Restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town's Waterfront seafood — book ahead.
Willoughby & Co. is a reliable Waterfront seafood address at the V&A in Cape Town, well-suited to groups, special occasions, and anyone who wants a dependable, lively seafood meal without the reservation difficulty of the city's tasting-menu circuit. Easy to book and centrally located, it's a practical first choice for visitors and locals alike.
Willoughby & Co. is a Waterfront seafood institution with seats that fill fast at peak service — if you want a table during a weekend lunch or when the V&A is busy, book ahead. For a celebration meal or a casual but well-executed seafood spread in one of Cape Town's most visited precincts, it earns its place. If a formal tasting menu is what you're after, look elsewhere; this is a crowd-pleasing, dependable seafood house, not a destination dining experience.
Located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront at 19 Dock Road, Willoughby & Co. has long been the go-to seafood address for visitors and locals who want reliable quality without the reservation difficulty of Cape Town's tasting-menu circuit. The setting is the Waterfront itself: busy, convivial, and well-suited to groups celebrating birthdays, business lunches, or a meal after an afternoon on the water. Don't expect the kind of composed, course-by-course progression you'd find at Fyn or La Colombe — Willoughby's format is more direct: fresh seafood, generous portions, and a room that moves at a lively pace.
For special occasions that don't require white-tablecloth formality, this is a strong option. The location gives it a natural draw for tourists staying nearby, but the kitchen's consistency keeps locals returning. It's particularly well-suited to groups where not everyone wants the commitment of a tasting menu or the wait list of The Test Kitchen. Solo diners and couples will find it comfortable, though if you're marking a significant occasion and want choreographed service, consider Salsify at the Roundhouse instead.
For context on the wider Cape Town dining picture, our full Cape Town restaurants guide covers the city's options across every tier. If you're spending time beyond the city, Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek and Wolfgat in Paternoster are worth the drive. For other Cape Town planning, see our guides to hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences.
Address: Shop 6132, 19 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001. Reservations: Recommended, especially for weekend lunch and dinner; booking is easy relative to Cape Town's tasting-menu restaurants. Dress: Smart casual suits the setting , the Waterfront tone is relaxed but tidy. Groups: Well-suited to larger parties; the format handles group bookings more gracefully than most tasting-menu venues in the city. Budget: Pricing data is not confirmed in our records , check directly with the venue before visiting.
| Venue | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Willoughby & Co. | — | |
| Fyn | — | |
| La Colombe | — | |
| Salsify at the Roundhouse | — | |
| The Test Kitchen | — | |
| Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia | — |
Comparing your options in Cape Town for this tier.
Groups are manageable here, but the V&A; Waterfront location means peak weekend service fills fast — call ahead and confirm capacity for parties of six or more. Larger groups should avoid walk-in attempts on Friday and Saturday evenings. For a private dining setup with more flexibility, Salsify at the Roundhouse is a better fit.
As a seafood-focused venue at the V&A; Waterfront, the kitchen is well-positioned to accommodate shellfish allergies and pescatarian diets — but confirm specific requirements when booking. If plant-based or complex dietary needs are a priority, Fyn or Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia offer more varied menus with greater flexibility.
Yes — counter or bar seating at busy waterfront restaurants typically suits solo diners, and Willoughby & Co.'s casual format makes it less awkward than a formal tasting-menu room. Weekday lunch is the low-pressure slot. For solo dining with a more structured experience, The Test Kitchen warrants the added planning.
The V&A; Waterfront setting signals relaxed rather than formal — clean casual works, and you won't be underdressed in jeans. This is not a jacket-required room. If you're moving on to somewhere like La Colombe afterward, dress up for that, not for Willoughby & Co.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
