oysters in town. Pop down to SeaBreeze for the outstanding Oyster Happy Hour offer of “10 bucks a shuck” from 17:00 – 18:00 daily. And to go with it, the eclectic, fresh and interesting wine and MCC list offers exceptional value for money, with most of the list being offered by the glass.

Image by: Claire Gunn

As for that sophisticated, yet uncomplicated decor I mentioned earlier, SeaBreeze has a striking double-fronted, deep blue exterior, while the contemporary interior boasts ocean-inspired bright and beautiful open-plan spaces with views of the cocktail and oyster bars. Diners can choose a seat at one of the tables or strike up a conversation with somebody new at the 10m long communal high-top oyster bar. In summer you can grab a table outside and watch the cars and people of Bree Street whizz by.

While this was just my first taste of the restaurant and I haven’t had a chance to try the full menu just yet, I am optimistic about what this spot is going to bring to Bree Street and the Cape Town restaurant scene. Winter is the perfect time to try ou this new spot before it gets too busy to book a table in the summer time so I suggest you make a booking for a romantic dinner date for two or a quiet meal with friends.

Find SeaBreeze at 213 Bree Street, Cape Town. The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 until 21:30. For more information contact them on 073 058 0164 or say Hi to SeaBreeze Fish & Shell on Facebook.

Review originally published on WomenStuff.co.za.